Sutton signs 2-year deal with Ducks

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Were you drunk when you posted this?

Yeah, sure, because we could have afforded to spend $2m on a third-pairing defenseman, one who happens to be unable to skate. You complain about the most nonsensical s***, GMR. You moan and complain and then you give up in the tough times and scream about how there's no hope. Get your head checked.

Modano isn't a winger, and he wouldn't be playing on the checking line. Maltby was offered a two-way contract; quit being a dumbass. I swear, you'll always find things to complain about; you'll create them out of nowhere if necessary.

Are you ever gonna stop hating around here?

At least my complaints deal with the Wings, and not attacking other posters all the time like you do. You really need to take care of your anger management issues instead of telling me what I should post.

Sutton isn't someone we need to skate well. He'd be here for different reasons, which you obviously can't fathom with your limited knowledge of hockey. You're the biggest whiner on LGW by consistently calling out posters who want to sign tougher players for reasons we think would benefit the team. Your post was just a bad attempt to attack me instead of saying anything bad about Sutton's game that actually makes sense.

As for his salary, the money we'll pay to Modano or Maltby or whatever other lower line players (not Helm) that we've signed or will sign, could have been better served by paying a player like Sutton.

Edited August 4, 2010 by GMRwings1983

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

I agree with GMR, 3rd pairing defensemen aren't being relied upon to produce points, and necessarily skate like the wind. 3rd pairing defensemen are used for blocking shots, clearing the crease, and keeping their opponents honest.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

I agree with GMR, 3rd pairing defensemen aren't being relied upon to produce points, and necessarily skate like the wind. 3rd pairing defensemen are used for blocking shots, clearing the crease, and keeping their opponents honest.

Yeah, I don't remember Lilja being a great skater, and he contributed greatly to us over the last few years, especially in our Cup run.

If Crymson thinks a player like Meech will do the job just as well, he's in for a bad surprise. Ericsson hasn't yet shown that he can be physical enough on a consistent basis to be our physical 6th D-man either.

The financial reasons I explained a few posts above. We've had money that we could have spared, if not on Sutton, then another physical 3rd pair defenseman. I'm not saying we should have pursued Shea Weber, but someone cheaper was certainly feasible.

Edited August 4, 2010 by GMRwings1983

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

I think Meech is on his way out. Ericsson shows signs of his potential feistiness, but it only shows itself once in a blue moon. I don't see signing another defenseman as a need. I think Janik should be given a chance to prove he can fit the bill of a physical, mean 6th defenseman. Signing a guy like Shane Hnidy wouldn't hurt, though.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

I think Meech is on his way out. Ericsson shows signs of his potential feistiness, but it only shows itself once in a blue moon. I don't see signing another defenseman as a need. I think Janik should be given a chance to prove he can fit the bill of a physical, mean 6th defenseman. Signing a guy like Shane Hnidy wouldn't hurt, though.

Janik I'm not opposed to, but he's not really as solid as Sutton is, and also not as feared a hitter.

I think it'll be interesting to see who ultimately gets that 3rd pairing spot, but it needs to be someone who's physical and can move people in front of the net. We don't have anyone who can do that right now consistently, or someone who has a mean streak of some kind.

[Guest mindfly]

Janik I'm not opposed to, but he's not really as solid as Sutton is, and also not as feared a hitter.

I think it'll be interesting to see who ultimately gets that 3rd pairing spot, but it needs to be someone who's physical and can move people in front of the net. We don't have anyone who can do that right now consistently, or someone who has a mean streak of some kind.

Well that's basically a penalty in bettman's NHL á 2010/2011

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

To be honest, I'd be content with a 3rd pairing of Ericsson and Janik. I still believe we need to find someone that will "keep the flies off". With speculation that any combination of Miller, Meech, and Ritola could be dealt, I'm really hoping that either they acquire some grit via a trade or give Aaron Downey a 2-way contract at league minimum, and let him play his 50 games in Detroit.

[newfy 695]

Janik I'm not opposed to, but he's not really as solid as Sutton is, and also not as feared a hitter.

I think it'll be interesting to see who ultimately gets that 3rd pairing spot, but it needs to be someone who's physical and can move people in front of the net. We don't have anyone who can do that right now consistently, or someone who has a mean streak of some kind.

I would say Janik fits this bill. If he makes the team next year you can expect him to be fighting and playing physical to keep his job, the only problem there is he hasn't proven he can consistently play tough at the NHL level. Ericcson could really develop a mean streak this year now that he is more used to the NHL as well but thats not a for sure thing.

Janik is a mean defenseman and he showed flashes of good play while he was up last year, this might be the year we can see what he can do. I also agree with everything you said about Crymson.

On a side note, I remember last year I made a thread saying I thought Janik may be Lilja's replacement down the line and everyone ridiculed me, whose laughing now

[Guest Heaten]

Yeah, I don't remember Lilja being a great skater, and he contributed greatly to us over the last few years, especially in our Cup run.

If Crymson thinks a player like Meech will do the job just as well, he's in for a bad surprise. Ericsson hasn't yet shown that he can be physical enough on a consistent basis to be our physical 6th D-man either.

The financial reasons I explained a few posts above. We've had money that we could have spared, if not on Sutton, then another physical 3rd pair defenseman. I'm not saying we should have pursued Shea Weber, but someone cheaper was certainly feasible.

I don't see the point of adding a $2.2 million dollar 5th/6th defensemen. Especially when Wings have Ericsson and Kindl (not to mention Janick showed he can handle the 6th d-man role).

Meech is as good as gone. Not sure why you are bringing his name into the equation. Why do you want to give up on the kids for a an overpaid 6th D-man who is already 35+ years old. If nothing else, Holland might be able to re-sign Lilja to a two-way contract down on the real-cheap. Why pay $2+ million for a guy that won't get much ice time?

With Modano, Wings will have one of the best 3rd lines ( bottom 6, and the most depth) in the league. You want to throw all that away for a guy to play minimal ice time on the 3rd defense pairing? Hell, why not at least trade Stuart and give him Stuart's minutes why you're at it? It just makes no sense to have a $2.2 mil player on the 5th/6th role. Have you gone mad?

Ericsson holds his own physically when it matters. He's shown spurts of nastiness... And he's over a million cheaper. I say keep Ericsson and Kindl so they can further develop their game, and get a cheap depth guy like Lilja or Janick. Red Wings doesn't have the ice time available (or cap space) to offer a 2nd pairing guy. Unless you are suggesting Holland should get rid of Kronwall or Stuart?!?!

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

I don't see the point of adding a $2.2 million dollar 5th/6th defensemen. Especially when Wings have Ericsson and Kindl (not to mention Janick showed he can handle the 6th d-man role).

Meech is as good as gone. Not sure why you are bringing his name into the equation. Why do you want to give up on the kids for a an overpaid 6th D-man who is already 35+ years old. If nothing else, Holland might be able to re-sign Lilja to a two-way contract down on the real-cheap. Why pay $2+ million for a guy that won't get much ice time?

With Modano, Wings will have one of the best 3rd lines ( bottom 6, and the most depth) in the league. You want to throw all that away for a guy to play minimal ice time on the 3rd defense pairing? Hell, why not at least trade Stuart and give him Stuart's minutes why you're at it? It just makes no sense to have a $2.2 mil player on the 5th/6th role. Have you gone mad?

Ericsson holds his own physically when it matters. He's shown spurts of nastiness... And he's over a million cheaper. I say keep Ericsson and Kindl so they can further develop their game, and get a cheap depth guy like Lilja or Janick. Red Wings doesn't have the ice time available (or cap space) to offer a 2nd pairing guy. Unless you are suggesting Holland should get rid of Kronwall or Stuart?!?!

A third pair defenseman is more important than a 3rd line forward. They usually get more icetime than 3rd line forwards, especially since teams dress half as many D-men than forwards.

Your post greatly diminished the importance of a 3rd pair defenseman and overrated the role someone like Modano will play, when we have plenty of other guys who have shown they can play on the 3rd line, like say Helm who'll be demoted to the 4th line now.

And my post wasn't just specific to Sutton. I was talking more about a physical defenseman who's big and can move bodies from the crease. Doesn't have to be Sutton necessarily, or someone who makes $2 million a year. It's just an blank that needs to be filled.

Edited August 4, 2010 by GMRwings1983

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

A third pair defenseman is more important than a 3rd line forward. They usually get more icetime than 3rd line forwards, especially since teams dress half as many D-men than forwards.

Your post greatly diminished the importance of a 3rd pair defenseman and overrated the role someone like Modano will play, when we have plenty of other guys who have shown they can play on the 3rd line, like say Helm who'll be demoted to the 4th line now.

And my post wasn't just specific to Sutton. I was talking more about a physical defenseman who's big and can move bodies from the crease. Doesn't have to be Sutton necessarily, or someone who makes $2 million a year. It's just an blank that needs to be filled.

Agreed. There's a lot of unknowns on the defensive side of the ice. And I don't care what people say, the Modano signing absolutely impacts how much money is left to go after a stay at home defenseman who will clear the crease.

And clearing the crease has been one of the Wings major problems, especially last season. They were constantly outnumbered around their own net and players often had free reign. Lids neutralizes guys but can't really move them. Stuart is ok. Ericsson has the size but doesn't seem to realize it.

Three scoring lines is certainly great, but if Holland goes into the season with some variation of the current defensive lineup, I'm scared for our D, especially if anyone gets injured.

[Guest Heaten]

A third pair defenseman is more important than a 3rd line forward. They usually get more icetime than 3rd line forwards, especially since teams dress half as many D-men than forwards.

Your post greatly diminished the importance of a 3rd pair defenseman and overrated the role someone like Modano will play, when we have plenty of other guys who have shown they can play on the 3rd line, like say Helm who'll be demoted to the 4th line now.

And my post wasn't just specific to Sutton. I was talking more about a physical defenseman who's big and can move bodies from the crease. Doesn't have to be Sutton necessarily, or someone who makes $2 million a year. It's just an blank that needs to be filled.

I disagree with the first part. Having scoring depth is important when we lack it. If we had a 3rd like that boasted Hudler-Modano-Cleary against the Sharks, we'd been in the WCF, not the Sharks. Like I said, Ericsson/Kindl with Lilja played well together. Even Janik seemed to be pretty solid when he was called up last season. I have no problem with Holland getting rid of Meech and Miller to sign a cheap veteran dman FA for depth.. but not a $2.2 million d-man. Your first argument was Kenny could have Sutton over a washed up 40 year 3rd line center... which to me, suggested that you wanted Sutton. Wings don't need Sutton. They just need a solid shut down veteran on the cheap. Not a big name guy, just someone who can get the job done. Easy problem solved.

As for your argument that Helm will get demoted to the 3rd line, well sure. Why not? Wings will have one of the top scoring 3rd lines in the entire NHL. A 3rd line that helps win playoff series. What the Red Wings lacked last post season. Scoring depth.

Either way, Wings can have both of both worlds.... A shut down d-man can be had for $750k and Modano. Heck, Jay Mckee isn't signed yet. Why you whining?

[toby91_ca 620]

On a side note, I remember last year I made a thread saying I thought Janik may be Lilja's replacement down the line and everyone ridiculed me, whose laughing now

Too early to start laughing, Janik isn't even on the roster yet.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

I disagree with the first part. Having scoring depth is important when we lack it. If we had a 3rd like that boasted Hudler-Modano-Cleary against the Sharks, we'd been in the WCF, not the Sharks. Like I said, Ericsson/Kindl with Lilja played well together. Even Janik seemed to be pretty solid when he was called up last season. I have no problem with Holland getting rid of Meech and Miller to sign a cheap veteran dman FA for depth.. but not a $2.2 million d-man. Your first argument was Kenny could have Sutton over a washed up 40 year 3rd line center... which to me, suggested that you wanted Sutton. Wings don't need Sutton. They just need a solid shut down veteran on the cheap. Not a big name guy, just someone who can get the job done. Easy problem solved.

As for your argument that Helm will get demoted to the 3rd line, well sure. Why not? Wings will have one of the top scoring 3rd lines in the entire NHL. A 3rd line that helps win playoff series. What the Red Wings lacked last post season. Scoring depth.

Either way, Wings can have both of both worlds.... A shut down d-man can be had for $750k and Modano. Heck, Jay Mckee isn't signed yet. Why you whining?

We can't have the best of both worlds. The salary cap has prevented that.

Spending money on Modano does lessen the amount of cash we'd have to spend on defensemen, which is not a position we're deep at.

I don't understand why a Cleary/Helm/Hudler line wasn't enough for people to be happy? Apparently we also needed to sign Modano.

Edited August 4, 2010 by GMRwings1983

[Guest mindfly]

Because Helm got no hands nor vision?

Helm is a workhorse.. a mule if you like, and brings it every shift... an offensive centerman to make saucerpasses to hudler... he is NOT.

Edited August 4, 2010 by mindfly

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

Mike Modano was indeed a "want", not a necessity. Seems we have the cash to bring in Shane Hnidy, trade Miller,Meech, and/ or Ritola for whatever we can get, and call it an offseason.

[Guest mindfly]

Indeed..Hnidy makes some sense.. what other reasonable bottom pairing UFA players are there out there?

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Because Helm got no hands nor vision?

Helm is a workhorse.. a mule if you like, and brings it every shift... an offensive centerman to make saucerpasses to hudler... he is NOT.

He did fine with Hudler in the 2008 playoffs, when Maltby and McCarty were also playing with them.

Hudler will score most of his points on the PP anyway, and not on the 3rd line where he'll have less time and space.

[jollymania 162]

Indeed..Hnidy makes some sense.. what other reasonable bottom pairing UFA players are there out there?

Freddy Meyer, ummmmm Hnidy? not much

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

Well Nick Boynton is still out there..He is traditionally grossly overpaid, but maybe (since its August and he's still jobless) he'll sign for cheap. Brendan Witt is looking for work. An interesting guy to me is Rob Davison. He spent the majority of last year in New Jersey's AHL affiliate in Lowell. He'd play for league minimum, and he exactly what we're looking for when it comes to blocking shots, clearing the crease, and keeping opponents honest. I think we should take a chance on him. I wonder if Edmonton is willing to trade Jim Vandermeer. He won't get much playing time. Edmonton's defense seems full.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Well Nick Boynton is still out there..He is traditionally grossly overpaid, but maybe (since its August and he's still jobless) he'll sign for cheap. Brendan Witt is looking for work. An interesting guy to me is Rob Davison. He spent the majority of last year in New Jersey's AHL affiliate in Lowell. He'd play for league minimum, and he exactly what we're looking for when it comes to blocking shots, clearing the crease, and keeping opponents honest. I think we should take a chance on him. I wonder if Edmonton is willing to trade Jim Vandermeer. He won't get much playing time. Edmonton's defense seems full.

Vandermeer and Franzen are good friends, so I'm sure they'll love to play together.

[jollymania 162]

Well Nick Boynton is still out there..He is traditionally grossly overpaid, but maybe (since its August and he's still jobless) he'll sign for cheap. Brendan Witt is looking for work. An interesting guy to me is Rob Davison. He spent the majority of last year in New Jersey's AHL affiliate in Lowell. He'd play for league minimum, and he exactly what we're looking for when it comes to blocking shots, clearing the crease, and keeping opponents honest. I think we should take a chance on him. I wonder if Edmonton is willing to trade Jim Vandermeer. He won't get much playing time. Edmonton's defense seems full.

DAvidson or witt wouldn't be out of the question, davidson is a career ahler/scratch basically but is physical at least, witt is an aging veteren who has played a lot less recently. hnidy is also an aging guy but not quite as deteriorated as witt, Meyer is 29, has shown streaks of very solid play and isn't going to command much, he is still the best option imo

[Guest mindfly]

Meyer doesn't have size though and we need a somewhat "crease-clearer"

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

I'd be happy with Hnidy, Boynton, Witt, or Davison. Freddy Meyer? I haven't watched a whole lot of him. He's not the scrappy type guy. But I don't really know much else about him to comment further than that.

[jollymania 162]

Meyer doesn't have size though and we need a somewhat "crease-clearer"

Meyer is a fairly big time hitter though and brings an added physical presence, plus he put up 27 in his rookie season it is a guy who could easily surprise people, let ericsson and stuart clear the crease

he can el cobongo people:

Edited August 4, 2010 by jollymania