Wings sign Ruslan Salei

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

I don't consider guys like Sutton or Hnidy to be enforcers.

You guys are just stereotyping based on my previous posts in other threads. Here, we're talking about tough 3rd pair defensemen and not wingers who are straight up enforcers like Boogaard. That's changing the topic and talking about the 4th line, which is not what I'm doing in this thread, although I have done it before in those threads.

I just want to know why posters criticize defensemen who can't skate and take occasional bad penalties, and then they praise this signing. It seems hypocritical to me and I don't think it's because Salei is perceived as being really good all around, because he's really not. He's a straight up defensive defenseman, just like many of the other players me and several other posters have wanted.

Edited August 10, 2010 by GMRwings1983

[Guest mindfly]

I don't consider guys like Sutton or Hnidy to be enforcers.

You guys are just stereotyping based on my previous posts in other threads. Here, we're talking about tough 3rd pair defensemen and not wingers who are straight up enforcers like Boogaard. That's changing the topic and talking about the 4th line, which is not what I'm doing in this thread, although I have done it before in those threads.

I just want to know why posters criticize defensemen who can't skate and take occasional bad penalties, and then they praise this signing. It seems hypocritical to me and I don't think it's because Salei is perceived as being really good all around, because he's really not. He's a straight up defensive defenseman, just like many of the other players me and several other posters have wanted.

Babcock loves the guy, isn't that enough for ya? If he thinks he's the guy to get the job done then he really is..

[Booster313 138]

Switch Kronwall with Nick and Stuie with Rafalski and I am all on board. Well I am anyway but just think Nick and Raf need different mates next to them.

Nick is not playing second paring minutes... Maybe Stuy with Raf, and leave Konner where he is...

I don't consider guys like Sutton or Hnidy to be enforcers.

You guys are just stereotyping based on my previous posts in other threads. Here, we're talking about tough 3rd pair defensemen and not wingers who are straight up enforcers like Boogaard. That's changing the topic and talking about the 4th line, which is not what I'm doing in this thread, although I have done it before in those thread.

I just want to know why posters criticize defensemen who can't skate and take occasional bad penalties, and then they praise this signing. It seems hypocritical to me and I

don't think it's because Salei is perceived as being really good all around, because he's really not. He's a straight up defensive defenseman, just like many of the other players me and several other posters have wanted.

To me this is the only type of "enforcer" that the Wings were ever going to sign. They value scoring too much. I am all for it!

[Shaman 713]

I don't consider guys like Sutton or Hnidy to be enforcers.

You guys are just stereotyping based on my previous posts in other threads. Here, we're talking about tough 3rd pair defensemen and not wingers who are straight up enforcers like Boogaard. That's changing the topic and talking about the 4th line, which is not what I'm doing in this thread, although I have done it before in those threads.

I just want to know why posters criticize defensemen who can't skate and take occasional bad penalties, and then they praise this signing. It seems hypocritical to me and I don't think it's because Salei is perceived as being really good all around, because he's really not. He's a straight up defensive defenseman, just like many of the other players me and several other posters have wanted.

Biggest advantages of Salei over Hnidy or Sutton is hes a play off veteran and better career points and plus/minus stats. I don't care for any of the three if there was a younger choice (all are 35+) but, of the three Salei plays a better rounded game.

[pucktividi 472]

Approve this signing in general,cause Salei is a type of player that the Wings need atm.

Anyway would rather sign Paul Mara who's a similar player,gave him like $2M for 2 years just for the reason we'll have 10 UFA's next summer and definitely don't want to bite the nails for another physical D signing

[Jesusberg 1,256]

I don't see why some people are so vehemently protesting this signing. In the past seasons Salei has played a game very comparable to Brad Stuart's. The team got him at the 750K price tag because last season was so injury plagued. In 2008-09 his stats and Stuart's stats were as follows:

Stuart: 67 Games Played, 20:13 ice time

2 Goals, 13 Assists for 15 Points

157 Hits, 98 Blocked Shots

Salei: 70 Games Played, 21:06 ice time

4 Goals, 17 Assists for 21 Points

107 Hits, 143 Blocked Shots

I'm aware of his two glaring issues: Health and discipline. I still feel like he's a good signing. I could project his stats over 82 games for last year, but his offensive totals would be a little blown up in my opinion (projected for 35 points) so I don't think it's a fair comparison to make. The point is, he plays a very solid game for 750K. If he can stay healthy, this will turn into a very good signing.

[Guest Hatethedrake!]

Kenny always has a plan A, B, C, etc. He had a salary figure in mind when he decided he needed a vet 3rd pair dman. I believe he wanted Lilja back but at 1 mil. Lils priced himself out of Detroit by asking for 1.5 mil.

I think Kenny had a list of around 10 UFA dmen he would perhaps be interested in. Guys like Witt, Hnidy, Mckee, Salei, etc. He was always going to sign the guy on his list who would agree to his price. Salei was that guy. Babs likely trumpeted Salei's value as he coached him with the Ducks. Kenny likes bargains. He likes turning coal into gold. He did it with Cleary, Eaves, Samuelsson, etc. As a 3rd pair dman, Salei does not have to play Norris Trophy hockey. All he has to do is play solid in his own zone and clear the front of the net and also have a positive impact on Ericsson. I think he will do that.

Holland has had a very successful 'under the radar' summer and this team is stacked with incredible depth. I don't see another team in the NHL which can compare to the Red Wings' depth. If we can stay healthy, there is no doubt in my mind that the Cup will be ours again next June.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

If I remember correctly, Salei has never been an adept skater, and is known for taking dumb penalties from time to time.

Many posters here have adamantly criticized others who have wanted a tough defenseman of some kind, for the same reasons as those I listed above. Yet those same posters have praised Salei without reserve.

Hypocrites?

Exactly. Salei isn't known to be the most disciplined defenseman. He had an injury-filled season last year with Colorado, and the guy isn't young anymore. Weren't we talking about getting younger not too long ago? I'm not a big fan of this signing. Shane Hnidy isn't the youngest guy either, but he fits the bill of what we are looking for better than Ruslan Salei does.

[jollymania 162]

Exactly. Salei isn't known to be the most disciplined defenseman. He had an injury-filled season last year with Colorado, and the guy isn't young anymore. Weren't we talking about getting younger not too long ago? I'm not a big fan of this signing. Shane Hnidy isn't the youngest guy either, but he fits the bill of what we are looking for better than Ruslan Salei does.

same age, salei has done more in his career, you cant say hnidy would have been better

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

same age, salei has done more in his career, you cant say hnidy would have been better

In my opinion, Hnidy would have brought more to the team. Granted, Hnidy isn't the most injury-free guy either, but he's a lot meaner and would give us that physical presence i think we lack on defense. I don't think Salei will bring nearly the same edge.

[Broken 16 381]

In my opinion, Hnidy would have brought more to the team. Granted, Hnidy isn't the most injury-free guy either, but he's a lot meaner and would give us that physical presence i think we lack on defense. I don't think Salei will bring nearly the same edge.

It's hockey. Nobody is injury-free. Some only appear to be that way because they play through it. Seriously... people fixate way too much on injury history.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

It's hockey. Nobody is injury-free. Some only appear to be that way because they play through it. Seriously... people fixate way too much on injury history.

I'm aware of this...Bottom line is Hnidy would've been a better signing than Salei..

[dirtydangles 1,328]

I like:

Lids Kronwall

Rafi Stuart

Salei Ericsson

Gives Kronwall some first line experience. Stuart will get some steady play from Rafi and he can cover rafi when he plays more offensively. ericsson and salei just need to be solid. salei will clear the net, ericsson can move the puck to safety. no real offensive threat in the third pairing but meh, u cant have everything in life. I just don't want to see lids and rafi together again, its just scary when other teams forecheck. Each pairing has a solid non-injury prone guy lol.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

I like:

Lids Kronwall

Rafi Stuart

Salei Ericsson

Gives Kronwall some first line experience. Stuart will get some steady play from Rafi and he can cover rafi when he plays more offensively. ericsson and salei just need to be solid. salei will clear the net, ericsson can move the puck to safety. no real offensive threat in the third pairing but meh, u cant have everything in life. I just don't want to see lids and rafi together again, its just scary when other teams forecheck. Each pairing has a solid non-injury prone guy lol.

Hopefully Janik gets some playing time. He really proved he can play at the NHL level last year. Salei will miss games, and Janik will take his spot

[Broken 16 381]

I'm aware of this...Bottom line is Hnidy would've been a better signing than Salei..

Actually, it isn't the bottom line. It's an opinion. I think Salei is going to fit seamlessly into the line-up. Babcock is familiar with him. Besides, I'd much rather have Salei mentoring our young guys.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

Actually, it isn't the bottom line. It's an opinion. I think Salei is going to fit seamlessly into the line-up. Babcock is familiar with him. Besides, I'd much rather have Salei mentoring our young guys.

Oh, well pardon me. If he can stay relatively healthy, he'll be an effective shot-blocker, other than that, he won't provide much, like the snarl that Hnidy could.

[jollymania 162]

Oh, well pardon me. If he can stay relatively healthy, he'll be an effective shot-blocker, other than that, he won't provide much, like the snarl that Hnidy could.

hnidy isn't some bad ass guy you know

[newfy 695]

hnidy isn't some bad ass guy you know

Hnidy is a pretty damn physical guy and a solid fighter. Clears the crease and is overall fits the bill of a mean stay at home defenseman.

I'm not saying I would have rather had him then Salei but to put down what Hnidy is capable of because we didn't sign him is dumb

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Hopefully Janik gets some playing time. He really proved he can play at the NHL level last year. Salei will miss games, and Janik will take his spot

I can understand not being overly excited about Salei. But I don't really get wanting Janik, who has barely cracked an NHL lineup, to get time over a guy who is an established NHL defenseman.

Janik didn't look awful in the 13 games he was here, but he was still behind Lebda, Ericsson, Lilja and Meech. That must mean something about this guys level of play.

[jollymania 162]

Hnidy is a pretty damn physical guy and a solid fighter. Clears the crease and is overall fits the bill of a mean stay at home defenseman.

I'm not saying I would have rather had him then Salei but to put down what Hnidy is capable of because we didn't sign him is dumb

im not putting down Hnidy, they are similar players but salei has done much more with his career, and Hnidy is NOT that physical of a guy

HITS 08-09 (salei played 5 more games):

Salei Hnidy

107 47

Double for salei

hnidy - 4 fights last year, wow those 4 fights (3 losses and a draw) would really make a difference

Edited August 11, 2010 by jollymania

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

I don't consider guys like Sutton or Hnidy to be enforcers.

You guys are just stereotyping based on my previous posts in other threads. Here, we're talking about tough 3rd pair defensemen and not wingers who are straight up enforcers like Boogaard. That's changing the topic and talking about the 4th line, which is not what I'm doing in this thread, although I have done it before in those threads.

I just want to know why posters criticize defensemen who can't skate and take occasional bad penalties, and then they praise this signing. It seems hypocritical to me and I don't think it's because Salei is perceived as being really good all around, because he's really not. He's a straight up defensive defenseman, just like many of the other players me and several other posters have wanted.

There's definitely an element of people rejecting any other physical defenseman that's been suggested here. Then Kenny does it and he's a genius.

Just wait until Salei makes a few turnovers. People here will be lighting their torches.

That's not to say Salei is any worse than a bottom pairing guy, but the standard here for D men is often Nick Lidstrom. Which means 99.9% of the dmen in the league must be turnover prone and useless.

Edited August 11, 2010 by haroldsnepsts

[newfy 695]

im not putting down Hnidy, they are similar players but salei has done much more with his career, and Hnidy is NOT that physical of a guy

HITS 08-09 (salei played 5 more games):

Salei Hnidy

107 47

Double for salei

hnidy - 4 fights last year, wow those 4 fights (3 losses and a draw) would really make a difference

Hnidy would take care of a problem the wings had last season. Standing aronud and letting guys have whacks at rebounds wouldn't happen with him on the ice. I don't think Salei has the same mean streak as Hnidy does at all when it comes to net front play anymore, Hnidy is tough to play against out there. Even more so then Salie I think.

I'm happy with Ruslan though because he is a pretty solid overall player and an improvement over Lilja

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

If I remember correctly, Salei has never been an adept skater, and is known for taking dumb penalties from time to time.

Many posters here have adamantly criticized others who have wanted a tough defenseman of some kind, for the same reasons as those I listed above. Yet those same posters have praised Salei without reserve.

Hypocrites?

I don't think the critique was having a tough defenseman, but the "need" to have a tough defenseman in the lineup. The team isn't trying to be the in your face teams they were in the late 90s.

And I don't see how this signing is "great", either. Just a bottom pairing guy who has some injury issues. Nothing much to praise or hate about it. We'll have to see at training camp/preseason how this guy adapts to the system.

[jollymania 162]

Hnidy would take care of a problem the wings had last season. Standing aronud and letting guys have whacks at rebounds wouldn't happen with him on the ice. I don't think Salei has the same mean streak as Hnidy does at all when it comes to net front play anymore, Hnidy is tough to play against out there. Even more so then Salie I think.

I'm happy with Ruslan though because he is a pretty solid overall player and an improvement over Lilja

is crease clearing really THAT important? And do you really pay attention to players who "clear the crease" because it seems like something that 99% of people would ignore

[redwingfan19 293]

is crease clearing really THAT important? And do you really pay attention to players who "clear the crease" because it seems like something that 99% of people would ignore

crease clearing is underrated. hard to get second chance opportunities when your boxed out or on your ass