Changes in the offseason

[Konnan511 1,736]

I'd love to have him here. Good defensive defenseman. I wasn't sure if he was available this summer or not. He won't want a ton of money. To be honest with you, I really hope Ericsson gets overpaid and leaves. There are so many better options out there and he clearly hasn't panned out here.

Hell no to Gagne and Zherdev. Gagne won't play in more than 60 games and Zherdev is far too defensively irresponsible and offensively inconsistent to thrive here.

I love Jay Harrison. Stones in his fist, just hitting his prime, and he won't want more than a mil a season and will put up 10-20 points for us while killing people in front of the net. Plus, he's a good old North American boy lol

[LeftWinger 4,936]

I really don't want to gloat too much, but I am loving all these line combos with Hudler missing and Wisniewski and Jokinen on them! While I may have not been the VERY first to put these two in some line combos or suggest their signings (I may have been with Wiz because I remember getting railed UP and DOWN when I did mention him) but it's very nice to see folks mentioning these guys more and more!

It has to be noted though that pretty much ANY forward signing hinges on Hudler being traded because they would be replacing him on the roster. If Holland keeps Hudler then there is only three spots to fill with Eaves/Draper/Miller/Mursak. Of course with a Hudler trade and a Jokinen signing, there are still only three spots to fill, but I am hoping for Draper just to hang it up and let the younger guys take over. Helm is more than capable to replace Draper's contribution's 10-fold. As someone pointed out to me, the Wings were right up near the top of the league in scoring, so if Jokinen can add 30 or so playing with Dats, then that should help tremendously! Adding Wiz and another d-man (Pitkanen would be a good one) along with a REAL defensive coach (Bougher? Hitchcock? Lemaire? Dunno?) should bring us back near he top of the league in defense. Thus more than likely (red glasses warning) propelling us to another Stanley Cup Championship!

[Konnan511 1,736]

Pierre LeBrun thinks that San Jose could trade some players away including Setoguchi and Pavelski. I would love to aquire Pavelski, if nothing else to keep him from scoring on us!

But why? Seto is about to be an RFA come July first and Pavelski is a young key cog to that aging "core".

[LeftWinger 4,936]

With Abby (plus picks and prospects) in a deal for Carter, as Philly needs to offload for 5.5mill capspace. Using Hudler to get a draft pick to replace one lost in the deal for Carter.

CAPGEEK.COM CAP CALCULATOR

FORWARDS

Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m) / Pavel Datsyuk ($6.700m) / Nikolai Zherdev ($2.000m)

Daniel Cleary ($2.800m) / Jeff Carter ($5.272m) / Johan Franzen ($3.954m)

Jussi Jokinen ($1.700m) / Valtteri Filppula ($3.000m) / Todd Bertuzzi ($1.937m)

Jan Mursak ($0.550m) / Darren Helm ($0.912m) / Patrick Eaves ($0.850m)

Tomas Holmstrom ($1.875m)

DEFENSEMEN

Nicklas Lidstrom ($5.500m) / Brad Stuart ($3.750m)

Niklas Kronwall ($3.000m) / Joni Pitkanen ($4.000m)

Jakub Kindl ($0.883m) / James Wisniewski ($4.000m)

GOALTENDERS

Jimmy Howard ($2.250m) / Josh Harding ($1.000m)

CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)

(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)

SALARY CAP: $62,400,000; CAP PAYROLL: $62,018,938; BONUSES: $0

CAP SPACE (21-man roster): $381,062

Man I like Abdelkader and would miss him. I see you let Miller go as well. I think Lidstrom will get $6M so I am not sure the Zherdev signing could happen... but Lidstrom COULD take $5.5M or even less in order to get a better team, but it would have to be HIS idea, I am sure Holland would not insult him with a low-ball offer, especially if the Cap rises to $64.5M, PLUS if he trades Hudler's and his Cap hit away, Holland would have $25M before any UFA's were re-signed... Hell he has $18M right now and the Cap hasn't moved a bit. Add the $5.1M increase and remove Hudler's $2.9M... it's good to be a Wings fan this off season!

[Majsheppard 203]

But why? Seto is about to be an RFA come July first and Pavelski is a young key cog to that aging "core".

I am just rewriting what Pierre LeBrun says, and to be honest he can be hit or miss.

He just states that the team failed again and they are looking to shake things up and picked three people, stating that Setoguchi is the most likely to be moved.

Personally I would move Marleau asap.

With Abby (plus picks and prospects) in a deal for Carter, as Philly needs to offload for 5.5mill capspace. Using Hudler to get a draft pick to replace one lost in the deal for Carter.

CAPGEEK.COM CAP CALCULATOR

FORWARDS

Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m) / Pavel Datsyuk ($6.700m) / Nikolai Zherdev ($2.000m)

Daniel Cleary ($2.800m) / Jeff Carter ($5.272m) / Johan Franzen ($3.954m)

Jussi Jokinen ($1.700m) / Valtteri Filppula ($3.000m) / Todd Bertuzzi ($1.937m)

Jan Mursak ($0.550m) / Darren Helm ($0.912m) / Patrick Eaves ($0.850m)

Tomas Holmstrom ($1.875m)

DEFENSEMEN

Nicklas Lidstrom ($5.500m) / Brad Stuart ($3.750m)

Niklas Kronwall ($3.000m) / Joni Pitkanen ($4.000m)

Jakub Kindl ($0.883m) / James Wisniewski ($4.000m)

GOALTENDERS

Jimmy Howard ($2.250m) / Josh Harding ($1.000m)

CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)

(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)

SALARY CAP: $62,400,000; CAP PAYROLL: $62,018,938; BONUSES: $0

CAP SPACE (21-man roster): $381,062

If you left Zherdev out I would be okay with that... I would much rather have Tanguay as a cheaper top six guy. I also think you are underestimating EVERYONES contracts that you are adding.

Holland doesn't overpay players, and while Bieska is having a good PO, he's not that impressive overall. There are equal options out there...and won't come as overpayment. Bieska will get severely overpaid this offseason.

If Holland can get him for under $4 ($3.5-ish), then I say go for it, but I bet he gets offers over $5 mil yr. Same with Erhoff. Holland will probably find "lesser knowns" who will be fine.

You need to recognize that as the cap goes up, the average salary goes up. The inflation is making your offer unrealistic. Bieksa will not take less than four. Nor should he. Five is pushing it depending on the length though.

You are thinking he deserves a contract like Stuarts, and he does. The thing you don't realize is Stuart's contract with inflation would be somewhere along the lines of 4.5 which is what a good deal for Bieksa would be.

[LeftWinger 4,936]

I am just rewriting what Pierre LeBrun says, and to be honest he can be hit or miss.

He just states that the team failed again and they are looking to shake things up and picked three people, stating that Setoguchi is the most likely to be moved.

Personally I would move Marleau asap.

If you left Zherdev out I would be okay with that... I would much rather have Tanguay as a cheaper top six guy. I also think you are underestimating EVERYONES contracts that you are adding.

I do believe you and I are drinking the same coffee this off season. Wisniewski, Tanguay, Jokinen...trade Hudler.... I like the way you are thinking this year!

I agree Marleau should go before Seto, but for some reason they love them some Marleau in San Jose...

Edited May 27, 2011 by LeftWinger

[HankthaTank 1,100]

freep

The Red Wings signed defenseman Adam Almqvist to a three-year entry-level contract today.

A2 shall be something to watch in the next few years

[Datsyerberger 279]

Well, here's what I'd like

Forwards, with Hudler:

Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Cleary

Bertuzzi - Filppula - Franzen

Hudler - Helm - Eaves

Mursak - Abdelkader - Holmstrom

Emmerton

(?)

Forwards, without Hudler:

Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Cleary

? - Filppula - Franzen

Bertuzzi - Helm - Eaves

Mursak - Abdelkader - Holmstrom

Emmerton

?

or

Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Cleary

Bertuzzi - Filppula - Franzen

Mursak - Helm - Eaves

Abdelkader - Emmerton - Holmstrom

?

(?)

D-men, Nick with Nik:

Lidstrom - Kronwall

Stuart - Righty shot

Grit/PK - Kindl

?

(?)

D-men, Nick/Nik pairs as 1a/1b

Lidstrom - Righty shot

Kronwall - Gritty righty shot

Stuart - Kindl

?

(?)

Edited May 27, 2011 by Datsyerberger

[MGreenberg 105]

I completely agree with Jokinen, I saw his name out there the other day and thought, wow! That would be a great idea to bring him in. He's a guy who can score 30 goals and I think he'd play really well with Datsyuk or Zetterberg.

Laich is going to be way overpaid and as much as I think he'd be a good gritty guy to have, we aren't going to overpay for him.

Joey MacDonald will not be our backup, plain and simple. They will more than likely go out and get Conklin, Hedberg, Boucher, etc... They may even try and get Nabakov from the Isles since he doesn't want to be there.

Your defense is spot on. I don't believe Wiz will command 6 million and I don't think any team will pay that for him. I think he'll relish in the fact that he could play for a contender and make 4-4.5 million. I think he'll like the fact that that contender is right by his hometown.

Yeah, I like Jokinen as well and think he could do well, some people on these forums might say he is soft but I honestly don't see the Wings becoming a "tough" team anytime soon and think he could add more offense to an already good offensive team.

With Laich, I don't see the problem paying him between two and a half to three million for a third line center who could add another fifteen or more goals and forty or more points.

I don't see the problem keeping Joey, he played very well for the Wings and I think all he needs to do is just gives Jimmy some rest every now and then. I would have said Nabokov before but after Jimmy's playoff performance I don't think we need someone like Nabokov unless he signs for about the same as Joey would.

And with Wisniewski, maybe he would come cheap to play in his home state.

[HankthaTank 1,100]

And with Wisniewski, maybe he would come cheap to play in his home state.

WisniewSKI---RafalSKI

Home state guy---Home state guy

????---Hometown discount

I think we see the pattern here

[Majsheppard 203]

I do believe you and I are drinking the same coffee this off season. Wisniewski, Tanguay, Jokinen...trade Hudler.... I like the way you are thinking this year!

I agree Marleau should go before Seto, but for some reason they love them some Marleau in San Jose...

That's because they enjoy people who play so poorly at the biggest moment and love early playoff exits.

It would be nice to get off of the Oldest team in the league status.

Or get off the second to last in team height or team weight.

[dirtydangles 1,328]

Man I like Abdelkader and would miss him. I see you let Miller go as well. I think Lidstrom will get $6M so I am not sure the Zherdev signing could happen... but Lidstrom COULD take $5.5M or even less in order to get a better team, but it would have to be HIS idea, I am sure Holland would not insult him with a low-ball offer, especially if the Cap rises to $64.5M, PLUS if he trades Hudler's and his Cap hit away, Holland would have $25M before any UFA's were re-signed... Hell he has $18M right now and the Cap hasn't moved a bit. Add the $5.1M increase and remove Hudler's $2.9M... it's good to be a Wings fan this off season!

WANT. I think we can get him going with dats. He has too much talent. He is free. Do a one year trial. I really think this could work out. So what if he isn't a defensive specialist? We have a bunch of guys who do that (and sure, he needs to do some too), but this guy can score.

[Buppy 1,720]

WANT. I think we can get him going with dats. He has too much talent. He is free. Do a one year trial. I really think this could work out. So what if he isn't a defensive specialist? We have a bunch of guys who do that (and sure, he needs to do some too), but this guy can score.

I'd definitely take him if he came cheap. He didn't have a very good year, so he just might. Then again he might go back to Russia or the Rangers could give him $3m+.

I'd definitely give priority to the defense though. I'd like to see two of the better FAs here. After that they can worry about forwards.

[Konnan511 1,736]

freep

A2 shall be something to watch in the next few years

He'll still be in the SEL next season, so it'll still be another 3-4 years before he wears the Winged Wheel

[dirtydangles 1,328]

I'd definitely take him if he came cheap. He didn't have a very good year, so he just might. Then again he might go back to Russia or the Rangers could give him $3m+.

I'd definitely give priority to the defense though. I'd like to see two of the better FAs here. After that they can worry about forwards.

The more youtube clips i watch of this guy the more i can't believe he's available. sure hes having a rough patch (and not that great for d), but seriously, can we please bring him in for under 3 mill? holy **** hes got dangles. Id love to see him with dats. i'd ask anyone who thinks hes not worth a try to watch his highlights on youtube. they are some special goals.

[hockey23 79]

Ken Holland-

"We're kind of done up front," he said. "Up front we're just looking for support people. Our top three lines for the most part are in place."

Mike Babcock-

We need, uh…Uh, a top-six D, or a top-two D, to replace Rafalski; we need a top-six forward to give our guys opportunity, and that’s all we need.

Kind of interesting that Holland and Babcock say completely opposite things regarding the forwards. I've just been looking at the d-men, so who would be a good top-6 guy? Jokinen? Laich? Cole? Vrbata? Someone else?

Edited May 28, 2011 by hockey23

[Datsyerberger 279]

Ken Holland-

Mike Babcock-

Kind of interesting that Holland and Babcock say completely opposite things regarding the forwards. I've just been looking at the d-men, so who would be a good top-6 guy? Jokinen? Laich? Cole? Vrbata? Someone else?

Someone that's a shooter. A sniper-type score. top 6 quality so at least a 20g sort of guy.

No danglers, no front of net guys/crease crashers, no playmakers, no utility guys...

A shooter.

Ryder is probably the closest fit I can think of that's going UFA. Ryder is probably the closest fit. Even though Cole really isn't, I'd take him just because he's good enough all-around. Same for Tanguay. But ignoring the couple higher end guys like them on the market, a shooter/sniper would be ideal.

[Bar Down 107]

I know some of you have been looking at the Flyers as possible trading partners and I agree. They are in SERIOUS cap trouble because they have a bunch of long term deals tying up a lot of payroll. A guy like Brayden Coburn would be a good fit for the Wings at a decent cap hit. He's big (6'5", 220 lbs), young (26) and led the Flyers in hits in the playoffs. He's also capable of 30+ points a season and can play some serious minutes. Since the Flyers are in a salary-shedding mode, he might be available for less than you'd think. Since they can't afford to take one any more salary, a pick and a prospect (such as Emmerton) might be enough to coerce the Flyers into trading him. Just throwing it out there.

[Datsyerberger 279]

I know some of you have been looking at the Flyers as possible trading partners and I agree. They are in SERIOUS cap trouble because they have a bunch of long term deals tying up a lot of payroll. A guy like Brayden Coburn would be a good fit for the Wings at a decent cap hit. He's big (6'5", 220 lbs), young (26) and led the Flyers in hits in the playoffs. He's also capable of 30+ points a season and can play some serious minutes. Since the Flyers are in a salary-shedding mode, he might be available for less than you'd think. Since they can't afford to take one any more salary, a pick and a prospect (such as Emmerton) might be enough to coerce the Flyers into trading him. Just throwing it out there.

Coburn would be a guy worth looking at and one I'd agree may be available for a respectable price.

[Guest Hatethedrake!]

Semin and Green may be able to be acquired via trade. It would fit our need for a top 6 forward and top 4 dman. Something like Filppula, Hudler, Kindl and a 1st for Semin and Green.

[Konnan511 1,736]

Semin and Green may be able to be acquired via trade. It would fit our need for a top 6 forward and top 4 dman. Something like Filppula, Hudler, Kindl and a 1st for Semin and Green.

Not sure if serious...

[MGreenberg 105]

Semin and Green may be able to be acquired via trade. It would fit our need for a top 6 forward and top 4 dman. Something like Filppula, Hudler, Kindl and a 1st for Semin and Green.

Let's see, Hudler and Fil combined for 26 goals, 76 points and a -8 while Semin had 28 goals, 54 points and +22 and he had an off year(for him). Then you talk about Green, Kindl and a 1st? So we give up a young guy who points up 4 points and get one of the best young offensive defeseman in the NHL despite having a bad year as well.. And while your at it how about we throw in Miller and Eaves to get Ovechkin too.

Now the only player I would miss would be Fil but that trade is so lopsided it is crazy in my opinion.

Edited May 28, 2011 by MGreenberg

[dirtydangles 1,328]

Ken Holland-

Mike Babcock-

Kind of interesting that Holland and Babcock say completely opposite things regarding the forwards. I've just been looking at the d-men, so who would be a good top-6 guy? Jokinen? Laich? Cole? Vrbata? Someone else?

zherdev

[Shaman 713]

Let's see, Hudler and Fil combined for 26 goals, 76 points and a -8 while Semin had 28 goals, 54 points and +22 and he had an off year(for him). Then you talk about Green, Kindl and a 1st? So we give up a young guy who points up 4 points and get one of the best young offensive defeseman in the NHL despite having a bad year as well.. And while your at it how about we throw in Miller and Eaves to get Ovechkin too.

Now the only player I would miss would be Fil but that trade is so lopsided it is crazy in my opinion.

I don't know.... seems like an overpayment for Ovechkin, I would say Miller, the rights to Draper, and a 7th would be a much better deal for both sides.

[dirtydangles 1,328]

I know some of you have been looking at the Flyers as possible trading partners and I agree. They are in SERIOUS cap trouble because they have a bunch of long term deals tying up a lot of payroll. A guy like Brayden Coburn would be a good fit for the Wings at a decent cap hit. He's big (6'5", 220 lbs), young (26) and led the Flyers in hits in the playoffs. He's also capable of 30+ points a season and can play some serious minutes. Since the Flyers are in a salary-shedding mode, he might be available for less than you'd think. Since they can't afford to take one any more salary, a pick and a prospect (such as Emmerton) might be enough to coerce the Flyers into trading him. Just throwing it out there.

They need to dump more salary than just Coburn's 3.8mill (need around 5-6mill off the books to get bryz). They also will need to replace him coburn and they want to resign nodl and leino. so that means they need to dump a more high priced guy, even with the cap going up. carter is the logical option, briere is a right handed center so they won't miss carter that much.