71 replies to this topic

[Buppy]

If the cap goes up $5m+ I'd look to shore up the defense in preparation for Nick's eventual retirement.

Ehrhoff, Pitkanen, Wisniewski, White, Bieksa, Babchuk...some nice options this year, then the year after you got Burns, Wideman, Boychuk, Suter.

UFA forwards suck this year, aside from Richards. The few mid-tier guys will probably be way overpaid, especially if the cap does go up a lot. I'd take a flier on Zherdev or Frolov if they were willing to play for dirt cheap, but beyond that might as well stand pat. Maybe save a little and make a deadline move, or if we can get a good deal package Flip + something for a good sniper, preferably a center (though goal-scoring centers are hard to come by).

[blueadams]

OFF-SEASON:

#1) Modano(1.8m, *FA*)...+1.8m...+1.8m total salary cap space.
#2) Draper(1.6m, *FA*)...+1.6m...+3.4m total salary cap space.
#3) Eaves(0.8m, *FA*)...+0.8m...+4.2m total salary cap space.
#4) Miller(0.7m, *FA*)...+0.7m...+4.9m total salary cap space.
#5) Lidstrom(6.2m, *FA*)...+6.2m...+11.1m total salary cap space.
#6) Salei(1.1m, *FA*)...+1.1m...+12.2m total salary cap space.
#7) Ericsson(0.9m, *FA*)...+0.9m...+13.1m total salary cap space.
#8) Osgood(1.4m, *FA*)...+1.4m...+14.5m total salary cap space.
#9) MacDonald(0.6m, *FA*)...+0.6m...+15.1m total salary cap space.

#1) Mursak(0.6m, 2yrs)...He's going to be added to the roster...-0.6m...14.5m total salary cap space.
#2) Janik(0.5m, 1yr)...He's going to be added to the roster...-0.5m...14.0m total salary cap space.
#3) Lidstrom(6.2m, ?)...He's probably going to be brought back, at around the same price...-6.2m...8.3m total salary cap space.
#4) Ericsson(0.9m, *FA*)...It sounds like we want him back at 2.0m a season, but he thinks he might get more. He'll either be back, or replaced by someone at around the same price...-2.0m...6.3m total salary cap space.
#5) Backup goalie?(0.5m, ?)...I don't know who the backup goalie's going to be (Osgood/MacDonald/Larsson), but he should be making around league minimum...-0.5m-ish...5.8m total salary cap space.

...This is where things get interesting, and where the speculation begins: There's going to be about 5.8m available in salary cap space (maybe 5-6m more if the salary cap increase rumors are true), and two forwards left to sign.

*If I'm Holland, I'm spending the larger part of that remaining cap space on an elite top six scorer, and the remainder on Eaves (or a more physical player, at about the same price).

2011/2012 Detroit Red Wings:

FORWARDS:

#1) Datsyuk(6.7m, 3yrs)
#2) Zetterberg(6.1m, 10yrs)
#3) *?*(5.0m-ish, ?)
#4) Franzen(4.0m, 9yrs)
#5) Filppula(3.0m, 2yrs)
#6) Hudler(2.9m, 1yr)
#7) Cleary(2.8m, 2yrs)
#8) Bertuzzi(1.9m, 1yr)
#9) Holmstrom(1.9m, 1yr)
#10) Helm(0.9m, 1yr-RFA)
#11) Abdelkader(0.8m, 1yr-RFA)
#12) *Eaves/*?*(0.8m-ish, ?)
#13) Mursak(0.6m, 2yrs)

Filppula-Datsyuk-Franzen
Hudler-Zetterberg-*?*
Cleary-Helm-Eaves
Holmstrom-Abdelkader-Bertuzzi
Mursak

DEFENSEMEN:

#1) *Lidstrom(6.2m-ish, ?)
#2) Rafalski(6.0m, 1yr)
#3) Stuart(3.8m, 1yr)
#4) Kronwall(3.0m, 1yr)
#5) *Ericssson/*?*(2.0m-ish, ?)
#6) Kindl(0.9m, 2yrs)
#7) Janik(0.5m, 1yr)

Lidstrom-Rafalski
Kronwall-Stuart
Kindl-Ericsson
Janik

GOALIES:

#1) Howard(2.3m, 2yrs)
#2) *Osgood/MacDonald/Larsson/*?*(0.5m, ?)

Howard
Larsson (I hope)

I edited/improved the original post. I'm just going to continue to do so throughout the rest of the off-season...as opposed to starting 20 different off-season threads.

[Andy Pred 48]

with a bit of dealing by Kenny;

Franzen Zetterberg Jakub Voracek

Bertuzzi Datsyuk Cleary

Lauri Korpikoski Filppula Eaves

Abdelkader Helm Mursak

Holmstrom

Kronwall Zach Bogosian

Lidstrom Rafalski

Stuart Kindl

Smith.

Howard Larsson

Gone in trades or not re-signed ; Hudler Ericsson Draper Modano Salei Osgood Miller

[Grayne Wetzky]

FORWARDS
Pavel Datsyuk ($6.700m) / Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m) / Johan Franzen ($3.954m)
Valtteri Filppula ($3.000m) / Jiri Hudler ($2.875m) / Daniel Cleary ($2.800m)
Justin Abdelkader ($0.787m) / Tomas Tatar ($0.870m) / Darren Helm ($0.912m)
Cory Emmerton ($0.533m) / Jan Mursak ($0.550m) / Drew Miller ($0.650m)
Joakim Andersson ($0.875m) / **** Axelsson ($0.850m)

DEFENSEMEN
Niklas Kronwall ($3.000m) / Brad Stuart ($3.750m)
Nicklas Lidstrom ($6.200m) / Jakub Kindl ($0.883m)
Ruslan Salei ($1.100m) / Jonathan Ericsson ($0.900m)
Logan Pyett ($0.850m)

GOALTENDERS
Jimmy Howard ($2.250m) / Thomas McCollum ($0.816m)

SALARY CAP: $59,400,000; CAP PAYROLL: $51,191,210; BONUSES: $472,500
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $8,208,790

[blueadams]

FORWARDS
Pavel Datsyuk ($6.700m) / Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m) / Johan Franzen ($3.954m)
Valtteri Filppula ($3.000m) / Jiri Hudler ($2.875m) / Daniel Cleary ($2.800m)
Justin Abdelkader ($0.787m) / Tomas Tatar ($0.870m) / Darren Helm ($0.912m)
Cory Emmerton ($0.533m) / Jan Mursak ($0.550m) / Drew Miller ($0.650m)
Joakim Andersson ($0.875m) / **** Axelsson ($0.850m)

DEFENSEMEN
Niklas Kronwall ($3.000m) / Brad Stuart ($3.750m)
Nicklas Lidstrom ($6.200m) / Jakub Kindl ($0.883m)
Ruslan Salei ($1.100m) / Jonathan Ericsson ($0.900m)
Logan Pyett ($0.850m)

GOALTENDERS
Jimmy Howard ($2.250m) / Thomas McCollum ($0.816m)

SALARY CAP: $59,400,000; CAP PAYROLL: $51,191,210; BONUSES: $472,500
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $8,208,790

Dude...
#1) Rafalski has a no-trade clause, he's not going anywhere.
#2) McCollum is nowhere near being ready for the NHL.
#3) And the rest of your post is too insane to respond to.

[MGreenberg]

FORWARDS
Pavel Datsyuk ($6.700m) / Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m) / Johan Franzen ($3.954m)
Valtteri Filppula ($3.000m) / Jiri Hudler ($2.875m) / Daniel Cleary ($2.800m)
Justin Abdelkader ($0.787m) / Tomas Tatar ($0.870m) / Darren Helm ($0.912m)
Cory Emmerton ($0.533m) / Jan Mursak ($0.550m) / Drew Miller ($0.650m)
Joakim Andersson ($0.875m) / **** Axelsson ($0.850m)

DEFENSEMEN
Niklas Kronwall ($3.000m) / Brad Stuart ($3.750m)
Nicklas Lidstrom ($6.200m) / Jakub Kindl ($0.883m)
Ruslan Salei ($1.100m) / Jonathan Ericsson ($0.900m)
Logan Pyett ($0.850m)

GOALTENDERS
Jimmy Howard ($2.250m) / Thomas McCollum ($0.816m)

SALARY CAP: $59,400,000; CAP PAYROLL: $51,191,210; BONUSES: $472,500
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $8,208,790

No offense, but that looks awful unless you are talking years down the road and Nick is still playing. Don't know how you get rid of Rafalski since he has an NTC and no way Detroit plays all of those young forwards unless Datsyuk and Z carry the team with about 100 points each. The Wings wouldn't even make the playoffs with that team. Sorry just being honest.

Edited by MGreenberg, 15 May 2011 - 12:38 AM.

[St. Michael (the Red Wing)]

Filppula - Datsyuk - Holmstrom
Franzen - Zetterberg - Bertuzzi
Cleary - Helm - Eaves
Abdelkader - Emmerton - Mursak

(Axelsson/Miller)

Lidstrom - Ericsson
Kronwall - Kindl
Stuart - Rafalski

(Salei, Pyett, I don't care)

Howard
Osgood/Larsson

Not that I don't like this but it's basically the same team who got bounced 2 years in a row by the Sharks. No thanks. Us keeping the same team = same results in the playoffs, no Cup. We need one younger hungrier gritty defenseman and the same for (maybe) a top six forward. I like Mursak and he's ready imo but is Emmerton really ready yet probably not. I like Eaves I really do but I think maybe Holland can find someone a bit better I don't know. Lots of questions for next season seemingly having the same roster.

If we have the same team anyone honestly think we can go deep next year in the playoffs. I don't see it happening....

Edited by St. Michael (the Red Wing), 15 May 2011 - 12:49 AM.

[under_par_00]

Wisniewski would be the best addition to this team I think. Let Salei walk, Ericsson/Kindl can fight for the 6th spot, and Smith spends one more year in GR.


Or, less likely, Bieksa.

[Aussie_Wing]

Not that I don't like this but it's basically the same team who got bounced 2 years in a row by the Sharks. No thanks. Us keeping the same team = same results in the playoffs, no Cup. We need one younger hungrier gritty defenseman and the same for (maybe) a top six forward. I like Mursak and he's ready imo but is Emmerton really ready yet probably not. I like Eaves I really do but I think maybe Holland can find someone a bit better I don't know. Lots of questions for next season seemingly having the same roster.

If we have the same team anyone honestly think we can go deep next year in the playoffs. I don't see it happening....

As I have said a MILLION TIMES now, next season is the 'suck it up' season, as we have final seasons of Bertuzzi, Rafalski and Holmstrom.

The following season we see Tatar, maybe Jarnkrok, maybe Pulkkinen, Lidstrom likely retires and we spend big in free agency.

As far as I can see, this season there's not a lot of changes we can make. Minor changes such as bringing in Mursak and maybe Emmerton will help, but on top of that, what more can we do/would you like to see?

[eva unit zero]

Knowing Philly can't sign Leino do you think they would take his rights for Hudler on draft day?

That's a stupid trade. First of all, Leino is less talented than Hudler, but has been given a better opportunity in a weaker conference. Remember how well Leino performed as a Wing? Beyond that, Leino is a UFA this summer. So you're basically willing to give up a talented offensive player for the chance to sign a different one who had better season totals before anyone else gets that same chance?

Not a deal I'd make. Especially given that Leino will probably get a deal at or above Hudler's current cap hit.

[Aussie_Wing]

I'd like Tomas Fleischmann.

Filppula - Datsyuk - Franzen
Fleischmann - Zetterberg - Cleary
Bertuzzi - Abdelkader - Holmstrom
Eaves - Helm - Mursak

Edited by Aussie_Wing, 15 May 2011 - 10:13 AM.

[Nevermind]

That's a stupid trade. First of all, Leino is less talented than Hudler, but has been given a better opportunity in a weaker conference. Remember how well Leino performed as a Wing? Beyond that, Leino is a UFA this summer. So you're basically willing to give up a talented offensive player for the chance to sign a different one who had better season totals before anyone else gets that same chance?

Not a deal I'd make. Especially given that Leino will probably get a deal at or above Hudler's current cap hit.

I would never want lazy Leino back.

But, Hudler I'd trade for future considerations even. Future considerations don't concuss other effective players.

And $2.9M can help go towards a player that can actually skate and be counted on defensively. How the hell can you be so small and skate so slow at the same time?

[mjlegend]

Of all the tings I don't understand, the James Wisniewski love is right up there at the top. There's probably a reason he's been on four teams by the time he's 27. Is he still serving games for the Seabrook hit?

The Wings had the fifth best PP int he league last year, and were better than the Sharks and the Bruins in the playoffs. The PP wasn't something that was holding the Wings back. The middle-of-the-road PK WAS.

What's done on the D will depend entirely on the Lidstrom decision. If he doesn't come back, the first option is to make a deal before July 1 with the Preds to get Weber, who is everything the Wings need on the blueline. Abdelkader, **** Assman, whoever isn't in the top six or top four.

Then, go after a guy like Brooks Laich in UFA, but don't give him more than $3.5 million or longer than four years.

Because I don't see any significant improvements being made by other teams in the division, the Wings have to be still considered front-runners in the division - and should treat the off-season as such.

[eva unit zero]

I would never want lazy Leino back.

But, Hudler I'd trade for future considerations even. Future considerations don't concuss other effective players.

And $2.9M can help go towards a player that can actually skate and be counted on defensively. How the hell can you be so small and skate so slow at the same time?

You do realize there's no speed vs. size slider right? This isn't a video game. That said, Hudler was often one of the fastest players on the ice during his shift. Maybe he was just the only one skating.

[eva unit zero]

I would never want lazy Leino back.

But, Hudler I'd trade for future considerations even. Future considerations don't concuss other effective players.

And $2.9M can help go towards a player that can actually skate and be counted on defensively. How the hell can you be so small and skate so slow at the same time?

Trading Hudler for Leino's rights at the draft isn't even future considerations. It's ONE WEEK of time to negotiate with Leino before other teams can. One week.

Who do you want in charge of the Wings, Ken Holland or Brian Burke?

[Nevermind]

You do realize there's no speed vs. size slider right? This isn't a video game. That said, Hudler was often one of the fastest players on the ice during his shift. Maybe he was just the only one skating.

Brian Gionta
Martin St. Louis
Nathan Gerbe
Ray Whitney
Danny Briere
Steve Sullivan
Et Cetera

Those are players around Hudler's size. All much faster though, even if not in their prime. Name me one player in the NHL in that size range who skates as poorly as Hudler.

The fact is, being smaller doesn't make you faster. But smaller players are almost always faster because that's their way of compensating for their lack of size.

Hudler compensates not with speed, but with his hands. But, when he's not scoring or consistently creating chances, what are his offensive skills good for?

[WorkingOvertime]

If the cap goes up $5m+ I'd look to shore up the defense in preparation for Nick's eventual retirement.

Ehrhoff, Pitkanen, Wisniewski, White, Bieksa, Babchuk...some nice options this year, then the year after you got Burns, Wideman, Boychuk, Suter.

UFA forwards suck this year, aside from Richards. The few mid-tier guys will probably be way overpaid, especially if the cap does go up a lot. I'd take a flier on Zherdev or Frolov if they were willing to play for dirt cheap, but beyond that might as well stand pat. Maybe save a little and make a deadline move, or if we can get a good deal package Flip + something for a good sniper, preferably a center (though goal-scoring centers are hard to come by).

With the cap going up a lot this year (relatively), I don't think there will be many deals available on the UFA defensemen. I hope I'm wrong, but agents will likely be pushing for their players to get as much of that new cap space as possible. IMO the best thing to do is trade, but the Wings don't have many tradeable players. IMO Franzen would have to be traded for the Wings to acquire any top-4 dman talent, and while I'm a huge Mule fan, I'm afraid of his contract in a few years.

[Detroit # 1 Fan]

You do realize there's no speed vs. size slider right? This isn't a video game. That said, Hudler was often one of the fastest players on the ice during his shift. Maybe he was just the only one skating.

Sorry eva, but no.. just no. Hudler was by far the slowest Wing that played this year, as the year went on he begin to keep pace with NHLers such as Shawn Thornton, Andreas Lilja, Jason Allison.. oh whoops. But in seriousness here, the guy is too small and too slow to be effective for Detroit. We need speed, we need size. We're not talking about Gionta or St Louis here, we're talking about Hudler. And against San Jose regardless of "he generated chances" or "looked good on the PP", he didn't score goals. He didn't open up the ice, in the 08 and 09 playoffs, I can admit. He was a good complimentary player on the 3rd and 4th lines. But for his money and effectiveness, he just isn't worth it anymore. All the hookers and blow in Russia really took the wind out of his sails.

[Grayne Wetzky]

No offense, but that looks awful unless you are talking years down the road and Nick is still playing. Don't know how you get rid of Rafalski since he has an NTC and no way Detroit plays all of those young forwards unless Datsyuk and Z carry the team with about 100 points each. The Wings wouldn't even make the playoffs with that team. Sorry just being honest.

I hear ya. I was just checking out what the team would look like if they got rid of their dead weight and brought in guys already in the organization.

What happens if the Wings release Rafalski, Bertuzzi, and Holmstrom? Do they have to pay their full salaries and count them against the cap hit?

[St. Michael (the Red Wing)]

As I have said a MILLION TIMES now, next season is the 'suck it up' season, as we have final seasons of Bertuzzi, Rafalski and Holmstrom.

The following season we see Tatar, maybe Jarnkrok, maybe Pulkkinen, Lidstrom likely retires and we spend big in free agency.

As far as I can see, this season there's not a lot of changes we can make. Minor changes such as bringing in Mursak and maybe Emmerton will help, but on top of that, what more can we do/would you like to see?

Yeah just re-read some stuff. We are stuck agreed for next season. Umm so yeah Emmerton and Mursak will still be nice.

This is maybe what we need: Helm, Fip and Abby to start scoring some points. They have huge potential to score more than what they show/done already.

Also maybe a roster change isn't in order maybe since our defense was GODAWFUL all season get a new defensive coach. However, Stuart is getting older and I think you can start to see it a bit especially during the regular season where I think sometimes he takes a game or 2 off. I don't know. Get rid of Salei for sure, no Modano back, have Drapes and Ozzie retire and I'm happy. Looking forward more now than ever to the future of this team and some younger guys stepping in. New blood mixed with old blood has always been a postive thing with this organization imo....

Edited by St. Michael (the Red Wing), 15 May 2011 - 06:12 PM.