Interesting article about possible changes

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Couple of very interesting things to be found in this article...

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The Red Wings will have a tough decision on whether to re-sign longtime role player and team leader Kris Draper, who turns 40 in 10 days but wants to continue playing. Future Hall of Famer Mike Modano will retire. If that wasn’t clear before the playoffs, it was evident after he was scratched in nine of 11 games.

Jonathan Ericsson and Ruslan Salei could be gone.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Ericsson turned down a multiyear offer worth $2 million a season. He improved this season but hasn’t been nearly as effective as he was during his breakout performance in the 2009 playoffs.

Geez Ericsson, how good do you think you are mate? You have size but don't use it, you skate well but don't really utilise it. You don't have great hockey sense which results in too many turnovers.

As for Draper, I know everything in our past suggests Holland will re-sign him for one more year, but is it time we start making the tough call, without emotions playing a part?

[Broken 16 381]

Ericsson needs to go. Plain and simple. If he gets re-signed, I will begin to start having serious doubts about Holland. How many years do we have to wait for this guy who was never a defenseman in the first place to develop? It's getting ridiculous, the amount of golden opportunities this kid gets to stink up the ice.

Edited May 14, 2011 by Broken 16

[WorkingOvertime 536]

I was for E being re-signed, but I don't support him getting 2mill+ from the Wings. At that rate, I'd be fine with him walking.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

2 mil for Ericcson? He is out of his mind if he thinks he's worth that much right now. I'm sure another team will be dumb enough to take him for that price.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

He TURNED DOWN a contract? lol... I was a big Ericsson supporter for awhile, but I think it's just too hard to defend him anymore. Bring in someone to pair with Kindl, and let him go. Also, I think Modano & Draper will be replaced by Emmerton and Mursak. Not sure they'll be looking to outside talent at forward.

[theman19 47]

Big E is this close to being the next Lilja. He thought he was worth more too.

[South Dakota wings fan 7]

It looks like E will be gone, and for that price I'm ok with it. I think bringing back both Draper and Miller is silly. I hope Eaves is back. I think he has good PK skills, I like the fact he has a right handed shot, and good hockey sense that helps him find the back of the net. Finding a solid defensemen and tightening things back up to the 2008 level of play is much needed. Howard answered my questions about goaltending. Filppula seems like the more likely trade candidate than Hudler to me, for the simple fact his stock is higher. Buy low, sell high.

[zombi 43]

Kindl > E

[Gordie Howe hat trick 110]

I'd let him walk good rookie playoffs, but what has he done since? Maybe he will join Lilja out west.

[kook_10 1,705]

Kindl > E

Kindl's value is in potential.

[dragonballgtz 273]

As far as defense goes who could actually replace E and Salie for about the same price? Kindl can come in for one but he is more offensive than shutdown which is what the Wings really need. Smith is another year away, his offensive game is beyond Kindl's IMO but he is not NHL defensively ready. Lidstrom will be the key as to what Holland will do. Once he makes his decision Holland will proceed with the other needs.

Forwards, I wouldn't mind getting rid of Flip and Hudler. Sure Flip finally decided to show up for the last two games of the SJ series but we needed him to show up for the entire series. Hudler was just a no show the entire playoffs. Bert and Homer should be done with after next season which I think will improve Detroit. Bert is a turnover machine with questionable passes at the worst possible time. Homer is just good on the PP while ZDH line isn't what it use to be. His time should be up this year but unfortunately we have him signed for next year, same goes for Bert.

Goalies- Finding someone to play 20-25 games for Howard should be the goal. As much as I love Ozzie we really need a stable backup goalie who will be around for more than one year.

[wings1110 184]

Big E is a good player idc what u say, ide like to see him in a wing uni over raffi even though he will still be here.

[CAredwingsfan91 28]

Kronwall and Weber as a top 2 pairings? IMAGINE getting hit by those guys on the blue line with your head down? actually imagine getting hit by their playoff beards for the next 20 years?

[ogreslayer 1,069]

Think E needs to talk to his countryman & former teammate Lilja about turning down offers from the Wings thinking he'll make more money somewhere else. Granted Brian Burke will probably turn around & sign him for $4m a year on a multi-year contract because another former Wings pylon worked out so well for him.

[jeff48109 474]

i can't remember who said it, but one of the studio guys on NHL on the fly thinks Ericsson can fetch $3+ million in free agency, and that's why the wings wont resign him

[VM1138 1,921]

The Ericsson news is great news, even if you like the guy. We have problems defensively, but we also have a backlog there. Lidstrom stays, Rafalski can't be moved (and should stay anyway), Kronwall and Stuart are too good to part with, Ericsson, Salei, and Kindl. Kindl deserves a shot, Salei will probably be gone, but maybe not as he's a stable 6th defenseman. We couldn't really add anyone of value without losing one of our top four. With Ericsson gone Holland can pursue an extra defenseman, preferably a guy who is underpaid and performs in the playoffs. And Ericsson can go chase his "big contract" all next season. Win-win, right?

[BigWillieStyle 662]

i can't remember who said it, but one of the studio guys on NHL on the fly thinks Ericsson can fetch $3+ million in free agency, and that's why the wings wont resign him

I remember hearing that and couldn't stop laughing. $3-3.5 mil. Are you serious? Then I thought, " is he confusing him with Loui Eriksson"?

I could see another team offering him around what we offered, but then you think about Hjalmarson signing for $3.5 last year and wonder that he might get an offer. I don't know how long of terms we offered him, but $2 mil seems pretty realistic from what I've seen. I'm sure he'll get a contract from someone at that price.

[Wings_Toledo 233]

Am I the only one in favor of bringing back Miller? Sure, he doesn't score much, but I like his defensive game. I still like him as our 13th forward, which would give Mursak and whoever else more playing time.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Ericsson probably saw how much Lebda got paid, and figured he deserved the same.

I say Toronto signs him and pairs him with Lebda.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

He wants more then 2mil, great. That means he certainly wont be signed.

[weGotTheCup89 41]

Ericsson needs to go. Plain and simple. If he gets re-signed, I will begin to start having serious doubts about Holland. How many years do we have to wait for this guy who was never a defenseman in the first place to develop? It's getting ridiculous, the amount of golden opportunities this kid gets to stink up the ice.

Haven't you learned to trust in Holland yet?

And yes, Toronto will probably sign him.

[jeff48109 474]

I could see another team offering him around what we offered, but then you think about Hjalmarson signing for $3.5 last year and wonder that he might get an offer. I don't know how long of terms we offered him, but $2 mil seems pretty realistic from what I've seen. I'm sure he'll get a contract from someone at that price.

all you need is one GM out of 30 to be insane lol

Am I the only one in favor of bringing back Miller? Sure, he doesn't score much, but I like his defensive game. I still like him as our 13th forward, which would give Mursak and whoever else more playing time.

i'm in favor of Miller. great on the PK

[Guest blueadams]

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2011/05/analysis_what_changes_will_det.html

interesting...both in that we wanted to offer him a big contract like that, and that he wasn't interested in taking it.

EDIT - SORRY, didn't see that this was highlighted in another thread. please delete mods.

Edited May 14, 2011 by blueadams

[Guest Save The Octopus]

When did they offer him $2 million?

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Definitely don't want E back.

I hate saying it's time to end it with Draper. He actually had a pretty good season and his leadership is invaluable, but Mursak is coming up and both Miller and Eaves bring more to the table.