Brooks Laich

[kipwinger 8,522]

My other big question concerns Brooks Laich. Capable of playing left wing or center, defensively responsible (+14), with a good offensive touch (48 pts. this season, down from 59 and 52 the last two years). He's young(ish) at 27 and has been improving steadily every year. Between his size (6'2, 220 lbs.) and his versatility, I really like him on our top two lines, allowing us to mix and match wingers and spread the offense out over the top three lines, providing the depth that we need to compete with the San Jose's and Vancouver's of the league. He made roughly 2.5 million on his last contract and would likely make a little more. Anyone think this is possible, provided Rafalski's defensive replacement come in around 4 or 4.5 million, in addition to the fact that the cap will expand, and Modano's (at least Modano's) contract is likely coming off the books?

[Konnan511 1,736]

If Wings can get him for under 4mil a season, then the Wings should offer anything they can to get him here, but if he wants more than that, let some other team overpay him.

[ogreslayer 1,069]

Personally, I would love to see Laich in the Winged Wheel. Given the needs on the blue line & the glut of forwards we'll still have if Eaves & Miller (and possibly Drapes) are re-signed, I don't see it happening.

[kipwinger 8,522]

Yeah I completely agree, don't break the bank for him. But I like the depth a guy like that would provide, in addition to the toughness and size. The only issue would be that signing another forward means that either Eaves, Miller, or Hudler doesn't have a spot. I like Eaves and Miller on the fourth line with Helm, and I really wouldn't mind seeing them dump Hudler's contract (I was one of the many who thought bringing him back was a terrible idea...especially at 3 million) but would anyone take him? Or would we have to continue to sit guys like Eaves and Miller who did more with less (and for less) than Jiri?

Edited June 1, 2011 by kipwinger

[Guest 13GoWings40]

Yeah I completely agree, don't break the bank for him. But I like the depth a guy like that would provide, in addition to the toughness and size. The only issue would be that signing another forward means that either Eaves, Miller, or Hudler doesn't have a spot. I like Eaves and Miller on the fourth line with Helm, and I really wouldn't mind seeing them dump Hudler's contract (I was one of the many who thought bringing him back was a terrible idea...especially at 3 million) but would anyone take him? Or would we have to continue to sit guys like Eaves and Miller who did more with less (and for less) and Jiri?

How about we send Hudler to Washington for Laich's rights before FA begins? I think this would be a pretty good solution as it would clear a big chunk of the cap space Laich would take up and also clear the roster space. Giving up a roster player for rights is risky, but if it ends up working out who here can say they wouldn't trade Hudler for Laich?

[xtrememachine1 795]

He's definitely someone I'd want on the team, but I wouldn't go higher than $3 mil and that's the absolute most I would go with him. He's a good two way player, a good leader, a real playoff kind of guy, but his best numbers were 25 goals, 34 assists, and that's playing on a offense first minded team with Ovechkin against Eastern teams. We're looking at a 15-20 goal scorer here, maybe. It'd be very easy to overpay for him and all this is assuming he has any interest in leaving Washington in the first place.

[MGreenberg 105]

He's definitely someone I'd want on the team, but I wouldn't go higher than $3 mil and that's the absolute most I would go with him. He's a good two way player, a good leader, a real playoff kind of guy, but his best numbers were 25 goals, 34 assists, and that's playing on a offense first minded team with Ovechkin against Eastern teams. We're looking at a 15-20 goal scorer here, maybe. It'd be very easy to overpay for him and all this is assuming he has any interest in leaving Washington in the first place.

Yeah but he didn't play with Ovechkin did he? I didn't watch many Capitals games but I thought it was like Semin - Backstrom - Ovechkin?

[xtrememachine1 795]

Yeah but he didn't play with Ovechkin did he? I didn't watch many Capitals games but I thought it was like Semin - Backstrom - Ovechkin?

He did and he didn't. I don't see the Caps that often either, but the games I did see, the lines were different every time. Sometimes Laich was on Ovie's line, sometimes he wasn't. They try to split up those three as much as they can. Either way, he was always on a top two line with Semin, Ovie or Backstrom. I also recall seeing Laich in front of the net in a few playoff games, I don't know if that's his typical spot on the PP, but if it is, he could be a Holmstrom replacement.

Edited June 1, 2011 by xtrememachine1

[kipwinger 8,522]

He did and he didn't. I don't see the Caps that often either, but the games I did see, the lines were different every time. Sometimes Laich was on Ovie's line, sometimes he wasn't. They try to split up those three as much as they can. Either way, he was always on a top two line with Semin, Ovie or Backstrom. I also recall seeing Laich in front of the net in a few playoff games, I don't know if that's his typical spot on the PP, but if it is, he could be a Holmstrom replacement.

Yeah but I mean the Wings have play makers every bit as good as the Capitals and have been near the tops of the league in "goals for" for several years, so it's not like he'd be going from and offensive team like Washington to Nashville or something. He'd still have real good offensive numbers if Miller's ten goals and Eave's 13 are any indication.

[xtrememachine1 795]

Yeah but I mean the Wings have play makers every bit as good as the Capitals and have been near the tops of the league in "goals for" for several years, so it's not like he'd be going from and offensive team like Washington to Nashville or something. He'd still have real good offensive numbers if Miller's ten goals and Eave's 13 are any indication.

Good point. Homer used to be a 25 goal scorer, I suppose Laich could be too. I just look at a guy like Heatley who hit the 50 mark a couple times, then took a nose dive when he went to the West even with guys like Thornton and Marleau on his line.

[kipwinger 8,522]

Good point. Homer used to be a 25 goal scorer, I suppose Laich could be too. I just look at a guy like Heatley who hit the 50 mark a couple times, then took a nose dive when he went to the West even with guys like Thornton and Marleau on his line.

You're absolutely right to have that concern. But for me the issue isn't whether or not he'll have huge numbers, realistically, if he had 20-25 per season I'd be thrilled. That's what they were hoping for from Hudler actually. Basically, I wouldn't want or need him to shoulder a huge offensive load, just enough that you have options for mixing and matching lines, and providing scoring depth through three lines by being able to (above) adequately fill several roles in the top two or three lines, something like Jordan Staal or Ryane Clowe do for their respective teams. For instance, if you had him on the second line opposite Franzen, that would leave Cleary and Bertuzzi on the third which is big advantage for us because most teams don't have the defensive depth to cover three solid lines. Plus then you don't have guys like Hudler and Miller or Eaves having to go nose to nose this guys like Pavelski, Staal, Clowe, Couture, etc. Like I said, it's a good solid depth move in my opinion.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

He's a very Red Wing like player. He's a nice piece that we could add, and like Konnan said for anything under 4mil, get er done Kenny.

[luvmnger 125]

yup..he's my first choice.

then tanguay and connelly.

i've got a funny feeling were going to get tanguay though....

just sayin'

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

He has the same birthday as me, day and year!

Sign him Kenny.

[Konnan511 1,736]

Yeah but he didn't play with Ovechkin did he? I didn't watch many Capitals games but I thought it was like Semin - Backstrom - Ovechkin?

Laich mostly played with Semin on a lot of make-shift lines at even strength and only played with OV less than 5% of the time even strength. Laich is like our version of Cleary who literally plays on any line on any given night. OV was mainly with Backstrom.

[Nevermind 363]

Laich mostly played with Semin on a lot of make-shift lines at even strength and only played with OV less than 5% of the time even strength. Laich is like our version of Cleary who literally plays on any line on any given night. OV was mainly with Backstrom.

Yeah, but Cleary only makes $2.8M and we're going to have to overpay if we want Laich.

Even though he'll easily get over $2.8M on the open market, I don't we should pay Laich any more than Cleary to come here. $4M as some have suggested is just ridiculous IMO for a player of Laich's caliber. That's higher than Franzen's cap hit.

[Konnan511 1,736]

Yeah, but Cleary only makes $2.8M and we're going to have to overpay if we want Laich.

Even though he'll easily get over $2.8M on the open market, I don't we should pay Laich any more than Cleary to come here. $4M as some have suggested is just ridiculous IMO for a player of Laich's caliber. That's higher than Franzen's cap hit.

Yah...that's a given...

[eva unit zero 271]

Laich would be slotted at third-line center most nights; he's a grittier player than Flip and would match up better against third lines, and is as good or better than Flip on faceoffs. Flip would move to wing in a top-two line capacity with Dats or Z, barring injury.

If the Wings go one defenseman and one forward, I'm hoping for Pitkanen and Laich. Pitkanen takes on Ericsson's job as the big, physical defenseman but also provides offense as Rafalski did. Meech comes in and takes Rafalski's spot as the quick, offensive-minded playmaking defenseman who runs the PP. Kindl finally takes Salei's job, as he had been positioned to do at the end of last year, but also provides another skilled offensive player. Janik is the new spare, providing a solid stay-at-home type who won't wander off.

I'd prefer the Wings go for two defensemen (Pitkanen/Ehrhoff preferably) than one and one, but you get what you get.

[Nevermind 363]

Yah...that's a given...

So why sign Laich then?

$4M for him is just ridiculous.

[Konnan511 1,736]

So why sign Laich then?

$4M for him is just ridiculous.

Agreed.... I don't know why you keep quoting me to be honest. I said he's like Cleary, in that he can play on any line... Then you bring up Cleary and how he's a better value... Then you quote me and say 4mil is too much for Laich when i said that same thing in my first post of this thread...

[Nevermind 363]

If Wings can get him for under 4mil a season, then the Wings should offer anything they can to get him here, but if he wants more than that, let some other team overpay him.

Agreed.... I don't know why you keep quoting me to be honest. I said he's like Cleary, in that he can play on any line... Then you bring up Cleary and how he's a better value... Then you quote me and say 4mil is too much for Laich when i said that same thing in my first post of this thread...

Sorry, my bad.

I thought you meant you'd sign him for anywhere up to $4M (so, like $3.9 would be a fine price for you).

[Datsyerberger 279]

Laich would be slotted at third-line center most nights; he's a grittier player than Flip and would match up better against third lines, and is as good or better than Flip on faceoffs. Flip would move to wing in a top-two line capacity with Dats or Z, barring injury.

If the Wings go one defenseman and one forward, I'm hoping for Pitkanen and Laich. Pitkanen takes on Ericsson's job as the big, physical defenseman but also provides offense as Rafalski did. Meech comes in and takes Rafalski's spot as the quick, offensive-minded playmaking defenseman who runs the PP. Kindl finally takes Salei's job, as he had been positioned to do at the end of last year, but also provides another skilled offensive player. Janik is the new spare, providing a solid stay-at-home type who won't wander off.

I'd prefer the Wings go for two defensemen (Pitkanen/Ehrhoff preferably) than one and one, but you get what you get.

Except that he's much better on wing, which is where Washington most often utilized him.

I see him getting anywhere from 3.2-4.0. 3.5 would be about right and I wouldn't mind paying him that, though I'd personally like to go for a winger with a decent combination of speed/shot. Doesn't have to be amazingly fast, just a good top 6 shooter that can skate decently well.

Edited June 2, 2011 by Datsyerberger

[eva unit zero 271]

Except that he's much better on wing, which is where Washington most often utilized him.

I see him getting anywhere from 3.2-4.0. 3.5 would be about right and I wouldn't mind paying him that, though I'd personally like to go for a winger with a decent combination of speed/shot. Doesn't have to be amazingly fast, just a good top 6 shooter that can skate decently well.

Washington shuffled their centers considerably. However, Laich is a natural center and finished 108th in total faceoffs taken last season - which is a number that puts him spending most of his time in the middle. That said, placing him on the wing allows the Wings to put out the following lineup:

Hudler/Datsyuk/Cleary

Franzen/Z/Bertuzzi

Laich/Filppula/Holmstrom

Mursak/Helm/Eaves

[Datsyerberger 279]

Washington shuffled their centers considerably. However, Laich is a natural center and finished 108th in total faceoffs taken last season - which is a number that puts him spending most of his time in the middle. That said, placing him on the wing allows the Wings to put out the following lineup:

Hudler/Datsyuk/Cleary

Franzen/Z/Bertuzzi

Laich/Filppula/Holmstrom

Mursak/Helm/Eaves

They put him at center on the faceoff to take faceoffs and then he often shifts to the wing in play. He's a natural center at time of drafting but his best play in Washington has far and away been as a winger (plus faceoff specialist).

Basically Cleary with a bit more offensive consistency.

[kipwinger 8,522]

They put him at center on the faceoff to take faceoffs and then he often shifts to the wing in play. He's a natural center at time of drafting but his best play in Washington has far and away been as a winger (plus faceoff specialist).

Basically Cleary with a bit more offensive consistency.

This is not all that uncommon, look at the Wings roster and see how many guys are listed at center and who play the wing day in and day out. Laich has been hovering right around a 20 goal average for the last three years now, while playing on the left wing, not the center. He is very much like a version of Dan Cleary, with about the same offensive touch, but his size and good speed make him more dangerous because you can essentially put him on any of your top three lines and he can hold his own AND in many cases, force the defense to take him seriously and match up against him. That frees up a lot of ice for other wingers not used to getting the advantage of mismatches. He makes 2.4 million now. I'd pay up to 4 million for him and be a happy guy to do so. NOW, can anybody think of a way to dumb Hudler's contract if we get a top six forward? Is any team in the league in the market for a tiny dude, with below average speed, but above average shot and puck handling? I doubt it.