Trade Speculation Talk...

[WorkingOvertime 536]

basically franzen's contract COULD be horrible in a couple years and people on here will be calling for kenny's head. kenny talks about making trades to improve the defense so maybe trade franzen for a d man and get out of his contract.

kinda like what philly just did.

I'm one of the few who agree with you. I think Franzen could net the Wings a great return. If the contract were shorter, I wouldn't consider trading him, but it is too long IMO.

[Travis 576]

I just read that Ottawa is looking to move Gonchar and Kuba. I wonder if either of these players are options for us rather than overpaying for someone on the market. Gonchar is somewhat injury prone and commands a $5.5 mil salary, but before he was with the Sens, he had some very impressive numbers in Pittsburgh. He would really boost the PP. I think if we unloaded Hudler, it would really lessen the cap hit that would come with Gonchar. Kuba is a $3.7 mil cap hit and he sounds like a Wings type of defenseman... "Has terrific size and mobility from the back end. Displays both decent offensive instincts and a sound defensive approach. Is also a low-maintenance defender." per THN.

Eeeh. They're 37 and 35 respectively. Obviously, I'd imagine you're speaking in the short-term; but I'm not wild about either one of them.

[SwedeLundin77 460]

I just read that Ottawa is looking to move Gonchar and Kuba. I wonder if either of these players are options for us rather than overpaying for someone on the market. Gonchar is somewhat injury prone and commands a $5.5 mil salary, but before he was with the Sens, he had some very impressive numbers in Pittsburgh. He would really boost the PP. I think if we unloaded Hudler, it would really lessen the cap hit that would come with Gonchar. Kuba is a $3.7 mil cap hit and he sounds like a Wings type of defenseman... "Has terrific size and mobility from the back end. Displays both decent offensive instincts and a sound defensive approach. Is also a low-maintenance defender." per THN.

Of those two, I would look to take Kuba. He is a little bigger in size, 3 years younger, is 1.8 million cheaper, and only has one more year on his contract. He could be a good third pairing guy for us. I would NOT take both, as they are both lefties and Gonchar's health and inconsistency outside of Pitt concerns me.

Wizniewski signs for about $4.5 million on a 3 year deal and we trade for Kuba (Hudler, Emmerton as trade options).

Kronwall - Stuart

Wizniewski - Lidstrom

Kuba - Ericsson

Kindl

^

It's not terrible... but I would much rather we go the UFA route, pick up one of either Bieksa, Wizniewski, or Ehrhoff and then sign Jovo to a one year deal - or Montador, Hannan, etc..

Ideally:

Bieksa - Kronwall

Lidstrom - Stuart

Montador - Ericsson

Kindl

[xtrememachine1 795]

Of those two, I would look to take Kuba. He is a little bigger in size, 3 years younger, is 1.8 million cheaper, and only has one more year on his contract. He could be a good third pairing guy for us. I would NOT take both, as they are both lefties and Gonchar's health and inconsistency outside of Pitt concerns me.

Wizniewski signs for about $4.5 million on a 3 year deal and we trade for Kuba (Hudler, Emmerton as trade options).

It's not terrible... but I would much rather we go the UFA route, pick up one of either Bieksa, Wizniewski, or Ehrhoff and then sign Jovo to a one year deal - or Montador, Hannan, etc..

They are older and yes, short term for these guys, but I think we should go with more of a band-aid approach to this off season than long term solution. I don't see this FA class being all that strong and a lot of teams are looking for defensemen, which means overpaying to get people. Wiz is a good defenseman, but I just read Bieksa signed with Van, so there's another off the board and that drives up Wiz's price. Raffy was a $6 mil player. If we traded Hudler to Ottawa, for Kuba and Gonchar, we replace Rafalski with two players and it pretty much evens out salary wise. Kuba will be gone after one year and Gonchar will be gone in two years, which would actually work out if Nick retires next summer because then we would still have a PP quarterback. Sign Jovo or Hannan to help out on our PK and then focus on forwards which is more flexible since we have some younger players ready to step up.

[SwedeLundin77 460]

They are older and yes, short term for these guys, but I think we should go with more of a band-aid approach to this off season than long term solution. I don't see this FA class being all that strong and a lot of teams are looking for defensemen, which means overpaying to get people. Wiz is a good defenseman, but I just read Bieksa signed with Van, so there's another off the board and that drives up Wiz's price. Raffy was a $6 mil player. If we traded Hudler to Ottawa, for Kuba and Gonchar, we replace Rafalski with two players and it pretty much evens out salary wise. Kuba will be gone after one year and Gonchar will be gone in two years, which would actually work out if Nick retires next summer because then we would still have a PP quarterback. Sign Jovo or Hannan to help out on our PK and then focus on forwards which is more flexible since we have some younger players ready to step up.

I can see that vantage point as well, but I think I read somewhere that next years UFA class is even less impressive than this one. Wizniewski could really find a home here finally, I truly believe that. He is also an example of that abrasive style we need to slowly incorporate into our system without sacrificing our identity as a skilled, puck possession team. I just think we need to add at least one right handed shot on Defense, preferably someone who will play the PP (like Raffi). All the players you have mentioned are all lefties, I believe.

I almost wouldn't mind Kuba, but only if Ericsson somehow didn't re-sign, which all signs are pointing to that happening in the next couple of days.

[BostonBruinsDan1924 53]

**TAMPA BAY** This comes as a shockwave through the NHL that the Lightning and RFA Stamkos are NOT EVEN CLOSE to getting a deal done. Teams are eligible to submit offer sheet July 1.

[Bryguy 103]

I dont see yzerman failing on this, so im just putting all the stamkos stuff to the curb.

[Guest Hatethedrake!]

All offer sheets do is negotiate a contract for the player and their current team. No way Yzerman lets Stamkos walk. Even if the Leafs offered a 10 year deal at league max, Stevie would still match.

[Shaman 713]

So with the UFA pool shrinking a lot does anyone else see a trade in Detroit's future? If so:

Who will they target?

Who will they offer in return?

Who is untouchable?

[Datsyerberger 279]

So with the UFA pool shrinking a lot does anyone else see a trade in Detroit's future? If so:

Who will they target?

Who will they offer in return?

Who is untouchable?

Who will they target? I'm rather stumped at this point. It's likely going to be something like the M. Richards trade where noone saw it coming.

Untouchable:

Datsyuk: (obvious)

Zetterberg: (also obvious)

Kronwall: Our main d-man moving forward, and the guy who will be the partner of whoever we get

Lidstrom: derp

Howard: And leave us with who to play goal?

Helm: Brings more to the team than his value in a trade

Aside from NTCs, that's it for my untouchables.

Our most attractive roster pieces to trade:

Filppula -- Skilled young 2c, has a lot of nice qualities

Stuart -- Still in a good age, gritty, defensively solid d-man with some offense

Cleary -- Still some years left in him, gritty 2-way winger that can take faceoffs

Franzen -- Goalscoring beast when he's on, don't think the Wings move unless the return is awesome, but not untouchable

Abdelkader -- Young power forward with some upside, might make an attractive addition for some teams

Mursak -- Oodles of speed and plenty of offensive upside; think Wings would rather hang on to him but might give up in the right deal

Kindl -- Some teams might be attracted enough to want him as an addition, but not as a main piece

Now then, I'll cover the non-roster pieces momentarily.

First, consider what we'd be bringing in with a trade. Right side d-man, possibly righty shot, to play with Nick and/or Nik. Someone young, or at least with a lot of years left in them. What's Smith? Right side d-man with lots of upside. He can't fill what we need right now... but he might make a very attractive piece. So I'd consider Smith movable for the right person coming back our way.

I also think Detroit might consider moving McCollum in the right deal, if he still has reasonable value. He'd more likely be an 'additional'. Now let's look at some of the Wings other high end pieces:

Jarnkrok, Pulk, Jurco, Tatar: Hard not to think the org isn't super high on these guys as the near future and unlikely to trade them.

Sheahan: While a very nice piece, I think he makes a good trade piece. While he's large and a solid player, his skill set is much more replaceable than the above.

Nyquist: Even though a very attactive piece, and highly ranked, might not have as much org value as the other O talents. The Wings might relucantly move him, but would rather keep.

Anything else is touchable in the right deal.

So what are we looking at moving out? Possibly a combination of:

Smith

Sheahan

Nyquist?

Filppula

Stuart

Cleary

Abdelkader

Kindl

Mursak

Picks

Depending on whether the receiving team is biased towards roster or future.

Edited June 28, 2011 by Datsyerberger

[Andy Pred 48 337]

Nyquist and Smith aren't going anywhere soon.

[egroen 384]

Who will they target? I'm rather stumped at this point. It's likely going to be something like the M. Richards trade where noone saw it coming.

Untouchable:

Datsyuk: (obvious)

Zetterberg: (also obvious)

Kronwall: Our main d-man moving forward, and the guy who will be the partner of whoever we get

Lidstrom: derp

Howard: And leave us with who to play goal?

Helm: Brings more to the team than his value in a trade

Aside from NTCs, that's it for my untouchables.

Our most attractive roster pieces to trade:

Filppula -- Skilled young 2c, has a lot of nice qualities

Stuart -- Still in a good age, gritty, defensively solid d-man with some offense

Cleary -- Still some years left in him, gritty 2-way winger that can take faceoffs

Franzen -- Goalscoring beast when he's on, don't think the Wings move unless the return is awesome, but not untouchable

Abdelkader -- Young power forward with some upside, might make an attractive addition for some teams

Mursak -- Oodles of speed and plenty of offensive upside; think Wings would rather hang on to him but might give up in the right deal

Kindl -- Some teams might be attracted enough to want him as an addition, but not as a main piece

Now then, I'll cover the non-roster pieces momentarily.

First, consider what we'd be bringing in with a trade. Right side d-man, possibly righty shot, to play with Nick and/or Nik. Someone young, or at least with a lot of years left in them. What's Smith? Right side d-man with lots of upside. He can't fill what we need right now... but he might make a very attractive piece. So I'd consider Smith movable for the right person coming back our way.

I also think Detroit might consider moving McCollum in the right deal, if he still has reasonable value. He'd more likely be an 'additional'. Now let's look at some of the Wings other high end pieces:

Jarnkrok, Pulk, Jurco, Tatar: Hard not to think the org isn't super high on these guys as the near future and unlikely to trade them.

Sheahan: While a very nice piece, I think he makes a good trade piece. While he's large and a solid player, his skill set is much more replaceable than the above.

Nyquist: Even though a very attactive piece, and highly ranked, might not have as much org value as the other O talents. The Wings might relucantly move him, but would rather keep.

Anything else is touchable in the right deal.

So what are we looking at moving out? Possibly a combination of:

Smith

Sheahan

Nyquist?

Filppula

Stuart

Cleary

Abdelkader

Kindl

Mursak

Picks

Depending on whether the receiving team is biased towards roster or future.

Well thought-out.

I think a big-time trade is unlikely, given Holland's conservative nature since the lockout, but he really does have a lot of assets at his disposal if he comes across a real chance to significantly improve this team. It's certainly more likely to happen this year than most.

Near impossible to predict a specific scenario, that's for sure.

[Never_Retire_Steve 35]

So much for Smyth to Calgary

[Konnan511 1,736]

All offer sheets do is negotiate a contract for the player and their current team. No way Yzerman lets Stamkos walk. Even if the Leafs offered a 10 year deal at league max, Stevie would still match.

Probably not seeing how TB would receive 4 Toronto first rounders. Those would be lottery picks every season. I'd let Stamkos go for 4 lottery picks.

[esteef 2,679]

I speculate that every player in the league would accept a trade to play with Datsyuk.

esteef

[Datsyerberger 279]

Probably not seeing how TB would receive 4 Toronto first rounders. Those would be lottery picks every season. I'd let Stamkos go for 4 lottery picks.

Well, actually, Stamkos is the one sort of piece Toronto could add that might make them not a lottery/crappy team anymore. Finally gets them a good center for all their wingers.

Toronto isn't as much of an utter train wreck as they used to be. Islanders? Goalie-less Florida? Maybe.

[Konnan511 1,736]

I speculate that every player in the league would accept a trade to play with Datsyuk.

esteef

I dunno, Franzen was traded up to Datsyuk's wing and he didn't do jack s*** the second half of the season

[PaZel 19]

what are the chances holland unloads franzens contract to a team trying to get to the cap floor? i like the mule, but he is seeming to become very injury prone and streaky. that contract could be an absolute albatross in a couple years. everyone talks about trading huds and flip but what about mule?

I also agree. I feel the mule's contract is going to bite us in the future. And I also feel we could get some great things back for him. But would we really want to deal him during nick's potential last year? And Z and Pavel aren't exactly getting younger. This move would take us out of contention imo and also signal the official rebuilding phase of the detroit red wings for the first time in however long. So this being said, I find it unlikely :/ looks like we'll just have to eat his contract.

[Bannedforlife 403]

Who will they target? I'm rather stumped at this point. It's likely going to be something like the M. Richards trade where noone saw it coming.

Untouchable:

Datsyuk: (obvious)

Zetterberg: (also obvious)

Kronwall: Our main d-man moving forward, and the guy who will be the partner of whoever we get

Lidstrom: derp

Howard: And leave us with who to play goal?

Helm: Brings more to the team than his value in a trade

Aside from NTCs, that's it for my untouchables.

Our most attractive roster pieces to trade:

Filppula -- Skilled young 2c, has a lot of nice qualities

Stuart -- Still in a good age, gritty, defensively solid d-man with some offense

Cleary -- Still some years left in him, gritty 2-way winger that can take faceoffs

Franzen -- Goalscoring beast when he's on, don't think the Wings move unless the return is awesome, but not untouchable

Abdelkader -- Young power forward with some upside, might make an attractive addition for some teams

Mursak -- Oodles of speed and plenty of offensive upside; think Wings would rather hang on to him but might give up in the right deal

Kindl -- Some teams might be attracted enough to want him as an addition, but not as a main piece

Now then, I'll cover the non-roster pieces momentarily.

First, consider what we'd be bringing in with a trade. Right side d-man, possibly righty shot, to play with Nick and/or Nik. Someone young, or at least with a lot of years left in them. What's Smith? Right side d-man with lots of upside. He can't fill what we need right now... but he might make a very attractive piece. So I'd consider Smith movable for the right person coming back our way.

I also think Detroit might consider moving McCollum in the right deal, if he still has reasonable value. He'd more likely be an 'additional'. Now let's look at some of the Wings other high end pieces:

Jarnkrok, Pulk, Jurco, Tatar: Hard not to think the org isn't super high on these guys as the near future and unlikely to trade them.

Sheahan: While a very nice piece, I think he makes a good trade piece. While he's large and a solid player, his skill set is much more replaceable than the above.

Nyquist: Even though a very attactive piece, and highly ranked, might not have as much org value as the other O talents. The Wings might relucantly move him, but would rather keep.

Anything else is touchable in the right deal.

So what are we looking at moving out? Possibly a combination of:

Smith

Sheahan

Nyquist?

Filppula

Stuart

Cleary

Abdelkader

Kindl

Mursak

Picks

Depending on whether the receiving team is biased towards roster or future.

I say we do a sign and trade with Ericsson for 2 reasons.

1) As we know, the demand for defensemen is very high right now, lots of teams looking and not enough quality free agents to go around. He's big, young, developed by the Red Wings, and could be signed to a hometown discount (relatively). He could potentially fetch us something nice.

2) To punish his punk ass for dragging out this signing and turning down our very generous 2M offer. Holland could stand to dirty up his nice guy image a bit.

[GOBLUE1892 0]

Of those two, I would look to take Kuba. He is a little bigger in size, 3 years younger, is 1.8 million cheaper, and only has one more year on his contract. He could be a good third pairing guy for us. I would NOT take both, as they are both lefties and Gonchar's health and inconsistency outside of Pitt concerns me.

Wizniewski signs for about $4.5 million on a 3 year deal and we trade for Kuba (Hudler, Emmerton as trade options).

Kronwall - Stuart

Wizniewski - Lidstrom

Kuba - Ericsson

Kindl

^

It's not terrible... but I would much rather we go the UFA route, pick up one of either Bieksa, Wizniewski, or Ehrhoff and then sign Jovo to a one year deal - or Montador, Hannan, etc..

Ideally:

Bieksa - Kronwall

Lidstrom - Stuart

Montador - Ericsson

Kindl

Well we have one option left....

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=6709577