258 replies to this topic

[Shaman464]

If you aren't aware, the Wings also lost a 36 year old bottom pairing DMan. People, Commodore is NOT Rafalski's replacement! Jiminy! $1m for 1 year for a guy who hits, fights, plays stay at home D? What's the beef here?

Because hes a drunk, piss poor defensively, got bought out by a bottom feeder team, has had attitude problems in the past, and to top it all off hes a day walking ginger.

Seriously though, this is Jason Williams 2.0, like it or not, and unless Holland makes a big move before training camp, the team as it stands today has 0 chance at the cup. Besides, if Detroit signs a #2-3 defenseman or trades for one that leaves Detroit with 7 dmen, not including Smith or Janik who both deserved a shot making the line up this year.

[P. Marlowe]

Detnews.com interview

"I have a lot of respect for (general manager) Ken Holland, and the coaching staff, and the players they have here. I'm ecstatic."
Commodore is definitely familiar with coach Mike Babcock.

The two were together in Anaheim when Commodore was a minor leaguer trying to earn a spot with the Ducks.

He never did, and when Commodore was with Columbus two seasons ago, he verbally ripped Babcock in an article.

"That happened 8 or 9 years ago (the time in Anaheim) and that's water under the bridge," Commodore said. "We've both won Stanley Cups since then (Commodore in 2006 with Carolina) and moved on from that."

Commodore said he's already spoken with Babcock regarding the article and wishes he would have handled the situation differently.

[Shaman464]

Detnews.com interview

Of course he can be humble and send love letters to Holland, he went from Columbus to Detroit, and is making more to do it (buyout+contract).

[Jusek]

Commodore and Babcock talked on Friday, and the coach said he is excited.

"We had him earmarked for two weeks,'' Babcock said. "We like his size and he's physical. He's a perfect fit for our team. He'll support his teammates, he'll work hard on people.

"If he's paired with (young) Jakub Kindl, he'll help him.''

Commodore, who played regularly on Carolina's Stanley-Cup winning team in 2006 and the Flames team that lost to Tampa Bay in the 2004 Cup finals, said he's excited to play for a talented puck-possession team.

"I'm not a rushing defenseman but can hold my own moving the puck. I look forward to getting the puck to (the forwards), kill penalties, block shots,'' Commodore said. "That's one thing Ken and Babs said the Wings needed -- someone to be hard to play against.''

Commodore has played 454 games over parts of nine NHL seasons with New Jersey, Calgary, Carolina, Ottawa and Columbus, picking up 23 goals, 81 assists and 645 penalty minutes.

Commodore got to know Holland last summer at a golf outing in Western Canada. Holland called him "a good person.''

"He's helped Carolina and Calgary in playoff runs,'' Holland said. "He'll work the front of the net to move people out. He's a good guy on the third pair, got a presence to him.

"If we put him in the right situation, he'll play good hockey for us.''

http://www.mlive.com..._at_chance.html

[SwedeLundin77]

Detnews.com interview

Yeah, that was a really good interview. It sounds like him and Babs worked their s*** out. It was 8 or 9 years ago, so anyone still bickering about that needs to tuck their string in.

I initially met this move with horror, as my only real memory of Commodore was back in 2009 when he missed that hit and ended up in our bench. I was looking over his stats and his play in Carolina was stellar. It's the classic kind of signing by Holland and Co. They picked a guy with good potential, he's 31, and he's definitely a reclamation project. If he does well enough, he'll warrant an extension (low cap hit).

I don't mind this player since I'm not delusional like some on this board and know full well that he's a 5/6 guy. He essentially replaces Salei, and I was not impressed with Salei. It'll be nice to have a guy who clears the crease out and plays physical. He's definitely a defense first type of guy. Maybe he can teach Ericsson and Kindl something about being physical.

Again, for 1 year at a $1 million hit, this is not a terrible signing. People on these boards always want us to get physical players, yet when we do finally get one who really isn't all that bad (for the role we got him for), they ***** and moan. Get over it. You don't have to like the guy, but I guarantee after a few good hits, people will start to come around some.

Welcome Commy, work hard and you'll reap the benefits of being on a World-Class Team.

[redwingfan19]

commodore is a huge upgrade over salei.

[haroldsnepsts]

Because hes a drunk, piss poor defensively, got bought out by a bottom feeder team, has had attitude problems in the past, and to top it all off hes a day walking ginger.

Seriously though, this is Jason Williams 2.0, like it or not, and unless Holland makes a big move before training camp, the team as it stands today has 0 chance at the cup. Besides, if Detroit signs a #2-3 defenseman or trades for one that leaves Detroit with 7 dmen, not including Smith or Janik who both deserved a shot making the line up this year.

Why exactly does Janik deserve a shot? He's a known quantity to the Wings and is basically a career AHL'er. Short of making some magical transformation as a 30 year old, if Janik is in the lineup it probably means the Wings defensive corps is in a seriously bad way.

commodore is a huge upgrade over salei.

This.

For the hundredth time, he is not a Rafalski replacement. He is a Salei replacement and should be an upgrade.

[P. Marlowe]

I just remembered Babcock's quote after the playoff game in 2009 in which Commodore went over the boards and Wings scored right after that. Babcock said something indirect like "you don't win games by running around like headless chicken." He didn't mention Commodore, but it was clear who he meant.

Anyway, I'm starting to like this signing.

Why exactly does Janik deserve a shot? He's a known quantity to the Wings and is basically a career AHL'er. Short of making some magical transformation as a 30 year old, if Janik is in the lineup it probably means the Wings defensive corps is in a seriously bad way.

I agree. He's a veteran backup, 9-10th defenseman who's a safe callup, but nothing more.

Edited by P. Marlowe, 01 July 2011 - 06:08 PM.

[servo]

Yeah, that was a really good interview. It sounds like him and Babs worked their s*** out. It was 8 or 9 years ago, so anyone still bickering about that needs to tuck their string in.

I initially met this move with horror, as my only real memory of Commodore was back in 2009 when he missed that hit and ended up in our bench. I was looking over his stats and his play in Carolina was stellar. It's the classic kind of signing by Holland and Co. They picked a guy with good potential, he's 31, and he's definitely a reclamation project. If he does well enough, he'll warrant an extension (low cap hit).

I don't mind this player since I'm not delusional like some on this board and know full well that he's a 5/6 guy. He essentially replaces Salei, and I was not impressed with Salei. It'll be nice to have a guy who clears the crease out and plays physical. He's definitely a defense first type of guy. Maybe he can teach Ericsson and Kindl something about being physical.

Again, for 1 year at a $1 million hit, this is not a terrible signing. People on these boards always want us to get physical players, yet when we do finally get one who really isn't all that bad (for the role we got him for), they ***** and moan. Get over it. You don't have to like the guy, but I guarantee after a few good hits, people will start to come around some.

Welcome Commy, work hard and you'll reap the benefits of being on a World-Class Team.

Fantastic post. He usually sucks in the regular season, but this guy is a beast in the playoffs. Everyone hates to play against him and he'll beat the s*** out of you when your in front of the net. Only problem is we'll end up killing more penalties. Safe signing. Bottom line, is this years trade deadline will be like Christmas for Wings fans. We'll move Hudler and maybe a minor league/picks and end up with another superstar and maybe a role player. The thin layer of talent available today isn't worth spending money. All of the GM's that are (over)paying for free agents are going to be regretting their cap situation next year when the CBA drops the cap.

[Heaten]

Commodore and Babcock talked on Friday, and the coach said he is excited.

"We had him earmarked for two weeks,'' Babcock said. "We like his size and he's physical. He's a perfect fit for our team. He'll support his teammates, he'll work hard on people.

"If he's paired with (young) Jakub Kindl, he'll help him.''

Commodore, who played regularly on Carolina's Stanley-Cup winning team in 2006 and the Flames team that lost to Tampa Bay in the 2004 Cup finals, said he's excited to play for a talented puck-possession team.

"I'm not a rushing defenseman but can hold my own moving the puck. I look forward to getting the puck to (the forwards), kill penalties, block shots,'' Commodore said. "That's one thing Ken and Babs said the Wings needed -- someone to be hard to play against.''

Commodore has played 454 games over parts of nine NHL seasons with New Jersey, Calgary, Carolina, Ottawa and Columbus, picking up 23 goals, 81 assists and 645 penalty minutes.

Commodore got to know Holland last summer at a golf outing in Western Canada. Holland called him "a good person.''

"He's helped Carolina and Calgary in playoff runs,'' Holland said. "He'll work the front of the net to move people out. He's a good guy on the third pair, got a presence to him.

"If we put him in the right situation, he'll play good hockey for us.''

http://www.mlive.com..._at_chance.html

Haha. Read this article between the lines and see if you see what I see... There is info in this article that you will initially notice.

Edited by Heaten, 01 July 2011 - 06:33 PM.

[Red Wings Addict]

Just let people express their raw fan emotion. That's what an internet message board is for, really. For better or worse, they provide the ultimate freedom to express however the hell you want with little to no consequences. With an emotional climate like the one in this thread, it's a waste of time to try to argue and change each other's point of view's so why not just let people dump all their s*** and be done with it?

Besides, no matter how much we ***** and complain today and for the rest of summer, we're still going to watch every game and then complain/celebrate on here again and again and again. We're all still fans of the Red Wings and none of us are going away anywhere.

[haroldsnepsts]

Fantastic post. He usually sucks in the regular season, but this guy is a beast in the playoffs. Everyone hates to play against him and he'll beat the s*** out of you when your in front of the net. Only problem is we'll end up killing more penalties. Safe signing. Bottom line, is this years trade deadline will be like Christmas for Wings fans. We'll move Hudler and maybe a minor league/picks and end up with another superstar and maybe a role player. The thin layer of talent available today isn't worth spending money. All of the GM's that are (over)paying for free agents are going to be regretting their cap situation next year when the CBA drops the cap.

This is what the Wings blueline desperately needs and I hope Commodore brings some of it. Assuming he does, hopefully Ericsson and Kindl will be taking notes.

[Carman]

I like this signing.

It's cheap and he's seemed to mature a lot, he'll appreciate the opportunity and take advantage of it.

[Uncle Danny]

Just let people express their raw fan emotion. That's what an internet message board is for, really. For better or worse, they provide the ultimate freedom to express however the hell you want with little to no consequences. With an emotional climate like the one in this thread, it's a waste of time to try to argue and change each other's point of view's so why not just let people dump all their s*** and be done with it?

Besides, no matter how much we ***** and complain today and for the rest of summer, we're still going to watch every game and then complain/celebrate on here again and again and again. We're all still fans of the Red Wings and none of us are going away anywhere.

I've reached my quota of +1s for the day, otherwise you'd have gotten one right there. It frustrates me to see fellow fans beating their heads against the wall over what I perceive to be small or non issues, but you're absolutely right here. Vent on, Red Wings nation

PS: That doesn't mean I won't vent back telling them that their gripe is silly -- but then, that's kinda at the heart of what you said, no? Good post.

[Shaman464]

I like this signing.

It's cheap and he's seemed to mature a lot, he'll appreciate the opportunity and take advantage of it.

I hate this signing because hes cheap and was a healthy scratch on a Columbus team that was horrible defensively last year. Also it doesn't address any of Detroit biggest needs, like a consistent RW/LW, or the 50 points the Wings lost with Rafi.

[Zetts]

I hate this signing because hes cheap and was a healthy scratch on a Columbus team that was horrible defensively last year. Also it doesn't address any of Detroit biggest needs, like a consistent RW/LW, or the 50 points the Wings lost with Rafi.

Are you going to say the same thing when the Wings sign a backup? It doesn't address any of those needs either.

Yes, what you mentioned is important, but it doesn't mean that we don't need other players too. From reports, Holland called him and said he had 15 minutes to decide. The Wings didn't put piles of time or money into this signing. We just added depth.

Edit: To add to this, I recall Drew Miller being picked up off of waiver from Tampa (at a time that they were still not so great). He's turned out well. Just because one team wasn't the right fit, doesn't mean that he's useless.

Edited by Zetts, 01 July 2011 - 06:50 PM.

[Red Wings Addict]

PS: That doesn't mean I won't vent back telling them that their gripe is silly -- but then, that's kinda at the heart of what you said, no? Good post.

Of course. But once back and forth should be enough, really. Or at least, I would hope so. No need to take on the entire world of negative energy.

[Carman]

I hate this signing because hes cheap and was a healthy scratch on a Columbus team that was horrible defensively last year. Also it doesn't address any of Detroit biggest needs, like a consistent RW/LW, or the 50 points the Wings lost with Rafi.

1). Columbus was a mess, and his salary was higher than his ability and he struggled with that. He was a scape-goat for a horrible defense and was frusterated. He'll be much better in a 5/6/7th role.
2). He was the #3 d-man during Carolina's cup run, including >3min/game shorthanded toi
3). He's big.
4). We've been very successful on reclamation projects in the past, Commodore's potential is high he just needs the tools to get there again.

I don't see any negatives with this move.

[SwedeLundin77]

1). Columbus was a mess, and his salary was higher than his ability and he struggled with that. He was a scape-goat for a horrible defense and was frusterated. He'll be much better in a 5/6/7th role.
2). He was the #3 d-man during Carolina's cup run, including >3min/game shorthanded toi
3). He's big.
4). We've been very successful on reclamation projects in the past, Commodore's potential is high he just needs the tools to get there again.

I don't see any negatives with this move.

Amen.

[kingzetter]

How much we got left salery wise