Signed Cleary re-signs with Detroit, 1 year, $1.75m deal

[b.shanafan14 733]

My mind can't even begin to process the amount of shedding that needs to happen... We are literally one player from having a 1st and 2nd line with two 3rd and two 4th lines. Hopefully we get some decent return and no young players get moved...

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Abdelkader

Alfredsson-Weiss-Franzen

Tatar-Andersson-Nyquist

Samuelsson-Cleary-Bertuzzi

Miller-Helm-Eaves

Tootoo-Emmerton-(damn...)

I'm honestly at a loss for who stays and who goes given Sammy and Berts NTC. We either trade or demote some of our young talent or part with some of our best 4th liners/PK... things are getting wacky. Wake me in October...

[Jesusberg 1,256]

Emmerton, Eaves, Tootoo, Bert, Sammy, Andersson. They could part with ANYONE, why does adding back Cleary suddenly cost Tatar a spot?

Because, and unless something has changed, those guys aren't desired assets. Add in that Holland loves his vets, and what do you think is going to happen? They're 2.3 million and 3 forwards over now. Let's say Helm goes on LTIR. Take Emmerton and Andersson (shouldn't even be on there) off that list, we need centers.

Send Gus down to GR (sad), since Bertuzzi and/or Samuelsson will be using those spots on the 3rd line. And yeah, it'd be ideal to move one of them, but who wants them? Seriously.

That leaves the team with Eaves and Tootoo. It's plausible that one is moved, and cap relief comes with either move. It's curious that neither has been moved yet, despite rumors that they're the ones to go. Makes me wonder if there's much of a market for them. Regardless, let's say it's Tootoo who goes.

Z-Dats-Abs

Mule-Weiss-Alfie

Bert-Andersson-Samuelsson

Miller-Emmerton-Cleary

Tatar, Eaves

Is that really where Tatar belongs? Whose spot does he take? I personally feel like he'd be wasted on the 4th line, or on the bench. Bert and Sammy don't strike me as 4th liners, either. This forward roster is just a mess at the moment.

[Opie 308]

Well, now Tatar is has said that he will not go back to Grand Rapids, and is angry. I have no idea why the Wings are toying with their future to keep around another forward that we didn't need. Tatar probably should have been up LAST YEAR for the playoffs, but they left him down to help the Griffins win an AHL championship.

Well seeing as he cannot go back to Grand Rapids, I am not sure why it is an issue or why he is even angry about it?

The only way he goes to GR is to clear waivers, I highly doubt that happens!

[KATIEBARTHEDOOR24 426]

Wait... What happened last night... Is this a dream/nightmare... Am I still sleeping... Did I wakeup in some parallel universe... Newman!!!!!

[rrasco 1,312]

Tatar is showing his cards, basically saying don't even think about it.

[b.shanafan14 733]

For starters, our ideal roster has neither Bertuzzi nor Samuelsson, so we are immediately far out of the realm of ideal. If Helm can't go right away we again lose another preferred player and kick the can down the road as far as one roster spot and some cap-space. Sending Nyquist down is yet another move that isn't in the spirit of icing the best hockey team, but rather dealing with the mistakes of signing Bertuzzi and Samuelsson. Tootoo is as good as gone, which doesn't bother me too much if we can find a trade partner. I'll miss Eaves more and he will give us less cap-relief, but he may be our easiest to move. Then comes the question of what to do with Tatar. He'll probably end of in a rotation with Bert and Sammy with any given night having either $2M of slow, $3M of slow, or $800K of talent riding pine.

Unfortunately all of this has nothing to do with Cleary in particular and for the price and term, this is a spectacular move and shows just how much he loves the organization, which I can't fault him for. It just makes the already messed up situation with Samuelsson and Bertuzzi even more troublesome. Now whenever I picture Sammy, I don't even see him in his gear, just sitting there with his smirk, arms crossed, taking up bench and cap-space.

[YMHC 23]

WTF

i'm hurt now, thought he was gone, keep him away from Dats please.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

I love his work ethic; others could learn a lot from his example.

More importantly, I love that he loves this organization as much as he does.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

Well what I am now going to type now is nothing against Cleary but seriously

I am starting to wonder if Holland is showing to much loyality here? Guess the team was to young for Holland last season? Re-signing Bertuzzi was bad, signing Samuelson was stupid not going after an enforcer and bringing back Cleary is ridiculous. Maybe it is really time for Kenny to become VP and give the job to someone else?

I am really starting to think, the overaching of last season has not been a good thing. Maybe the front office really believes thr team was close when in fact they just played beyond their overall talent level.

Why is it so tough to make room for the young guys? Damnit

[Rick D 390]

I love the organization, and i would even sing with the wings for.... FREE.

Even though that is a great deal, it wouldn't make any sense at all. The team is two players over the roster limit, and they are adding people.

It just seems like a step in the wrong direction to me.

[KATIEBARTHEDOOR24 426]

He's got great work ethic that's not the issue...

We are finally starting to bring in much needed youth. Sammy please be gone with you. Bert I sorry, we welcome you for your services.

Toto...meh for what you did thanks.

[Guest mjtm77]

I'm sorry, I guess I don't get the anger. We got a player of Cleary's caliber for less than we're paying Tootoo? Even if he plays all season on the fourth line we're better off with this happening. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'd MUCH rather have Cleary in the lineup than Tootoo or Eaves...and now he's the same price.

Good signing.

Ideally, here's my lines.

Z-Dats-Abby

Alfie-Weiss-Franzen

Tatar-Andersson-Nyquist

Cleary-Helm-Miller

Sammy/Bert

Sadly, goodbye Eaves, Tootoo, and Emmerton (unless Helm is still hurt).

The issue being that Nyquist ( potential second line player) will start in the minors. We all agree that if Nyquist were to start in Grand Rapids it would be straight up bananas

[Wingnut in WA 86]

Too bad his knees aren't as good as his heart.

Just a bad signing all around, puts our youth movement on hold. Tartar and Nyquist might not have full time spots because of this "warrior"

[Rivalred 630]

Lmao

Too hilarious

[Guest mjtm77]

For starters, our ideal roster has neither Bertuzzi nor Samuelsson, so we are immediately far out of the realm of ideal. If Helm can't go right away we again lose another preferred player and kick the can down the road as far as one roster spot and some cap-space. Sending Nyquist down is yet another move that isn't in the spirit of icing the best hockey team, but rather dealing with the mistakes of signing Bertuzzi and Samuelsson. Tootoo is as good as gone, which doesn't bother me too much if we can find a trade partner. I'll miss Eaves more and he will give us less cap-relief, but he may be our easiest to move. Then comes the question of what to do with Tatar. He'll probably end of in a rotation with Bert and Sammy with any given night having either $2M of slow, $3M of slow, or $800K of talent riding pine.

Unfortunately all of this has nothing to do with Cleary in particular and for the price and term, this is a spectacular move and shows just how much he loves the organization, which I can't fault him for. It just makes the already messed up situation with Samuelsson and Bertuzzi even more troublesome. Now whenever I picture Sammy, I don't even see him in his gear, just sitting there with his smirk, arms crossed, taking up bench and cap-space.

it does completely! are you on crack?? regardless of Cleary's contact it adds another body which creates a bigger log jam with Bert and Sammy.

[Red Crazy 201]

I give Cleary credit for taking a pay cut to play with the team he loves. However, Holland has/had no room to make this signing. He will give up young talent because of the Sammy and now Cleary signing.

[Dabura 12,232]

For starters, our ideal roster has neither Bertuzzi nor Samuelsson, so we are immediately far out of the realm of ideal. If Helm can't go right away we again lose another preferred player and kick the can down the road as far as one roster spot and some cap-space. Sending Nyquist down is yet another move that isn't in the spirit of icing the best hockey team, but rather dealing with the mistakes of signing Bertuzzi and Samuelsson. Tootoo is as good as gone, which doesn't bother me too much if we can find a trade partner. I'll miss Eaves more and he will give us less cap-relief, but he may be our easiest to move. Then comes the question of what to do with Tatar. He'll probably end of in a rotation with Bert and Sammy with any given night having either $2M of slow, $3M of slow, or $800K of talent riding pine.

Unfortunately all of this has nothing to do with Cleary in particular and for the price and term, this is a spectacular move and shows just how much he loves the organization, which I can't fault him for. It just makes the already messed up situation with Samuelsson and Bertuzzi even more troublesome. Now whenever I picture Sammy, I don't even see him in his gear, just sitting there with his smirk, arms crossed, taking up bench and cap-space.

Great post.

[Wheelchairsuperhero 1,453]

I wish I could fly to Traverse City and shake Dan Cleary's hand.

In this day and age of pro athletes chasing the Big $ at all costs, the guy walked away from millions of dollars, put his ego aside, crawled back to the negotiation table to eat some major crow, all so he could stay with friends, teammates, and an organisation and town that he loves.

Cleary went toe to toe with one of Detroit's all time biggest nemesis, Chris Pronger, he went after Dion Phaneuf, knocking him silly, then getting an assist on the goal. He's scored numerous playoff game winning goals. Even when he's basically duck taped together, he's still finishing checks and jumping into scrums. He is a winner, he is the epitome of a team heart and soul guy, he has hands, grit, and smarts. He is a major contributor at all costs.

$1.75m! Talk about a Hometown Discount!

Totally glad he's back. And frankly, I can't see him really giving a s*** what number is on his jersey, as long as the logo is the Winged Wheel.

I signed on just to say I like this post. While I'm not the biggest Cleary fan, I have a HUGE amount of respect for him and am glad he's a Red Wing. I really appreciate loyalty in this day and age.

[KATIEBARTHEDOOR24 426]

Loyalty towards the vets...

Maybe Holland is hoping Alfie looks at this and picks him up for the next five years. JK.

[nyqvististhefuture 1,002]

ughhhh this is awful i like clearly i like the one year deal but this just means hes probably gonna resign after next year as well and it complicates our roster further more this season and takes away ice time for the kids ... this team is way too loyal to veterans

[wingsfan4795 552]

It's only one year and there's nothing wrong with having competition on the 4th line. Didn't we have 5 4th liners in 2008?

Edit: that was assuming Cleary ends up on the 4th line. I don't really want Tatar to end up down there

Edited September 12, 2013 by wingsfan4795

[Guest mjtm77]

It's only one year and there's nothing wrong with having competition on the 4th line. Didn't we have 5 4th liners in 2008?

Edit: that was assuming Cleary ends up on the 4th line. I don't really want Tatar to end up down there

only 1 year???? you are all going to wish he signed in Philly when next year we have to give Cleary 4 mil and we cant be in the free agent hunt

[Mors 201]

After reading Holland's comments, I'd say it's pretty heavily implied that we can expect to see Cleary for another 3-4 years after this. I don't have anything personally against Cleary, but I find this a depressing prospect for the future.

[Guest Playmaker]

I don't see why it's assumed that Tatar (of all people) is going to lose his spot to Cleary. Tatar isn't going anywhere, he can't be sent down and the Wings aren't going to lose him for nothing via waivers. This is mostly going to affect Tootoo and Eaves, and as I've already stated, Cleary is better than both.

This is a positive guys and gals.

I don't think Cleary is better than both. Eaves adds much more with his speed, penalty killing ability and chips in a few goals...While I don't think we need an enforcer, Tootoo does the job he was signed to do. Even Emmerton has value as a center. I was never looking at the Wings roster and thinking, gosh, what this roster really needs is an old, slow, broken down veteran. The Wings seem to have the leadership thing well taken care of. If they lose anyone other than Samuelsson, it's a bad signing.

As far as the Philly deal goes, it was never really made clear, but it doesn't sound like he was guaranteed a spot on the team. So that probably made it easier to turn down.

[Uncle Danny 155]

only 1 year???? you are all going to wish he signed in Philly when next year we have to give Cleary 4 mil and we cant be in the free agent hunt

What? Cleary is 34 years old, and everyone involved knows he only has a few (maybe four) more years in the tank. This isn't a test contract, this is his career from here on out. He'll get one, maybe two, year contracts until he retires. And $4m? At 34 he was offered an overpayment by Philly at $2.75m. He's not likely to reach that again.

I say props to him for leaving millions and years on the table to play where his heart is. And for us, as fans, I think we should be pleased as punch. We have a player who undoubtedly wants to play here, who took a large discount to do so and is better than at least half the roster. We have to shed a few forwards? Boof****** hoo. This guy is a better player, a better locker room presence and has more experience than all of those on the chopping block... and he's loyal to a fault.

No matter the log jam we have, our team just got better and did so on the cheap. What's not to like about signing Dan Cleary for one year at $1.75m? Seriously...

Edited September 12, 2013 by Uncle Danny