2014 Offseason League Signings and Trades

[Guest DeGraa55]

Maybe holland will realize JUST MAKING THE PLAYOFFS ISNT GOOD ENOUGH. But ya who knows...

[gcom007 1,465]

Not sure where else to post this. Article sums up much of what has been said and speculated here.

http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2014/07/01/wings-shut-out-in-free-agent-frenzy/

Brutal, but pretty dead on across the board. I hate to admit it, but this is literally the first time in all my years of being a Red Wings fan that I feel like our team is a joke in the sight of the league. I know people have disliked us for years, and I know that many are just jealous while many others it was just competitiveness, and they still clearly had respect for us. But right now, I feel like this team has become the butt of a league-wide joke, and there's enough people with long memories that are no doubt relishing in our fate.

It's really sad.

It doesn't make me feel any less love for this team, and if anything, it affirms how much I do love this team, because I hate what's happening right now, and yet I still feel as passionately as I ever have about them as a fan. All I can hope for at this point is that someone in the Illitch family steps in to make the call to reassign or fire Holland and we get someone in the GM position that's willing to make some serious changes to shake things up. As I said in another post, it may turn out good though it might turn out horribly, but we've got to try something to turn it around. Worst case scenario, we end up getting in a position to draft the talent we'll need for a real rebuild. Either way, the days of the Holland descent into mediocrity need to end, as soon as they possibly can. He's failed for too long to do what everyone including himself says they need to do, and he's gone on to sign too many players to bad deals. Enough is enough.

[Nyquistfan14 489]

I just don't know where the spots are going to be for all the kids. D, Z, mule, Weiss, nyquist, jurco, Tatar, sheahan, helm, Abby, glenny don't seem to be going anywhere. Pulkinen is almost ready, mantha as well.

These guys are top 9 forwards so where do they slot in??? I think Tatar or pulki need to be moved in a trade for a legit d-man but that doesn't look too good now that KFQ has been re-signed. I'm lost for words on what happened today

[_SP_ 129]

If you would have told me the Red Wings signed absolutely nobody, I would have been okay with that, over the alternative. Bringing back Quincey to play in a system that doesn't work for him doesn't make a lick of sense to me.

Kronwall-Smith

Ericsson-DeKeyeser

Ouellet-Kindl
Marchenko

Great? No. Better than Quincey at $4.25M for TWO years (with Ouellet and Sproul coming on strong)? NO THANKS!


The forwards don't look horrible...

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Alfredsson
Franzen-Weiss-Nyquist
Tatar-Sheahan-Jurco
Miller-Helm-Abdelkader


Is it what I wanted? No. Is it OMG FIRE EVERYBODY horrible? No. I don't like Franzen, I wish we were able to get Iginla, and I have NEVER liked Weiss -- even the day he was signed. But do I think it gets us to the playoffs? Yes. Do I think there are pieces that can be moved around for a run at a dominant blueliner or winger? Sure. Drew Stafford, Bobby Ryan, Martin St. Louis, and Chris Stewart are all candidates to move on after this upcoming year. Paul Martin and Mike Green might be moved, too, as their teams won't be able to pay them for extensions. The team has trade pieces and I wouldn't mind seeing a guy like Tatar being moved straight up at the deadline for a player whom won't remain with his current team anyway.

This team isn't broken by any means. And further strides by Smith and DeKeyser could make a world of difference in the top-4.

[gcom007 1,465]

I just don't know where the spots are going to be for all the kids. D, Z, mule, Weiss, nyquist, jurco, Tatar, sheahan, helm, Abby, glenny don't seem to be going anywhere. Pulkinen is almost ready, mantha as well.

These guys are top 9 forwards so where do they slot in??? I think Tatar or pulki need to be moved in a trade for a legit d-man but that doesn't look too good now that KFQ has been re-signed. I'm lost for words on what happened today

Do we even know if Weiss will be ready? I mean, he seriously had so many setbacks that you have to wonder and worry about how that's all going to go down.

[Nyquistfan14 489]

I really wish we got del zotto instead of KFQ. I really think del zotto could flourish here playing with DD

[wheelchairwing 11]

http://kuklaskorner.com/tmr/comments/bringing-kyle-quincey-back-is-the-latest-in-a-long-line-of-lateral-red-wing

[frankgrimes 1,836]

Well some source is reporting 38 million and another 42 million so what is it now ? Also don't ever underestimate your first offer if it's too much of a lowball one, you might piss off the agent and his client.

The only positive I can take away from this whole thing is the chance of it being a huge wake-up call for the whole organisation. Guess what ? The streak doesn't mean anything to the top free-agents anymore when a highly convented defender is quoted "My first priority has been playing on a good team" and he doesn't come here all alarm bells should be ringing. Agents and players aren't stupd, they have seen that this team hasn't been competitive in the playoffs and isn't perceived to go deep, in fact the team had to battle extremely hard for the last 3 years to even make the playoffs.

The "perfect" offseason would be bringing back some patchwork players and continue the ever so important streak instead of basically rebuilding this thing. Do I want a cup for Z and Pasha ? You bet but guess what the guy I mostly want the cup for is our g reat owner Mr. Mike Ilitch and I think Holland hasn't been able to get this ship into the right direction. But now - after cooling down even more - I have to ask who do you replace him with ?

It for sure can't be that Develano guy, someone who thinks players are only cattles... like I said before I would ride a boat load of money to Chiarelli or Lombardi and talk about the possibility of them coming over to get this ship back on track again. This - sadly - is another wasted year for our two superstars.

Anyway so far I would think

Winners

+ Blues - Statsny gave them one heck of a deal

+ Panthers they are much better than they were and added a stud defenseman (Ekblad) + grit and leadership in Thornton

+ Sabres brought in leadership, scoring and shotblocking

+ Ducks - when you bring in Kesler without giving up a first, DSP, Etem, Fowler that's one heck of a deal

+ Stars - Nil you are a boss this top 6 is just wow now

+ Penguins - getting Ehrhoff on a 4 million deal is a steal

+ Wild - adding Vanek on a great shortterm deal Vanek might be the finisher Parise needed (if he decides to get in shape and works hard)

So-So

~ Capitals - heck of a deal with Niskanen but that Orpik deal has buyout written all over it

~ Canucks - their goaltending is improved but they've lost a pretty good second line center

~ Leafs - didn't give in to the ridiculous Bolland demands and added some grit in Komarov (although a bit overpaid)

~ Flames - getting Hiller on a very nice contract has been a great move by Burke, also adding Engelland gives their defense more depth and especially an the possible toughest team in the NHL. They should be fun to watch next year

~ Predators - Poilé blindsided JR with the Neal deal but if he doesn't get a center for him this is not going to work

Losers

- Red Wings ... not on the final lists or offers not being good enough to entice the top of the top to come here tough pill to swallow and changes are needed no more sugarcoating or patchwork players please

- Islanders ... Snow has a big mouth and that's about it I really feel bad for Tavares, Halak, Grabner, Okposo and Strome such a talented young group and yet their GM and owner fooled them again

- Bruins ... can't believe I'm going to rank them as losers but when you lose the leadership qualities of Iginla and Thornton thats a huge downside. Also Iginla had almost flawless chemistry with Looch replacing that - while not much capspace - is going to be extremely hard

- Canadiens ... Bergevin should have known better you don't trade a player with a NTC, NMC to a team on their no movement list, show some class Gorges has given this franchise a lot and that's the reward he gets ? Screw you, also the Canadiens are going to be much softer without Parros. Once again Prust will have to do most of the fighting against Orr and the boys

- Avalanche ... yes, they've added leadership but at the end of the day they've lost a great young center in Statsny and I don't think Iginla's style is fitting them as good as he did in Boston

- Senators ... trading Spezza away for spareparts and then calling him and Alfie somewhat out in the media is just classless and they haven't signed anybody to replace him and his qualities.

- Blackhawks ... I love it the Ducks, Blues, Wild became better and the Kings are the Kings so the competition just got harder for them again NICE

[Andy Pred 48 337]

Can't we just go out and get the Russian 5 mark II ?!? Its the only way we'll get a new era started here.

Kenny and Babs both stated we needed to get better on the back end, more so Babs and we end up with the same D unit as last year.

Unless we have a trade lined up and if im honest i can't see it, how do we improve the blueline this season?

Quincey needs to be the '09 version at least and maybe let Smith start seeing some PP mins, he's the only real offensive D we have

other than Kronner and lets hope Kindl finally shows his early potential.

[Datsyukian-Deke 722]

Update from previous story: Holland still reportedly at Bell Tire kicking tires. The manager asked him to leave but he just continues to make grunting noises as he kicks. The police were called and Dan Cleary posted his bail. Dan was adamant that Holland be let go because "Holland promised me a top 6 forward spot next season". Holland is finally home and resting comfortably, ready to continue his summer vacation.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

Update from previous story: Holland still reportedly at Bell Tire kicking tires. The manager asked him to leave but he just continues to make grunting noises as he kicks. The police were called and Dan Cleary posted his bail. Dan was adamant that Holland be let go because "Holland promised me a top 6 forward spot next season". Holland is finally home and resting comfortably, ready to continue his summer vacation.

Witnesses reported hearing Holland screaming something along the lines of "I don't know why they're not coming here" as he was dragged to jail.

Holland reportedly will tee off at noon tomorrow.

[Andy Pred 48 337]

some news in that just may have a few here hoping, the Bruins need to shed some $ and one Johnny Boychuk could be in play!!!!

[VM1138 1,921]

some news in that just may have a few here hoping, the Bruins need to shed some $ and one Johnny Boychuk could be in play!!!!

That's great but now that we panic signed Quincey I'm not sure where he fits.

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

[e_prime 1,936]

That's great but now that we panic signed Quincey I'm not sure where he fits.

Agreed. I would have been much more confident that Holland was going to do something smart by doing nothing after not being able to land Ehrhoff, Boyle, Stralman, or Niskanen.

Was it really necessary to sign Q on July 1? He wouldn't be there July 15th? Aug 15th?

We weren't worried about getting signed Alfie yesterday? Q is that important.

No. Pure Panic Move.

[xtrememachine1 795]

Agreed. I would have been much more confident that Holland was going to do something smart by doing nothing after not being able to land Ehrhoff, Boyle, Stralman, or Niskanen.

Was it really necessary to sign Q on July 1? He wouldn't be there July 15th? Aug 15th?

We weren't worried about getting signed Alfie yesterday? Q is that important.

No. Pure Panic Move.

Yeah Holland signed Quincey just to say he did something. Nobody is snatching him up and if they do, so what? I'm quite certain you can get someone else to do just as good (or bad). Alfredsson should have been more of a priority than resigning Quincey. These types of signings hurt the teams image. "We didn't get the type of player we wanted, so we re-signed the garbage we were going to let go." Yeah, watch the UFAs just come sprinting to us now.

[AtomicPunk 296]

"I don't know why they don't want to come here." = Ken Holland, July 1, 2014

Is he talking about free agents or Joe Louis Arena in October and November?

[dirtydangles 1,328]

Quincey was totally a panic signing. Worst case scenario we had Kindl and all the kids in GR. We weren't going to go into the year with 2 rookies in the D core regardless.

[e_prime 1,936]

CapGeek ‏@capgeek 2m

Brooks Orpik's deal includes $5M in signing bonuses. http://capgeek.com/player/489 #Caps

That's a lot of dough for Brooks. $32.5million in total.

[Datsyukian-Deke 722]

CapGeek ‏@capgeek 2m

Brooks Orpik's deal includes $5M in signing bonuses. http://capgeek.com/player/489 #Caps

That's a lot of dough for Brooks. $32.5million in total.

Worst signing of July 1st for sure.

[Nyquistfan14 489]

Would green not be available from Washington now that they signed two d-men

[kipwinger 8,522]

Worst signing of July 1st for sure.

I don't really see it that way. He's getting over-paid, for sure. But Washington is getting a hard hitting, defense first (god knows they need defense), Stanley Cup winner, two time Olympian, and team leader, to anchor Trotz' defense first system.

More importantly, mildly overpaying for Orpik may well have helped Washington win out on Niskanen, and the combination of both signings puts Washington back on the map after a couple lackluster years.

One thing that nobody is talking about (and I admit this is purely speculation), is that both Niskanen and Orpik went to Washington together. They played together all season in Pittsburgh, and they both went to the same team. One which nobody had predicted prior to yesterday.

I'm not saying they did the Suter-Parise buddies thing. But I'd be surprised if the two weren't influenced by each others' willingness to sign with the Caps.

Edited July 2, 2014 by kipwinger

[BadgerBob 297]

Worst signing of July 1st for sure.

No, KFQ at $4.25M/year was.

[ShanahanMan 473]

Worst signing of July 1st for sure.

Orpik is light years better than Quincey. He's thrown away like garbage from every team he plays for.

Except the Wings if course. We're more inclined to give him a raise.

[sjr2012 439]

I still think we have plenty of days left tomake a massive move In the right direction but iworry yesterday set the example

[kipwinger 8,522]

And this, in a nutshell, is the problem.

"We made pitches to a number of defensemen," general manager Ken Holland said. "For a variety of reasons, they opted to go elsewhere. I don't know why they're not coming here."

No Ken. They opted to go elsewhere for one reason. Detroit is not realistically competing for a Stanley Cup any time soon. We've barely made the playoffs lately. A variety of reasons have contributed to that fact. Largely, that you're a miserly, penny pinching, son of a ***** who is utterly befuddled by the player acquisition part of your job.

He seriously makes it seem like EVERY free agent signed somewhere else entirely by chance. Pure happenstance kept everyone away Kenny, you betcha.