Free agents this off season

[nyqvististhefuture 1,002]

I agree with this but his post was basically stating Sheahan is the superior player right now. Just had to set it straight that it's not the case.

The way I see it is Z can't center a line anymore. he needs to just focus on playing wing. Soderberg isn't some scrub, he's a useful NHL player that could help us in the 2nd line center spot imo, more so then Sheahan right now. With half decent linemates (he played 3rd line in Boston) I think he can get 50+ points and play a solid two way game.

This all depends on Salary and term but for 2-3 years at 4 - 4.5 million I don't see how you say no. Ship out Weiss and Anderson, LTIR Franzen. Sign Petry / Franson.

Z - D - Abby

Nyquist - Soderberg - Tatar

Pulk - Sheahan - Jurco / Helm

Miller - Glen - Jurco / Helm

If we don't sign soderberg or anyone top 3 lines

Zetterberg datsyuk abdelkader

Pulkkinen sheahan Tatar

Nyquist helm jurco

? Glendening Ferraro

The ? On the 4th line is if we could add a big bodied 4th liner who can just hit and bruise opponents that's what I'd love to add but I don't see it happening .... And I just noticed we both dont have Franzen , although his future is uncertain

Looking above I could totally see us trading nyquist in a trade for a top dman and we'd still be ok upfront and still have youth

[MrazekFanBoy 223]

He's not some offensive dynamo and he isn't amazing defensively so how is he better than Sheahan lol? He sucks at face offs is a big body but doesn't hit a lot and he's Swedish so he probably won't even like to shoot, and he wasn't playing with scrubs in Boston he was with Loui for most of the season.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Franson got benched after being traded back to Nashville and is highly over rated.

Petry is basically a right handed Quincey at best. I'm not sure he's that good.

Green is injury prone and bad defensively and is going to get paid a bunch of money.

McQuaid is a crappy puck mover. Defensemen need to move the puck to play in the Wings' system.

There isn't a single player available I'd want for what they're probably going to get on the market. I've seen better looking stuff in my toilet after taco Tuesday than this year's free agent class.

Assuming Franzen is done and Weiss is traded or waived:

Tatar-Datsyuk-Helm

Nyquist-Zetterberg-Abdelkader

Jurco-Sheahan-Pulkkinen

Miller-Glendening-Ferraro

Callahan and Andersson reserves

Kronwall-Dekeyser

Quincey-Smith

Ericsson-Marchenko

Kindl/cheap vet as the #7

Like it or not, the lineup will probably look pretty close to that. Let's hope that the younger guys step up and take some pressure off Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Kronwall.

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

Franson got benched after being traded back to Nashville and is highly over rated.

Petry is basically a right handed Quincey at best. I'm not sure he's that good.

Green is injury prone and bad defensively and is going to get paid a bunch of money.

McQuaid is a crappy puck mover. Defensemen need to move the puck to play in the Wings' system.

There isn't a single player available I'd want for what they're probably going to get on the market. I've seen better looking stuff in my toilet after taco Tuesday than this year's free agent class.

While I agree the team will look similar I do think some of the UFAs could help.

Franson would at least be a #4 for us, maybe #3. May not be amazing, but he would certainly help. His benching could help bring down his price tag. Assuming that Quincey moves on after next year it could be an important addition for the top 4.

Don't know a lot about Petry, but Quincey seems to have quieted all the detractors except for you. If Petry is a RH version of the current Quincey at 26, count me in.

Green will probably be too expensive, but Wings need an offensive guy and that's what he is. We saw the difference Zidlicky made when he first came in. Injury prone isn't ideal, but have some great prospects who need NHL time and could fill in. On a shorter term contract, it could be a great signing. He may have been on their 3rd pairing, but he had 45pts. That more than all the players that played on our 3rd paired combined (Kindl, Smith, Zidlicky, Ouelette, Marchenko,) I want to add that to the team. He also had the highest +/- on the Capitals with +15. This is due to his use on the powerplay and offensive situations, but also shows that his defensive deficiencies don't really matter if he's used in the right situations

Erhoff is another good option. He's 32 and has had some injuries, but under for 4 years or less, I think he'd be a great addition.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

I'm not bashing Quincey, I'm saying they don't need a guy of his caliber. Adding anyone on defense, they need to take into account the fact that there are only 6 regular spots. Kronwall is here to stay. Ericsson and Dekeyser probably are too. Smith and Kindl could be moved, but Smith could easily be kept around at least as long as his contract.

Kronwall, Ericsson, Smith, Quincey, Dekeyser, Marchenko, and Kindl next year.

Kronwall, Ericsson, Smith, Dekeyser, Marchenko, Ouellet, Jensen and Sproul, one of them will be gone in 16-17.

Unless Smith or Ericsson get traded, there is no room to add a defenseman to more than a one year contract without blocking young defensemen and risking losing one or more for absolutely nothing.

[Andy Pred 48 337]

: the Wings will make moves on the blue line I can guarantee all of you on that front.

[Buppy 1,720]

...

Green will probably be too expensive, but Wings need an offensive guy and that's what he is. We saw the difference Zidlicky made when he first came in. Injury prone isn't ideal, but have some great prospects who need NHL time and could fill in. On a shorter term contract, it could be a great signing. He may have been on their 3rd pairing, but he had 45pts. That more than all the players that played on our 3rd paired combined (Kindl, Smith, Zidlicky, Ouelette, Marchenko,) I want to add that to the team. He also had the highest +/- on the Capitals with +15. This is due to his use on the powerplay and offensive situations, but also shows that his defensive deficiencies don't really matter if he's used in the right situations

...

Well, we only had Zid for 21 games (27 counting playoffs), and he scored 11p. He's not as good as Green, but he'd be a lot cheaper and wouldn't get in the way of the kids.

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

I'm not bashing Quincey, I'm saying they don't need a guy of his caliber. Adding anyone on defense, they need to take into account the fact that there are only 6 regular spots. Kronwall is here to stay. Ericsson and Dekeyser probably are too. Smith and Kindl could be moved, but Smith could easily be kept around at least as long as his contract.

Kronwall, Ericsson, Smith, Quincey, Dekeyser, Marchenko, and Kindl next year.

Kronwall, Ericsson, Smith, Dekeyser, Marchenko, Ouellet, Jensen and Sproul, one of them will be gone in 16-17.

Unless Smith or Ericsson get traded, there is no room to add a defenseman to more than a one year contract without blocking young defensemen and risking losing one or more for absolutely nothing.

Okay, I see that. It will be hard for the Wings to manage the D pairing with the prospects on deck. I think most would agree that the D needs an upgrade, though. Next year, I think there will be a slight upgrade with Marchenko up full-time and growth of DK and Smith. Then, in 16-17 we'll have rookies replacing Quincey and Kindl with all the mistakes that go along a first full year. If we just stay the course and wait for the prospects, realistically(or hopefully), 17-18 could be the year for a really solid D corps.

In this situation, Smith seems to me to be in the most precarious position. He hasn't looked top 4 worthy and our bottom pair/#7 will be the young prospects in 16-17. Marchenko could claim a top 4 spot next year, which would make the situation better, but I think that's unlikely. We could just put off re-signing Smith until after free agency. To me, replacing him with Franson or Ehrhoff would be much more solid going forward and would help with the lefty-righty problem. If we lure one of them in, then either trade Smith's rights or trade/waive Kindl and sign Smith to a 1 year deal.

I also think that 1 of Ouellet, Jensen, Sproul won't make the big show.

Then again, with all players in competition, a trade does seem a possibility.

I also want to augment what I said about Green. Our PP was #2 so we don't need to pay up for a PP specialist. I'd have to know more about how he contributes 5-on-5 to see if would be a worthwhile addition.

Well, we only had Zid for 21 games (27 counting playoffs), and he scored 11p. He's not as good as Green, but he'd be a lot cheaper and wouldn't get in the way of the kids.

That's true. Zidlicky could be a good stop gap measure. His struggles in the playoffs make me wary, though.

[amato 3,210]

: the Wings will make moves on the blue line I can guarantee all of you on that front.

We've been saying this since lids left.... they'll at least try to make moves on the blue line; that's a guarantee.

But, who knows what the free agents are thinking. I'd think at least one would want to come here.. we'll see.

[DatsyukianDekes 2,428]

Player A: 44 Points, +10, 77 Hits, Solid two way play Player B: 36 Points, -3, 27 Hits, Solid two way play In what world, or estimation is Sheahan already better then Soderberg. The only thing Sheahan has on him right now is age. I bet he had more minutes and pp time than Sheahan did unless he was injured or something, Babs used him to kill penalties and I didn't see him get a lot of offensive zone starts either.Soderberg isn't going to make us a better team lol, one he's not a second line center and two he Tatar and Nyquist on the same line.. A center who can't win face offs and two forwards who don't do well in the d-zone

Who's the 2nd line center next year then ?

Edit: Soderberg and Sheahan FO% identical. Also Soderberg played PK as well.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited May 15, 2015 by darkmanx

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

Who's the 2nd line center next year then ?

Edit: Soderberg and Sheahan FO% identical. Also Soderberg played PK as well.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Zetterberg, Sheahan or Weiss (very unlikely 3rd option)

An idea would be for Zetterberg to take faceoffs and then switch to the wing beside Sheahan if Z really can't be center (I don't think that's necessarily the case - he was good in the first half). then we could give Weiss a shot at the 3rd Center or Helm could move back to 3C. lots of options with the current lineup.

Signing Soderberg or anyone upfront pushes Pulkkinen or Jurco out of the lineup (assuming 1 of either Franzen or Weiss are back next year).

[Dr Dubya 32]

I also think that 1 of Ouellet, Jensen, Sproul won't make the big show.

Hasn't Sproul been a healthy scratch in Grand Rapids for a while now? What happened to him?

Based on that he sounds like your frontrunner right now.

[MrazekFanBoy 223]

Yeah I'd peg Sproul to fail out of those three

[kipwinger 8,524]

Columbus' beat writer is reporting that Kerby Rychel is available. Scouting reports say he's a power forward with scoring upside. He's a first round pick (19th overall) and has had pretty solid AHL, Junior, and international experiences.

I don't know much about the kid, but seems interesting.

[nyqvististhefuture 1,002]

Columbus' beat writer is reporting that Kerby Rychel is available. Scouting reports say he's a power forward with scoring upside. He's a first round pick (19th overall) and has had pretty solid AHL, Junior, and international experiences.

I don't know much about the kid, but seems interesting.

They probably want help for the team right now and not futures ... Don't see anyone we can offer them

[Richdg 267]

Hasn't Sproul been a healthy scratch in Grand Rapids for a while now? What happened to him?

Based on that he sounds like your frontrunner right now.

Yes. Once marchenko went down, Sproul went to the bench. behind Oullett, Marchenko, and Jensen. All 4 only have 1 more year of being waiver exempt.

[wings87 1,290]

I'm ready for the offseason to start, can these teams stop playing 7 games? Lets get the season over with.

[nyqvististhefuture 1,002]

I'm ready for the offseason to start, can these teams stop playing 7 games? Lets get the season over with.

There's a set date for the draft and ufa signings so doesn't matter how long the series last

More games the better minus tampa series cause I want them to get a beating

Edited May 18, 2015 by nyqvististhefuture

[wings87 1,290]

There's a set date for the draft and ufa signings so doesn't matter how long the series last

More games the better minus tampa series cause I want them to get a beating

Those are the official dates. However when the cup is over, clubs start preparing for the draft and signings. You get news, trades, speculation, in other words movement. At the moment everything is relatively subdued.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Columbus' beat writer is reporting that Kerby Rychel is available. Scouting reports say he's a power forward with scoring upside. He's a first round pick (19th overall) and has had pretty solid AHL, Junior, and international experiences.

I don't know much about the kid, but seems interesting.

Wasn't he the kid with reports that the only reason he scored like he did in juniors is because his dad gave him all the plum minutes and told his linemates to set his up or get benched?

[LeftWinger 4,961]

Well with the news that Washington is expecting their UFA's to take discounts to re-sign, Green just may become one of Holland's July 1st signings...

I say go for it big time. We need a legit 2nd line center and a top pairing D-man. Throw the money at Green and either Franson/Martin. This D needs serious upgrades, not kids coming into the top 4. If you need to trade one of the top 4 "kids" then so be it. Get value while it's there. Trade Weiss (if he waives his NTC) Smith, Jurco and Sproul. Sign Green and Franson. Give FranZEN his shot at returning (but I doubt he'll play) but either at the draft or via UFA, Holland needs the 2nd line center. Let Cole and Zidz retire. I was all for re-upping them, but they are just too fragile. Give Pulk a spot in the top 6 and let Andersson (if he is retained) Ferraro and Callahan battle for the bottom spots.

Tatar - Datsyuk - Pulkkinen

Nyquist - NEW CENTER - Zetterberg

Helm - Sheahan - Abdelkader

Miller - Glendening - Ferraro

Andersson(Callahan)

Kronwall - Franson

Ericsson - Green

Quincey - Dekeyser

Jensen

Let Marchenko and Ouellet play HUGE minutes in GR and be our callups when needed. (and with Big E still here, we will need callups!)

regarding Rychel, I'd be ok with offering them Jurco along with one of Ferraro or Callahan.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

I thought you wanted a top pair D? There aren't any on the market

[LeftWinger 4,961]

I understand that, but Green and Franson would be MUCH better than what we have now. Not unless you could trade for one, I'd be ok with that too. But who could you get for any combo we could offer? Weiss/Smith/Jurco/Sproul...Would that get you a top pair guy? If so who? If not, then who would get you one?

[Richdg 267]

TBH I would hold onto our money and not sign any of this years UFA's. As of today, the 2016 UFA class is loaded from top to bottom. Most of the top guys are 30 or under and play for teams with little/no cap room. Meaning many will not be resigned. This is where Kenny needs to focus. Find his 2-3 targets, make trades to get them, and then spend our money/cap space on resigning the guys he picks up.

[Richdg 267]

Some of the 2016 UFA's: E Staal, Stamkos, Kopitar, O'Reilly, Lucic, Seabrook, Yandle, Byfuglien, Kesler, Backus, Ladd, L. Eriksson, Voracek, Perron, E Johnson, L Schenn, B Sutter, Anisimov, Okposo, and several others. If only half of these guys get resigned it is still a great UFA class. try to get 1-2 Dmen and 1 big time forward.