Cleary re-signs... 1 year deal

[Jesusberg 1,256]

All the sweet and salty, sour stuff aside( because it's making me hungry), the part I'm not getting is the thought process that he's earned some sort of special right to be here because he's a great guy and a "leader". This is hardly a team that is in desperate need of leadership, in GR or with the big club. Additionally, there have been multiple players over the past few years, Chelios, Draper, Maltby, Osgood, Holmstrom, who seemed not quite ready to go but were kind of nudged in that direction by management. All of the above deserved to go out when they were ready far more than Dan Cleary but didn't get the one more year again and again. Nice guys who are good in the room are abundant in the NHL. I keep hearing he's not going to play. Well, then don't sign him to a player deal. Make him the perfunctory offer within the organization, have the nice press conference, and call it a day. He's not worthy of the special treatment he's getting and its baffling to say the least.

Bingo. And it's one of the things that irks me the most - why Cleary but not those guys? I'm not board with the reasoning for not signing him too, obviously.

I was fixating on the quote because you seem to have a problem with what he said, when there was nothing negative to take from it whatsoever. Whether you said sour or salty, what's the difference really? Anyway, the Cleary quote aside, he obviously does believe that he can contribute on the ice at some level. Otherwise he wouldn't have been looking for another contract.

Like I've said many times, I agree that at this stage of his career he would be much better suited taking on a role other than player within the organization. However, I wouldn't doubt that once he is sent down to Grand Rapids and if he does play for the Griffins that he would be quite capable of putting up some points at the minor league level, all while mentoring guys like Mantha, Larkin, Athanasiou, Bertuzzi, Nastasiuk, etc. Sure we already have quite a few vets down there, but none with the pedigree, work ethic and determination of Cleary.

I think you're so fixated on the past two years that you're not seeing clearly what this contract truly represents. No one outside of maybe Dan himself, believe that he will crack the Red Wings lineup. This is purely a depth signing for Grand Rapids, and I for one have no issue with it.

Again, if we lose a player of any worth (not including Andersson) because of Dan Cleary's (this years) contract, I will be disappointed. I just truly do not see this signing hurting the team going forward in any way.

Exactly, so if Dan's the only one who thinks he can play at the NHL level, then why does Holland keep signing him? Dan Cleary's not willing to admit defeat, and Ken Holland has a soft spot for him. KH is honoring some informal (illegal, too) agreement made a few years back. He was gifted 1M last season for showing up for ten games. He was gifted a contract this year because he's Dan Cleary. I don't think that's right.

I'm discussing the past two years because they're part of why he's still here. Had he and Ken not agreed to "make it right" after he decided to opt out of the Philly situation, he wouldn't be here this season. Nothing Dan Cleary did last season was worthy of being given a contract from this team. I mention the past because it offers context in regards to why I'm annoyed by the situation.

If Cleary was a guy like Kevin Porter from last season, brought it strictly to play in the AHL to provide leadership and some secondary scoring, then cool. Porter put up some points with Rochester in the previous year, and showed that he could play at that level. I wasn't excited about Porter, but vets are necessary in many situations. If you look at Cleary in the past the seasons, he's a guy who can't play the game at a competitive level, anymore. His knees are jello and he doesn't produce. Dan Cleary has a contract this season because of his relationship with the team, so to ignore the previous two years is to ignore why he was signed.

[krsmith17 7,191]

This contract that he received this season has absolutely nothing to do with the contract he received last season. This is for all intents and purposes strictly an AHL contract. I know it isn't structured that way but Ken Holland and Jeff Blashill both know where Cleary will end up after training camp. He is without a doubt Grand Rapids bound. If he is still that passionate about the game of hockey that he is willing to put his pride aside and play minor hockey, who's he really hurting?

Forget about the past two seasons and look at this signing objectively for what it is intended. It's a depth signing for Grand Rapids. And I'm sure Holland sees this as a great opportunity to instill some of that great Dan Cleary work ethic that he's seen over the years into a player like Mantha.

Was it a "great" signing? No, and I don't think a single person would argue that. My point is, it's not a bad signing by any means, as some are suggesting. And THIS signing (not last year or two years ago) doesn't affect the Red Wings in the past, present or future.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure we've both said all we could possibly say here. I'm done. All the best to Dan. I hope he plays 50 games with Grand Rapids, puts up 30 points and provides leadership and shows the kids what it takes to be a pro.

[DatsyukianDekes 2,428]

Not "WeLykRTM?"

That's a potential second account. Maybe Cleary didn't release that info yet, he's gonna use it next year.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

This contract that he received this season has absolutely nothing to do with the contract he received last season. This is for all intents and purposes strictly an AHL contract. I know it isn't structured that way but Ken Holland and Jeff Blashill both know where Cleary will end up after training camp. He is without a doubt Grand Rapids bound. If he is still that passionate about the game of hockey that he is willing to put his pride aside and play minor hockey, who's he really hurting?

Forget about the past two seasons and look at this signing objectively for what it is intended. It's a depth signing for Grand Rapids. And I'm sure Holland sees this as a great opportunity to instill some of that great Dan Cleary work ethic that he's seen over the years into a player like Mantha.

Was it a "great" signing? No, and I don't think a single person would argue that. My point is, it's not a bad signing by any means, as some are suggesting. And THIS signing (not last year or two years ago) doesn't affect the Red Wings in the past, present or future.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure we've both said all we could possibly say here. I'm done. All the best to Dan. I hope he plays 50 games with Grand Rapids, puts up 30 points and provides leadership and shows the kids what it takes to be a pro.

- So, ignore the context of the signing and pretend it's a pure, AHL-related signing. That Dan Cleary's history with Ken Holland or his "handshake deal" with Kenny had nothing to do with it. Check.

- It's a bad signing by some means, but we'd just run in circles here.

- I agree. Probably for the best, before they stick us in a forum of our own to argue.

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/what-we-learned--dan-cleary-and-nhl-players-who-cost-you-wins-124845981.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[Barrie 900]

I'm just curious what Illitch thinks of ask this. A lot of his money is being given to a guy for essentially nothing in on over production

Based on the money he's paying Cabrera and Verlander, Mr. I won't even notice.

[sleepwalker 512]

What a great way to end your career.

Going from having everyone like you and your hard work, to having most fans hating your guts for fleecing the Wings year after year due to your greed/ego, while some of the young up and comers on the team are getting paid less than your long since washed up ass.

Congrats Cleary! Can't wait until you are gone from this team for good and I never have to hear your name again...and I actually used to like you.

Edited September 8, 2015 by sleepwalker

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

What a great way to end your career.

Going from having everyone like you and your hard work, to having most fans hating your guts for fleecing the Wings year after year due to your greed/ego, while some of the young up and comers on the team are getting paid less than your long since washed up ass.

Congrats Cleary! Can't wait until you are gone from this team for good and I never have to hear your name again...and I actually used to like you.

I don't think it's fair to categorize Cleary as "greedy" or having an ego, since there's no indication of it.

[kliq 3,763]

I don't think it's fair to categorize Cleary as "greedy" or having an ego, since there's no indication of it.

Agreed. To me its more about the guy having a love for the game and just wanting to play. I feel bad for him, if he just signed the 3 year deal back in 2013 nobody would even be talking about him. Since he has signed three "1 year" deals he has become vilified by some which is sad.

[number9 3,297]

Oh here come the Cleary police.

Don't apologize for this guy. His presence defiles our good team and makes management look a bunch of fools.

[kipwinger 8,754]

Would it blow anybody else's mind if Cleary was claimed off waivers when he's waived after camp? What if Bill Peters pulls another fast one and claims Cleary like he did Nestrasil?

[GoWings1905 2,694]

What a great way to end your career.

Going from having everyone like you and your hard work, to having most fans hating your guts for fleecing the Wings year after year due to your greed/ego, while some of the young up and comers on the team are getting paid less than your long since washed up ass.

Congrats Cleary! Can't wait until you are gone from this team for good and I never have to hear your name again...and I actually used to like you.

Isn't the man willingly handing out these contracts to Cleary more to blame than Cleary himself? None of this even matters if Ken Holland doesn't make that "handshake deal" or have a continuous obsession with useless veterans.

I'm more pissed Holland can't adjust his philosophy when youth is the foundation of the organization at the moment.

[Internet.Unknown 422]

What a great way to end your career.

Going from having everyone like you and your hard work, to having most fans hating your guts for fleecing the Wings year after year due to your greed/ego, while some of the young up and comers on the team are getting paid less than your long since washed up ass.

Congrats Cleary! Can't wait until you are gone from this team for good and I never have to hear your name again...and I actually used to like you.

The supposed best organization in hockey is getting "fleeced" by a player on the wrong side of 35?

[number9 3,297]

They have to be grooming Cleary for some type of role after hockey. If not this is simply madness.

[hillbillywingsfan 794]

I can;t believe all the hatred for Cleary. All he wants to do is play! He is being told by his family "please daddy please daddy play" and from the team "please 1 more year" and all I see is haters hating on Cleary. Man I can;t believe some of you. You just aren't true fans if you hate Cleary and don't want him on the team. I just can't believe it.

[number9 3,297]

I can;t believe all the hatred for Cleary. All he wants to do is play! He is being told by his family "please daddy please daddy play" and from the team "please 1 more year" and all I see is haters hating on Cleary. Man I can;t believe some of you. You just aren't true fans if you hate Cleary and don't want him on the team. I just can't believe it.

Is it so wrong to deeply care for another man?? I don't want my precious Danny boy to get hurt by one of those, how'd you say it? Doo-doo heads, out there on the ice.

Also he's not very good at hockey, but what does that matter right?

[kliq 3,763]

Cleary is going to do 1 of 2 things this year.

1. Sit in the press box as a healthy scratch

2. Take the spot of the worst player on our AHL team

I'm sorry, but I dont see either of these 2 things being an issue. I would rather see Cleary sit in the press box then one of our kids who have upside. I dont get why "blame" needs to be handed out here.

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

Cleary is going to do 1 of 2 things this year.

1. Sit in the press box as a healthy scratch

2. Take the spot of the worst player on our AHL team

I'm sorry, but I dont see either of these 2 things being an issue. I would rather see Cleary sit in the press box then one of our kids who have upside. I dont get why "blame" needs to be handed out here.

I blame Franzen.

And Babcock.

[aflac9262 211]

I am somewhat indifferent on it, but part of me feels that I will be glad when Cleary is done hawking this club for a contract he probably does not deserve.

[number9 3,297]

I blame Franzen.

And Babcock.

And Howard and Holland, and Cleary again.

[wings4thecup06 504]

Last year, I get the need to get worked up about this s***. But this year? New coach, one who particualry is driving the youth movement, isn't going to let Cleary play ahead of those who deserve it. I still respect Cleary, and how can you not for someone who still has passion for the game after all he's put his body through. And actually, when he played last year, he did look better than the previous season when he was just a mess. Why are we spending our time right now worrying, moaning and whining about whats happened the past 2 years? it's not like Holland had to re-acquire him and gave up a no body prospect who's turned into the next Zetterberg. He cost us nothing except a little cap space.

Energy would be better spent figuring out things about the upcoming season and the optimism we have going which starts tomorrow with prospects tourney, as opposed to bitching about Cleary who frankly, isn't worth the hassle at a 1 year, 850,000 deal with no bonuses etc.

[kipwinger 8,754]

Barring MASSIVE injury woes, I'll be surprised if he plays a single game for Detroit. And if such injuries occur, Dan Cleary will be the least of our worries. Last year, he actively took a roster (on the big club) spot away from another player. This year, he'll be doing that in GR. I care more about the former than the latter.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

I doubt many of the people against the signing think Cleary's going to ****** someone's roster spot in Detroit. It's more along the lines of it being asinine to sign a consultant/advisor to a player contract. My beef is more with Holland than Cleary in this situation.

[kipwinger 8,754]

I doubt many of the people against the signing think Cleary's going to ****** someone's roster spot in Detroit. It's more along the lines of it being asinine to sign a consultant/advisor to a player contract. My beef is more with Holland than Cleary in this situation.

I don't know about that. Jeff Blashill heaped praise on Hoggan, Paetsch, and Evans for being decent AHL players, but more importantly for being on ice leaders, advisors, and mentors for young players. I don't hear anybody complaining that 38 year old Jeff Hoggan was just given a new contract despite the fact that he'll almost certainly not play in the NHL, and if he did...he would suck.

Cleary is in the exact same position, he just makes more money. Who cares? His salary doesn't count against the cap, he's likely not going to take up a roster spot (barring HUGE injury woes), and if he does it will only be temporary and will only cost 900K.

He was signed because he's not ready to stop playing, the organization wants him around, and because (here's the most important part) both his wishes and the organizations' could be satisfied without negatively impacting the big club in any way (nobody loses a roster spot, no money against the cap).

[derblaueClaus 1,668]

And Howard and Holland, and Cleary again.

Pretty average signing, it can only be Jimmy who is responsible for this.