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HockeytownRules19

Cleary re-signs... 1 year deal

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I guess I wouldn't mind the nonsense with Cleary if I thought the rest of the team was good to go. We continually hear the potential trade to cleanup the bulk of forwards we have

and the tweaks our roster still needs yet Cleary usually seems to be the focus of our changes this time of year. Sign him to a 10 year deal and lets be done with it...save us the drama.

Loyalty looks a lot like stupidity with the focus of Cleary.

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He will probably be mostly a healthy scratch play in GR and just help out the kids there. His legs probably wont let him play a lot of games.

Iirc he actually didn't Look bad skating last year, I mean he's basically had a year and a half off the ice, so he should be healthy enough to play in grand rapids... unless the new coach won't play him.

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Iirc he actually didn't Look bad skating last year, I mean he's basically had a year and a half off the ice, so he should be healthy enough to play in grand rapids... unless the new coach won't play him.

Playing games only here and there helps him stay fresh and his legs not worn down. I think he will do good in the games he does play, but I don't think he will come close to 70 games played. Him as a player coach will be a nice asset for the griffins

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As expected and really I don't see a problem with this. At best he will be an emergency call up from the Grand Rapids and while being there he can show some younger guys (Mantha, Larkin) the way and since the 950k aren't counting against the cap it doesn't really matter. Personally I'm in favor of everything that helps prepare Larkin, Mantha better for the big club in a few years if that includes signing a veteran with a great work ethic so be it.

100% this. Sure GR already has great leadership, but Cleary is a guy who has been through it all, and knows what it takes to play in the NHL and stay there (until his body started to fall apart). The current leadership group in GR is fine, but they are also career AHLers. Not to mention he can fill in if the Wings get hit with the injury plague. The players and coaching staff has always liked having him around. No harm done. Even during all his time as a healthy scratch, he never got sour about it.

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100% this. Sure GR already has great leadership, but Cleary is a guy who has been through it all, and knows what it takes to play in the NHL and stay there (until his body started to fall apart). The current leadership group in GR is fine, but they are also career AHLers. Not to mention he can fill in if the Wings get hit with the injury plague. The players and coaching staff has always liked having him around. No harm done. Even during all his time as a healthy scratch, he never got sour about it.

Never? http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nhl/red-wings/2015/01/27/wings-daniel-cleary-frustrated-limited-role/22407615/

"No one wants to watch when they're healthy," Cleary said "But we have a good team here and you just have to do your part, and when you're called upon be ready and be professional about it."

Maybe not sour, but he sounds a little salty to me there.

Edited by Jesusberg

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In no way does he sound the least bit sour or "salty" in that quote... People can hate on Cleary all they want but this signing does not affect the Detroit Red Wings in any way, neither short term, not long term.

I don't even believe that the argument of him taking a spot from a young prospect, such as Nastasiuk holds true. If Zach can't beat out Dan in a battle for a spot in the lineup, he doesn't deserve the spot, plain and simple. I'd be shocked if Cleary plays any more than 20-30 games with Grand Rapids this season, and he surely won't play any more than 5-10 in Detroit...

Typical LGW, looking for something, anything to complain about. But, hey it's been a long offseason. Bring on development camp / training camp / pre-season... and of course regular season!

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Blashill has a clear mind coming into camp and throughout the season. He'll probably play the guys who most deserve it. He doesn't have certain opinions of players the way Mike may have had (So players like Smith, Jurco, Kindl, should look at this as more of a fresh start). I wouldn't dwell on the thought of Cleary taking someones role who deserves it more over him. Like its been said many times before, this is more of a morale move. Players of Detroit like Dan, he is respected throughout the locker room and is a voice for the young guys. This isn't so much of a on ice move, but rather an off ice.

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In no way does he sound the least bit sour or "salty" in that quote... People can hate on Cleary all they want but this signing does not affect the Detroit Red Wings in any way, neither short term, not long term.

I don't even believe that the argument of him taking a spot from a young prospect, such as Nastasiuk holds true. If Zach can't beat out Dan in a battle for a spot in the lineup, he doesn't deserve the spot, plain and simple. I'd be shocked if Cleary plays any more than 20-30 games with Grand Rapids this season, and he surely won't play any more than 5-10 in Detroit...

Typical LGW, looking for something, anything to complain about. But, hey it's been a long offseason. Bring on development camp / training camp / pre-season... and of course regular season!

Perhaps we're not on the same page with the Dan Cleary salty-sour spectrum. I'm not saying he's being a whiny little s*** about it, but he clearly doesn't wanna sit on the bench. If he didn't want to play, he'd take an advisor or consultant role with the team. I think you're mixing up hatred with exasperation. I don't hate Dan Cleary, I'm just tired of him hanging around as an ineffective player.

Neither of us can say what kind of impact he truly has/had on this team. Maybe he's helped a young player out and improved his work ethic, making that player better for it down the road. Maybe some of his work ethic rubs off on the guys down in GR this season. Maybe he's made a young player vying for a roster spot (Tatar and Nyquist two years ago) gunning for a roster spot feel like the Red Wings are too loyal to their established players. What we can say for sure is that some of his bonus money from last season is biting Detroit in the hind end this year (740K) and the team is at 49 contracts with his signing. Is it the end of the world? No, but it's not necessary, either. What's the benefit of having Dan Cleary on this team as a player instead of a coach?

Again, if Cleary is going to be limited to 20-30 games with GR or 5-10 with DET, then what's the point of returning as a player? Hang 'em up and take a role similar to the one Chelios has now. And for the record, I'm not looking for anything to complain about. I didn't want him signed two years ago, I still don't want him signed. The bottom line for me is that Dan Cleary can do every thing he will with DET/GR as a consultant instead of a player. He just doesn't seem to want to let go.

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I should have pointed out in my previous post that none of it was directed at you, Jesusberg, other than that first sentence.

Maybe we do have a different view on Cleary's quote from last season. When he said that "no one wants to watch when they're healthy". To me, that's just a fact, and something every single player would say, if they were a healthy scratch, whether it's for 1 game or 50 games. No hockey player wants to sit on the bench, and Cleary is no different. He absolutely wants to play, and I'm sure his goal is to play 82 games with the Red Wings this season. Is that a realistic goal? Hell no, but I'm sure when he signed that contract he had no intentions of playing in Grand Rapids, even though that's likely where he will end up. One thing's for sure, the numbers I suggested, is not Dan's goal for this season.

I said last offseason, and again this one, that I'd like to see Dan Cleary take on a job within the organization; some sort of training / strength and conditioning position. My point is that, like you said, it's not the end of the world, that Cleary is back in a minimal role in the minors, guiding the kids for one last season, like some (not necessarily you) seem to be suggesting...

I don't believe his bonus from last season will affect our cap at all this season. I can however, somewhat see the concern with him affecting the 50 man roster. But realistically, whoever that 51st player that doesn't make the cut is, chances are would never make any sort of impact with the Red Wings anyway. Who may we lose? A Marc McNulty type of player? Whatever...

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Perhaps we're not on the same page with the Dan Cleary salty-sour spectrum. I'm not saying he's being a whiny little s*** about it, but he clearly doesn't wanna sit on the bench. If he didn't want to play, he'd take an advisor or consultant role with the team. I think you're mixing up hatred with exasperation. I don't hate Dan Cleary, I'm just tired of him hanging around as an ineffective player.

Neither of us can say what kind of impact he truly has/had on this team. Maybe he's helped a young player out and improved his work ethic, making that player better for it down the road. Maybe some of his work ethic rubs off on the guys down in GR this season. Maybe he's made a young player vying for a roster spot (Tatar and Nyquist two years ago) gunning for a roster spot feel like the Red Wings are too loyal to their established players. What we can say for sure is that some of his bonus money from last season is biting Detroit in the hind end this year (740K) and the team is at 49 contracts with his signing. Is it the end of the world? No, but it's not necessary, either. What's the benefit of having Dan Cleary on this team as a player instead of a coach?

Again, if Cleary is going to be limited to 20-30 games with GR or 5-10 with DET, then what's the point of returning as a player? Hang 'em up and take a role similar to the one Chelios has now. And for the record, I'm not looking for anything to complain about. I didn't want him signed two years ago, I still don't want him signed. The bottom line for me is that Dan Cleary can do every thing he will with DET/GR as a consultant instead of a player. He just doesn't seem to want to let go.

Well said. NJ knew when to let Brodeur go, Dallas knew when to let Modano go, and Detroit keeps hanging on to Dan Cleary. It really makes no sense.

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I agree with krsmith, no hockey player wants to sit on the bench, and if Cleary or any other healthy scratch wasn't hungry and wanting to play, then they darn well better be on the way out of the organization. I think the points that have been made about Cleary being like a player-coach with the Griffs (why do I have a flashback to Paul Newman as Reggie Dunlop in Slapshot?) to provide leadership and advice on how to make it in the NHL are good ones. If we set the wayback machine to the time before Cleary arrived in Detroit, he was a major first-round bust. He really got his act together when he got the opportunity in Detroit, and that is some hard-knock experience that he can pass on to the young guys like Mantha, Athanasiou, Larkin, Tyler Bertuzzi, etc. to hopefully help them avoid the same mistakes he made.

I wasn't thrilled about the signing at first, but since the salary hit can be completely buried in the AHL it doesn't irk me as much. There is also the possibility, however unlikely, that if he can't play in the AHL that he goes on LTIR (does it work in he AHL like the NHL?) or retires early to free up the contract spot if needed. His early experience in the league prior to becoming a Wing as I mentioned before, is a good cautionary tale for our young prospects to be well aware of as they prepare for the NHL.

Edited by TheXym

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Not wanting to watch games does not equal being salty about it. He is a competitor, of course he'd rather play than sit. But he not once whined about. ever. What was he supposed to do, talk about how much he loves getting paid to be in the press box?

The quote you posted was absolutely professional on his part. Reasons like that very quote are one of a few why management keeps him around.

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I should have pointed out in my previous post that none of it was directed at you, Jesusberg, other than that first sentence.

Maybe we do have a different view on Cleary's quote from last season. When he said that "no one wants to watch when they're healthy". To me, that's just a fact, and something every single player would say, if they were a healthy scratch, whether it's for 1 game or 50 games. No hockey player wants to sit on the bench, and Cleary is no different. He absolutely wants to play, and I'm sure his goal is to play 82 games with the Red Wings this season. Is that a realistic goal? Hell no, but I'm sure when he signed that contract he had no intentions of playing in Grand Rapids, even though that's likely where he will end up. One thing's for sure, the numbers I suggested, is not Dan's goal for this season.

I said last offseason, and again this one, that I'd like to see Dan Cleary take on a job within the organization; some sort of training / strength and conditioning position. My point is that, like you said, it's not the end of the world, that Cleary is back in a minimal role in the minors, guiding the kids for one last season, like some (not necessarily you) seem to be suggesting...

I don't believe his bonus from last season will affect our cap at all this season. I can however, somewhat see the concern with him affecting the 50 man roster. But realistically, whoever that 51st player that doesn't make the cut is, chances are would never make any sort of impact with the Red Wings anyway. Who may we lose? A Marc McNulty type of player? Whatever...

Obviously no one wants to sit, but like I said... I was responding to the "he never got sour about being a healthy scratch" line. Every player wants to play, and what Clearly threw out was pretty much the stock respond from guys in the NHL. At the same time, not many players are going to say, "Man, this is some bull****. The coach doesn't respect me! I deserve minutes!". Dan Cleary feels as if he can play, clearly... because he keeps coming back despite being unable to be hockey at an effective level.

And they are getting tagged by some of his bonus money - $740,000 to be precise. It's carryover overage money for bonuses from last year. They can defer Richards' bonus money to next year, but they're impacted by the carryover overage money this year.

At this point I'm just kind of over Dan Cleary. We've heard "the best players will play" and "you need to be able to compete" and yada, yada for years while bringing back a winger in a severe decline. I have an issue with a team saying one thing and doing another. His role this year won't have the same impact as last year or the year before, but it's just another chapter in the same, stale book for me. Why is Dan Cleary a special, little snowflake? Why did Kirk Maltby have to earn a contract, but Dan's been given one out of loyalty for three seasons? Is anyone else going to be given the benefit of being in sharp decline and handed new contracts?

I agree with krsmith, no hockey player wants to sit on the bench, and if Cleary or any other healthy scratch wasn't hungry and wanting to play, then they darn well better be on the way out of the organization. I think the points that have been made about Cleary being like a player-coach with the Griffs (why do I have a flashback to Paul Newman as Reggie Dunlop in Slapshot?) to provide leadership and advice on how to make it in the NHL are good ones. If we set the wayback machine to the time before Cleary arrived in Detroit, he was a major first-round bust. He really got his act together when he got the opportunity in Detroit, and that is some hard-knock experience that he can pass on to the young guys like Mantha, Athanasiou, Larkin, Tyler Bertuzzi, etc. to hopefully help them avoid the same mistakes he made.

I wasn't thrilled about the signing at first, but since the salary hit can be completely buried in the AHL it doesn't irk me as much. There is also the possibility, however unlikely, that if he can't play in the AHL that he goes on LTIR (does it work in he AHL like the NHL?) or retires early to free up the contract spot if needed. His early experience in the league prior to becoming a Wing as I mentioned before, is a good cautionary tale for our young prospects to be well aware of as they prepare for the NHL.

Honestly, I considered the whole cautionary tale angle, and his advice, etc. I just don't see why he has to be a player to give that advice. He can offer the same advice as a consultant. I see the point and think that information could have an impact on some of the prospects.

Edited by Jesusberg

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Okay, we clearly disagree on that comment that Cleary made. I just can't understand how you would interpret that as him being sour in any way? It is absolutely a generic hockey player response. So why was Cleary "sour" when he said it, but others are not? You're right, there aren't many players that would say "Man, this is some bull****. The coach doesn't respect me! I deserve minutes!". And Cleary wasn't one of them, so again I ask, how was what he said considered getting sour? There is not a single word there that could possibly be misconstrued into being any sort of sourness... Here is the entire quote and what I took from it...

"No one wants to watch when they're healthy," (Fact, every hockey player wants to be in the lineup every single game.) Cleary said "But we have a good team here and you just have to do your part, (It's a good team, implying that maybe he feels that he isn't good enough to be in the lineup every night) and when you're called upon be ready and be professional about it." (He needs to work harder to get in the lineup and be ready if / when his name is called. Doesn't get any more professional than that in my opinion.)...

I completely understand how bonuses work, which is why I said I don't believe Cleary's bonus from last season will affect the team's cap in any way this season. Datsyuk will start the season on LTIR. I'm still of the belief that Franzen won't play this year, but even if he does, there is a ton of cap space to start the season. There will always be injuries. And if we end up having to waive Andersson at some point this season, Cleary's contract would definitely be worth it in my books...

I get the frustration in the past, but this situation is entirely different and I truly do believe that the best players WILL play this season and coming seasons. Now if Cleary is on the final 23 man roster to start the season (he definitely won't be) and Ferraro is waived and claimed, I would be pissed. But like has been said many times already, this signing will not affect the Detroit Red Wings in any way, shape or form. If he wants to play, he will have to play down in Grand Rapids.

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I'm not sure why you're fixating on the quote. I've never once said he was sour - I said salty, not sour. If you want to get stuck on me calling sour instead of what I'm getting at, then by all means... I don't think Dan Cleary should worry about his ice time, because I don't think he deserves any. Not in the NHL, anyway. I don't even understand how a guy who gets progressively worse every year even deserves a deal, let alone ice time. I don't believe that his under-the-table handshake was the right thing to do. Even if you do, the Red Wings have paid Cleary to struggle on the ice, and talk to younger players off the ice for two seasons now. Holland hasn't made up for Cleary leaving money on the table yet?

Does Dan Cleary help the team win? Does he have a positive impact on his linemates? If the only thing that Cleary contributes is advice to younger players, then that's what he should do... coach.

I get that they're fine to start, but when Datsyuk returns (and if Mule's healthy) they have decisions to make. They already had decisions to make. I don't care about Cleary's cap hit this year - it can be buried. The remaining money from last season is still problematic, though. Even if the team rolls with 14 forwards, and Cleary and Andersson are sent to GR, the team is $149,545 over the cap. The reality is that he was given a contract because KH has a soft spot for him. Every year we hear all that stuff about hockey being a business, the best players will play, etc. and I guess all of it applies to every one except for Dan Cleary.

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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.

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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.

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I know for a fact that both Draper and Maltby could have signed similar contracts to play in the minors if they wanted to. And I'm sure any of the others would have been a welcomed addition in Grand Rapids as well. The difference is, they chose to hang up the skates and take on a role within the organization. Something Cleary clearly isn't willing to do just yet. Who knows, maybe it's something he would never have any interest in, although I believe he would be very successful in an off ice role with the team.

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