Johan Franzen as 2C and 2014-2015 lineup

[The Zermanator]

Article from Ted Kulfan at The Detroit News:
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/...8/rss16?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Found this part particularly interesting:

With forward Stephen Weiss out with a groin injury, Babcock said Franzen will center the second line tonight against the Lightning.

Franzen said the change isn’t a big deal. He has played in the middle during the stretch with Datsyuk and Zetterberg missing time, and Franzen’s versatility and ability to switch is one reason Babcock believes Franzen is so valuable.

“I like playing center, it’s not a big change for me,” Franzen said. “It feels natural.”

There's our 2C right there. Why did we sign Weiss exactly (and I liked that signing, at first...)? Mule plays better and harder and he's more productive when he's carrying his own line (separated from Euro Twins), IMO.

Would love to see this lineup next season:

2014-2015 Detroit Red Wings

FORWARDS
Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m) / Pavel Datsyuk ($7.500m) / Marian Gaborik ($6.500m)
Gustav Nyquist ($0.950m) / Johan Franzen ($3.955m) / Tomas Tatar ($1.500m)
Tomas Jurco ($0.709m) / Darren Helm ($2.125m) / Daniel Alfredsson ($5.500m)
Justin Abdelkader ($0.900m) / Joakim Andersson ($0.733m) / Landon Ferraro ($0.750m)
Riley Sheahan ($1.800m)
DEFENSEMEN
Niklas Kronwall ($4.750m) / Jonathan Ericsson ($4.250m)
Dan DeKeyser ($3.500m) / Brendan Smith ($1.263m)
Jakub Kindl ($2.400m) / Stephane Robidas ($3.000m)
Adam Almquist ($0.750m) / Brian Lashoff ($0.725m)
GOALTENDERS
Jimmy Howard ($5.292m)
Jonas Gustavsson ($1.900m)

OTHER
Bought-out: Stephen Weiss ($2.108m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $71,100,000; CAP PAYROLL: $68,942,045; BONUSES: $215,833
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $2,157,955

Works cap-wise whether Weiss is bought out or traded (obviously trade is preferable). Could convince another team by offering Weiss at $1.5-2M retained. Cap penalty would last half as long as buy-out that way. Quincey, Sammy, Cleary and Bert walk. Tootoo traded. Try to trade Miller to wherever his brother ends up.

 

[JohanFranzenstein]

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Gaborik
Nyquist-Franzen-Tatar
Jurco-Helm-Alfredsson
Abdelkader-Andersson-Ferraro
Sheahan

Kronwall-Ericsson
DeKeyser-Smith
Kindl-Robidas
Almquist

Would love to see this lineup next season. Obviously, Weiss is moved somehow (Buyout or trade). Quincey, Sammy, Cleary and Bert walk. Tootoo traded. Try to trade Miller to wherever his brother ends up. Does this work cap-wise?

Weiss has a no movement clause in his contract, and cannot be bought out since his contract was signed after the new CBA was introduced.

That being said, that lineup looks solid up and down, but unfortunately couldn't work.

 

[The Zermanator]

Weiss has a no movement clause in his contract, and cannot be bought out since his contract was signed after the new CBA was introduced.

That being said, that lineup looks solid up and down, but unfortunately couldn't work.

He can be bought out, just isn't eligible for compliance buyout.

 

[hot dog]

Weiss has a no movement clause in his contract, and cannot be bought out since his contract was signed after the new CBA was introduced.

That being said, that lineup looks solid up and down, but unfortunately couldn't work.

He can still be bought out. There's a difference between buyouts and compliance buyouts. His buyout wouldn't be without cap penalty (like Coliacovo's was, or Samuelsson's could've been), but it doesn't mean that he's stuck on the roster for five years. NMC doesn't protect you from a buyout.

 

[JohanFranzenstein]

Whoops, rookie mistake, thanks for clearing it up guys.

 

[The Zermanator]

If he continues to play like he has he may accept a trade if Detroit can find a partner. I can't imagine his stay in Detroit's been too pleasant so far. It's only been a few months, though.

 

[hot dog]

And for what it's worth I'm not huge on Franzen as a full time 2C. His streakiness can be somewhat masked by playing on the wing (and I emphasize the somewhat - just go back a month in time on this board and we'll see that's really not the case as we had several buyout, trade, etc claims with him), but I think it'd be highlighted even more if he's asked to carry his own line. On his best days that second line would be incredible and on his worst he'd look slow, unmotivated, and all around useless next to Gus and Tatar. He, Nyquist, and Tatar would have some serious goal scoring potential, though. I think if we keep that hypothetical top six, a better lineup is:

Tatar - Datsyuk - Gaborik
Franzen - Zetterberg - Nyquist

honestly the wings can go wherever, though. Just think that splitting D/Z is best until we get a legitimate 2C. Franzen CAN be that guy, but he too often will not be. Helm probably isn't that guy long term, but he's been damn good in the role this season.

 

[Claypool]

Gaborik? No thanks, team has enough injured players already. Gaborik's best years are behind him, too.

 

[KJoe88]

Gaborik is overrated imo. I would rather have Moulson, tbh. He's the ideal type of player for Pavel.

Moulson - Pavel - Alfie
Nyquist - Z - Mule
Weiss - Helm - Tatar
Miller - Andersson - Abdelkader

I would like something like this. I also think we're a better team with the Euro-twins split. I'm also not giving up on Weiss regardless of how he's played thus far.

 

[SoupNazi]

Would love to see this lineup next season:

2014-2015 Detroit Red Wings

FORWARDS
Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m) / Pavel Datsyuk ($7.500m) / Marian Gaborik ($6.500m)
Gustav Nyquist ($0.950m) / Johan Franzen ($3.955m) / Tomas Tatar ($1.500m)
Tomas Jurco ($0.709m) / Darren Helm ($2.125m) / Daniel Alfredsson ($5.500m)
Justin Abdelkader ($0.900m) / Joakim Andersson ($0.733m) / Landon Ferraro ($0.750m)
Riley Sheahan ($1.800m)
DEFENSEMEN
Niklas Kronwall ($4.750m) / Jonathan Ericsson ($4.250m)
Dan DeKeyser ($3.500m) / Brendan Smith ($1.263m)
Jakub Kindl ($2.400m) / Stephane Robidas ($3.000m)
Adam Almquist ($0.750m) / Brian Lashoff ($0.725m)
GOALTENDERS
Jimmy Howard ($5.292m)
Jonas Gustavsson ($1.900m)

OTHER
Bought-out: Stephen Weiss ($2.108m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $71,100,000; CAP PAYROLL: $68,942,045; BONUSES: $215,833
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $2,157,955.

Gaborik? No, thanks. Maybe three years ago, but I am afraid his will be an albatross contract that we would hate.

 

[JPE123]

I cringed when I saw Gaborik's name on there. No Thanks

 

[NyquistIsMyGod*]

I don't get the idea of paying someone big money to play with Datsyuk and Zetterberg. I really don't. These guys can play with anybody. See Holmstrom in the past, and Bertuzzi this season. Abdelkader's development is continuing and he could actually slide up there.

As for Franzen, I like him better on the wing but I understand playing him as a centre on paper. He could switch around with Helm going up or down, Zetterberg and Datsyuk being split up or together, etc.

I still think there's a solid chance Dan Cleary is brought back.

If Alfredsson doesn't come back, I'm all for a short-term top six forward. Potentially Mike Cammalleri.

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Abdelkader
Nyquist-Franzen-Cammalleri
Tatar-Helm-Weiss
Miller-Andersson-Cleary
Sheahan, Glendening, potential UFA

I see Tootoo being used with the compliance buyout.

 

[SantosHalper]

Red Wings 14-15

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Milan Michalek
Franzen-Weiss-Alfredsson
Nyquist-Helm-Tatar
Miller-Andersson-Abdelkader
(Callahan-Sheahan-Ferraro)

Kronwall-Ericsson
DeKeyser-Smith
Kindl-Zbynek Michalek
(Lashoff)

Howard
Gustavsson

 

[NyquistIsMyGod*]

I don't htink we have to do much to the defense. A one year rental is fine, but I'm fine with the same defense, minus Quincey and the addition of Almquist.

 

[InjuredChoker]

I don't htink we have to do much to the defense. A one year rental is fine, but I'm fine with the same defense, minus Quincey and the addition of Almquist.

i think that's the area where the biggest weakness lays. can't move the puck, crumble on hard forecheck, can't score or QB the pp and so on.

 

[NyquistIsMyGod*]

i think that's the area where the biggest weakness lays. can't move the puck, crumble on hard forecheck, can't score or QB the pp and so on.

Almquist is a second unit PP runner, perhaps. I think he'd be an interesting pair with DeKeyser actually. Getting the puck out will still be aproblem with Smith, Kindl and Almquist. Young defense only improves though.

 

[SoupNazi]

I don't htink we have to do much to the defense. A one year rental is fine, but I'm fine with the same defense, minus Quincey and the addition of Almquist.

Quincey leaving is addition by subtraction, but I am not sure Almquist has any sort of a future here.

 

[Winger98]

I don't htink we have to do much to the defense. A one year rental is fine, but I'm fine with the same defense, minus Quincey and the addition of Almquist.

Andrei Markov could be a very nice one or two year stop gap. So would Boyle.

 

[NyquistIsMyGod*]

Quincey leaving is addition by subtraction, but I am not sure Almquist has any sort of a future here.

He's a player that should very well get a chance, though. He's putting up solid numbers in the AHL, and has done that his entire career. It looks like the management wants Ouellet and Sproul down there for another year if I'm not mistaken. Almquist is ready. Have him as a the 7th defenseman, and see what he has.

We lack puck movers. Almquist could actually be the third best one pretty quick into the season. His defensive game is raw, thus why he was sent down for Ouellet. I'd take a look at him as his potential upside is interesting.

 

[NyquistIsMyGod*]

Andrei Markov could be a very nice one or two year stop gap. So would Boyle.

Do you think any of those players move, though? I do not. Someone mentioned Robidas, and I found that very interesting. We should have some big cap, so if either hits the market, go at them. Could you imagine

Kronwall-Ericsson
DeKeyser-Markov/Boyle
Kindl-Smith (ew, something would have to be changed)
Lashoff

But that four is special.

 

[Vladdy84]

I'm cool with a 2nd line of

Nyquist-Mule-Tatar

then via free agency or trade, acquire an elite winger to play with Dats and Z.

Or actually that could be a kick ass 3rd line if you break Dats and Z up.

 

[NyquistIsMyGod*]

I still don't get why Z and Dats need an elite player to play with? Doesn't make sense to me. In that role, you throw in a cheap serviceable player. Abdelkader for example. Add a scoring threat to line 3, like Alfredsson, possibly Cammalleri, who has been solid. Weiss will likely be back too.

 

[Winger98]

Do you think any of those players move, though? I do not. Someone mentioned Robidas, and I found that very interesting. We should have some big cap, so if either hits the market, go at them. Could you imagine

Kronwall-Ericsson
DeKeyser-Markov/Boyle
Kindl-Smith (ew, something would have to be changed)
Lashoff

But that four is special.

During the season? I don't think we find any cap room to do it. Going into next season, I think Boyle is likely to stay in SJ, but Markov will hit the market looking for a payday. Given his age and injury history, I have a hard time seeing anyone giving him a long contract, so two years might get him.

 

[NyquistIsMyGod*]

During the season? I don't think we find any cap room to do it. Going into next season, I think Boyle is likely to stay in SJ, but Markov will hit the market looking for a payday. Given his age and injury history, I have a hard time seeing anyone giving him a long contract, so two years might get him.

No not during the season. Up against the cap. In the off-season we should have a bit more cap. I don't know, I see Markov re-upping. If he does hit the market, he'll probably cost too much. Robidas could fill a right handed defensive role. We all talka bout Lidstrom, but losing Stuart was a huge loss.

I could 2 years at 12M for Markov.

 

[Number1RedWingsFan52]

Article from Ted Kulfan at The Detroit News:
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/...8/rss16?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Found this part particularly interesting:


There's our 2C right there. Why did we sign Weiss exactly (and I liked that signing, at first...)? Mule plays better and harder and he's more productive when he's carrying his own line (separated from Euro Twins), IMO.

Would love to see this lineup next season:

2014-2015 Detroit Red Wings

FORWARDS
Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m) / Pavel Datsyuk ($7.500m) / Marian Gaborik ($6.500m)
Gustav Nyquist ($0.950m) / Johan Franzen ($3.955m) / Tomas Tatar ($1.500m)
Tomas Jurco ($0.709m) / Darren Helm ($2.125m) / Daniel Alfredsson ($5.500m)
Justin Abdelkader ($0.900m) / Joakim Andersson ($0.733m) / Landon Ferraro ($0.750m)
Riley Sheahan ($1.800m)
DEFENSEMEN
Niklas Kronwall ($4.750m) / Jonathan Ericsson ($4.250m)
Dan DeKeyser ($3.500m) / Brendan Smith ($1.263m)
Jakub Kindl ($2.400m) / Stephane Robidas ($3.000m)
Adam Almquist ($0.750m) / Brian Lashoff ($0.725m)
GOALTENDERS
Jimmy Howard ($5.292m)
Jonas Gustavsson ($1.900m)

OTHER
Bought-out: Stephen Weiss ($2.108m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $71,100,000; CAP PAYROLL: $68,942,045; BONUSES: $215,833
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $2,157,955

Works cap-wise whether Weiss is bought out or traded (obviously trade is preferable). Could convince another team by offering Weiss at $1.5-2M retained. Cap penalty would last half as long as buy-out that way. Quincey, Sammy, Cleary and Bert walk. Tootoo traded. Try to trade Miller to wherever his brother ends up.

Gus wont be with the Wings next year, Mrazek will be up full time and I'm sorry after one season there Is no way In the world that Weiss will be bought out. If that happen then Holland would be admitting that he was a failure! And when has that ever happen, And the Wings aren't going to sign Gaborik either Holland has already said that the Wings are most likely going to sign from within and most likely wont be active In free agency unless they sign a cheap defenseman to replace Quincey.