So, if Holland's actually going to sign a UFA defenseman or two...

[golffuul]

I agree. I cant figure out how we could sign anyone after we sign our RFA's unless both Mule & Kronwall are on LTIR.

The issue with this, though, is that they can't come off the cap until the 2nd day of the season. So we would have to be creative with Cap compliance going into the season, where we would then clear their cap hits. But we can't be over the cap number to start the season

 

[Oddbob]

Anyone else, really excited for July 1, when we get Dan Girardi and Ron Hainsey? I am pretty pumped!

 

[Lil Sebastian Cossa]

The issue with this, though, is that they can't come off the cap until the 2nd day of the season. So we would have to be creative with Cap compliance going into the season, where we would then clear their cap hits. But we can't be over the cap number to start the season

That's not correct. At least in relation to Franzen. He was out for 100% of the previous season, so he's available to be on SOIR (Season Opening IR) You can exceed the cap by this. Must have been something put in for a situation like Horton or Pronger or similar in terms of LTIR. Where teams were gonna do the dance to get the space and they just said "you'd be playing that guy if he were healthy, but he's literally not ever going to play hockey again."

 

[njx9]

the analytics say campbell would be the best guy to target.

I'm not saying you're wrong, but I have trouble with any analytics that suggest Beauchemin is the 5th best FA defenseman available.

 

[Run the Jewels]

Anyone else, really excited for July 1, when we get Dan Girardi and Ron Hainsey? I am pretty pumped!

This is the first time in memory I've had absolutely zero interest in potential free agent signings. Last year was close just because I never really believed Stamkos would have any interest in coming here. This year I didn't even think about free agency until the posts began showing up here. I did like the Vanek signing at the time and that worked out well for us. I just shrugged with the Neilsen signing, it was understandable but that deal isn't gonna age well, which can be said for like 90% of the multi-year deals Holland has handed out lately. Ott was totally irrelevant, at least we got a draft pick so that's nice I guess.

I will consider free agency a massive win if we don't give out any long term contracts. That tells you how bad the current state of the franchise is right now.

 

[Ezekial]

Wings use their own analytics to determine which players to sign.

Oldest + slowest + most useless = perfect fit

That would be Brian Campbell still though. He spent more than half the season as the bottom pairing d,. His analytics don't matter to me.

 

[Run the Jewels]

Un****ing believable. Smith in Detroit and Detroit fans are like "This guy is a piece of **** who doesn't know how to hockey and it would be embarrassing to offer him even $3M per year.

Smith in New York, "Oh, he was always a good offensive defenseman and the advanced stats say x. Man, 4.35M seems alright."

Smith is still the same troglodyte who will draw the ire of the Rangers' faithful when he inevitably costs them several goals with ridiculous misplays. Guy with all the tools in the world, but the hockey IQ of a scone. If Holland signed him for 4.35M, I think about 50% of the board would literally tromp down to LCA and light it to the ground. A scorched earth rebuild might actually become a literal thing.

I mean, the Wings wanted him for almost a million less than NYR paid and people used that as a fireable offense for Ken Holland.

I'm really interested in seeing how Smith does in New York. I made the comparison between him and Justin Schultz as they are very similar players. Schultz was much better in Pittsburgh, putting up a 50 point season. He totally turned his career around. Will Smith be able to do to the same in NY?

I have also been very skeptical regarding Jeff Blashill's ability to succeed at the highest level of coaching. I've also questioned his ability to develop defensemen. Alain Vigneualt is a proven coach and I wonder how much of Alexander Edler's career trajectory ties into Vigneualt's time in Vancouver. I'll never know with regard to Edler as I don't follow him closely enough. However I did follow Smith's career very closely here so it will be easy to track how he does in New York and determine if he goes through a similar transformation to what Schultz went through in Pittsburgh.

My take at this point is I don't see any reason why Smith can't be a solid offensive d-man who can blow away his career point totals to date. He's also quite comfortable playing a gritty, physical game. Can he cut down on his bone-headed plays and not be as turnover prone as he was here? This is where I think coaching can make a major impact and if Vigneault can set him up to be successful the move to New York could turn Smith's career around.

 

[theD86]

I think it will be Daley. I more on board with him then the others.

 

[WingedWheel1987]

This is the first time in memory I've had absolutely zero interest in potential free agent signings. Last year was close just because I never really believed Stamkos would have any interest in coming here. This year I didn't even think about free agency until the posts began showing up here. I did like the Vanek signing at the time and that worked out well for us. I just shrugged with the Neilsen signing, it was understandable but that deal isn't gonna age well, which can be said for like 90% of the multi-year deals Holland has handed out lately. Ott was totally irrelevant, at least we got a draft pick so that's nice I guess.

I will consider free agency a massive win if we don't give out any long term contracts. That tells you how bad the current state of the franchise is right now.

My interest in free agency hit zero a couple years ago. I remember how exciting the week before FA began was. Now i just say a prayer and set my glass and bottle of Johnny Black on my desk the night before it begins.

 

[WingedWheel1987]

That would be Brian Campbell still though. He spent more than half the season as the bottom pairing d,. His analytics don't matter to me.

How's his character? Also any chance he has family that's from Michigan?

 

[Ezekial]

How's his character? Also any chance he has family that's from Michigan?

Lady Byng winner!! Don't know much about his family but he grew up 2 hours from Detroit in Strathroy, Ontario.

Sounds a lot like a KH signing.

 

[Zetterberg4Captain]

kuikov is the ONLY FA dman we could get that actually improves our defence( ie not a # 7 or 8)

 

[DInTheB]

Friedman

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/nhl-free-agency-buzz-rumblings-around-league/sn-amp/

DEFENCEMEN

Two that seem close  if not done  are Trevor Daley (Detroit) and Dan Girardi (Tampa Bay).

 

[Sparty]

Wonder what it would cost to get Trevor Daley here in the D. $4.5m/4 yrs? Seems like you have to spend more than anyone else because he's not going to compete for cups here.

 

[Heaton]

Yikes, not looking forward to a 4 year deal for Trevor Daley.

 

[Vladdy84]

Yikes, not looking forward to a 4 year deal for Trevor Daley.

Don't forget the NTC/NMC

 

[Number1RedWingsFan52]

Yikes, not looking forward to a 4 year deal for Trevor Daley.

Yup and you can guarantee that Holland gives him a NTC/NMC as well.

 

[Sparty]

Yup and you can guarantee that Holland gives him a NTC/NMC as well.

He might not want one though

 

[chances14]

He might not want one though

why wouldn't a player want one? if the player wants to move, he can always waive it

 

[chances14]

at this point, we can only hope that the damage is minimal and that the contract is for 2 years or less and no ntc/nmc

 

[obey86]

Does it really matter? The team is going to likely stink either way.

 

[golffuul]

That's not correct. At least in relation to Franzen. He was out for 100% of the previous season, so he's available to be on SOIR (Season Opening IR) You can exceed the cap by this. Must have been something put in for a situation like Horton or Pronger or similar in terms of LTIR. Where teams were gonna do the dance to get the space and they just said "you'd be playing that guy if he were healthy, but he's literally not ever going to play hockey again."

Yeah...I saw something about the SOIR, in a different thread, right after I wrote this. My apologies. Only would apply to Kronwall, in this case.

 

[Heaton]

Does it really matter? The team is going to likely stink either way.

And if we continue to sign old players to long term deals the team is going to stink for a lot longer than it needs to. Holland needs to stop compounding our terrible cap situation.

 

[chances14]

Does it really matter? The team is going to likely stink either way.

it matters because it takes away another roster spot that should be going to one of the kids, unless they believe that kronwall is going on LTIR for the entire season

 

[Heaton]

it matters because it takes away another roster spot that should be going to one of the kids, unless they believe that kronwall is going on LTIR for the entire season

Rebuilding has turned into: Ice a veteran team and call up the kids for a bit.

Teams that have truly rebuilded have shown trust in their development and let their kids play. The Wings let their kids play, but they still treat the team like we have Datsyuk and Z in their prime.