Comments on: Lebda vs. Meech

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:25:07 +0000

Meech won't take another year as a press box ornament if there is any way he can help it. The wings have already misused him badly. He might be a team player, but everyone has their limits. Look for him to develop nicely if he gets moved and gets some real ice time.

By: J.J. from Kansas

J.J. from Kansas — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:15:32 +0000

Shoot, forgot that Abdelkader becomes an RFA. Probably put him before Bertuzzi in my list.

By: Michael Petrella

Michael Petrella — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:51:53 +0000

Right now, they have $41,537,878 dedicated for 14 players next season, which includes Kindl who has to be with the big club.

If the cap doesn't change at all, that leaves $15,262,122.

Lidstrom, like I said in the post, will be re-signed. I bet you he signs for like $4M - taking a huge cut.

That leaves $11M for Darren Helm, Tomas Holmstrom, Patrick Eaves, theoretically Mattias Ritola, and two more forwards and a seventh defenseman.

Ideally:
Helm (around $1M) - nice second pro contract
Holmstrom (around $2M) - slight decrease
Eaves (around $1.5M) - raise, equal to Willi/Bert
Ritola (around 800k) - like Leino's deal

There's now two or three roster spots available, and $5.9M to do it in.

Sadly, Bertuzzi will likely be re-signed but he should fit the numbers... Maltby is a wild card for next year.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:50:24 +0000

I did this a week ago or so, and my conclusion and analysis contained none of the actual facts that you did.

Meech sucks.

By: J.J. from Kansas

J.J. from Kansas — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:36:57 +0000

The shallow look, working on my assumption that the cap won't change and Hudler stays in Russia is that Lidstrom will sign for a contract that will give us about $2.5M cap space. That doesn't leave a great deal of room for raises/contracts for guys, but here's my off-the-top-of-my-head list of priorities.

1. Helm
2. Holmstrom
3. Eaves
4. Bertuzzi
5. Ritola
6. Lilja
7. Williams
8. Miller

As a note, I don't see Homer getting a raise and Jason Williams has a lot of power over the last quarter of the season and postseason to move higher on that list. Of course, this is as of right now and doesn't factor in exactly how we're to become cap compliant this year, so I expect people are going to fall off. It all just makes me really glad I'm not the GM.

By: Michael Petrella

Michael Petrella — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:44:57 +0000

JJ, like usual, you and I are on the same page. I want to be clear that I don't think this outline is the way I'd like it to go -- just how I see it unfolding, based on common sense and Red Wings trends.

I've never been sold on Ericsson. Even in the playoffs, when everyone was losing their minds, I didn't see what the big deal was. This season, those thoughts have been reciprocated - if not confirmed.

The Lilja of Old (not very old.... the good one) is GREATLY more valuable to this team than Ericsson is, but that's not to say that Ericsson won't grow into a great defenseman. But Andreas Lilja was a hell of a penalty killer, a great shot blocker, a physical presence, and - like you mentioned - a "leader" of sorts.

By: J.J. from Kansas

J.J. from Kansas — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:41:29 +0000

If it comes down to Lilja versus Ericsson, then I take Lilja. Unless he comes back tearing shit up like the Lilja we were starting to get used to*, I don't see him getting offers much higher than his current $1.25M salary. If we can re-sign Lilja for that or close to that range ($1.5), I consider that a salary steal and worth way more than the $900k Ericsson's getting.

*"tearing shit up" refers to his lock-down defensive capabilities as well as his on-ice defensive leadership and poise. Remember, he ran shit on a PK that had guys like Pavs, Z, Hossa, and Flip playing short-handed roles in front of him.

By: Michael Petrella

Michael Petrella — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:46:23 +0000

@Capt -- I'm not sure that'd be the third pairing, more or less stacking them so we can see them all. But, like Jenn says, can't be worse than Lebda/Meech or Ericsson/Lebda for that matter.

@Jenn -- I didn't even notice that typo. Thank you for pointing it out. I wrote this at like 3am, but read it over and over again. Freudian, I suppose. Fixing it now!

By: jennbikegirl

jennbikegirl — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:41:05 +0000

Saddest typo ever:

"He has more NHL games under his belt, and was a regular on back-to-back Cup winning teams."

Sigh, if only. Would've, could've, should've.

Anyway, good post - I agree that Lebda would bring more return than Meech and I really do expect Meech to be back next year as press box mascot.

Ericsson/Kindl is a bit scary but not really any scarier than Lebda/Meech in my opinion.

By: CaptNorris5

CaptNorris5 — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:21:51 +0000

Ericsson: Kindl scares me. We've seen how well two puck-moving, offensive minded Dmen on the third pairing works. Color me not a fan.