Abel to Yzerman
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Digging Deeper: Khan(!) Drunk Dials Wally’s Agent. And…What If?
by IwoCPO on 07/05/08 at 05:57 AM ET
Comments (63)
DD Captain Ansar Khan(!) reported around midnight that he decided to go against the Deep Digger grain and actually call up a newsmaker.
I spoke to Filppula’s agent, Bill Zito, Friday afternoon, and he said he hadn’t received any offer sheet or spoken to any other team about Filppula.
You go Ansar.
Could it happen? Sure. Vancouver GM Mike Gillis is getting blasted. He’s getting killed. Naslund gone. Little Fabian. Had him. Gone. Twenty million bucks couldn’t sway the Swedish Enigma. Great goalie. Couple of twins and a whole lot of nothing.
He’s got exactly nothing to lose, so an offer sheet for Wally is definitely not out of the question.
Anything shy of 3 million and you have to think Tick Tock’s gonna match, although I think a deal’s already in place that will keep Filppula in Hockeytown for at least three and they’re just working out the details.
But if not? That “anything shy of 3” thing? Yeah. Let’s look at that for a minute.
If Gillis, in hopes that he can walk the Vancouver streets without getting run down, offers any deal over 2.6? Umm. The Wings get a first-rounder (at the least) back.
So. I’m kinda thinking. Maybe Holland’s the one holding up the deal. Maybe he’s waiting just a few days to see what happens. Because I’ve got a late breaker for you: Vancouver’s gonna suck with or without Filppula. How bad?
After the Sedin’s, Luongo and a couple of injury prone defensemen there really isn’t much to get excited about. They couldn’t score many goals last year and they have lost their 3rd best point producer and captain Markus Naslund. Luongo is the only thing currently saving them from the cellar.
That’s David Johnson at HockeyAnalysis.com Guess what he’s doing. Yep. Handicapping the Tavares sweepstakes. Let me ask you this. If given the choice, would you give up Wally for the chance at that kind of shot? Before you answer consider something else.
How fun would it be to have a vested interest in Canuck failure, knowing that if they do indeed finish dead frigging last we’ll have the first pick next summer?
Do we want to lose our boy Wally? Of course not. But if Gillis makes a move and forces a Holland decision? Tick Tock’s reaction might not be as automatic as people think.
Pick up Marian Hossa. Give yourselves a year to figure out how to sign him long-term. Lose Val Filppula to an RFA sheet.
And then watch the chips fall, maybe even help by kicking Vancouver tail four times.
Is Filppula on the verge of a multi-year deal with the Wings? Of course he is. But if something strange happens? Well. 08/09 just got a lot more interesting. More than a few of us will be staying up later a lot more to see if, just maybe, the Canucks aren’t losing on the far west coast.
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Comments
agree completely..
i like Flip, but he’s not going to be another Zetterberg or Datsyuk. We can afford to lose him, quite easily actually.
You figure with Flip gone, Franzen moves to 2nd line centre and Hudler or Cleary moves up to the 2nd Wings. That bring Helm back into the fold as probable 4th line centre, and i just love Helm’s upside on the 4th line.
Posted by Pharazon from England on 07/05/08 at 06:56 AM ET
I disagree Chief. When Franzen went down Filppulla became our most dependable center behind the Circus. He shut down opposing lines and scored opportunistic goals. Holland should be moving first to get him something in the $2 million range.
Posted by TDeters on 07/05/08 at 07:50 AM ET
As of right now, Filppula’s two best qualities are his potential and his ability to keep up with Zetterberg and Datsyuk. There’s about as much chance of Filppula becoming as good as Datsyuk or Zetterberg as there is of the Canucks winding up with the first overall pick next year, so that’s a wash. Filppula will probably wind up a better player than the random 6-15 pick that the Canucks will probably get, so that’d count as a loss, but it comes with some short-term salary relief as well as the chance to pick a goalie if the Brain Trust so decide.
It’s tough to imagine a dollar value and length that would make an offer sheet to Filppula a good move. The more money, the more picks and cap space Gillis gives up, but less money risks the ire of fans and other GMs if Detroit matches. The longer the term, the less the overpayment at the start matters, but the more pain there is if he’s a bust.
It’s worth pointing out that the Backes offer sheet was valued specifically so the Canucks wouldn’t have to give up a first round pick.
Posted by Ryan from Toronto on 07/05/08 at 08:17 AM ET
If Ken Holland said he will match any offer, then THAT is what he will do.
I cannot see him sacrificing his own credibility under ANY circumstances.
After reading Khan’s article, it is obvious to me that Holland is going to want to shed some salary (for draft picks).
Who goes?
Lilja $1.2 (2010), Samuelsson $1.2 (2009), Lebda $650 (2010), Quincey $535, Meech $483, McCarty $475, Downey $525?
Stay tuned!
Posted by w2j2 on 07/05/08 at 08:18 AM ET
Holland has the option of taking Filppula to arbitration as long as he does so by noon on Sunday, and Fil can take the team to arbitration by noon today.
Frankly, I don’t see where there’s a “fit” for the Canucks. They need a veteran up front, somebody who can give them scoring on their second line and some leadership on the bench and in the locker room. If you’ve got a bunch of prospects and young kids, what’s another young kid going to do for you?
The only concern I have is that the Canucks have four natural centres and a bunch of wingers. The Canucks need a centre, and of the players left, only Sundin, Fedorov, and Demitra posted over 40 points last season, though Jason Williams was hurt quite a bit.
Posted by George James Malik from South Lyon, MI on 07/05/08 at 08:44 AM ET
Filppula just won a Cup playing for a coach that loves his ass. He’s about to marry a Michigan girl. He just had (potentially) Marian Friggin’ Hossa dumped into his lap. He isn’t going anywhere.
Posted by O-Joe on 07/05/08 at 08:45 AM ET
A bit off topic here but…
I’m finding it pretty funny that Pens fans are getting really excited about signing Pesonen of the Finnish SM-liiga. Sure, he’s probably a good player. Possibly the second best player in SM-liiga, behind Ville Leino who won the player of the year award last season. We all know where Leino is going.
I wonder how Penguins fans feel about constantly coming in second to Detroit.
Posted by lilja4ever on 07/05/08 at 09:08 AM ET
Filppula is a good player who’s sure to get better and better, but as someone said in the comments to another post, would you take this trade if offered to you?
Give: Filppula
Get: Hossa, 1st round pick, 3rd round pick
Uh, yeah. Uh, duh.
Posted by Nathan on 07/05/08 at 09:39 AM ET
Long term, what would be the better strategy for Vancouver - offer large money for Wally, or hold off on that and possibly nail down Tavares?
(Assuming those are the only two options.)
Probably Tavares would be the better option. They’d have a young star taken with all the publicity and fanfare of the draft, and his first contract would be a lot cheaper than Filppula, so if he didn’t work out it would be dead easy to trade him because he’d be cheap and would still have enough potential to interest everyone else.
It seems that a veteran might fit better with that team. Maybe their best option is to wait until some other team needs to dump people to shuffle salary around to meet their budget, and then pick up one of those players more inexpensively. It seems like some teams are trading guys to fill holes that appeared when they traded other guys, like musical chairs on ice.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/05/08 at 09:59 AM ET
You figure with Flip gone, Franzen moves to 2nd line centre and Hudler or Cleary moves up to the 2nd Wings. That bring Helm back into the fold as probable 4th line centre, and i just love Helm’s upside on the 4th line.
Possible, but Mule didn’t exactly flourish as a center last year. He’s a power forward in the making and I don’t think Babs wants to see him anywhere else but there.
My “if I were Mike Babcock” lineup, sans Filppula, would be:
Holmstrom – Datsyuk – Hossa
Franzen – Zetterberg – Hudler
Cleary – Draper – Samuelsson
Maltby – Helm – McCarty
The wild card in all of that would be Leino. At this point, no one seems to have a clue whether he’s ready for top-line minutes or whether he needs a full year in GR.
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 07/05/08 at 10:44 AM ET
I think Hudler could quickly find himself on that list of salary dumps along with Samuelsson
The fact that Helm dressed for every game after the opening round is all the proof you need that he’s penciled in as a regular in 08-09. Probably the nicest surprise of the season after Franzen’s emergence as a scoring machine.
Posted by BobS. on 07/05/08 at 10:47 AM ET
Oooops. Forgot about String Bean (Kopecky). I guess he’s almost as big a wild card as Leino. But I can definitely see him playing most of the games on the 4th line, with Maltby and D-Mac rotating in and out as the opposition dictates.
That bring Helm back into the fold as probable 4th line centre, and i just love Helm’s upside on the 4th line.
I should have said before that I completely agree with you on that, Pharazon. It’s a testimony to the Wings depth that he’ll almost surely have to spend most of the year in GR if Fil/Flip/Wally stays.
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 07/05/08 at 10:51 AM ET
Bob, I agree with your first point, but I’m not sure about Helm. Quincy played good minutes in the playoffs in ‘07, and look where he is on the depth chart now.
While losing Flip clearly wouldn’t be the end of the world, the Canucks are not the team you want to lose him too. Ryan from Toronto mentioned we’d probably end up with a 6-15th pick, and I think that’s a fair assessment. They’ve got a solid coaching staff and an hulking goalie to keep them somewhat competitive. Plus, they’ll have to compete with the likes of LA, Florida, St. Louis and Toronto for that last place pick.
If they loose Luango, then I might feel good about their chances in the draft. But as it stands now, I’d much rather have a proven commodity with clear upside like Fil. He’s already mature beyond his years in terms of patience, seeing the ice, and defensive responsibility. And in terms of offensive upside, he’s quickly learning to pull the trigger.
Kenny will be smart about this. If it happens that he chooses to let Fil go, he’s gonna make it worth his while.
Posted by Nate A from Dark side of the moon on 07/05/08 at 11:14 AM ET
err..don’t get me wrong, I like Helm alot and think he deserves a shot in the near future. But we’ve got a logjam all over the ice. Before Hossa, yeah, Helm gets a spot.
Posted by Nate A from Dark side of the moon on 07/05/08 at 11:17 AM ET
Does Filppula want to be that guy who left Detroit for more money just after Marian Hossa shocked the world by leaving $80+ million on the table to come here? I highly doubt it, though every day he goes unsigned chips away at that certainty…
Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI on 07/05/08 at 11:50 AM ET
what I see in the logjam of players is a lot of possibilities to make a trade or two. maybe even for some draft picks.
Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 07/05/08 at 01:36 PM ET
Does Filppula want to be that guy who left Detroit for more money just after Marian Hossa shocked the world by leaving $80+ million on the table to come here?
Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI on 07/05 at 12:50 PM
In fairness to Val, he is the one (young guy) who hasn’t yet had that “big” pay day. He has not made mulitiple millions per season yet like all the other players who are voluntarily giving up money. $3.5 Million looks huge to a young player who “only” made $850K last year. It could be 3 or 4 more years before he can escalate to that kind of money if he stays within the Wings self-sacrificing pay structure.
I couldn’t blame him, and it won’t be all that bad to get 2 or 3 picks for him. This franchise has not had a top ten draft pick since 1991!!
Posted by RWBill from jabbing a six inch sewing needle into my eye. on 07/05/08 at 02:14 PM ET
BobS is right.
add this to the list:
Hudler $1.0 (2009)
Posted by w2j2 on 07/05/08 at 02:27 PM ET
All the salient points have already been made, but they were going to part of my case as well.
1) How does Fil fit into the Canucks?
2) Their offer sheet to Backes(sp?) was purposely too low to give up a 1st rounder.
3) He’s already a second line center at 24––on the WINGS. I have a lot of faith that he will be a tremendous player by 27-28.
4) He has Hossa and Leino coming to him. Why leave when it’s just getting good? Especially when the WINGS(!) have already declared you hands off on several occasions.
5) Ken is a genius, but he’s not dishonest. He already said he would match and unless an offer well above our cap comes in, that’s going to happen.
and etc…
I also agree with the roster player > draft pick equation, especially when it’s Fil.
For those who keep insisting that he’s not going to be Dats or Z level guy, did you expect Frazen to have the coming out party that he did? Or anything close?
I think Fil has the ability to be a regular 80 point producer, while being great defensively. He’s a Wing.
Posted by Osrt on 07/05/08 at 03:37 PM ET
I might be in the minority here, but my “bird in the hand” kind of mindset says Filppula is worth more than the draft picks- I’d find a way to pay him $3.5M-$4.5M. I think he’s a special talent who’s going to be worth that kind of money for a long time. On the other hand, Samuelsson, Hudler, and Lilja are three relatively well-paid guys($3.4M) who are, to me anyway, a lot more redundant and replaceable than Filppula, particularly with the emergence of Helm, the return of Kopecky, the resurrection of McCarty, the queue of young defensemen, and the signing of Hossa,Leino, and Stuart.
I understand that it’s not consistent with the Wings’ philosophy, but it’s a unique situation that deserves a unique solution.
There’s better ways to trim the payroll, and draft picks don’t come with any guarantee. Besides, the Wings have managed to get by without a top ten draft pick for the past decade and a half.
Posted by BobS. on 07/05/08 at 04:00 PM ET
Dammit, Bob. I spend 40 minutes typing up/editing a response, only to refresh the page to find you’ve already made the same points.
Screw it. I’m posting it anyway.
There are core players and there are role players. Holland does whatever is necessary to keep his core players. We already know this.
Prior to this season, Filppula was probably (arguably) straddling the line between the two. However, his performance this past post-season, particularly against Dallas and The Whiners, has pushed him well into the circle of core players for the future. Anybody who thinks otherwise is delusional.
With that said, I figure Cleary’s $2.8M will be the benchmark Holland uses for Filppula. His late post-season performance gives Holland the ability to offer him more than Cleary’s $2.8M without upsetting the organizational pay structure. Barring some ridiculous offer for Filppula coming in from another club, Kenny will get this done.
The cap is not an issue for him, either, as he has moves available to him to free up salary to match anything other than an offer coming well out of right field.
Such as…
First of all, Quincey is a RFA while Meech is already signed at $483,000. Advantage Meech. He’s also more valuable than Quincey in that he provides a Dandenault-esque ability to fill-in as a fourth-line forward if the injury bug bites a bit too hard for a short spell. Quencey does not get signed in such a scenario, I’m guessing.
Second, the emergence of Helm (with Abbadabadoo waiting in the wings) and Stuart now solidly entrenched for the future at the point on the second PP unit makes Sidewinder ($1.2M) expendable. (Sammy’s a UFA next year, while Hudler is a RFA. Between the two, Sammy goes).
Thirdly, the presence of Ericsson, along with the fact that Babcock loves him and has already said he’s NHL-ready, makes Lilja ($1.2M) on the third paring expendable. With Hossa onboard, I figure Detroit can afford to give up a half-point more per game compared to last year without any negative effect. Ericsson, though young and bound to make mistakes, is not going to make more bone-headed plays over the course of the year than Lilja—certainly not enough to cost the team one-half point per game. (Basically, the presence of Hossa gives Ericsson a year to get his game up to that of Lilja’s. How difficult can that be)?
If Holland has to match a reasonable offer for Wally (or even a slightly unreasonable one), he will. Sidewinder and BoneHead would then be auditioning for other teams come the exhibition season.
Which would be fine, IMO, because, seriously, assuming available cap space last summer (which there wasn’t), who here would not have danced with joy had Sammy and Lilja been traded to Atlanta for Hossa’s [remaining] one year contract?
Posted by O-Joe on 07/05/08 at 04:59 PM ET
It’s all a moot point, folks, because Filppula filed for arbitration today.
Posted by George James Malik from South Lyon, MI on 07/05/08 at 05:12 PM ET
Oh, that figures. My one annual attempt at being a thoughtful and mature contributor to the discussion here and I get turkey slapped by unfolding events five minutes after posting.
Back to be a grumpy old man slinging shitballs at Gobbles, Bob from Boulder and the Hag in Raleigh, et al, I guess.
Posted by O-Joe on 07/05/08 at 05:23 PM ET
It’s all a moot point, folks, because Filppula filed for arbitration today.
Hmmmm. Guess who really wants to stay a Red Wing. My guess is he gets $2.8M.
Oh, that figures. My one annual attempt at being a thoughtful and mature contributor to the discussion here and I get turkey slapped by unfolding events five minutes after posting.
LOL
I feel your pain O-Joe. It’s happened to me many a time. The bottom line is thoughtfulness and maturity have no place on the Web...especially at A2Y. 
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 07/05/08 at 05:35 PM ET
It’s not our job to be thoughtful or mature, so Fil did it for us 
Posted by George James Malik from South Lyon, MI on 07/05/08 at 05:44 PM ET
Oh, that figures. My one annual attempt at being a thoughtful and mature contributor to the discussion here and I get turkey slapped by unfolding events five minutes after posting.
Well, I was impressed - you made an extremely coherent and well-reasoned argument.
Plus you didn’t advocate trading Hudler, and I really like that spunky kid. 
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/05/08 at 05:45 PM ET
I have such a man-crush on Fil.
What?
That’s okay - he’s of age.
At least you don’t have to go on a murderous rampage right now. Nice to know you can enjoy your weekend, huh?
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/05/08 at 05:52 PM ET
Malik via TSN is reporting that Filppula has filed for salary arbitration. This means that no team can make him an offer—Detroit retains rights to negotiate with him until the arbitration hearing (Jul 20 - Aug 4) and then the arbitration decision is binding.
Posted by Larry Aurie #6 from New York, NY on 07/05/08 at 05:56 PM ET
I have such a man-crush on Fil.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 07/05/08 at 05:58 PM ET
Malik via TSN is reporting that Filppula has filed for salary arbitration.
And a George James Malik reported it here too…
It’s all a moot point, folks, because Filppula filed for arbitration today.
Posted by George James Malik from South Lyon, MI on 07/05 at 06:12 PM
What an amazing coincidence. I wonder if they’re related? 
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 07/05/08 at 06:01 PM ET
Besides, it isn’t as though your feelings for Wally weren’t obvious.
Threatening to wreak immense havoc on an entire organization if they dare to extend him an offer sheet kind of gave your affection away.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/05/08 at 06:02 PM ET
Sorry—didn’t see that you already posted the same info!
Posted by Larry Aurie #6 from New York, NY on 07/05/08 at 06:06 PM ET
So I guess the question is, what do we think the arbitrator (should it come to that) gives Fil, and what is the impact of that on the salary structure? I’m guessing, given the salaries that have been thrown around for other second-line forwards, that Fil could argue for $4MM. If he gets that (and arbitration decisions tend to favor the player), we will have to shed a number of players to get under the cap…
Also, the Wings try to avoid arbitration historically, because they don’t want to get into a situation where they are belittling a player’s value in order to get a favorable decision. Hopefully they can avoid that here…
The good news is, by filing for arbitration, it shows that Fil wants to remain a Wing rather than get hit with an offer sheet.
Posted by Larry Aurie #6 from New York, NY on 07/05/08 at 06:09 PM ET
Me, personally, I’d ask for $3.5 million. Either that or $3.0 million with a firm commitment from the organ-I-zation that the head coach learns how to pronounce my friggin’ last name.
Say, don’t salary arbitration cases typically result in one-year contracts?
If that’s the case, whoa. Next year will truly be the Summer of Ken--Zetterberg, Franzen, Filppula and Samuelsson, along with the pipe-dream of retaining Hossa.
Posted by O-Joe on 07/05/08 at 06:19 PM ET
That’s okay - he’s of age.
Barely. He looks 15.
Threatening to wreak immense havoc on an entire organization if they dare to extend him an offer sheet kind of gave your affection away.
I love my Fil! Besides, killing the Canucks wouldn’t be called homicide; it’s euthanasia.
They’ll settle the contract before it gets to court for sure. This was just meant to buy time without pressure.
Posted by Osrt on 07/05/08 at 06:32 PM ET
I’m finding it pretty funny that Pens fans are getting really excited about signing Pesonen of the Finnish SM-liiga. Sure, he’s probably a good player. Possibly the second best player in SM-liiga, behind Ville Leino who won the player of the year award last season. We all know where Leino is going.
Pesonen was the leading scorer in the SM-liiga (34 G, 44 A in 56 games) last year, playing for Kärpät Oulu, which has won 4 of the last 5 Finnish league championships. (Kärpät is competitive with the top Russian teams, twice losing in OT to the Russian club champion in 2005 and 2006.
Ville Leino played for Jokerit Helsinki, the league’s third-place team, finished second in the league in scoring (28 G, 49 A, 55 games), but was named league MVP.
I’m not a Finnish scout, just a web surfer. And I assume that the Wings picked Leino over Pesonen for a reason. But Pesonen doesn’t seem, on the surface, to be an unreasonable prospect.
Posted by Larry Aurie #6 from New York, NY on 07/05/08 at 06:34 PM ET
How don’t you already know that I’m James George, my evil twin?
While we’re talking about stuff like man-crushes, it’s not “George James” for a snooty reason...Malik’s just a much more common name than one would believe, and there are quite a few George Maliks out there. There aren’t many who use their middle name to differentiate themselves from the rest.
Regarding arbitration, arbitrators can award both one-year and two-year deals (sometimes three, but they’re usually in the 1-2 year range), and you can basically negotiate with your team until the arbitration hearing begins, so it moves things along. I looked up the specifics thereof, and Fil can take the Wings to arbitration as many times as he wants during the course of his career, but the Wings could only do it once, so you might be able to argue that this is a sign of good faith in the organization by Fil and Bill Zito.
Posted by George James Malik from South Lyon, MI on 07/05/08 at 06:35 PM ET
As I understand the CBA, when it’s the player who files for arbitration, the club, when it files its brief, can elect that the award shall be for either a one-year term or a two-year term.
All a moot point, I presume… I agree with George that this is likely a sign of good faith on both sides, and I’ll bet that an agreement is done before the scheduled hearing.
Posted by BobTheZee on 07/05/08 at 06:54 PM ET
Gillis says that he didn’t have Filppula in his sights…
Gillis denied a report he’s preparing an offer sheet for Detroit Red Wings restricted free agent centre Valterri Filppula.
“That’s not true, but we’re not going to limit ourselves to anything at this point,” he said.
Filppula, 24, had 19 goals last season and the 5-foot-11, 202 lb. Finn is attractive to many clubs. If the Canucks don’t get Sundin, this could be a Plan B, but Wings GM Ken Holland said he’ll match any offer.
Filppula earned $850,000 US last season and an offer sheet in the $1,307,811-$2,615,623 bracket would result in a second-round draft pick as compensation.
Ottawa winger Antoine Vermette, 26, had 24 goals last season for $1.075 million and the restricted free agent was prime for an offer sheet, but is going to arbitration and comes off the market.
Teammate Andrej Meszaros, 22, made $984,200 and the big blueliner may also get an offer sheet.
Posted by George James Malik from South Lyon, MI on 07/05/08 at 07:01 PM ET
While we’re talking about stuff like man-crushes, it’s not “George James” for a snooty reason...Malik’s just a much more common name than one would believe, and there are quite a few George Maliks out there. There aren’t many who use their middle name to differentiate themselves from the rest.
Makes perfect sense to me, George.
Posted by Olongapo Ramon Joe on 07/05/08 at 07:01 PM ET
I was posting what others in Fils age/pts bracket were receiving for offers, it was around $3.5 usually. That would be a ball-buster for the Red Wings. Do they HAVE to accept the arbitrator’s number or can they just not sign him if it goes to arbitration?
If they have to give him that number they will be over the cap considering they still have to sign Cheli, Mac-type, etc.
I believe they can agree to terms before arbitration, which I’m hoping would allow us to keep him and stay within Tick-Tocks plan for the team.
Posted by RWBill from jabbing a six inch sewing needle into my eye. on 07/05/08 at 07:13 PM ET
They can elect to walk away, but then he becomes an UFA.
Posted by Larry Aurie #6 from New York, NY on 07/05/08 at 07:20 PM ET
Everything you need to know about St. Louis, courtesy of TSN:
bluesfan30
Zetterberg makes 2.9m/yr. Its a crime. Why does he not take the Wings to Arbitration?
Posted by monkey from Waiting for the lambs to stop screaming on 07/05/08 at 07:21 PM ET
The Wings can walk away from a decision if they don’t like it, and they can match any offer up to 80% of the salary awarded.
They can also negotiate up to the hearing, and, if they agree to a deal on the way in or before they present their arguments, they can get things done there, too.
Posted by George James Malik from South Lyon, MI on 07/05/08 at 07:21 PM ET
Well, I still vote to ship Trippy off to the Panthers or someplace, if for nothing more than a cap cushion, and let Ericsson, once he signs, flounder on the third paring next season. Sidewinder can hang around for another year, I guess.
Posted by O-Joe on 07/05/08 at 07:49 PM ET
Lils is a solid insurance against injury, poor performance and resting top players in meaningless games.
I think Quincy is gone by the season’s start. Remember Matt Ellis?
Posted by Osrt on 07/05/08 at 08:44 PM ET
thanks for the info folks. i’m thinking the wings and Val will have to agree to a lesser amount than arbitration would offer him or there will be some uncomfortable roster actions needed.
They can elect to walk away, but then he becomes an UFA.
see this is why I don’t see this such great news. if Arb values him at $3.5, what others are getting with equal numbers, the wings will have to walk away and then if he’s UFA they get nothing for his loss. At least now if they don’t match an offer sheet they get some sweet draft picks.
if they decide to pay him the Arb amount and it is $3.5 the wings will have to attempt to shed others on contract so they can fit Cheli and Downey or McCarty under the cap.
Posted by RWBill from jabbing a six inch sewing needle into my eye. on 07/05/08 at 10:23 PM ET
Everything you need to know about St. Louis, courtesy of TSN:
bluesfan30
Zetterberg makes 2.9m/yr. Its a crime. Why does he not take the Wings to Arbitration?
Posted by monkey from Waiting for my offer sheet from Mike Gillis on 07/05 at 08:21 PM
Awesome insight.
Posted by RWBill from jabbing a six inch sewing needle into my eye. on 07/05/08 at 10:25 PM ET
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About Abel to Yzerman
Welcome to Abel to Yzerman, a Red Wing blog since 1977. No other site on the internet has better-researched, fact-laden and better prepared discussions than A2Y. Re-phrase: we do little research, find facts and stats highly overrated and claim little to no preparation. There are 19 readers of A2Y. No more, no less. All of them, except maybe one, are juvenile in nature. Reminding them of that in the comment section will only encourage them to prove that. Your suggestions and critiques are welcome:
A2Y Stuff
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Wanna Feel Smart?
Does confusion make you sad? When you read words like "enigma" and phrases like "Thanks Gary. Ass", do you wonder why mean people speak in languages you don't understand? Fret no longer friend! The A2Y Glossary will bring you great joy and enlightenment.
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How Others View The A2Y 19
"Hell, I guarantee the content co-opters at Abel to Yzerman were about to link this article under the heading “Bitter Blues Fans” again right up until they just read that last half-sentance. Thanks but no thanks, you Kukla hangers-on."
--St. Louis Game Time
"I realize it’s the slow summer season, but can this guy tone down the tough-guy histrionics? His posts are fatiguing on an otherwise excellent site."
--A2Y Fan, Eternal_Fields
"I constantly marvel at how Bill (IwoCPO) and his disciples at Abel To Yzerman can be so pompous and full of themselves throughout every regular season, but come playoff time they collapse into wavering puddles of stress and nervousness as they anxiously await the impending and unavoidable collapse of the Red Wings in the post-season."
--Mile High Hockey
"I hate them because they are better than us. Of all the frigging teams…"
--In The Cheap Seats
"It's just a shame that the most classless, uneducated, lowbrow fanbase in the league gets this sweep. Red Wing fans don't deserve their team."
--Thhom
"I really don’t care what fans or bloggers think."
--Drew Sharp
"Why is it you Detroit fans are still so classless when you have such a classy hockey team, with such a professional GM and gentlemen players? I understand that the author of this blog is a manner-less cad, but the rest of you should be better."
--A2Y Fan, Jeff Beaumont
"Have you ever *read* A2Y? Its the most opinionated, juvenile stuff i've read."
--Paul Nicholson
"I actually like the Detroit team and have a sh&% load of respect for them, but their fans are the biggest douches next to Canadians."
--KStewy, PensBlog Commenter
"Just when it looks like we have bottomed out, the 19 hit a new low."
-A2Y legend, Hockeytown Todd
"And for the record, I don't hate the Red Wings, I hate their fans."
--Douche Bag at Puck Daddy who isn't Wyshynski
"You’re nothing but a douchebag ****, c3po. Go f**k yourself, and learn something about hockey in the process. Nothing ruins my day more than seeing your byline on the kk page."
--Hector, A2Y fan, statesman, Pittsburgh Chapter of Jonas Brothers Fan Club President
"I can just imagine the kindergarten teacher’s reaction when the tyke blurts out 'Mommy says Gary Bettman is a f*cking f*ckface! He wants to give ‘Rosby the bad touch.' ”
--Bella, of the 19
"A2Y is what other blog sites aspire to be when they fail to grow up: intelligent immaturity for the juvenile genius set”
--Captain Dennis Polonich, of the 19
Head to Hockeytown
Blogs the Chief Likes
Exactly. Right on.
Posted by Larry Aurie #6 from New York, NY on 07/05/08 at 06:37 AM ET