Abel to Yzerman
Next entry: Were Wing Injuries Willie's Ticket To Chicago?
Previous entry: Strike 3 For Holland?
Calder for Williams. Like it?
by IwoCPO on 02/26/07 at 09:00 PM ET
Comments (21)
By now you know Kenny Holland has made his first move of the final 24, moving Jason Williams to Chicago, getting Kyle Calder from Philly in the process. I need a bit to digest this one, so I’ll have something more later tonite. I do think this is the tip of the Holland iceberg though. I think at least one more deal’s in store, of a bigger variety.
In the meantime, did you like Williams’ quotes on his way out?
Williams was also happy about the move, “I’m definitely excited about coming to Chicago.”
“Any time you can be a part of an original six team it’s special. Chicago is making strides in the right direction. I’m looking forward to coming to Chicago and in being a major factor on the team. I’m happy to be going to a team that wants me and I’m looking forward to helping the Blackhawks,” said Williams.
Diplomatic? Yes. Genuinely happy? Perhaps. The line that caught me was this one: “I’m happy to be going to a team that wants me...”
We’ll get into that more later.
Filed in: | Abel to Yzerman | Permalink
Comments
I don’t know how anyone other than Babcock would be genuinly upset with this trade. I certainly am not happy with it. I think Williams has tremendous upside which he has yet to touch in Detroit. Maybe this move will help him reach that level with an increased role in Chicago. This may be a deal that we regret in the future. Right now, if I had to rate my feelings on this trade, I would give it an “eh”.
Posted by Matt from Royal Oak, MI on 02/26/07 at 10:32 PM ET
(great to have you back, by the way)
Posted by Matt from Royal Oak, MI on 02/26/07 at 10:32 PM ET
This seems like a shuffle which might provide some degree of boost this year (although I’m not exactly holding my breath) while more importantly opening up a roster space for next year for one of the younger forwards who’ve been getting commercial-break IT so far this season.
Posted by Hockeyinhd on 02/26/07 at 10:41 PM ET
I’ll defend Calder in that he’s never had a chance to play with anyone of any consequence. He should play much better than he has in the past now that he’ll actually have d-men that can get the puck up ice, and linemates that are solid NHL players instead of fringe guys.
I think this will certainly shake things up a bit and help now, but I hold out a lot of hope that this is the beginning. If Holland is unable to do anything else, I would have to rank this trade just barely on the wrong side of acceptable. Seems to me that this is an apples for apples trade, and the personality of the player is the only thing that will vary. Maybe Holland knows what he’s doing and a team like this is what Calder has been longing for and he will blossom.
Posted by Nathan on 02/26/07 at 10:44 PM ET
Good deal for the Wings. Calder has been improving this season after a horrid start. We get a solid player who can’t be any worse than Williams and dump Williams’ salary and roster spot for next year.
As Iwo mentioned, I think this is the first of a few moves.
Posted by arice89 from Detroit, MI on 02/26/07 at 10:46 PM ET
To follow up on my last post:
For anyone who says this is a lateral move, yes, it may be a lateral move from a performance perspective. However, this deal was more about dumping Williams’ contract than upgrading the team. I do think Calder is an upgrade though…
Posted by arice89 from Detroit, MI on 02/26/07 at 10:47 PM ET
Don’t remember how long Calder’s been around, but it seems that the skinny on him was very good early on? What’s to hurt? As for Williams, I hope he does well and feels comfortable in Chicago.
Posted by R% on 02/26/07 at 11:01 PM ET
This is a lateral move, relatively speaking, and my take is that the Flyers got a steal in Kukkonen. He’s a helluva defenceman, good all-round guy with a physical bite.
Babs did all he could to motivate Willie, but as soon as he got benched, he was done as a Red Wing. He mentally and physically checked out, didn’t use his ability to bump guys off the puck, his speed, or puckhandling to do anything other than make Robert Lang look like a hard worker in comparison.
Calder’s faster, meaner, and is more of a goal-scorer, and given that he was one the three Hawks Fleury took under his wing--Arnason and Bell were the others--Calder’s turned out decently. He’ll get every chance to redeem himself, and the betting’s pretty solid that he’s not going to be the only new Red Wing tomorrow.
Posted by George James Malik from South Lyon, MI on 02/26/07 at 11:15 PM ET
All upside, no downside. The upside is modest though. I hope there is at least one more deal in the works.
Posted by Dave on 02/26/07 at 11:22 PM ET
I trade Williams for a rice sock. Calder is gonna play w/Lang and samuelsson.
Posted by DrW on 02/26/07 at 11:28 PM ET
Sure a lateral move, and reduction of future salary commitment, but when was the last time JW looked like this?
Posted by conon394 on 02/26/07 at 11:30 PM ET
Sure a lateral move, and reduction of future salary commitment, but when was the last time JW looked like this?
That’s not him in that picture. That’s Mike Richards. Kyle Calder wore #19 in Philadelphia.
Posted by PRStoetzer on 02/26/07 at 11:36 PM ET
oh well for a little will I thought I found a silver lining…
Posted by conon394 on 02/26/07 at 11:55 PM ET
Well Calder brings a lot more grit than Williams could muster and I believe it was a good move for the Wings. Their size is similar and their scoring is comparable. Williams seemed to lose it for me when he took the dig to the head and missed all those games. Calder will be one of those who will not get pushed around and will give the Wings some needed grit.
Posted by Tony from Mid-Michigan on 02/27/07 at 12:14 AM ET
Calder is good on the PK and will probably be much more productive playing for the Wings than he has been with the Flyers.
Posted by PuckHound61 from Speckville USA on 02/27/07 at 01:01 AM ET
GREAT TRADE!!!!! Kyle Calder is a stud, this was a steal for the Wings, no way does Detroit make this trade last year. Thimbs waaaaaaay up. By the way, the Wings are NOT done
Posted by bababooey on 02/27/07 at 01:22 AM ET
Great move, I am with Bababooey on this. Might have been the only way Holland could keep Babblecock from putting Williams on the PP point and setting up SHG’s. Williams has a lot of skill, but little hockey sense. He has shown no indication that he learns from his mistakes. I would have preferred Smolinski, but it is not tomorrow night yet.
Posted by Gramps (hockeytowntodd) from HockeyTown on 02/27/07 at 01:49 AM ET
Gramps-
What I like the most is that he’ll be more of a compliment to Lang because Calder is more of a drive the net type then Williams ever was. Calder is small, but he’s not afraid and is wiling to get the ugly goals. If he does well I have no doubt he’ll sign here for less than the $2.9mm he received in that arbitration award this sumer. In terms of stats it looks like it’s more lateral, but if you compare Calder’s and Williams’s game, Calder compliments this team alot more. He’s not a panacea, but he helps
Posted by bababooey on 02/27/07 at 03:02 AM ET
Insanely incredibly wonderful trade!
Made my day
Posted by 58Miles2Joe from Toledo, OH on 02/27/07 at 10:05 AM ET
Frankly I’m just relieved to know that Williams isn’t going to be manning the PP point any longer. The fact that we got anything in return for said assurance is just a bonus to me. If Gramps is so ecstatic, then I should at least be positive about Calder, so hoo ray for a little grit.
Posted by Hoser from Downer Peninsula on 02/27/07 at 01:19 PM ET
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Most Recent Blog Posts
LB: Do We Have Clearance For A Game Of Critical Importance, Clarence? Roger, Roger
GDT - Game #69: Red Wings at Flames (9:30)
Only Two Weeks Left To Get Your Pimp Hats
GDT - Game #68: Red Wings host Sabres (7:00)
LB: Only One Word Will Suffice
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:
Check the latest NHL odds at the Internet’s most trusted online sportsbook
Canadian players can also bet on NHL games at the Canadian sports betting site
A2Y Stuff
-----------------------------
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.
-----------------------------
How Others View The A2Y 19
"Like them or hate them, it's not a good idea to start a battle with "the 19" and the Chief. 'Nuff said."
--Astute reader at Dater's All Things Avs
"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
I’m hoping Holland flips Calder for someone else. Calder’s stats stink.
Posted by TheFreak on 02/26/07 at 10:13 PM ET