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Nothing To Say Here Gramps:  Overloaded On The Blue Line Too

The Diggers are waking up and the FNG is keeping pace.

Dave Dye, while not technically “new” (he’s been covering MSU and other sports for the News for nearly two decades) has reported for duty as the Wing bubba at the Detroit News.  And if he keeps up this pace, he’ll be getting a call from Khan(!) soon.  Something about expectations of mediocrity.

An article and a blog entry.  In the hypothetical words of Ansar..."Slowwww down big boy. It’s early.”

We’d like to offer Dye the opportunity to avoid Diggerdom just as John Niyo did.  But, grass root reports from the A2Y interns at Traverse City’s Northwestern College indicate that may not be possible.  Case in point?

“We don’t have any master plan,” Holland said. “We’re going to let the players decide it on the ice. We’re going to see which 23 guys give us the best chance to have the best team.

“As we get middle to later in camp, I’m going to start working the phones to see who’s got some wants and needs. Certainly for the first four days, and four or five exhibition games, we’re just going to watch and evaluate.”

Holland’s lying to you Dave.  He’s a dirty lying liar.  And you bought it.  Of course he’s got a master plan.  He’s the master plan master.  He knows who he’s going to deal, but he’s definitely not telling us.  And Dave?  We dig that about him.

Dye’s article focuses on blue line depth, obviously.  Only four spots are locked: Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall and Stuart.  Like the forwards, which we discussed yesterday--even though cranky-ass Gramps thinks I had absolutely nothing to say but just decided to ramble after having come up with a unique tribute to all mothers on Labor Day (might be true)--your Wings are loaded.  Loaded.  And someone has to go.

No master plan?  Don’t believe it for a second.  Holland’s got his eye on somebody and I’m betting it’s Quincey.  A sign and trade?  Maybe.  That would leave Chelios, Meech, Lebda, Lilja and Ericsson duking it out for spots five and six (and seven). 

Chelios, according to Khan(!), has re-signed for his standard 850.  With that, the Wings are officially over the Cap.  Dealing Quincey, just Quincey, doesn’t ease that.  Someone else has got to go.  If it turns out to be Lilja, Holland’s statement above about “watching and evaluating” is laughable.  He’s been watching and evaluating Lilja for three years, along with the rest of us.  Same can be said for Lebda, although I don’t see him going anywhere.  If anything, Tick Tock’s waiting for other GMs to watch and evaluate their own teams and holding out for the best possible deal before sending someone away.

Oh, and this.  If Jonathon Ericsson were to make the team?  A $900,000 hit.  Only 50 more than the dent Chelios’ contract puts on the cap.  He’s not going anywhere, except maybe Grand Rapids.  Let’s pretend it’s Quincey and Lilja who leave.  Spots five, six and seven go to Chelios, Meech and Lebda.

Anybody see a problem with that?  Anyone wanna say it?  Ok. I will. 

If Chris Chelios isn’t going to play a minute in the Finals, why the hell are we keeping him around to play regular season games when it could be Meech or Ericsson back there?

And don’t you try and tell me this didn’t rub you the wrong way

“You don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings,” Chelios told the Chicago Tribune. “I found a new home in Detroit, but Chicago is always going to be home. My parents still live here, and I intend on coming back home here some day and spending the rest of my days here, whether it’s as a player or somehow being involved with the Blackhawks.”

Well, he’s signed on for another year so it’s a moot point.  Insurance in Detroit while Ericsson gets another year of seasoning in GR, I’m guessing. 

Oh, and this too.  Meech can’t go back and forth without clearing waivers, which he wouldn’t. 

Prediction:  Lidstrom/Rafalski.  Kronwall/Stuart.  Lebda/Meech.  Chelios in the press box waiting.  Lilja, Quincey: Gone.  Ericsson to Grand Rapids while Uncle Mike seethes.

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RWBill's avatar

MORE OT OCT 13 (continuing the Pet Theme):

If you stay over at my house it is likely that 1 of my 3 cats may take a liking to you and sleep with their pristine pie-hole next to your face, purring like crazy, head-butting and stroking you all night.

I had to have my 16 year old golden retriever “put down” 2 summers ago and I’m not yet worthy of another commitment that I know some dog somewhere wants to give me.

Posted by RWBill from jabbing a six inch sewing needle into my eye. on 09/04/08 at 07:30 PM ET

Avatar

RWBill,

I think your offer, though generous, is not detailed enough. 

We will need GPS coordinates and a Google Earth link to your front door before any of the A2Y 19 makes a decision…

smile

Posted by VooX on 09/04/08 at 10:37 PM ET

Avatar

...my daughter will be visiting with her slut mother/my-ex-wife-who-gets-$500/mo.-of-my-military-retirement-thanks-Patsy-Schroeder…

Now that’s the level of discussion that A2Y is all about. All the high-faluttin’ stuff was beginning to hurt my brain. I think we’re now headed in the direction needed to get this season started on the right foot. grin

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 09/04/08 at 10:40 PM ET

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I think I’ll be safer avoiding northern Virginia, myself.  No point in asking for trouble - or disabusing RWBill of his happy illusions.  (delusions?)

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 09/05/08 at 11:21 AM ET

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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:

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