Well, I take it he got tired of Babcock’s insistence and persistence in telling him he can play so much bigger and better than he is playing.

Now, we’re down to THREE right-handed shots:  Maltby, Rafalski, and Hudler (if he re-signs).  Only one, Hudler, has the capability to play the right-handed shot on the second PP unit.

Posted by SYF from a "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" on 07/03/09 at 01:30 PM ET

I was hoping he would stay, but not worth $2.5M.

Always liked him and thought he provided good depth.  We’d better keep Hudler now.

Posted by DetCapC19 from Vancouver, BC on 07/03/09 at 01:30 PM ET

Bye.

He scored clutch goals, but they were too few and far between to make up for his mind-boggling giveaways.

Most nights you cannot pin a team’s loss on one player. A few games this year you could pin a loss on Sammy, and you wouldn’t be too far off the mark.

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste Marie on 07/03/09 at 01:30 PM ET

Now, we’re down to THREE right-handed shots:  Maltby, Rafalski, and Hudler (if he re-signs).  Only one, Hudler, has the capability to play the right-handed shot on the second PP unit.
Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 07/03/09 at 02:30 PM ET

Hudler shoots left.

Posted by DetCapC19 from Vancouver, BC on 07/03/09 at 01:31 PM ET

Hudler shoots left

Posted by Aaron from MI from Huron, MI on 07/03/09 at 01:31 PM ET

Ooompa Loompas can shoot any damn way they want

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste Marie on 07/03/09 at 01:32 PM ET

So long Sammy.  I’ll miss yelling at him repeatedly for missing the net.

Posted by Aimee in Austin on 07/03/09 at 01:34 PM ET

AMBIDEXTERITY!

I told some Canucks fans to expect good defensive play, tenacity, extremely streaky scoring, and dented boards and broken glass.  Also frustrating turnovers sometimes, but he’s a good depth player and with them his Swedishness gets bonus points.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/03/09 at 01:36 PM ET

I guess all you can eat pizza does not provide the same kind of hometown discount the wings have gotten accustomed to.  How much do you think Franzen hates giving the discount he did now, to help Holland keep guys like sammy and Hossa only to see them leave for more money.  Family atmosphere?  Maybe like the Jackson family.

Posted by Gretzky_to_Lemieux on 07/03/09 at 01:36 PM ET

I kinda liked he said money was a big factor.  At least he’s honest.  Not a bad fit for him, as the nuck’s have plenty of Swedes.  I just wonder how good he’ll be on another team, he was practically out of the league before we got him because he was a vast underachiever…

Posted by John W. from a bubble wrap cocoon on 07/03/09 at 01:37 PM ET

does anyone think that Sundin is an option, he can play middle or wing, imagine a z, mul, and mats line! hed come cheap because of his massive salary last year.

he wants in detroit, he was quoted last year during the finals saying he was pulling for detroit, he wants a cup, where better to go than hockeytown?

Posted by zettersyuk4 on 07/03/09 at 01:37 PM ET

[facepalms]

Gack!  Guess I was so caught up in hoping Hudler doing the right thing…

Posted by SYF from a "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" on 07/03/09 at 01:39 PM ET

Well G_to_L, kinda funny that when the Pens lost the Cup, a lot of guys left your team, and now that the Pens won the Cup, guys are STILL leaving.  Have fun trying to repeat now that your defense is jumping ship.  Pittsburgh sure must be a nice place to play eh?

Posted by John W. from a bubble wrap cocoon on 07/03/09 at 01:40 PM ET

There goeth Uncle Mike’s man-crush.  The only thing I’ll genuinely miss will be the abrasive extracurriculars.  And maybe it’s time to retire the William Tell moniker, unless the Canuck fans want it.  At least he was honest about it, that it was the money.  He can poop in the box for the folks on Robson Street now.

I just hope Lilja’s up to being the team goat again at least for another year.

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from Fortress Europe on 07/03/09 at 01:49 PM ET

AMBIDEXTERITY!

Mr. Hockey played switch-hitter, using a straight-bladed stick.  Of course, he was also 6’2’’ and 220 lbs., and very few people were dumb enough to f*ck with him twice, something you can’t unfortunately say about the Oompa Loompa.  Sigh…

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from Fortress Europe on 07/03/09 at 01:50 PM ET

for a million bucks a year, sammy was EXTREMELY efficient despite the complaints from fans. he was always solid defensively and won a lot of loose pucks. and he dropped around 20 goals a year. i think he served us well, but, definitely is not a player to be overpaid.

i never really like him on the 2nd pp although he admittedly seemed to finally get better towards the end of last year. whatever. left shot or not, i want to see Ericsson on the 2nd pp. the man won the AHL hardest shot competition. he’s smart and has a CANNON. i think he’ll be a dominant power play point man by the time his career is out.

Posted by perfection from LaLaLand on 07/03/09 at 01:51 PM ET

There goeth Uncle Mike’s man-crush.

He has Ericsson now.  He doesn’t need Sammy anymore. 

And after making $1.2 million last year and getting a chance to more than double that?  No wonder he jumped - anyone would be insane not to.

I hope the rink in Vancouver has very, very strong boards.  And a lot of glass, too.  And maybe their announcers should just tape “Samuelsson shoots wide of the net” so they can just replay it every time that happens.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/03/09 at 01:54 PM ET

You need to be hungry. I believe we can do some damage.

We’ll, Sammy, we know what kind of damage you can do, so good luck to all of your linemates. Word is they’ve all requested full, wire-cage facemasks for next season.

I guess all you can eat pizza does not provide the same kind of hometown discount the wings have gotten accustomed to.

No one expected Sammy to play for what the Wings had to spend. This is his one chance to make some decent money. More power to him.

How much do you think Franzen hates giving the discount he did now, to help Holland keep guys like sammy and Hossa only to see them leave for more money.

Mule didn’t take a discount so the Wings could keep Hossa and Sammy. Not even remotely an issue. He took the discount for two reasons: 1) for the long-term good of the team, and 2) to assure that he was the one who stayed instead of Hossa.

If he hadn’t signed when he did, Hossa would be a Red Wing today and Mule would be looking for a new team. Personally, I couldn’t be happier that things worked out the way they did. And I’ll bet Mule feels exactly the same way.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 07/03/09 at 01:55 PM ET

So now our second regular unit looks like this (assume the Circus with Holmstrom/Cleary rotating in and out):  Leino/Filppula/Franzen.

I like it.

Posted by SYF from a "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" on 07/03/09 at 02:01 PM ET

Some Canucks fans are expecting that Samuelsson will play on the second line with the Creepy Twins.

Hello Bad Idea Department? I have a submission for you.

Posted by HockeyJoe from Upstate New York on 07/03/09 at 02:05 PM ET

I guess all you can eat pizza does not provide the same kind of hometown discount the wings have gotten accustomed to.  How much do you think Franzen hates giving the discount he did now, to help Holland keep guys like sammy and Hossa only to see them leave for more money.  Family atmosphere?  Maybe like the Jackson family.
Posted by Gretzky_to_Lemieux on 07/03/09 at 02:36 PM ET

Why do you care so much what the Wings do?  Everytime something is posted on here, you feel the need to make some dumb comment.  Your obsession with the Wings is getting kind of weird.

Posted by DetCapC19 from Vancouver, BC on 07/03/09 at 02:05 PM ET

assuming he gets resigned, it’ll probably be Hudler instead of Leino to start. and if it isn’t, than we probably shouldn’t have resigned him for what he is likely to cost us. Leino could definitely end up a top 6, but he’s essentially a rookie next year and Hudler is coming off of a career year. we’ll see though. if Hudler doesn’t produce consistently, he may get traded at the deadline.

Posted by perfection from LaLaLand on 07/03/09 at 02:06 PM ET

Which trade deadline, perfection:  before the Christmas freeze or in late February?

Posted by SYF from a "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" on 07/03/09 at 02:09 PM ET

Samuelsson is one of these players(Hudler,Cleary,Filppula,ect..) that isn’t really that good (in Pitt & N.Y.). You put a Red Wings jersey on him and his play elevates so much. I don’t think it’s because with the Red Wings he got to play with great players so his play naturally got better. I’m beleive he actually got better. I beleive it’s an organIzational thing that happens in Detroit. From Holland on down. A confidence and belief in what they are doing. Maybe they should call it “The Bowman Effect”. I’m sure they’ll plug his whole with another player who will do the same job as effectivly as he has. A player who is out there that no one thinks is any special yet in Detroit he plays like an All-Star. Meanwhile Samuelsson will go to Vancouver and become just another NHL regular.

Posted by Linda1st on 07/03/09 at 02:14 PM ET

So lets assume Tick Tock is planning on trading one of his D men. Most likely it will fall between Lilja / Lebda / Meech.

Who do you think it will be? Who would you like it to be? Who would you like to replace (ideally a right shooting grit forward)?

I’d imagine it’s either going to be Lilja or Meech. Uncle Mike doesn’t seem very enamored with Meech, considering there were plenty of playoff games where Chelli took the ice instead. Though it’s an entirely different game when you consider Lilja’s brain is melting. I’d really like a trade with LA to find Quincy back here, but I’m sure their asking price has to be sky high considering he basically lead the Kings blue line in points…

I’ve got to look into who needs a blueliner (Pens, Carolina, off the bat) and who they might have at a reasonable salary to trade with…

Oh tick tock, do us proud.

In Kenny We Trust.

Posted by CaptNorris5 from The Winged Wheel, stuck in Chicago on 07/03/09 at 02:28 PM ET

I’m sad that Sammy had to go, but he earned his payday and he experienced the glory of getting his name on the cup.  I hope for his sake he’ll be able to live up to his $2.5M salary.  I personally don’t think he will, but that doesn’t mean I’m not rooting for him.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/03/09 at 03:23 PM ET

Sammy sucks. bye.

Maltby sucks. Are we stuck watching him set +/- record again next year?

Draper sucks. Face off wins only get you so far. You still have to score goals and stay out of the box.

Hudler sucks and is a little pip squeek who was knocked around in the playoffs like a little girl.

I hope he goes too.

The Wings need to sign some bigger, younger bodies.

Bring up Abdelkader.

Cut Draper.

Trade Maltby for a bag of pucks. That’s a fair deal. For us.

Posted by Johnny 2 in Kalamazoo on 07/03/09 at 03:24 PM ET

How much do you think Franzen hates giving the discount he did now, to help Holland keep guys like sammy and Hossa only to see them leave for more money.

Wow, you really think that Franzen took Sammy into consideration when he signed?  Do you think he should have?

But yeah, you’re right.  What a horrible “family”, they choose to reward the guys they drafted and developed (Datyuk, Zetterberg, Franzen) before rewarding the guys they accepted into the fold (Hossa Sammy).

Must be odd to see that for you, being a fan of a team who will try to appease a “mercenary” like Hossa or Fedotenko over drafted and developed talent like Malone and Scuderi.

Posted by Garth on 07/03/09 at 03:26 PM ET

So lets assume Tick Tock is planning on trading one of his D men. Most likely it will fall between Lilja / Lebda / Meech.

Who do you think it will be? Who would you like it to be? Who would you like to replace (ideally a right shooting grit forward)?

My order for getting rid of them would be Meech / Lebda / Lilja.  There’s a reason that Meech didn’t get playing time over the other two and I continue to hold out hope that Lilja will make a full recovery and continue to be the defenseman he showed he could be last season.  Lebda was supposed to be the guy who sped through the neutral zone and added some offensive punch, maybe even a Mike Green *shudder* type.  He hasn’t lived up to that and I’d be happy to trade him for another forward.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/03/09 at 03:27 PM ET

See ya Sammy, thanks for the gut-wrenching entertainment.

Hope the Sedin’s give you a sweet ride in their spaceship en route to Dorkulon 9.

Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 07/03/09 at 03:47 PM ET

So long, Sammy. You went for the money, and there’s nothing wrong with that. I’d say I’m going to miss you, but that’s not entirely honest.

The glass at the Joe weeps with joy.

Now that Sammy’s gone, it’s time to find the new whipping boy. Didn’t someone say a year or so ago that Wings fans would be able to more effectively dog Lebda once Sammy was gone?

Posted by Aphaea from Pennsylvania on 07/03/09 at 03:48 PM ET

Must be odd to see that for you, being a fan of a team who will try to appease a “mercenary” like Hossa or Fedotenko over drafted and developed talent like Malone and Scuderi.

Posted by Garth on 07/03/09 at 04:26 PM ET

Damn…burn bro, burn.  G_to_L, that’s a money shot for ya.  Ouch, I’m almost hurt at how accurate that is.  It stings.  It stings.  By the way, why are you here, G_to_L?  I don’t comment on Pierre McGuire’s blog, seems like a fair trade if you’d only reciprocate.

Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 07/03/09 at 03:48 PM ET

See ya Sammy, thanks for the gut-wrenching entertainment.

Hope the Sedin’s give you a sweet ride in their spaceship en route to Dorkulon 9.

Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 07/03/09 at 04:47 PM ET

Nice…

So long, Sammy. You went for the money, and there’s nothing wrong with that. I’d say I’m going to miss you, but that’s not entirely honest.

My ‘So Long’ to Sammy is of the cordial type.  I respect your decision, Sammy, and LOVE the fact that you didn’t mention the words Stanley or Cup in your interview on why you chose Vancouver.  But I’m sure you said “for sure” like 80 thousands times in 5 minutes…for sure.  I’ll miss your interviews and your awesome playoff beard ya big Swedish goof!  Now break some Sedin jaw!

Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 07/03/09 at 03:52 PM ET

@Gretzy_to_Lemieux

From the Article:

Samuelsson indicated he had many offers. It’s been reported that the Wings were looking to keep Samuelsson for about $1.5 million a year. If true, that would make the difference in money huge. But still Samuelsson said he had to take some time choosing between Vancouver and Detroit, the two teams it came down to.

This is not someone choosing between 65 and 68 Million over 10 years, this is someone who can nearly double his salary and he still had a hard time leaving.

Posted by Please from RTFA on 07/03/09 at 03:53 PM ET

I wish Sammy all the best; he took a good deal and was everything you could expect for a 1-million-and-change second-line player.  He’s been on my shitlist for a long time but last year he had a pretty decent year.  Bon Voyage.

I am not quire sure we would move one of our D to get another forward; history has taught us that injuries plague our D, hence we need the depth, and Meetch I believe still has a two-way contract and is quite affordable.  If anyone were to go it would be Lilja; there are plenty of free agents out there who shoot right and would fit in under the cap, but I’m just not sure.  If any more moves are made in the offseason, that’ll be the one.  Only time will tell.

Posted by Hippy Dave from Portland by way of Detroit on 07/03/09 at 03:55 PM ET

I don’t miss Sammy for that price. But I will miss screaming “poop in the box!” at the TV, and Triple Deke’s hilarious quotes from the goofy bastard.

Lebda was supposed to be the guy who sped through the neutral zone and added some offensive punch, maybe even a Mike Green *shudder* type.  He hasn’t lived up to that and I’d be happy to trade him for another forward.

On that note, why hasn’t Lebda been slotted in at forward once in a while? He should be just as capable as Meech.

Posted by Nate A from Detroit-ish on 07/03/09 at 03:58 PM ET

psssst…!

25 Dandenault, Mathieu D 33 UFA 08/09 Cap Number: 1.725, Salary: 1.750

and hes a rite handed shot.

Posted by Jeebus on 07/03/09 at 04:04 PM ET

Would Mike Grier be a good fit? He’s gritty, shoots right and should be good for 3rd/4th line.

Also, he’s 34. Maybe he would half his salary to play in his hometown for 3 years and then retire.

(And I don’t think we wants to face Datsyuk again)

Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 07/03/09 at 04:05 PM ET

25 Dandenault, Mathieu D 33 UFA 08/09 Cap Number: 1.725, Salary: 1.750

and hes a rite handed shot.

Posted by Jeebus on 07/03/09 at 05:04 PM ET

Habs haven’t resigned him yet?  Or too busy adding to their diminutive forwards collection?

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/03/09 at 04:07 PM ET

If anyone were to go it would be Lilja; there are plenty of free agents out there who shoot right and would fit in under the cap, but I’m just not sure.  If any more moves are made in the offseason, that’ll be the one.  Only time will tell.

Posted by Hippy Dave from San Francisco by way of Detroit on 07/03/09 at 04:55 PM ET

WRONG, WRONG….WRONG….
Lils has proven he is a top 4 on any team without a Lids and a Raffy.
There is not one D man available with his PK skills, especially 3 on 5.
That is of course, if he is healthy, and if he is not….there would be no interest.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 07/03/09 at 04:10 PM ET

Guys I am a Pens Fan who really enjoys reading this blog .. and the opinons and the Knowledge of the 19 that is whyI come here .. I understand this is a RED WINGS BLOG I only ask no I beg you please don’t judge me by the other ass clowns who claim to be “pens” fans who come in here , I try my best to keep my comments to Hockey and positive to you guys becuase I respect you all
but if I ever go the way of the douche all you have to do is say so and I shall leave quietly ..

thanks guys

and cheif keep up the good work I really enjoy it
I am a fan of not just the pens but of the Sport of Hockey

Posted by M71 on 07/03/09 at 04:13 PM ET

On that note, why hasn’t Lebda been slotted in at forward once in a while? He should be just as capable as Meech.

Posted by Nate A from the Church of Babcock on 07/03/09 at 04:58 PM ET

It could be because his wrist shot won’t break a pane of glass, and he can only handle
25% of the passes that are right on his stick when inside the faceoff circle.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 07/03/09 at 04:14 PM ET

Posted by M71 on 07/03/09 at 05:13 PM ET

Don’t leave, M71 - you are a great guest and have never acted like a douche.  You think before you type and are interested in talking hockey instead of trash.

Don’t worry about it - we know all Pens fans aren’t like the morons who sometimes show up.  Just the LOUDEST ones (like any group of idiot fans - the dumbest ones are usually also the loudest).

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/03/09 at 04:17 PM ET

Oh, @ M71 -

Read “The Boys of Winter” by Wayne Coffey.  I think you would enjoy it.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/03/09 at 04:18 PM ET

psssst…!

and hes a rite handed shot.

pssssst…  We’ve got 8 d-men and not a full roster of forwards.  Maybe that needs to be our focus…

Posted by Garth on 07/03/09 at 04:19 PM ET

I like the idea of Grier, but not at 3-years.  Anyone we sign for our bottom 6 should be 1-year deals to keep our cap space open for next summer.

Posted by DetCapC19 from Vancouver, BC on 07/03/09 at 04:23 PM ET

I’m not advocating signing Dandenault, but he can also play forward, right? I remember him moving positions with the Wings before.

@M71 - You can stay. I enjoyed reading your post in another A2Y thread in which you called out a Pens fan troll. Expletives and all.

Posted by Aphaea from Pennsylvania on 07/03/09 at 04:25 PM ET

Dandenault plays both forward and defense.  The Wings drafted him as a right wing.

Posted by monkey from here to Timbuktu on 07/03/09 at 04:26 PM ET

Guys I am a Pens Fan who really enjoys reading this blog .. and the opinons and the Knowledge of the 19 that is whyI come here .. I understand this is a RED WINGS BLOG I only ask no I beg you please don’t judge me by the other ass clowns who claim to be “pens” fans who come in here , I try my best to keep my comments to Hockey and positive to you guys becuase I respect you all
but if I ever go the way of the douche all you have to do is say so and I shall leave quietly ..

thanks guys

and cheif keep up the good work I really enjoy it
I am a fan of not just the pens but of the Sport of Hockey

This is either a wing fan pretending or the weakest penguin fan ever.  Seriously, as religious wing fans you should appreciate the banter back and fourth from die-hard penguin fans, not sympathetic retards like this.  Anyways, lets move forward shall we. 

Kane to Toews to Hossa… scores, glove side on Howard.  Wow, what a goal!!!  That is going to suck to hear for the next 12 plus seasons for sure.

Posted by Gretzky_to_Lemieux on 07/03/09 at 04:27 PM ET

What’s with the Pens’ players not wanting to return? Have you been following the free agency stuff or making it up? The Pens really only seriously pursued 4 UFAs: Scuderi, Guerin, Fedotenko and Adams. Guerin signed for $2 mill ($2.5 mill less than last year), Fedotenko signed for 1.8 mill ($.45 mill less than last year) and Adams signed for $550,000 ($50,000 less than last year). Scuderi got an offer he couldn’t refuse that would allow him to secure the future of his family…...$8 over 4 years more than the Pens could possibly offer him with the cap…..and he said he felt sick to his stomach to have to leave the Pens.  You guys need to realize that the Wings aren’t the only team that can get players to take a hometown discount, and may not even be in the top couple of spots of most coveted organizations to join any more.

Also, Chief, if you don’t want “outsiders” to post on this blog, don’t market it to Kuklas Korner. That’s a universal hockey blog and attracts readers from everywhere.  Of course “outsiders” will visit and comment if they see something they disagree with or just want to comment on.

Posted by Hockey17 on 07/03/09 at 04:34 PM ET