The Hossa signing seems bizarre for the Hawks considering their cap situation.  Kane and Toews will both be RFA next year and theoretically UFA as early as the year after that (I haven’t kept up with how that works, although I believe RFA status can only happen once).  Their cap space is tight already.  Giving both those guys the raises they will deserve is going to be very difficult.

Posted by monkey from here to Timbuktu on 07/03/09 at 04:35 PM ET

As far as Sammy is concerned, ‘tis as I predicted.  We can’t afford him.

Posted by monkey from here to Timbuktu on 07/03/09 at 04:37 PM ET

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 05:27 PM ET

There’s a major flaw in your argument… Howard’s not going to be around that long.

M71, thanks.  Welcome to the roster of non-Wings fans we actually welcome here.  G_to_L, usually what you’re offering is not banter.  You don’t really offer anything around here except for trolling comments.  We don’t mind the back-and-forth as long as it’s with a guy who’s not obviously trying to be a dick, dick.

I’d still take Mike Grier over Dandenault.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/03/09 at 04:38 PM ET

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.

Fedotenko to Malkin to Crosby, Crosby crosses in front of the net and OH, Pronger destroys him.  Little Sid crumples to the ice and isn’t moving.  No…no, his litte foot is twitching.

Sure is going to suck hearing that once, because it’s going to mean the end of your captain’s career and any hopes of a repeat.

Posted by Garth on 07/03/09 at 04:39 PM ET

25 Dandenault, Mathieu D 33 UFA 08/09 Cap Number: 1.725, Salary: 1.750
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 05:19 PM ET

He played a lot of forward as Scotty’s back-up Defense.  3 cup rings with Det.  +42 career.  RW fans were sorry to see him leave as a victim of the salary cap, same as McCarthy.  He has a bit of an attitude, and protects his stars.  He can handle himself, and after he won his first fight handily as a Red Wing, nobody messed with him.  He was used the same way the last couple of years in Montreal.  I wouldn’t be the only fan to welcome him back.

I am on board with Greer,  couldn’t figure out why the Wings never went after him for the last 3 yrs.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 07/03/09 at 04:40 PM ET

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.

I’m sure it would hurt, if Chicago hadn’t screwed the pooch on the salary cap such that one of Toews and Kane is almost certainly leaving next summer.

And that post was so dumb, even a Canucks fan felt the need to correct it. (By the way, we don’t really care that Samuelsson will break every piece of glass in British Columbia. If I had a nickel every time I had shouted ‘SHOOT!’ with the Sedins on the ice… well, never mind paying for Samuelsson, it would pay for either of Crosby or Malkin, even with their massive hometown discounts).

Posted by fredster from london on 07/03/09 at 04:42 PM ET

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.

I’ll see your Guerin and Adams “hometown discounts” and raise you a Zetterberg and a Franzen.

Hmmm, kinda a different league of player taking the Detroit hometown discount…

Posted by Garth on 07/03/09 at 04:42 PM ET

How about Kane to Toews (on the turnover) to Helm with a garbage goal through Huet’s five hole.  That’d be a nice sound to hear after next season.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/03/09 at 04:42 PM ET

He played a lot of forward as Scotty’s back-up Defense.

Yeah, I had completely forgotten about it.  Still, I’d rather pick up a forward than a “swing man” type player.

Posted by Garth on 07/03/09 at 04:45 PM ET

Fedotenko to Malkin to Crosby, Crosby crosses in front of the net and OH, Pronger destroys him.

Wow!  Mark it down, 5:40 EST on July 3rd, the first time Pronger has been mentioned by his real last name.  No Sasquatch?  I guess now that he has left the west, he becomes a normal human again. 

One thing is for sure, players who join Philly never make it out.  We saw this with Rathje (spelling), and Hatcher, Smith, Lindross, Primeau, etc.  Pronger, if he stays past the 1 year left on his contract ... scratch that, if his wife allows him to stay past his 1 year contract, will be lost in injured eternity.

Posted by Gretzky_to_Lemieux on 07/03/09 at 04:45 PM ET

Oh, @ M71 -

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

Posted by Baroque from Michigan

thanks hun I will ...

well the pens defense has gotten alot worse without scuderi , and even Hal Gill
slow as he was ,, and Fedatenko was resigned to a 1 yr deal the pens have 2.5 mil left in cap space yuck ..

Sammy is gone So who do you guys bring up to take his place ? and What do you guys know of this Mike Rupp guy ?

Posted by M71 on 07/03/09 at 04:46 PM ET

Garth….I’ll then raise you a Crosby and Malkin…..who could both be making Ovechkin-type money with another club AND not have to share the spotlight with each other. Plus, who of any worth this UFA season has taken a deep discount to stay with the Wings?

Posted by hockey17 on 07/03/09 at 04:46 PM ET

Yeah, I had completely forgotten about it.  Still, I’d rather pick up a forward than a “swing man” type player.

Perfect type of player to have around.  Right now the Wings are low on forwards, but D could become an issue in time.

Posted by monkey from here to Timbuktu on 07/03/09 at 04:47 PM ET

Plus, who of any worth this UFA season has taken a deep discount to stay with the Wings?

Zetterberg and Franzen.  Didn’t even bother to test the market.

Posted by monkey from here to Timbuktu on 07/03/09 at 04:48 PM ET

Pitiful Flyers…..the Pens will see them just a handful of times next season and MAY see them in the playoffs (or not), but one of the first comments from them is that Pronger would be a strong force against Crosby and the Pens.  Obsessed by their enemy who has owned them the past couple of seasons, and they can’t see the forest for the trees on this. We’ll see if they even make the playoffs.

Posted by hockey17 on 07/03/09 at 04:55 PM ET

Plus, who of any worth this UFA season has taken a deep discount to stay with the Wings?

Posted by hockey17 on 07/03/09 at 05:46 PM ET

Franzen and Zetterberg. 

I don’t think Guerin is as big a hometown discount as it seems.  There’s no way he’s worth $4.5M on the open market out there.  I doubt he’s worth $3M.  Fedotenko was a good deal for Pittsburgh.  He easily could be making $2.5M elsewhere.

You guys need to realize that the Wings aren’t the only team that can get players to take a hometown discount

Why do we need to realize that?  If it seems as though the comments and blog posts here seem to be a bit slanted towards the Red Wings perspective, that’s because it is.  We realize there are other hockey teams out there and we know that there are players taking less than market value to stay with certain teams.  We just don’t care about that here.  If you whiny Penguins fans would quit trolling around hoping we’ll kiss your ass and give you the respect you think you deserve, we wouldn’t even be discussing it.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/03/09 at 05:00 PM ET

He played a lot of forward as Scotty’s back-up Defense.
Yeah, I had completely forgotten about it.  Still, I’d rather pick up a forward than a “swing man” type player.
Posted by Garth on 07/03/09 at 05:45 PM ET

He would have been handy to have on the roster when Kronner was ejected for that perfectly legal check in the Chi conference finals.
And
I forgot to mention he insists on playing over injuries.
Try picking up a forward with 3 SC rings.
I do not think Claude Lemieux would consider minimum salary just to don the RW crest.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 07/03/09 at 05:01 PM ET

Garth….I’ll then raise you a Crosby and Malkin…..who could both be making Ovechkin-type money with another club AND not have to share the spotlight with each other.

Yeah, you’re right.  They could be making Ovechkin money.  They both left a whole $800K discount against what Ovie’s making!

Very comperable to the several million each of Zetterberg and Franzen could’ve signed for on the open market.

Plus, who of any worth this UFA season has taken a deep discount to stay with the Wings?

Wow, did you miss the part where I mentioned Zetterberg and Franzen taking giant discounts instead of going the free agent route?

Posted by Garth on 07/03/09 at 05:01 PM ET

Sharks believe that Ryan Clowe was not part of the problem.  I don’t have details on the contract yet, but Sportsnet’s tracker show’s he’s resigned in San Jose.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2009/07/03/sharks_clowe/

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/03/09 at 05:03 PM ET

I do not think Claude Lemieux would consider minimum salary just to don the RW crest.

Ew, I’d only want him on the team if, in his contract, there could be a clause that he allows Draper to break his face…

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

Man, I’d totally lost track of Dandenault.

Add me to the list of people who thinks he’d be a great get for next season.

Posted by thethirdcoast from Rottenchester on 07/03/09 at 05:09 PM ET

LOL, the hockey beat writer at the Chicago Daily Herald is proposing Hawks lines and he’s got Snuggle Bear Hossa on the #2 line.

I hope their new prize doesn’t see that, or he’s going to start next season in a deep funk.

Posted by thethirdcoast from Rottenchester on 07/03/09 at 05:16 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 05:04 PM ET

OMG, get out of my brain….

Posted by moocat on 07/03/09 at 05:17 PM ET

Man, I’d totally lost track of Dandenault.

In Kenny we trust.

Posted by monkey from here to Timbuktu on 07/03/09 at 05:17 PM ET

This is either a wing fan pretending or the weakest penguin fan ever.

I am a weak Pens fan Because I choose to show respect to a fan of a differant team on THEIR Blog .. strange I thought that made me an upstanding HUMAN and a class act that we are always sayin that we have on our boards.. I am sorry that I refuse Unlike you to sink to the level of a flyers fan it is beneath me but you seem very comfortable with it .. I know I am a pens fan as does everyone here I come to talk hockey not deal with clowns such as yourself , get a differant opinion than my own .. there is a way to be a fan without being an *#$%@&

Posted by M71 on 07/03/09 at 05:18 PM ET

Well, the Wings were ecstatic about the depth they had waiting to come up - Leino, Helm, Abdelkader, and Ericcson.  Now, they have to use them all.  Overall, I think it will work out pretty good - these guys got seasoned in the playoffs and with some call-ups to the big squad.  Especially Helm.

But let’s also face it - the Wing have to replace 60+ goals and about 120 pts right now.  If these guys can be counted on for half of that (30 goals, 60 pts) then the Wings will be right back in the mix of it.  It’s not like this team is going to fall off the map.

Maybe Chicago wins the Division… maybe they don’t.  It’s not unheard of for a team to take a big unexpected jump, and then slide back a bit.  Especially with some suspect goaltending.

But while the Wings are getting fleeced right now, watch for the turn around the following year.  After this season, the contracts for Holmstrom, Maltby, Lidstrom, Lilja, and Lebda will be UFAs, freeing up $12.4 million for the Wings to restructure.  $2-3 million will get eaten up by the cap-drop, and Lidstrom will give the Wings a big home-discount, if he still wants to play (expect 2-year, $5 million contract, $2.5 million cap-hit).

The other 4 guys - Love ya, Respect, Appreciate all you did during the big cup runs. Now don’t let the door hit ya….

Then go test and see if Chicago can keep Toews, Kane, Keith, & Seabrook.  Pronger & Marleau will be UFAs - debatable, I know, but still top players. Niklas Backstrom will be an RFA, etc….

Watch Detroit pick off a few players next year.

Posted by CJBear71 on 07/03/09 at 05:21 PM ET

Watch Detroit pick off a few players next year.

Concur.

Posted by monkey from here to Timbuktu on 07/03/09 at 05:26 PM ET

Also, Chief, if you don’t want “outsiders” to post on this blog

I think he rather enjoys your insight, Hockey-One-Seven.  Or do you say 17?  You know, like the age you’ll be 2 years from now?

Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 07/03/09 at 05:35 PM ET

Sharks believe that Ryan Clowe was not part of the problem.  I don’t have details on the contract yet, but Sportsnet’s tracker show’s he’s resigned in San Jose.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2009/07/03/sharks_clowe/
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/03/09 at 06:03 PM ET

Some coincidence…
I watched a 2009 playoff game last night on NHL.com between the Sharks and Ducks.
Kind of interesting how a playoff game just resembles a regular season game when it is
replayed in the summer   ..  booooor—i—ing….the fact it was a VS telecast may have had something to do with it.  But I did notice that Clowe had an outstanding presence…and wondered if he would stay with the Sharks.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 07/03/09 at 05:39 PM ET

But let’s also face it - the Wing have to replace 60+ goals and about 120 pts right now.  If these guys can be counted on for half of that (30 goals, 60 pts) then the Wings will be right back in the mix of it.  It’s not like this team is going to fall off the map.

We lost Hossa, but we didn’t lose his ice time.  There is a lot of talent that has been waiting for a shot at that TOI, and they will produce.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 07/03/09 at 05:46 PM ET

I only choose to comment here when I see something that is negative against the Pens…..which seems to happen a lot.  Mostly unsolicited too. I think there is a lot of intelligent hockey talk here, so I come here when I visit Kuklas Korner, but I just don’t get it when you all need to obsess about the Pens and go negative if you want it to be YOUR blog about the WIngs….especially if the main subject of the article has nothing to do with the Pens.  Why the Pens hate?  I’m as diehard of a Pens fan as you are of Wings fans…..and probably a hell of a lot older than 75% of you.  Wouldn’t blame you for defending your Wings against abuse, so you shouldn’t blame me for defending my Pens. Can’t we all just get along?

Posted by hockey17 on 07/03/09 at 05:48 PM ET

especially if the main subject of the article has nothing to do with the Pens.  Why the Pens hate?

It actually started when that Gretzky_to_Lemieux guy came in and started ripping the Wings for losing Sammy.

And well, that’s basically opening a can of worms here on A2Y.

Posted by DetCapC19 from Vancouver, BC on 07/03/09 at 05:51 PM ET

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

I hope he goes too.

I for one hope you go.

Jesus Christ, how can anyone complain about what Draper and Maltby are doing?  They’re FOURTH LINE, man.

But yeah, you’re right, playing well defensively and winning faceoffs aren’t important at all.

Posted by Garth on 07/03/09 at 05:52 PM ET

I only choose to comment here when I see something that is negative against the Pens…..which seems to happen a lot.  Mostly unsolicited too. I think there is a lot of intelligent hockey talk here, so I come here when I visit Kuklas Korner, but I just don’t get it when you all need to obsess about the Pens and go negative if you want it to be YOUR blog about the WIngs….especially if the main subject of the article has nothing to do with the Pens.  Why the Pens hate?  I’m as diehard of a Pens fan as you are of Wings fans…..and probably a hell of a lot older than 75% of you.  Wouldn’t blame you for defending your Wings against abuse, so you shouldn’t blame me for defending my Pens. Can’t we all just get along?

Posted by hockey17 on 07/03/09 at 06:48 PM ET

Your virtue is the envy of the Chief’s followers, I assure you.  Now get the hell out of here.  You don’t see me pleading my case on Pen(i)sblog about how good the Wings are.  I think you know first hand how good we are.  So just enjoy Kukla’s Korner without making too big of an ass of yourself.

Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 07/03/09 at 06:00 PM ET

Wings aren’t the only team that can get players to take a hometown discount

Yeah, we know.  I mean, it was pretty sweet for you guys when you managed to keep Scuderi for so much less than the Kings offered him!

Oh…

Oops.  He felt sick to his stomach not playing for Pittsburgh, but but not sick enough to turn down some extra money.  Not sick enough to give the Pens a discount.

Posted by Garth on 07/03/09 at 06:02 PM ET

I wasn’t happy when the salary cap implementation cost Detroit Dandenault - remember the time he played center for a game because there were so many injuries and he mentioned he played center a little in high school?  He’d play in any position if it meant he’d get on the ice, and I was happy that he got picked up by Montreal after Detroit let him go.

There is a difference between taking a discount and playing for comparative peanuts, and that I think it what is going to hurt Chicago in the next season or so.  If the market value for Toews (for example) is around $8 million, playing for $6 million is a substantial discount and might happen; he wouldn’t play for $3 million a year, though.  Even with discounts, they might not be able to fit everyone under the cap just because they have too many good players who come up for raises at the same time.

And could we agree that no one on the internet was named “god of hockey fandom and the determiner of who is a true fan and who isn’t”?  That is the dumbest argument ever, to tell someone that they aren’t a fan just because they aren’t the same kind of fan that you yourself happen to be.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/03/09 at 06:04 PM ET

Sammy is gone So who do you guys bring up to take his place ? 

Ericcson can have his slot on the power play, his roster spot can go to Abdelkader (left wing, right wing, left shot, right shot, whatever.  Adapt and overcome).  That’s my two cents anyhow.

Posted by monkey from here to Timbuktu on 07/03/09 at 06:07 PM ET

Scuderi was drafted by the Pens in 1998 and up to this point has never made a million Dollars he worked his ass off and deserves his pay raise Pens could only offer him 2 mil a yr Kings gave him more I say take it
it is a hell of alot more than the 712,000 he got paid last yr and good luck to him

I think he is worth it

Posted by M71 on 07/03/09 at 06:07 PM ET

his roster spot can go to Abdelkader

that guy is going to be a beast .. glad we hardly play you in the regular season

Posted by M71 on 07/03/09 at 06:12 PM ET

I think he is worth it

Well, yeah…hence the “discount” part of the home town discount.  You play for a team and make less than you’re worth to help them fit you under the cap.  You play there for less because you love it there and want to play there.

Posted by Garth on 07/03/09 at 06:16 PM ET

Considering we just lost two guys to contracts we couldn’t afford to match, I don’t think there’s much room to talk about Scuderi leaving for L.A.  It’s true that the Penguins get guys to sign for less than they’d earn in other cities.  They should be and are proud of that fact, just like Wings fans are proud that we got Zetterberg, Datsyuk, and Franzen to sign for long-term deals worth less than free-market value.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/03/09 at 06:18 PM ET

I have to pep up here and say “shame on you” to those who are discounting Holmstrom, Draper, and even Maltby and Lebda as being off the team next year.

- Holmstrom, the season before last, was part of the highest scoring line in the NHL at the end of the 07-08 season.  He still play the best body-presence in front of the net and can redirect pucks better than anyone in the game.  Sure he’s getting older, but he’ll take a hometown discount to stay, he’s a lifer.

- Draper’s a faceoff monster and a penalty killing machine.  He’s not on the team to score goals, never was.  And he’s a character guy who gives 100% every night; the Wings have a history of keeping character guys around through the end of their careers and Drapes is no exception.

- Lebda is young, works hard, and fills out the bottom of the D roster quite nicely, and is affordable.  Hell, he screws up less than Brad Stuart.

- Maltby could go.  He is getting a little more invisible out there, but he still tries hard, chirps with the best of them, and is a good PK guy.

I hope that Lidstrom does take a discount, but I am not so sure he will—he could easily get top dollar on the free market, and we all know he’ll be staying put.  Next year’s July 1st won’t be so much about the forwards as it will be finding a goalie to replace Osgood (*sigh*) for the long-term.

Posted by Hippy Dave from Portland by way of Detroit on 07/03/09 at 06:51 PM ET

well all I am off the the fireworks display downtown

to the 19 , Chief
Have a Safe and Happy 4th Of July

talk to you all soon

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

I’ll see your Guerin and Adams “hometown discounts” and raise you a Zetterberg and a Franzen.

Damn, you guys are burning the trolls so bad tonight, it’s only a matter of time before the fire marshal steps in!

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste Marie on 07/03/09 at 07:51 PM ET

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.

Cept the Hawks ain’t gonna have all 3 after this year.

Oh, and have fun trying to win another Cup now that the Pens D-core is jumping ship.  Shero doesn’t seem to realize that it wasn’t the Crosby’s (who only had 3 points in the Finals) of the team that won that series, it was the defense, and 2 of your top 4 just left.  Enjoy.

Posted by John W. from a bubble wrap cocoon on 07/03/09 at 08:17 PM ET

Happy trails Sammy. Good for you to find someone who was willing to pay you that kind of money toward the twilight of your career. We need to start a pool for who will be the first canuck to be on the IR for a Sammy errant shot. Hey G to L and hockey 17. Are you related to Mark Sanford? You all are digging yourselves in a deeper hole with every stupid comment you make here. How about this to chew on? It’s amazing how you keep losing UFA’S every year. I just wonder how long Bylesma will last there. Rosby has gone through 3 coaches in 4 years. One good losing streak and he will be the next shoe to fall.

Posted by cigar_nurse from Greenville South Cakalakee on 07/03/09 at 08:17 PM ET

Don’t look now kids, but the Blackhawks may be falling apart already:

SOURCES: NHL AND NHLPA INVESTIGATING BLACKHAWKS OVER OFFERS

I doubt the Hawks will be forced to let all the guys mentioned go to UFA status, but I think this is a good sign that Tallon is not as saavy a GM as he thinks he is.

Posted by thethirdcoast from Rottenchester on 07/03/09 at 08:36 PM ET

I think Holland is overhauling his team.  He needed to gain some cap space and he needed to add new blood.  He is bringing up guys from G.R. who are ready.
I find it unsettling, because this team has been so successful.  But then, it had to be done.
Over the next few years, you will see the retirement of Homer, Maltby, Draper and even Lidstrom.  I do not think Holland has enough talent in G.R. to replace everyone, and he will be looking for free agents. 
I just hope that Kronwall, Filpula, Ericsson and Leino can pick up the slack.
I also think Meech could have a lot of upside if given more ice time.

Posted by w2j2 on 07/03/09 at 09:42 PM ET

Quincey to Avalanche in the LA deal fo Smyth.

If memory serves, this the third Wing-Dive crossover player, with Uwe Krupp and Todd Gill being the others.  Counting intermediate teams, as in Quince’s case, did I miss anyone?

Posted by ThirtyNineDegrees on 07/04/09 at 12:36 AM ET

Don’t look now kids, but the Blackhawks may be falling apart already:

I saw that.  I RTFA’d the earlier report on TSN, and at least then, they were reporting it was a “minor” issue about faxing agents.  MINOR ISSUE?  Wow.  Interesting to see what comes of it, as if their cap situation wasn’t heading toward oblivion anyway.  In related news, I’ve been putting an ear to the ground at some Hawks forums, and even about 70% of them are shuddering at the cap implications for next year.  The remaining optimists are counting on “hometown discounts” for Kane, Toews, and Sharp, with Sharp obviously pulling the shortest straw if it comes to that.

Who said off-season wasn’t fun?

Posted by ThirtyNineDegrees on 07/04/09 at 12:53 AM ET