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Well Lookee Here…Stuart Signs For Four With Wings
by IwoCPO on 07/01/08 at 12:03 PM ET
Comments (188)
AlanaH breaks it at the Empire Home Page, with some help from TSN.
All Wing signings and commentary will begin and end with this post. It’s a UFA live blog is what it is.
Updated 1545: Wings sign a backup. Riveting commentary below.
Updated 1613: Well bitches. Tucker’s a Dive. I’ve always hated that bastard.
Updated 1800: With Devo’s signing (just made it up. Figure it out. Read below) for 750 and Ozzie making 1.4 next year? The Wings are committed to just over two million for a pair of goalies who could arguably be referred to as top ten in the league last season. Chicago? Just under 12 million for Huet and Khabibulin. Forget comparing the two sets of tenders. Dale Tallon or Ken Holland? No choice, eh?
Stuart: likes the team. Likes, yes, likes the town. Likes the stability. Likes cracking skulls with his new pal Nik. Unexpected happiness brought to you by Tick Tock Kenny Holland.
Conklin: Holy jumpin’ what a steal. Conklin for 750? Are you frigging kidding me? One thing’s for sure. Jimmy’s a Griff for at least one more year. Something a little more subtle: he may never see any consistent time in Detroit. Ever.
Ok. Look. I’m not into the juvenile creations of genitalic references to our new backup goalie.
But I will say this. Chris Osgood’s only starting four against Columbus this year.
Because we all know what’s expected when the BJs come to town. That’s right bitches. Time to whip the Conk out.
What? Me? Sorry. Jeez.
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Comments
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Possible there was no offer for Kolzig because A. He wasn’t interested in a purely backup position, and Mike Smith (possibly not his real name) isn’t proven yet, while Osgood is, or B. He wasn’t interested in a move out of the Eastern conference, especially at his advanced age the travel would likely be more wearing. A quick conversation with the agent could have confirmed either and rendered any offer pointless.
My nomination for oddest move so far:
Jeff Finger for $14 million.
All the wheeling and dealing can be exciting to watch, but too many changes and I wouldn’t be sure what the team would look like anymore. I like the stability of knowing that most of the guys on the team next year I will be able to recognize.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/02/08 at 06:18 AM ET
Seriously though, I’m still surprised by the signing. He signed around 11:30-- thirty minutes before he would have become a UFA. WHAT is that about? If he’d decided to stay, I would have thought he’d have signed earlier, if he’d decided to go (which I thought he had), he would have waited another half-hour. Very strange, to ignore the contract then sign at the dead-last minute.
From what I gather, Kenny was adamant about letting Stuart go at noon deadline if they couldn’t come to an agreement. I’m sure Stuart’s agent was strategically holding out on contract details.
In the end Stuart was very happy to stay. Letting anyone know that, sure wouldn’t have helped his agent’s contract negotiations. Whatever they were waiting for, Stuart was going to sign before noon no matter what. Question is, did Kenny know this or did he come back with a stronger final offer? Again it was a bit higher than anyone could have expected given Kronwall’s contract. In my opinion this was solely a win on Stuart’s part. This is not the way things work in Detroit lately.
Look at Lidstrom, he went in without an agent for his last negotiations and was happy to take a pretty mediocre raise for the good of the team. I realize he is in a very different position, but still. Lidstrom would probably have gotten whatever he asked for if he pushed as hard as Stuart’s camp.
In any case, I’m glad to see Stuart back.
Posted by lilja4ever on 07/02/08 at 06:36 AM ET
I don’t think it was solely a win for Stuart.
The Kings’ Lombardi said specifically that they didn’t have a problem with either the salary or the term, but he just wanted to stay with Detroit more than return to Los Angeles. On the open market he probably could have gotten at least $4 million, possibly $4.5 million, maybe even more - so it sounds like Holland and Stuart basically split the difference. Seems fair to me.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/02/08 at 07:15 AM ET
Kenny was adamant about letting Stuart go at noon deadline if they couldn’t come to an agreement.
Then I’d like to play poker with Stuart and his agent. If they genuinely thought the offer was off the table at noon and completely withdrawn, no possibility of return, then Kenny’s bluff worked well. If he’d tested the free-agent waters and decided he didn’t like any of the offers out there, and came back to the Wings to see if they’d take him back for the previous offer...they would’ve.
This is not the way things work in Detroit lately.
Given the free-agent market yesterday, I’d chalk this one up as a 50-50 split-- a win for the Wings and a win for Stuart. It’s based on Kronwall’s contract with a 750K bonus reflecting the current market. And Nick isn’t in the same ocean, let alone the same boat-- he actually negotiated his own contract and came back with a pay CUT. But we’re talking about Nicklas Erik Lidstrom, a name that will go down in history, indisputably the best defenseman in the world over the last decade. He knew he was getting paid, no matter what, and that it wouldn’t be less than many millions a year. The fact that he took less than he could have is testament to his character, but after this long together, Lidstrom and the Wings are on the same page-- this is an aberration in today’s market. It may be more common in this club, but it’s still an aberration, and we can’t expect every player to do what Nick does when it comes to getting paid. We’re spoiled already with Nick doing it, Kronner, Cleary, Osgood, Holmstrom, and quite possibly Hank. Not every player is going to take a hometown discount, so Stuart came at a fair price, not an outright robbery of the team.
If you want any further proof, take Baroque’s example of Jeff Finger. He was one of the players I was going to list with Redden, Campbell, and Rozsival, but then realized that he’s making less per year than Stuart, so not really applicable. He’s still MASSIVELY overpriced for what he is, but hell, he signed that contract with the Leafs-- I’m not at all surprised that they paid only 250K less for a player that’s worse both offensively and defensively than Stuart. In any case, this insanity has skewed the market, so I’ll take Stuart at that price.
And with that, the roster should be pretty much unchanged from the 2008 Stanley Cup Champions. Recognizable faces and no confusion for us bears of very little brain.
Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from behind a whole mess of cards...Blackjack! on 07/02/08 at 07:54 AM ET
I think what really sold Stu on Detroit is the No Trade Clause he got with his contract, similar to that given to Cleary a few months prior. We heard going in that his constant bouncing around was a source of concern for him and his family.
The guy bounce around so much over the past few seasons, now he’s got stability.
Posted by Nate A from Dark side of the moon on 07/02/08 at 08:38 AM ET
Has anyone said BABCONK yet?
Posted by monkey from Waiting for the lambs to stop screaming on 07/02/08 at 09:25 AM ET
I don’t think this name has been tossed out here yet, but what about Michael Peca? Made about 1.5 last year, will probably come cheaper. I feel like he’s never played on a quality with the exception of the one year that the sabres went to the finals.
He brings a little bit of a blue collar work ethic with the ability to score.
Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 07/02/08 at 09:32 AM ET
oh and lets not forget, two time selke winner
Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 07/02/08 at 09:35 AM ET
Random and completely unfounded prediction: Sergei’s back in a Winged Wheel by the end of the day.
Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 07/02/08 at 10:52 AM ET
Raycroft and Tucker to the Av’s.
Both overpaid.Not sure I follow you, Gramps.
There is a glut of competent ‘tenders out there.
Kolzig 1.5
Conklin .875
Joseph .800
How can you not say they overpaid for Raycroft.
Tucker misses a lot of games in the Mash unit, a 6 Mil buyout from the leafs would indicate to me ‘damaged goods’. If he only makes it to 42 games this year I would say vastly overpaid.
------------------------
Captain America: “Chelios will have the Cup on July 4th in Los Angeles.”
Is anyone else thinking the reason Cheli is hanging on is for one more shot at Olympic gold?
Posted by HockeyTownTodd from upset when blogs dont live up to my expectations on 07/02/08 at 10:55 AM ET
“Is anyone else thinking the reason Cheli is hanging on is for one more shot at Olympic gold?”
Exactly!! It’s not everyday you get an opportunity to trash a Beijing hotel room. 
Posted by dougie on 07/02/08 at 11:09 AM ET
HOSSA?????????
HOSSA!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by A II R from Rome, ITA on 07/02/08 at 11:38 AM ET
I haven’t seen it anywhere except hockeybuzz...can it be true???????
Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 07/02/08 at 11:40 AM ET
Holy freakin Hossa.
Never saw that one coming.
Kenny = Genius. 1 year contract? Hossa wants a Cup.
Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 07/02/08 at 11:43 AM ET
TSN says it!
ONE YEAR for 7.4 m
Ken Holland...how the *#$%@& did you get Hossa to sign a one-year deal?
Best. GM. Ever.
Posted by A II R from Rome, ITA on 07/02/08 at 11:44 AM ET
1 year 7.4 mil according to tsn…
Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 07/02/08 at 11:44 AM ET
Oh my…
The wailing and gnashing of teeth in Penguinland is palpable.
Heh.
Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 07/02/08 at 11:46 AM ET
K, I’m stunned. But in a good way. Its gonna take a few days to pick my jaw up off the floor.
Posted by Nate A from Dark side of the moon on 07/02/08 at 11:49 AM ET
Ok, I’m going down to the Dept. Of Motor Vehicles this afternoon, and replace my “11 Cups” vanity plate with “12 Cups”. Maybe that could be considered bad mojo, but it’s hard not to be a bit arrogant right now.
Posted by dougie on 07/02/08 at 11:50 AM ET
wow…
I guess this means we’re done in the FA market, eh?
I feel the Wings are violation anti-trust laws here. Lets think about this. Minus Dom, the entire same team is going to back. And the one big addition is the only guy that competed against them in the finals. Game. Over.
Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 07/02/08 at 11:52 AM ET
I am shocked as well. I clicked on Kukla’s and this is the top thing on the list? I read the headline about three times before I realized what it said. Then when I see on TSN that it is a one year deal, I just start to laugh and imagine other GMs stabbing their Ken Holland voodoo doll.
Posted by A II R from Rome, ITA on 07/02/08 at 11:53 AM ET
Get off the schinde Chief! We need drunken cheese commentary!
Posted by Osrt on 07/02/08 at 11:54 AM ET
Dub(!), I just poked my head in at Pensblog to see the comments...a truly enjoyable read.
They’re understandably mortified. I’m as happy as the next Wings fan, but talk about a slap in Pittsburgh’s face.
(Hossa)
Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 07/02/08 at 11:54 AM ET
Holy Freaking Hossa!!
How do you improve your chances to repeat? You take the guy who was the scariest threat against you in the Finals last year and put him on your team this year, that’s how!
Posted by cephalopod from Chicago, on the poop deck, not over it yet on 07/02/08 at 11:57 AM ET
Get off the schinde Chief! We need drunken cheese commentary!
If you hear on the news about a destroyer doing donuts in the North Atlantic, you think that might be him? 
Just holy freaking wow.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/02/08 at 11:59 AM ET
Wowza
I would play him on the top line with Z and Dats or the second line with Fil and franzen. Homer is the third line grinder they were looking to sign.
think of the powerplay options!
I love it!!!!
Posted by hankyspanky40 from Michigan on 07/02/08 at 12:00 PM ET
Gabe(!), I was just over there too… priceless.
I’m still a bit shocked by this, some scary, scary lines are being formed in my head.
(HO$$A!)
Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 07/02/08 at 12:00 PM ET
Has anyone said BABCONK yet?
Shouldn’t that be BABLIN or CONKCOCK????
P.S. Does anyone know the general vicinity of Capt. America’s compound? I may just be beachcombing on the fourth and it would be too cool to get a pic with Capt. America and the Cup.
Posted by Captain Dennis Polonich from Sunny SoCal on 07/02/08 at 12:01 PM ET
I want to scream it from the top of a mountain but i don’t have a mountain i have a blog comment section!!!!
Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 07/02/08 at 12:02 PM ET
Hmm, what # will he wear?
Will Maltby (I can’t believe he’s still on the team) give up 18?
Maybe 81?
HOSSA!
Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 07/02/08 at 12:05 PM ET
Can someone smarter than me please tell me what this does to the Wings cap this year? I had thought 7.5 was too much this year…
Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 07/02/08 at 12:06 PM ET
I want to scream it from the top of a mountain but i don’t have a mountain i have a blog comment section!!!!
ROTFL!
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/02/08 at 12:11 PM ET
insanity dallas gave avery 4 years 16 mil
Posted by hankyspanky40 from Michigan on 07/02/08 at 12:39 PM ET
Hanky, I think thats actually not a bad move by Dallas. They probably overpaid a little (3.5 a year sounds more like what he was worth) but Avery will provide them with a good change of pace from all their finesse guys.
Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 07/02/08 at 01:19 PM ET
How do you improve your chances to repeat? You take the guy who was the scariest threat against you in the Finals last year and put him on your team this year, that’s how!
that’s what my dad said when I called to tell him the big news. I told him the Wings signed Hossa and he said “Hossa? that’s...hmmmm...isn’t he...” yeah, I said - the only one to do squat against the Wings in the Finals.
Hossa is Russian, right? well that screams to me to play him with Datsyuk, with Zetterberg and Franzen together. any discussion of which line is the first and which is the second is ridiculous at this point, IMO. they’re BOTH first lines.
I’m still a bit shocked by this, some scary, scary lines are being formed in my head.
those scary, scary lines are also being formed in the heads of a lot of other teams around the league.
my question is this: what cap room is left for the Wings now, assuming they sign Filpulla? is there enough for them to land another big unexpected player. with how overloaded they are with players, Kenny could still make another big splash and we’ll be thinking 2001/02 all over again.
imagine if Drake decided to stay for cheap, or Nolan actually did find his way here. can you say unbeatable?
Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 07/02/08 at 01:21 PM ET
Oh. My. High. Holy. Freaking. Mother. Of. God.
Posted by monkey from Waiting for the lambs to stop screaming on 07/02/08 at 04:55 PM ET
Hossa gets #39, right?
Posted by monkey from Waiting for the lambs to stop screaming on 07/02/08 at 05:00 PM ET
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That’s pretty damned funny B!
Ruutu knows how to battle in the corners and picks his moments for throwing it down. A bit of a downside would be seeing Downey go, since he’d find it hard breaking the lineup.
I liked Ruutu a lot in the playoffs for the Pens. He was looking really good against the Wings too, with their first two lines completely shut down for the first couple of games. That was until he decided to approach Kronner on the way to the bench with some well chosen words, I assume. Not that Kronwall ever needed adding fuel to the fire.
After the hit Ruutu never really looked the same.
They have history too, with both Kronwall and Ruutu playing in the 2006 Olympic finals against each other. Ruutu was trying to run Forsberg and Kronwall was trying to police him.
Imagine first day of camp if Ruutu actually makes it over. Ruutu is a tough mofo but I’m guessing he’d have to withstand a fair share of “initiation”.
Posted by lilja4ever on 07/02/08 at 06:10 AM ET