Keep your grubby mitts off Wally!

Posted by w2j2 on 07/04/08 at 01:41 PM ET

Vancouver? haha.  Flip is smarter than that.

Posted by bab311 from Detroit on 07/04/08 at 01:44 PM ET

Sounds like a good plan.  Making desperation moves and over-paying players sure worked for all those other teams, didn’t it?  Especially young ones with less than a good full season under their belts, when they’ll be going from a low-pressure environment to being counted on as a genuine scorer.

Posted by Ryan from Toronto on 07/04/08 at 01:45 PM ET

Yeah.  Back off, Shamu!

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/04/08 at 01:50 PM ET

Aww, come on guys! Don’t make us unleash our wildly unpopular and amazingly unstable GM on you

Posted by Mike from NYC on 07/04/08 at 01:59 PM ET

If its true he is being blackballed by other GM’s, he may as well do what it takes to make his team better.

Posted by PuckHound61 from Speckville USA on 07/04/08 at 02:05 PM ET

I dunno, bab311.  Wally probably won’t be swayed by the money, but you have to wonder if he’s interested in taking on more responsibility and playing top line minutes.  He’s the only one on that team I can see wanting to eventually step out of Dats’ and Z’s shadows.

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 07/04/08 at 02:10 PM ET

All I have to say is

as a canuck fan i’m so jealous of detroit, where all 6th round draft choices become allstars and big time free agents just jump onto holland’s lap like bunnies at a playboy party.

meanwhile gillis drives around the block trying to lure kids into his cargo van with candy and xboxes.

Posted by monkey from Gary's World, setting fire to McCrimmon on 07/04/08 at 02:19 PM ET

Back off, Shamu!

LOL.

I’ll kill that whole pitiful team (Sorry A) and put them out of their freaking misery if they dare think about putting anything in front of him other than a congratulations on the Cup and good luck with your Long Red Wing Career custom hallmark card and candy filled stuffed Orca which explode and shower him with a pleasant chocolate mist.

MOT#$%# F@#$$@#

Posted by Osrt on 07/04/08 at 02:27 PM ET

If its true he is being blackballed by other GM’s, he may as well do what it takes to make his team better.

If he’s being blackballed by other GMs, that is quite unprofessional on their part - and maybe a little childish.

I don’t begrudge him his attempts - I just (irrationally) want him to target someone else.

If he does get Wally, I’ll wish the kid all the luck in the world - and a hat-trick of own goals in each game against Detroit. 

Although I do think it would be better, if he can manage it, to get a little bit more experience players for the team that are maybe less likely to be possible busts.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/04/08 at 02:45 PM ET

CKNW is reporting the Canucks have put forward an offer sheet to Filppula

Posted by PuckHound61 from Speckville USA on 07/04/08 at 02:55 PM ET

Have at it, Gillis. You take Fil and we get your 1st, 2nd & 3rd picks next spring plus it virtually guarantees Kenny will have the money to sign Marian long-term. It also provides an opportunity for Ville Leino to step in if he’s capable. If he isn’t, Clearly simply moves up a line and Helm or Abadabadoo makes the team instead of playing in GR.

Honest to God, I think Kenny has managed his assets so well in the past two years that there isn’t anything other teams can do to harm the Wings long-term success.

And just imagine what the Braintrust could do with two picks in each of the first two rounds next spring. Drool!

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 07/04/08 at 02:58 PM ET

CKNW is reporting the Canucks have put forward an offer sheet to Filppula

You actually heard this?  Or you’re just starting nasty rumours?

Posted by monkey from Gary's World, setting fire to McCrimmon on 07/04/08 at 03:03 PM ET

...and cue Osrt’s rampage.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/04/08 at 03:04 PM ET

You actually heard this?  Or you’re just starting nasty rumours?

Its been reported at CDC and HF boards.

It was likely too happen.

Posted by PuckHound61 from Speckville USA on 07/04/08 at 03:11 PM ET

You take Fil and we get your 1st, 2nd & 3rd picks next spring

Depends on what Gillis offers him.

Posted by PuckHound61 from Speckville USA on 07/04/08 at 03:12 PM ET

Its been reported at CDC and HF boards.

The Centers for Disease Control are reporting this?  My God, that is bad.

Posted by monkey from Gary's World, setting fire to McCrimmon on 07/04/08 at 03:14 PM ET

Canucks news conference at 2:30 PST

Posted by PuckHound61 from Speckville USA on 07/04/08 at 03:16 PM ET

Put forward doesn’t equal Signed.

By the power of Gray Skull, don’t you dare sign that damn sheet Fil.

Posted by Osrt on 07/04/08 at 03:16 PM ET

Puckhound: the “source” you’re quoting at CDC is simply a link to this very post on KK. 

It’s a rumor and nothing more at the moment.

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 07/04/08 at 03:18 PM ET

Canucks news conference at 2:30 PST

You will all die a slow painful death.

Posted by Osrt on 07/04/08 at 03:18 PM ET

Thanks Alanah.

Shame on you puckhound for toying with my innocent emotions.

Posted by Osrt on 07/04/08 at 03:19 PM ET

As far as what Detroit would get if they were to lose Wally in such horrific fashion, check here.

Posted by monkey from Gary's World, setting fire to McCrimmon on 07/04/08 at 03:21 PM ET

The Centers for Disease Control are reporting this?  My God, that is bad.

LOL

Even if he does sign, Holland has seven days to decide whether or not to match.  A lot can happen in a week.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/04/08 at 03:21 PM ET

Depends on what Gillis offers him.

The only way the Wings let him go is for an offer over $3.9M which kicks in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round pick compensation. The Canucks might get away with something like $3.5M because the Wings are so close to the cap limit, but even then the they give up a 1st and 3rd round pick.

Besides, as I said before, losing Fil’s salary simply gives the Wings a great chance at signing Hossa to a long-term deal next spring and opens the door for other players who are ready right now to step in.

But I tend to agree with others that Fil just might turn down anything short of a monster offer. It is, after all, the Red Wings way.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 07/04/08 at 03:21 PM ET

Canucks news conference at 2:30 PST

To report that an as yet unidentified individual, reportedly wearing a tattered Red Wings jersey and muttering something about chocolate and Hallmark cards under his breath, has killed nearly every member of the Canucks organization and put them out of their freakin’ misery.

Posted by monkey from Gary's World, setting fire to McCrimmon on 07/04/08 at 03:24 PM ET

Vancouver just traded a couple draft picks to Buffalo for Steve Bernier.

That could be the press conference. It seems silly to have one to mention that you have extended an offer sheet to a RFA if he hasn’t signed it and the other team hasn’t declined to match yet.  It would be like having a press conference to announce that a team made a contract offer to a player who hasn’t accepted it and signed yet.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/04/08 at 03:24 PM ET

To report that an as yet unidentified individual, reportedly wearing a tattered Red Wings jersey and muttering something about chocolate and Hallmark cards under his breath, has killed nearly every member of the Canucks organization and put them out of their freakin’ misery.

Wow, Osrt - You move fast! 

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/04/08 at 03:26 PM ET

It was reported on CKNW.
I highly doubt CKNW would report this if it werent true.

They said “Gillis has tendered an offer sheet to Filppula"… that comes from a buddy in POCO who was listening at the time.... so consider it a done deal, unless of course you consider CKNW not a source.

Posted by PuckHound61 from Speckville USA on 07/04/08 at 03:31 PM ET

If he’s being blackballed by other GMs, that is quite unprofessional on their part - and maybe a little childish.

I dunno about that, Baroque. Hockey’s all about living up to certain codes of conduct...even unwritten ones. I don’t really expect more from GMs than I do players…

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 07/04/08 at 03:34 PM ET

It was reported on CKNW.
I highly doubt CKNW would report this if it werent true.

They said “Gillis has tendered an offer sheet to Filppula"… that comes from a buddy in POCO who was listening at the time.... so consider it a done deal, unless of course you consider CKNW not a source.

Yes, they’re a source.  My apologies, but your buddy in POCO isn’t.

Posted by monkey from Gary's World, setting fire to McCrimmon on 07/04/08 at 03:36 PM ET

I love it that Gillis has Detroit fans in a tiffy.

Something about that puts a smile on my face… maybe Holland will know better next time to lock up his RFA’s.

You lose Filppula then you will know who to blame.

Posted by PuckHound61 from Speckville USA on 07/04/08 at 03:38 PM ET

I wasn’t saying that we know if there’s an offer sheet out there or not, Puckhound.  Only that we’ve not heard the report on CKNW ourselves, thus it resides as “rumor”. TEAM 1040 in Vancouver has been talking hockey for an hour that I’ve been listening and hasn’t given it any credibility at all.

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 07/04/08 at 03:39 PM ET

Call CKNW or keep listening.... I would imagine it will be brought up shortly.

Posted by PuckHound61 from Speckville USA on 07/04/08 at 03:50 PM ET

You lose Filppula then you will know who to blame.

If there is an offer the only way the Wings won’t match it is if it’s extreme.

Prior to the Miracle of Hossa, Kenny stated he would match any offer made for Wally.

Also, on the subject of Wally, here is a great article on him (the English is marvelous).

Posted by monkey from Gary's World, setting fire to McCrimmon on 07/04/08 at 03:54 PM ET

According to CKNW 980 in Vancouver, the Canucks are preparing an offer sheet for Valtteri Filppula. They would have to offer at least $4 million to get Detroit worried.

From Dobber Hockeys main page

Posted by PuckHound61 from Speckville USA on 07/04/08 at 04:09 PM ET

According to CKNW 980 in Vancouver, the Canucks are preparing an offer sheet for Valtteri Filppula. They would have to offer at least $4 million to get Detroit worried.

Where’s the source?  For all we know he got that info from reading this conversation!

Posted by monkey from Gary's World, setting fire to McCrimmon on 07/04/08 at 04:13 PM ET

Where’s the source?  For all we know he got that info from reading this conversation!

Last I checked Dobber was one of the more credible sites .....  you getting a little nervous there buddy, you sure sound like you are.

Posted by PuckHound61 from Speckville USA on 07/04/08 at 04:18 PM ET

There is a difference between a tizzy and homicidal rage.  I think some people *cough*Osrt*cough* are tending a bit toward the latter.

If he’s being blackballed by other GMs, that is quite unprofessional on their part - and maybe a little childish.

I dunno about that, Baroque. Hockey’s all about living up to certain codes of conduct...even unwritten ones. I don’t really expect more from GMs than I do players…

If he’s being blackballed because he was perceived as dealing in bad faith or otherwise being dishonest, then he deserves whatever he gets - but if he is being blackballed because of the equivalent of “he was mean to me once, and I don’t want to deal with him!  “ then that’s just petulant to ignore an opportunity to make a trade that improves your team.  It’s a silly attitude in junior high, and it’s a silly attitude for grown men.

I’ve had coworkers that were such annoying people that I fantasized about feeding them into a woodchipper, but as long as they did their job and did it competently I got along with them okay.  Just because you need to work with idiots doesn’t mean you need to socialize with them.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/04/08 at 04:21 PM ET

Wow.  I really like Filppula.  I think he’s got a lot of potential, and he played well in the playoffs and for a 10 game stretch in the regular season, but those are the only times he played well all year, basically.  He probably not the next Teemu Selanne, and even if he turns out that way, he still has at least 2-3 years of development to go.

He’s not worth anything near $4m, and if he gets an offer like that from Vancouver or anywhere else, he should take it and Kenny should leave it.

Posted by Ryan from Toronto on 07/04/08 at 04:22 PM ET

There are three key steps before I become homicidal.

1) Sheet has to be in excess of $4 mil.
2) Fil actually has to *sign* the sheet; that is not a guarantee given his new linemate.
3) Holland has to decline to match.

I’ll wait.

Posted by Osrt on 07/04/08 at 04:24 PM ET

From my past discussions on the status of RFAs, Wally does NOT have to sign the offer sheet tendered to him if he does not want to leave Detroit.

Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 07/04/08 at 04:27 PM ET

$4 million a year?  Wow, that’s Jeff Finger money.

Does Vancouver even have enough of their own draft picks for an offer sheet?  I know a team has to have their own picks and not ones they traded for from another team, and draft picks get traded frequently a couple years in advance.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/04/08 at 04:27 PM ET

If he’s being blackballed because he was perceived as dealing in bad faith or otherwise being dishonest, then he deserves whatever he gets

If that was the case, then Gillis needs to do whatever it takes to make the team better, even if he is then perceived as the next Kevin Lowe.

Kinda hard for him to work in that type of atmospehere.

Posted by PuckHound61 from Speckville USA on 07/04/08 at 04:28 PM ET

Last I checked Dobber was one of the more credible sites .....  you getting a little nervous there buddy, you sure sound like you are.

Sound?  Now you can hear me?  What’s next, you’re going to claim you’re hiding in my ventilation ducts?  First the Centers for Disease Control, and now this.  Oh, yeah, by the way, Dobber heard it from his buddy in KOKO.

Posted by monkey from Gary's World, setting fire to McCrimmon on 07/04/08 at 04:32 PM ET

See, that’t why I wonder if the other GMs aren’t just being petty.  Why would any team choose a known skeezbag as a GM?  A tough bargainer, a hard negotiator, a non-warm-and-fuzzy guy, sure - but would any team choose someone who because of his own actions, rather than those of others, would not be able to perform his job?

I don’t get why any owner would do that.  That goes way beyond stupid to flat-out brain-dead clueless.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/04/08 at 04:37 PM ET

So here is thing.

Career wise, Fil leaving would be a mistake IMO. He has a chance to develop into a more complete player here without too much pressure. The big paydays will come Fil.

Posted by Osrt on 07/04/08 at 04:37 PM ET

Sound?  Now you can hear me?  What’s next, you’re going to claim you’re hiding in my ventilation ducts?  First the Centers for Disease Control, and now this.  Oh, yeah, by the way, Dobber heard it from his buddy in KOKO

Dont quit your day job anytime soon, moron.

Posted by PuckHound61 from Speckville USA on 07/04/08 at 04:44 PM ET

Let’s keep the integrity here folks.

We are all fans of the game and the players, so our comments should be about that.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 07/04/08 at 04:47 PM ET

Personal attacks!  This will not stand!  This agression will not stand, man!

Posted by monkey from Gary's World, setting fire to McCrimmon on 07/04/08 at 04:48 PM ET

Relax, this is insane.

1. I believe that Filppula is marrying a girl from the area.
2. He has to actually want to play for the Canucks (or whatever team gives him an offer).
3. Please Vancouver, I dare you to offer $4+ million for him. Hakan Andersson will find three Filppulas with the first, second, and third round pick you have to give us. Heck, even the first and third for a $2.6+ contract wouldn’t be half bad.
4. Filppula was important in getting Ville Leino in the organization.
5. Hmm… play on the Canucks second line with bums, or play with Franzen and Hossa? Or even Cleary? Or even (gasp) Samuelsson? Easy decision there.

Lots of things have to align for Filppula to take an offer sheet with the Canucks, or any team, for that matter. At this point, I wouldn’t count on many of them aligning, let alone all of them.

Posted by Nathan on 07/04/08 at 04:48 PM ET

FIGHT!

Posted by Osrt on 07/04/08 at 04:50 PM ET

Regarding the Filppula rumors -

The report on CKNW can be heard on this page by going to the audio from 12pm (Pacific Time) today, and fast-forwarding to about 12:20 into the recording. The report is that CKNW’s sources tell them that an offer will be made, but Filppula’s agent denies they’ve signed one.  But he did say he talked to the Canucks about a different client of his, not Filppula.

He also states that Holland has told him the Wings will match any offer on Filppula.

Perhaps that update clears some things up for the moment.

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 07/04/08 at 04:55 PM ET

So here is thing.

Calm down, Osrt -

So far the only speculation is the possibility that maybe the Canucks are in the process of preparing for the possibility of extending an offer sheet to Wally.

First, they have to actually write up the dang thing, and then everyone will know if it is for Dustin Penner money or Thomas Vanek money or whatever.

Second, Wally has to decide to sign the dang thing and accept the offer.

Third, Holland will have seven days to decide whether or not to match the contract offer, and either keep Wally or get a clutch of draft picks.

Until it is known for sure that this offer sheet actually exists, it’s too early to go on a rampage.

Deep breaths, babe.  Deep breaths. 

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/04/08 at 04:56 PM ET

Oh, I’m CALM, I’m FREAKING CALM.

Posted by Osrt on 07/04/08 at 05:08 PM ET

If I were Detroit, I would welcome a $4 million offer. With the team the Canucks have, it would mean they would have a pretty decent shot at getting Tavares or one of the phenom Swedes with our 1st rounder.

Posted by Glenn Rogers from Vancouver on 07/04/08 at 05:16 PM ET

WTF?  AM590 Tor going to talk about basketball.

Must NOT be too much Wally talk going on.

I’d like to keep Wally, but go ahead and give the Wings drafting machine another 1,2,3 round pick.

Posted by RWBill from jabbing a six inch sewing needle into my eye. on 07/04/08 at 05:24 PM ET

For 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round picks, I would say, let them have Filppula.  That will allow us to sign Hossa without a problem, and we will have potentially an early first round pick, given that Vancouver finished 10th to last this past season and just lost their top forward.

If someone had told you that we had done a trade where we received Marian Hossa *and* 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round picks, and only had to give up Filppula, would you take that deal?  Obviously!

Posted by Larry Aurie #6 from New York, NY on 07/04/08 at 05:33 PM ET

Per Alanah, it’s at the 22:20 mark.

Posted by George James Malik from South Lyon, MI on 07/04/08 at 05:33 PM ET

To paraphrase:

Jim Mullen claims that Bill Zito says that it’s not Filppula who he was discussing with Canucks GM Mike Gillis on Thursday, though it wouldn’t surprise him if the Canucks would consider drafting an offer sheet to his client, who is the perfect fit for a Canuck team looking for an emerging center ice man, but he’s been assured by Ken Holland that the Wings would match any offer sheet from any team.  CKNW’s Mullen also claims that the Wings only have $2.7 million in salary cap space left.

Posted by George James Malik from South Lyon, MI on 07/04/08 at 05:38 PM ET

The Canucks DID sign a player who was Red Wings property on Friday, but it was farmhand Mark Cullen, not Filppula.

Posted by George James Malik from South Lyon, MI on 07/04/08 at 05:45 PM ET

Bill Zito says that it’s not Filppula who he was discussing with Canucks GM Mike Gillis on Thursday, though it wouldn’t surprise him if the Canucks would consider drafting an offer sheet to his client, who is the perfect fit for a Canuck team looking for an emerging center ice man, but he’s been assured by Ken Holland that the Wings would match any offer sheet from any team.

Wow. That sounds an awful lot like an agent trying to create an offer opportunity...one that he thinks Kenny will match. Maybe it’s Fil’s agent who’s actually driving this whole thing. The only question would be is it with or without Fil’s knowledge.

CKNW’s Mullen also claims that the Wings only have $2.7 million in salary cap space left.

Wrong. The Wings have just a shade under $4 million in cap space with Fil, Cheli, Quincy and D-Mac to sign. It’s tight but not impossible.

And the Wings can go 10% over the cap until the opening day of the regular season. (Or is it the beginning of training camp?) That’s plenty of time to make a trade to free up more room if it’s absolutely needed.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 07/04/08 at 05:53 PM ET

but he’s been assured by Ken Holland that the Wings would match any offer sheet from any team.

I know that was the case B4 The Signing, but as Larry said,

If someone had told you that we had done a trade where we received Marian Hossa *and* 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round picks, and only had to give up Filppula, would you take that deal?  Obviously!

The Wings simply cannot match “any” offer anymore, but can probably match $2 M.  I think the amount they were considering for Val before was only $1.5 for this season and that was B4 The Signing.

Posted by RWBill from jabbing a six inch sewing needle into my eye. on 07/04/08 at 05:55 PM ET

I believe that cap compliance kicks in on the last day of training camp.  That’s when your Averaged Club Salary must be below the cap, or you simply can’t play.

KH suggested that Andreas Lilja was an “insurance policy” in case Meech, Quincey, or Ericsson weren’t ready to play on Wednesday, so he’s probably going to make a trade before the season begins.

Posted by George James Malik from South Lyon, MI on 07/04/08 at 06:04 PM ET

I listened to this CKNW broadcast.  It is total rumor-mongering.  The reporter says that Filppula’s agent talked to Gillis about preparing an offer sheet for another player, not for Filppula.  The agent then goes to say that he wouldn’t be surprised if such an offer for Filppula were to come about.  The agent wants to generate an offer so that he can represent his client well.

Posted by Larry Aurie #6 from New York, NY on 07/04/08 at 06:14 PM ET

KH suggested that Andreas Lilja was an “insurance policy” in case Meech, Quincey, or Ericsson weren’t ready to play on Wednesday, so he’s probably going to make a trade before the season begins.

I agree completely. In fact, he doesn’t have a choice (unless he simply wants to let Meech or Quincy walk away for nothing).

If they do what Kenny has said and sign Cheli and D-Mac, they’re one over the 23-man limit with both Meech and Quincy. I’d love to see them trade Lilja and Quincy as a set for some high picks or an emerging prospect and then let the #5 and #6 defenseman positions rotate between Lebda, Cheli and Meech. Ericsson could be the first call-up.

Odds are, though, that the Wings will simply trade Meech or Quincy for a pick.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 07/04/08 at 06:18 PM ET

If Flip leaves, I will sorely miss his eyebrows and skunk hair.

He deserves better than dying a slow death playing for Vancouver.  I cannot blame him for getting his payday if the teams come a-calling, but just don’t go to Vancouver.  You will die there.  Slowly.  Like I said.

Posted by Huss from Sarasota, FL on 07/04/08 at 06:36 PM ET

Well this has been fun people but I’m going to go on with my Summer of Stanley.

BTW, if Fil came to Vancouver he would take over Steve Bernier’s position as person females most wanted to be rescued and subtly violated by. I think Fox 2’s Katrina Hancock had a crush on him.

Posted by Osrt on 07/04/08 at 08:03 PM ET

Given that Filppula was instrumental in getting Leino to sign with Detroit and has settled in the area, it’s pretty clear that he wants to stay here. My guess is that Holland offers him a 1yr $800K deal with a mutual option to kick in for 3 yrs at whatever million. Holland will not let Lilja go, because as clumsy as he is sometimes, his shot-blocking on the 5-on-3 PK is tough to replace right now. I see them sending Maltby to Minnesota, where he’ll retire as their captain, and sending Hudler to Toronto for a couple draft picks.

Posted by Joseph from Canton, MI on 07/04/08 at 08:09 PM ET

For 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round picks, I would say, let them have Filppula.  That will allow us to sign Hossa without a problem, and we will have potentially an early first round pick, given that Vancouver finished 10th to last this past season and just lost their top forward.

Not sure where you are getting these picks from, that would only happen if it ezceeded a certain amount, which it might or might not… either way, Gillis would be letting other GM’s know he will do what it takes to secure the players that could move this team forward.

As for the CKNW, weave it any way you want, Filppula is a target of Gillis now, and I expect this offer sheet to happen within 24 hrs.

If Flip leaves, I will sorely miss his eyebrows and skunk hair.
He deserves better than dying a slow death playing for Vancouver.  I cannot blame him for getting his payday if the teams come a-calling, but just don’t go to Vancouver.  You will die there.  Slowly.  Like I said

Good prediction… it will be fun watching the Bolts get their ass kicked this season with pathetic defense and no goaltending, and the Panthers suck as usual, with just a bad, bad team that needs to be relocated, most likely to Canada, perhaps Hamilton. 

Posted by PuckHound61 from Speckville USA on 07/04/08 at 08:58 PM ET

You’re probably right—the offer sheet would likely come in under $3.9MM so as to only require a first- and third-rounder.  I would still take it.

Posted by Larry Aurie #6 from New York, NY on 07/04/08 at 09:06 PM ET

Holland’s got until Sunday to decide whether he’ll take Filppula to arbitration, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he uses that option.

Posted by George James Malik from South Lyon, MI on 07/04/08 at 10:25 PM ET

Not sure where you are getting these picks from, that would only happen if it ezceeded a certain amount, which it might or might not…

It was explained to you the first time you asked, PuckHound, but try to follow along and maybe you’ll get it this time.

In all likelihood, the Wings won’t let Fil go for less than the $3,923,434 it takes to reach the 1st, 2nd & 3rd round pick plateau. Anything less than that, and the Wings can fit it under the cap by trading both Quincy and Lilja. And they have until the beginning of the regular season to do so. Until that point, they can exceed the cap by up to 10%.

So Gillis is going to have to overpay for Fil to “steal” him away. If he’s willing to do that, then the Wings will take those three picks and have a field day at the draft next spring.

The reason they can let Fil go (or trade Quincy & Lilja) without hurting their chances this season is because there are guys waiting to step up and take the place of whoever ends up going. Ken and Company have seen to that.

As for the CKNW, weave it any way you want, Filppula is a target of Gillis now, and I expect this offer sheet to happen within 24 hrs.

Great, have at it. Either the Wings will end up with Fil (if he decides to stay for the money Kenny offers) or they’ll get the Canucks top three picks plus the Cap room needed to make Hossa a reasonable long-term offer next spring.

Gillis is way over his head trying to play this kind of game with the Wings.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 07/04/08 at 10:48 PM ET

Khan went to the source himself:

A Vancouver radio station is reporting that the Canucks are preparing to make an offer sheet to Wings forward Valtteri Filppula. The first thing to keep in mind is that, even if this is true, it doesn’t mean Filppula will sign the offer sheet.

I spoke to Filppula’s agent, Bill Zito, Friday afternoon, and he said he hadn’t received any offer sheet or spoken to any other team about Filppula.

Filppula is a restricted free agent. If he signs an offer sheet with another team, the Wings have seven days to match or receive compensation in the form of draft picks, depending on the value of the contract.

Posted by George James Malik from South Lyon, MI on 07/04/08 at 11:37 PM ET

So Gillis is going to have to overpay for Fil to “steal” him away. If he’s willing to do that, then the Wings will take those three picks and have a field day at the draft next spring.

How do you figure that?
If they have a decent season, then the pick isnt so good… last time I checked, not every single Wings draft pick has laced it up for the Wings organzitaion, so before you go patting your GM and your Euro scouts on the back for a pick that has not been made and/or might be some kid who cracks the lineup not until 2015, what you get in return could be a bum for all you know.

A Vancouver radio station is reporting that the Canucks are preparing to make an offer sheet to Wings forward Valtteri Filppula

Wow, I think I brought this up earlier today.

Posted by PuckHound61 from Speckville USA on 07/05/08 at 01:03 AM ET

Now we know that the free agent frenzy is officially winding into strange territory, when Al Muir of all people could elicit a plug from an agent provoked, and seventy-plus comments here and I’m sure more on HF…

Summer’s here, folks.  It makes me want to ask if, “Summer existed in its praises.”

PuckHound61, Red Wings fan arrogance aside, I’m not about to make any sweeping proclamations about what will or will not happen--including admitting that it’s both possible that the Wings would walk away from a very modest offer and suggesting that the Wings try to go 2-for-7 in terms of getting an NHL player in each draft, and about 1-for-14 or so (i.e. every other draft) in trying to turn picks into productive players who become significant contributors, so there are never, ever guarantees with draft picks…

I can tell you that I’m pretty confident that Holland would match an offer under $3.5 million. 

I can also tell you that there are a few players who are still on the UFA market who would come a little more cheaply in some cases, and would be far better fits for a team that, in my opinion, has an up-and-coming roster that needs a few veteran point producers up front.  I get the whole deliciously vicious irony part of the Canucks putting up an offer sheet for Filppula, and I dread these planted rumours because they tend to be split between “seriously likely to happen” and “total BS” on a very even, 50-50 basis, but I just don’t see the fit.  There are thirteen forwards and seven defencemen on the roster, but after the Sedins, no one on that roster broke the 40-point barrier, and that’s a problem.  Guys like Sundin, Demitra, Recchi, Shanahan, maybe Williams, guys who are good for 50-70 points a season, those players would make more sense right now, but even if the Canucks weren’t to sign anybody, I’m gonna have to actually agree with Gillis right now:

On the free-agency hysteria:

“Why panic? We’ve become a grittier team and tougher team. We added young player who scored 16 goals in limited ice time in top our top six, who is a big body player who can play. Kyle Wellwood? I got a call from John Ferguson Jr. who said he [Wellwood- is a point-a-game player in the NHL, in his opinion. And that’s a piece that we’ve added for depth. We’ve got group of players now who are physically prepared to meet the challenges out there and we’ve kept all our defence and Roberto, so I don’t see any reason to panic.”

Posted by George James Malik from South Lyon, MI on 07/05/08 at 04:24 AM ET

If they have a decent season…

Well, see, that statement right there shows you’re living in fantasy land.

As for Ken & Company turning your first three picks into something of value, there are more ways to use picks than simply to choose a player at the draft. They showed that last February when they got Stuart for the bargain price of a 2nd and a 3rd.

But even if they only use then to select prospects, I like their track record...a lot! And, in case you missed it the first two times it was pointed out to you, the Wings are in no particular hurry to move prospects into the lineup. They have a nice little pipeline of them moving through the system now. In fact, their biggest problem at this point is finding roster spots for all of them (i.e., Helm, Ericsson, Quincy, etc.).

So I guess we’ll all see in about 12 hours whether you’re right or wrong…

Filppula is a target of Gillis now, and I expect this offer sheet to happen within 24 hrs.
Posted by PuckHound61 on 07/04 at 09:58 PM

And George…

Red Wings fan arrogance aside…

...who could you possibly be referring to?

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 07/05/08 at 09:34 AM ET

All of us, because people tend to assume that what Wings fans say is at least partially motivated by arrogance.

It’s kind of hard to explain to somebody how you can expect your team to contend for a Stanley Cup each and every season by winning 45-plus regular-season games and not be arrogant.  We’ve got some pretty healthily high expectations here,and people seem to think that’s entitlement...I don’t.  I don’t think that my team’s entitled to anything, but I still expect them to be an elite team because I want to see them do well.  I don’t understand why a fan wouldn’t want their team to try to contend for the Cup each year, and I think that we’re lucky in Detroit that we can realistically expect that. 

I don’t like the “spoiled” argument.  I’m just enjoying the ride...and sometimes that putting qualifiers on your relative confidence that something will or won’t happen so that people don’t think that you’re completely full of hot air. 

Just mostly hot air, thank you very much!

Posted by George James Malik from South Lyon, MI on 07/05/08 at 09:45 AM ET

See, this is how rumours get started.

Posted by monkey from Gary's World, setting fire to McCrimmon on 07/05/08 at 07:23 PM ET