OT: Red Wings Trade Deadline
Its the second half of the NHL season and the Red Wings have something like $5.9 million in cap space to play with. Babcock has asked for a "heavy forward", but the Wings are adament that they will not use the money just for spendings sake.
With the potential reitrement or free agency departures of Lidstrom, Holmstrom, Bertuzzi, Stuart (has a step daughter attending HS in San Jose), Hudler, and Conklin the Wings may want to wait until the summer to make a big splash.
If its me, I hope they get a gritty power forward with scoring touch and a big and physical defenseman for a Cup run.
1. Tuomo Ruutu
2. Brendan Morrow
3. Bryan Allen
4. Travis Moen
or
5. Evgeni Nabokov to replace Conklin as Howards back up.
*please god not Ales Hemsky!
Who would the Wings part with in a trade? What players do you think are solid pick ups for a cup run and potential long term solution?
Links:
http://www.tsn.ca/tradecentre/feature/?id=56793
http://www.examiner.com/hockey-in-grand-rapids/potential-trade-targets-for-the-red-wings
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:08 PM ^
First Option Jerome Iginla. Would require giving up a NHL player (Hudler or Helm and a top draft pick) but would be more than worth it.
Second Option Bobby Ryan. The Ducks have been terrible this season, and would be more than happy to give up a good amount for a young talent like Ryan.
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:18 PM ^
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:31 PM ^
Calgary has made it pretty clear that they are moving towards a younger faster team (see moving Rene Bourque). Iginla is a $7million cap hit (really hindering Calgary future moves) and is signed through next season. Hudler is on pace for a 60 Point season, better season than Leino or Kopecky who both who scored huge off season deals when they left the wings.
As for Bobby Ryan you are very wrong, the Ducks have said Ryan, Perry, Getzlaf are all options for trades. A team 2nd to last in the entire NHL cannot ask a small fortune when everyone knows they are selling.
Edit: Sorry 3rd to last.
February 2nd, 2012 at 10:11 PM ^
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:32 AM ^
All I know is Hudler was the greatest fantasy sleeper I could have possibly picked up, and I'm so glad I'm a Wings fan and saw his potential. Also he counts as LW/RW which is basically like having a backup QB that can also play WR (on my team anyway). It's propelled me from the basement to 3rd in my league. Cool story bro, but seriously Hudler has been amazing.
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:35 PM ^
Teams that trade top players at the deadline are the ones that are out of the playoff picture and generally want prospects and picks for players to build for the future so they don't suck anymore. Most often the best players to get traded have contracts that expire at the end of the year, so they could go back to the team they were originally on if they wanted to. Essentially, teams that are sellers at the deadline get a ton in return for renting out a player for 2-3 months. In other words, if either of those teams expected Datsyuk, Zetterberg, or Kronwall, they're out of their fucking minds.
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:51 PM ^
February 2nd, 2012 at 10:04 PM ^
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:52 PM ^
If you don't know how to respectfully disagree maybe keep your comments to yourself.
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:55 PM ^
There are atleast 5 debatable points in your rant.
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:09 PM ^
the Tigers trade for Ian Kinsler to take care of our hole at 2nd base. We can give them Inge considering he's not happy MC is moving to 3rd.
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:11 PM ^
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:21 PM ^
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:15 PM ^
There are definitely more teams looking to add than sell this year. Prices should be high, and with an older team, I doubt Holland will be willing to give up the top prospects and picks it will take to make a big move. IMO, they should add some depth players like Moen and Sutton, and make their big moves in the offseason.
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:35 PM ^
I agree with this. I would like to see the Wings shake it up with a couple of depth players for a nice cup run. I would like to see them add a playmaking power forward and a big physical defenseman. They should be able to obtain those players without giving up a lot (i.e. draft picks or current contributors).
If Lidstrom and a couple of those other players I listed retire/leave on free agency then I see the Wings going after Ryan Suter, Shea Weber, and Zach Parise among others because they will have a TON of cap room to fill out the roster with top tier talent.
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:46 PM ^
I would love them to make a big move but with as many questions this offseason as their are its really going to be tough. Bertuzzi has obviously outplayed his $1.925 million contract. He is currently making less than both Cleary and Hudler. Also re-signing Helm (currently earning $900k) will be tough because of what teams will offer him on the open market (see Leino deal).
Anyone heard if Zach Bogosian is available from the Jets? He was rumored in the offseason as a Wing target.
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:08 PM ^
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:15 PM ^
Helm is an RFA so he won't be on the open market. Also, he hasn't developed offensively which will decrease the raise he gets. He'll probably sign for under $2MM which won't stop them from pursuing expensive free agents.
As for Bertuzzi, he's 37 and is playing the way he did when he signed 2 years ago. He probably won't get much of a raise, if at all, or they'll just replace him with a prospect. Either way they'll still have plenty of cap space for Suter and/or Parise.
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:49 PM ^
I love the thought of Shea Weber in a Wings uniform after Lidstrom retires. Parise and Datsyuk would be a killer combination. I don't know anything about Ryan Suter, admitedly. I know he's pretty good though. We'll have the cap space to work with, but Weber came out and say that he wants to stay in Nashville, but he also wants to win. With their recent success, he might be out of the picture unfortunately.
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:06 PM ^
Weber is an RFA which means it would take a trade or a huge contract to get him from Nashville. I would say there's almost no chance the Wings get him this summer, but Suter is a different story. He's a UFA and I think he wants out. IMO, Suter is a better player than Weber. Weber gets all the attention for his booming shot and physical play, but I think Suter is a more solid, mistake-free defender. He's probably as close as you'll get to Lidstrom from the current defensemen in the NHL.
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:12 PM ^
In that case, forget Weber, bring on Suter. I haven't followed the NHL that closely the past few years, but I'm working on getting back into it.
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:20 PM ^
Give me a defenseman, we already have a big forward with a scoring touch who will show up just in time for our playoff run - Franzen.
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:30 PM ^
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:45 PM ^
I completely agree with this. With all of the players we have nearing the end of their careers and Datsyuk and Zetterberg getting older, we need younger talent. I'm aware we have some guys in the farm system who are about ready for NHL duties, but in a few years D and Z are going to be on the downswing. Unless one of the players in the farm system blow up in the next few years, there's almost nobody I can see taking over for either of those guys. I don't have any reason not to trust Holland, but the thought of losing Lidstrom in the near future frightens me.
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:46 PM ^
That 'window' has been closing for like 10 years now...
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:45 PM ^
Dream: Parise.
Reality: Someone whom noone has mentioned. If they get someone, it will be out of left field.
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:51 PM ^
I have heard rumors on Parise as well. I've also heard that Semin and Suter are possibilities also. I think Suter or Weber is almost a must considering we may lose Lidstrom and/or Stuart, this is all wishful thinking though.
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:54 PM ^
Nashville announded today that Ryan Suter is not going to be traded. The only way Wings would be able to get him is during the off season.
February 2nd, 2012 at 10:26 PM ^
Yeah, I figured that they wouldn't trade him, but he has said that he isn't going to be signing with anyone until the offseason it should be interesting to see what happens and I don't know if Nashville is going to be able to afford him and Weber.
February 4th, 2012 at 2:54 PM ^
Wings will try something else
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:32 PM ^
I don't know if you guys will want Parise when you find out how much money he and his agent are planning on asking for when he hits the open market.
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:39 PM ^
Well he's not having the greatest season and I've read some comments from him saying he just wants to win. To me, he comes off as a guy who would take less money to play for a good team. Have you heard any rumored asking prices for him or just speculating?
February 2nd, 2012 at 10:06 PM ^
Yes, 8 million. But in fairness, that was before this season started so perhaps he has had to curb his expectations a bit.
My opinion is that he won't accept any less than 7 million a year for a minimum of 5 seasons. I'm basing this on conversations I had in August with someone who is very close with him while he was in negotiations with Jersey. I have no recent information, unfortunately.
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:47 PM ^
I know how much he is, but he is worth it because you only have to pay him a certain amount for the rest of the year. Unless he is one of those "sign less to win" guys, he's gone after this year anyway.
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:51 PM ^
So you only want him for the rest of this year? And I'm 99% sure he isn't a "sign less to win" kind of guy. I'm not saying he is a bad guy or anything, just that there are very few players who will take less money than they're worth, especially a guy like Parise who is still young. Usually those deals are made when the player is at the end of his prime and doesn't have a ring i.e. Jarome Iginla. Parise has plenty of prime left.
BTW, I know Parise is looking for about 8 million a year. Will he get it? Depends on his performance the rest of the season, but thats what he wants.
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:59 PM ^
I know from reading your memoirs that you are close to the business that is hockey. What would you predict the Wings do in the next 3+ weeks? Does how they fair vs teams like Vancouver (tonight) Flyers (12th) Nashville (17th) and Sharks (19th) affect their thoughts going into the deadline?
February 2nd, 2012 at 10:12 PM ^
The Wings have incredibly even-keeled management, so I highly doubt the results of those games will affect their trade plans unless of course someone gets injured. The Wings generally don't make blockbuster deals so I would be shocked if someone like Parise went there. Any predictions I have would just be guessing, but I think they will bring in at least a forward and a d-man. Next year they will be getting a lot of cap space so that is when I expect them to make a big move. They have all the pieces to make a cup run right now, no need to sacrifice anything long-term.
I know one player they were after last year and they might be after him again this season. I only know this through a personal connection so I'm not going to post his name but he's a young shutdown d-man that I think the Wings can get for cheap and develop into a top 4 guy down the road.
February 3rd, 2012 at 12:06 AM ^
I don't know you, but I follow the Wings closely enough where I can confidently conclude who you are talking about. Can I say it, or is that inappropriate? I do think it is fair to mention he has been mentioned in this thread, and I completely agree that he can and will be a top 4 defensemen down the road.
But regarding your question of just wanting Parise for just the rest of the year: I'd ideally like to sign him for a long term deal. However, I am not sure he is going to be worth what he is going to ask, and I doubt the Wings would disagree. However, if they can get him for the rest of THIS season at a reasonable price personnel-wise, I don't see why not. The money won't be a factor since they only have to pay half of his yearly cap-hit. A change of scenery can do wonders for a young kid like that, and his defensive ability has to be a huge turn-on for the Wings' front office. That is why I believe he wouldbe a great fit.
But knowing the Wings management, if they make a trade it will be for a guy that noone expected, and it will work out perfectly. Best front office in sports, in my opinion.
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:57 PM ^
1. shea weber
2. zach parise
3. ryan getzlaf
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:05 PM ^
A guy who is coming back from a recent injury and is having a down season, but is a tough physical d-man. The wings this past off season showed some interest.
Anyone heard if the Jets would trade him?
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:20 PM ^
I heard that he may have wanted out last summer but they refused to trade him. Now his value is down so I doubt they'd all of the sudden want to trade him.
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:21 PM ^
After watching most of this Boston vs Carolina game tonight I really like Ruutu as a 2nd or 3rd line player with the Wings. He plays physical, has good offensive skill, works hard getting back defensively (two way player) and had a nice goal tonight.
If the Wings can get him for a bargain I'd be pumped. Maybe Mursak and a 2nd round pick? or something of that nature.
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:30 PM ^
I'd love Ruutu. Perfect combination of skill and grit for the playoffs. I'm just afraid that other teams will get desperate and overpay.
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:44 PM ^
I hope they get a gritty power forward with scoring touch and a big and physical defenseman for a Cup run.That's like saying "I hope they get good players, I don't like it when they get bad ones." Is there anyone who'll step up and say "I want to trade for small, soft players who can't score"?
February 2nd, 2012 at 10:09 PM ^
Thanks for taking that completely the wrong way.
#1. Gritty power forward with a scoring touch = Ryan Clowe type player. Yes he is a good player, but he is primarily a physical player that makes it tough on opponents. He can fight if necessary. He will also chip in every so often offensively with a goal or assist. The point is that I'm not looking for a finesse or perimeter player.
#2. Big and physical defenseman = stay at home D that is responsible in his own zone, but also is a physical force on the ice. These players do not typically produce a ton of offensive numbers.
In conclusion, I hope Detroit gets solid role players that play in a physical capacity. Of course I want them to be "good". The point is, Detroit needs an upgrade in grit and toughness and not skill and finesse.
*There are also plenty of smaller and soft players that are good, but thats not the type of players Detroit needs right now (i.e. Ales Hemsky...even though he is 6ft).
February 2nd, 2012 at 10:21 PM ^
February 2nd, 2012 at 10:43 PM ^
OK, but again: those are the kinds of players that everyone wants. "More toughness" is a phrase that's been said by Wings fans about a thousand times a day for the past fifteen years, Cup-winning team or not. The implication usually is that teams can't wait to trade us that kind of guy.
Especially with the defenseman you want. We have Mike Commodore and we hardly use him. Yet when you talk about a "stay at home D that is responsible in his own zone, but also is a physical force on the ice," that's exactly the kind of guy you're presumably referring to. Who should we get instead and why would that person be better than Commodore? Would he be able to take Kindl's minutes?
The Wings have a puck-possession philosophy, and "more toughness" had better fit into it or he'll be a detriment, willingness to fight or not. That's why, every single year despite Wings fans clamoring for "more toughness", Holland hasn't just run out and got it.
February 2nd, 2012 at 11:41 PM ^
The problem with Commodore is that he is not a great skater and doesn't move the puck very well because of it. He is at best at 6th defenseman. I like him in his current role of being a healthy scratch/6th or 7th d-man.
I'm looking for a player on defense that can shut down other teams 2nd line and plays a physical brand of hockey. We need another Brad Stuart type player in a sense.
When I say "toughness" I don't mean fighting. What I mean is someone who will fight if needed to (like Shanahan), but finishes his checks and is generally a prick. The type of guy that you hate to play against, but love having on your team.
February 2nd, 2012 at 11:08 PM ^
The Blackhawks GM back in the day who did things like "Roenick for Zhamnov" and "acquire Alex Karpovtsev" didn't admit it but if you said "soft, preferably cheap players who can't score" you'd have what he seemed to do.
February 2nd, 2012 at 11:03 PM ^
I'd love for Shea Weber to join the Wings but I honestly don't see it happening until Free Agency this July. Nashville's been on a roll and probably want to take a shot at a deep run in the playoffs, they can't do that without Weber. That and I have a "tingling-in-my-leg" feeling that he wants to come to Detroit. ESPECIALLY if Lidstrom retires after this season.
That being said I would mind losing Hudler, Helm, Bertuzzi or maybe possibly even Brad Stuart for a guy like Parise or Bobby Ryan.