MichiganStudent

June 30th, 2013 at 12:16 PM ^

Not bad. Miller is a decent 4th liner with good penalty killing skills. Kindl still has a ton of potential. Good resigning.

That being said, Detroit needs to make some moves this offseason. Either with trades or free agency. I'd love to see them get Lecavieler for a value and Letang they can break the bank on. Hell if they could somehow get into the too 10 of this years draft through trades I'd deal Filpulla and Quincey for a too flight forward (not sure how realistic that is with Fil being a free agent)

FreeKarl

June 30th, 2013 at 12:43 PM ^

Completely unrealistic. You can't deal a free agent, I don't Quincy is really a hot commidity on the trade market, and not many teams would part with a top forward or top 10 pick for Fil and Quincy even if we could trade them both. I wouldn't say Kindl really has all that much potential IMO. He's already 26 years old. I think he will be a solid 3rd pairing Dman and maybe move to a second pairing guy but I don't see him becoming more than a pretty average defenseman. 

The Wings have a solid young core. I'd rather see them sign a quality player(Clarkston/Horton) that doesn't completely break the bank than go for an all-star like Lecavalier.

Randy Marsh

June 30th, 2013 at 12:50 PM ^

Not saying they will, but they could trade Filppula. He's not a free agent until July 5th, and if the wings have no hope in signing him, they can trade his negotiating rights to someone who is actually willing to offer him what he wants. That is, if there's a team willing to take that risk.

Stike A Pose

June 30th, 2013 at 1:00 PM ^

Yep, I was just going to say this.  They can trade his rights to another team, however that usually results in nothing more than a late round pick.  Definitely not a top 10 pick even with Quincey because if he's dealt to a team, there's no guarantee he'll sign with that team.

Rumors are the Wings are talking about trading for Bobby Ryan.  I'd love to see that more than Vinny.  They need a winger much more than they need a center.  If they still want a center, they should go after Weiss.

dlcase1708

June 30th, 2013 at 12:58 PM ^

Anyone in the NHL would LOVE to have Lecavelier, he would be a perfect signing for the Wings. Also, Horton will get a lot of money this offseason. He's a big body that can score quite a bit. Hell, I'd love for the Wings to get both those guys, but I think Lecavelier is more realistic.

93Grad

June 30th, 2013 at 12:44 PM ^

They need to keep adding in new blood. They have prospects ready to move up and dome decent FA options so I will really disappointed if they resign Cleary or give Filpula a big contract. I'd also like to see them cut or trade Sammy and Tootoo and Bert probably needs to retire. I doubt all of those happen but we have a surplus of old forwards and some of them need to make way so we can continue to rebuild.

Stike A Pose

June 30th, 2013 at 1:07 PM ^

The UFA's this year are horrible.  Lecavalier, Horton, and Bickell are about the only ones I'd want the Wings to go after.  CBS has Filppula as the #4 overall UFA.  4th overall?!  Yeah, that's bad.  Brunner is 11.  Soon to be 36 year old Iginla is #2.  Sorry, but this free agent pool is horrible.

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

June 30th, 2013 at 12:32 PM ^

I'm not sold on Miller; he's decent on the PK but isn't as good a 5-on-5 defensive forward as you'd want out of your back line players.  I think the Wings could do better on the open market for the price.

BOX House

June 30th, 2013 at 12:54 PM ^

Tampa Bay, by buying out Vinny Lecavalier's contract, have provided the Red Wings with an opportunity most didn't think would be around this summer. Lacavalier has expressed interest in signing with the Wings, as he grew up rooting for the Wings. I would love to see us make an effort at signing him, as he is a proven goal-scorer that the Wings desperately need. It's no Zach Parise from last summer, but it might be a better fit when all is said and done.

 

MichiganStudent

June 30th, 2013 at 1:15 PM ^

Here is what I'd like to see happen on the current roster:

  • If Detroit can resign Filpulla for $4m per year then I'd do it, otherwise I'd cut our losses and trade his rights if possible.
  • I'd cut the ties with Cleary because he is aging and I think Detroit can use their younger guys in similar roles
  • Resign Brunner. He's a good player that I think will only get better in the coming years and as his comfort level increases in the NHL.
  • Cut ties with Ian White. The young defenseman can take his role over.

 

Free agents I'd love to see Detroit go after:

Centers:

  • Vinny Lecavalier. He's slowing down, but he would be a solid 2nd liner that still has world class skill. Big body player that could be very useful on the PP. If Detroit could sign him for $4 or $5 million per year I'd take a chance on him.
  • David Steckel. Big body at 6 ft 6 in. Great centerman that is awesome on faceoffs. Could probably get him for $2m per year.
  • Stephen Weiss. Has had some very good offensive years in Florida. Was hurt for the majority of this past year, but years previous he averaged around 50 points per year. He's also only 30 years old.

Wingers:

  • Viktor Stalberg, relatively young and fast left winger. He doesn't use his size like he should, but I think he'd fit well on Detroit and all of the Swedes on the roster.
  • Bryan Bickell. Big body and his stock really rose during this years Stanley Cup playoffs. He's only making around $600k this year, but I think Detroit would need to offer around $2 million. He'd be a great 3rd/4th liner that would give Detroit some more grit and toughness in the trenches.
  • Nathan Horton. Had some injury issues this playoffs, but he is a good power forward that can really put the puck in the back of the net. He'd actually be on the top of my list if I was Ken Holland.
  • Ryan Jones. You might remember him from those really good Miami teams. I've always liked his size and skill and think he would be a good fit for Detroits 3rd line. He needs a change of scenary and Detroit could be that place where he really puts it all together.

Defenseman:

  • Chris Summers. Just, because, ya know. I think it would be cool if he came back home.
  • Douglas Murray. Big body Swede. Could fit well in Detroit with the roster make up, but I think Detroit wants to let their young D play...as they should. My biggest issue with Murray is he's on the slow side and he doesn't bring much, if any, offense.

**I think Detroit should keep their Defense status quo unless they can make a trade or get someone for value.

MichiganStudent

June 30th, 2013 at 3:04 PM ^

Agreed. That money is for players who are perennial 50+ point scorers. He's had one good year as a Red Wing in 11-12. He had a terrible season this year and just has not lived up to his potential.

Do you think there is a team willing to pay him $5.5 mill per year in the open market? I just don't see it happening. Hell, cut ties with him and pay Lecavalier the $5.5 million a year for 2-3 years.

WMUgoblue

June 30th, 2013 at 1:30 PM ^

You could probably turn this into a draft thread as well if you wanted OP, considering we're only a little over an hour away from the start.

DISCUSS Man

June 30th, 2013 at 2:40 PM ^

Michigan's loaded recruiting class will have players drafted today, no doubt. Michael Downing could go as high as the 2nd round I'm hearing. 

MichiganStudent

June 30th, 2013 at 3:06 PM ^

I really think this 1st pick in the draft will be huge. If Colorado selects a centerman like MacKinnon then that opens up trade opportunities with Detroit. They will be loaded at center and will be looking to get rid of someone like Stastny. Detroit could potentially trade a young defenseman for one of their centers.

gwkrlghl

June 30th, 2013 at 6:33 PM ^

Compher was the 3rd college commit taken behind

  • Mike McCarron. Committed to Western(!). #25 overall to Montreal
  • Ian McCoshen. Committed to BC. #31 overall Florida.

Clearly if JT's name was "McCompher" he would've done better in this draft