Oh, I definitely agree. But still, give him at least a legit chance to succeed and see if he can.
- Sven22

Oh I agree. Love the clearing of the log jam. Would like to see the focus in GR change to development and not winning. Wasn't a fan of Svechnikovs usage last season.

Might as well trade Cholo and get Provorov too
- Feds91Stammer

We are going to win soooo many Norris trophies.

We are going to win soooo many Norris trophies.
- RafiDRW

$50M in cap hits on the D.

We will have all 3 Norris finalists

$50M in cap hits on the D.

We will have all 3 Norris finalists
- Feds91Stammer

We will add Rafalski and Lidstrom as the d coaches to really maximize our wins. We won’t have room in the rafters for the SC banners by 2030.

We will add Rafalski and Lidstrom as the d coaches to really maximize our wins. We won’t have room in the rafters for the SC banners by 2030.
- RafiDRW

$50M in cap hits on the D.

We will have all 3 Norris finalists
- Feds91Stammer

Pretty sure we already field one of the most expensive D groups in the NHL. A couple years ago it was most expensive. Might have dropped a notch or two

Pretty sure we already field one of the most expensive D groups in the NHL. A couple years ago it was most expensive. Might have dropped a notch or two
- datswho

Oh I know. I'm just glad I can have a positive outlook here again.

Good moves from KH.

I was moderately surprised (in a good way!) at the buyout for XO rather than simply burying him in the minors. It actually makes a lot of sense. Saves money IRL and against the cap (albeit over 2 years instead of one), but more importantly it clears a roster spot wherever he would have ended up (Detroit or GR).

Presumably they attempted to trade him and couldn't find any takers; it's possible they might have had more luck on that front if they waited until camp, but probably safer/smarter to use the buyout window instead while it's open. The chance at a 7th rounder (or even a waiver claim) later isn't worth the risk of possibly (probably) getting stuck with him for another full year.

Russo I think still has an outside shot to play a couple of years as a bottom pair NHL defender (or at the very least, he can be a good anchor vet for somebody's AHL team), but again, players like that are not exactly rare or hard to acquire and the Wings need to make space in GR for players who have more upside.

Barring additional moves the Griffins still have Lashoff and McIlrath as placeholder vets, plus they'll get one or two of Hronek / Hicketts / Sulak depending on who doesn't make the Wings out of camp, plus they need to be able to get meaningful ice time to Cholowski and Saarijarvi. Plus it looks like they might still re-sign Renouf, who did get a qualifying offer.

So yeah, clearing out some borderline NHL/AHL D-men is definitely a good move for the health of the system.
- Sven22

Wouldn't the Wings just be able to send him to Toledo instead of GR? Pretty sure they could and that would mean he wouldn't be taking anyone's spot in GR so it would make no sense to take a 2 year cap hit for almost no reason. Heck if Ouellet was ok with it, they could probably work out some arrangement with an Euro team for him to go play there too.

Just hope the story i read isn't true with this being part of the reason why they might be buying him out instead of putting him in the minors. If that story is true that would also mean Zetterberg can be a major wiener for no reason.

Wouldn't the Wings just be able to send him to Toledo instead of GR? Pretty sure they could and that would mean he wouldn't be taking anyone's spot in GR so it would make no sense to take a 2 year cap hit for almost no reason. Heck if Ouellet was ok with it, they could probably work out some arrangement with an Euro team for him to go play there too.

Just hope the story i read isn't true with this being part of the reason why they might be buying him out instead of putting him in the minors. If that story is true that would also mean Zetterberg can be a major wiener for no reason.
- dcz28

Players can only be assigned to the ECHL if they are on their entry-level deal, unless the player gives his consent. XO would have no reason to accept such an assignment and would (and should) refuse if asked.

EDIT/ADDITION:

I'm a little less clear on what the rules are for loaning players to other leagues, like Europe. I think the Wings technically could, but why would they? They'd likely be on the hook for his entire $1.3 million remaining salary.

By buying him out they save themselves almost $900k in actual expenses and the cap hit charge is a pittance ($167k this year, and $216k next). And XO is free with the ability to sign with any team that'll have him -- NHL, AHL, Europe, whatever.

Way better for the player, overall better for the team when you consider actual cost savings vs cap charges.

Players can only be assigned to the ECHL if they are on their entry-level deal, unless the player gives his consent. XO would have no reason to accept such an assignment and would (and should) refuse if asked.
- Sven22

Signed Bertuzzi and surprisingly Frk.

Signed Bertuzzi and surprisingly Frk.


- Feds91Stammer

Interesting that Frk ends up signing for well above what the qualifying offer would have been, despite the fact that he was not qualified.

Hard to know for sure what the thought process was there, but if I had to guess I'd say the course changed when Zadina fell into their laps. Before the plan might have been to let Frk walk and sign Vanek (ugh), but now maybe the plan is give Zadina a chance to make the lineup and have Frk as the backup plan. (Of course, both could wind up making the team anyway.)

Just some baseless speculation for your Monday afternoon. Either way Frk's cap hit is small enough to fully bury (EDIT - all but $25k) if he's waived and sent down, and he's still an RFA at the end of the year.

Interesting that Frk ends up signing for well above what the qualifying offer would have been, despite the fact that he was not qualified.

Hard to know for sure what the thought process was there, but if I had to guess I'd say the course changed when Zadina fell into their laps. Before the plan might have been to let Frk walk and sign Vanek (ugh), but now maybe the plan is give Zadina a chance to make the lineup and have Frk as the backup plan. (Of course, both could wind up making the team anyway.)

Just some baseless speculation for your Monday afternoon. Either way Frk's cap hit is small enough to fully bury if he's waived and sent down, and he's still an RFA at the end of the year.
- Sven22

Up to 8 Fs under contract with Larkin, Mantha, and AA to sign.

Leaves 2 or 3 spots up to grab between Svechnikov, Rasmussen, Veleno, and Zadina as it stands now.

Up to 8 Fs under contract with Larkin, Mantha, and AA to sign.

Leaves 2 or 3 spots up to grab between Svechnikov, Rasmussen, Veleno, and Zadina as it stands now.
- Feds91Stammer

Ras and Z please.

Ras and Z please.
- RafiDRW

Just hope whoever it is, we get an exciting team to watch this season.

Just hope whoever it is, we get an exciting team to watch this season.
- Feds91Stammer

I’ll be ok with 7-6 games.

Ek is suggesting Nyquist might be in play after how things shook out in the draft. What kind of trade value do you think he has & what Dman would you try to target?

Ek is suggesting Nyquist might be in play after how things shook out in the draft. What kind of trade value do you think he has & what Dman would you try to target?
- wingfanto

1st rounder and b prospect. Wouldn’t target any dman with his level of value.

1st rounder and b prospect. Wouldn’t target any dman with his level of value.
- RafiDRW

Package him with AA for Faulk imo

Package him with AA for Faulk imo
- Feds91Stammer

As soon as I hear the Zadina pick I thought this. Carolina is looking for any kind of solid deal. I actually think we could maybe get a pick back?

I just don’t think AA is going to be much. Non-existent in a base offense., only has breakaways

Package him with AA for Faulk imo
- Feds91Stammer

I would do this. Flip Jensen for a fourth rounder or some shot and keeps the pipes clear.

As soon as I hear the Zadina pick I thought this. Carolina is looking for any kind of solid deal. I actually think we could maybe get a pick back?

I just don’t think AA is going to be much. Non-existent in a base offense., only has breakaways
- datswho

Would have preferred Hanifin and was against Faulk initially. After the CGY trade and getting Zadina and Veleno things changed for me.

CAR needs scoring and Nyquist can fill Skinners spot when hes gone and AA gives them a much need dynamic component.

For me AA does not use his teammates well enough to be a top producer. Electrifying player whos perceived value exceeds his on ice value.

And as Rafi said move Jensen for a pick or waive him. Whatevs. Gimme the youth and excitement. LFG!!!

Would have preferred Hanifin and was against Faulk initially. After the CGY trade and getting Zadina and Veleno things changed for me.

CAR needs scoring and Nyquist can fill Skinners spot when hes gone and AA gives them a much need dynamic component.

For me AA does not use his teammates well enough to be a top producer. Electrifying player whos perceived value exceeds his on ice value.

And as Rafi said move Jensen for a pick or waive him. Whatevs. Gimme the youth and excitement. LFG!!!
- Feds91Stammer

I bet our svechnikov could be worth a bit to Carolina?

I’d ratgee keep Jensen over most of our guys but I realize he’s the only one that is movable