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NOTE: Catch me on Sirius/XM Radio this afternoon at 1:05pm (Eastern Time) when I speak with Jim "Boomer" Gordon to discuss the plans of the Detroit Red Wings heading into the draft, trade market and free agency.
It appears highly likely according to Detroit Free Press Red Wing beat writer Helene St. James that the club will soon announce the signing of goaltender Jonas Gustavsson to return as Jimmy Howard's back-up in Detroit.
The sticking point appears to be term as Gustavsson is hoping for another two-year contract from the club, whereas the Red Wings feel a one-year deal would fit their needs given the fact 22 year-old Petr Mrazek is waiting in the wings in Grand Rapids with the Griffins.
Although I know several Red Wing fans have expressed their displeasure if Gustavsson were to return, I believe bringing him back for one more season is a solid move for the Red Wings. It could be argued that Gustavsson's play last season, in particular during the opening half of the campaign when Jimmy Howard struggled and dealt with some injuries, is what kept Detroit afloat and able to claim a playoff spot for the 23rd consecutive season. In the end, Gustavsson's numbers (16-5-4, .907 save percentage, 2.63 GAA) and play was solid enough to convince management he is the best option available (in-house or on the open market) to serve as Howard's back-up. Realistically, as long as he avoids his notorious groin pulls, Red Wing fans will likely be pleased with his performance.
Yet many Wing fans feel the time is now to bring Mrazek up from Grand Rapids after two strong seasons as the go-to-guy for the Griffins in goal. Still only 22 years of age, the question is whether he is better served playing 50 games as the Grand Rapids #1 for one more season or if his transition to the NHL playing 20-25 games and sitting quite a bit.
Ultimately, as we saw this past spring with the Montreal Canadiens, it's not inconceivable that if an injury or poor play resulted in Howard not playing for the Red Wings, that Mrazek see extended time as the guy for Detroit instead of Gustavsson. As a result, having that extra depth for one more season is a good problem to have in my opinion while Jake Paterson (3rd round, 2012) begins his professional career within the Red Wing system.
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Also of note yesterday was the fact the NHL compliance buyout period began (until June 30th). It's expected at some point during the two-week time frame that Jordin Tootoo will get bought out by the Red Wings with one-year remaining on his three-year deal signed in July 2012 paying him $1.9 million per season. Although GM Ken Holland suggests he is looking to see if a trade partner can be found, the likely scenario for interested teams is to let Detroit buy Tootoo out and then negotiate a more friendly cap hit to attain his services.
Lastly, St. James also mentions the surprising notion of the Red Wings possibly re-signing Daniel Cleary. Before Red Wing fans go ballistic, it's not as bad as you might think.
Apparently, there was a verbal agreement between the Wings would take care of Cleary past 2013-14, given the fact he passed up a three-year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers in order to stay in Detroit (which was his preference). Nevertheless, it appears that if Cleary is brought back, it would be on a two-way contract, enabling the Wings to send him to Grand Rapids if he doesn't win a job in training camp.
This sounds very similar to the situation four years ago when Kirk Maltby signed a two-year deal in the summer in the hopes of making the squad out of training camp. He played well during the pre-season, but not well enough to earn a spot amongst a deep forward group in Detroit and decided not to join Grand Rapids, moving into the pro scouting department.
As it currently stands, Cleary would be battling 15 other forwards currently (16 if Daniel Alfredsson decides to return) for a roster spot.
Henrik Zetterberg Pavel Datsyuk Johan Franzen Stephen Weiss Tomas Tatar Tomas Jurco Riley Sheahan Gustav Nyquist Joakim Andersson Justin Abdelkader Drew Miller Darren Helm Luke Glendening Mitchell Callahan (not waiver exempt) Landon Ferraro (not waiver exempt)
I haven't even mentioned Teemu Pulkkinen or Anthony Mantha.
Unless there are some trades that take place over the next 2+ months or some injuries that strike during training camp/pre-season, it will be extremely difficult to envision Cleary cracking the roster based on his subpar play last year. That being said, he appears to be optimistic that the strength in his leg/knee which hampered him during the second half of the season is healed to the point he wants to give it one more shot before calling it a career.
Based on the level of commitment and effort he has provided the Red Wings over nine NHL seasons, it reflects the classy mentality of the Detroit management group to stay good to their word and provide Cleary with that opportunity.
mark.spizzirri@hockeybuzz.com
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