Big Rig tops RWC Rankings
Red Wings Central has updated their prospect rankings now that the season is over and Jonathan Ericsson moved to the head of the class. Here is what they had to say about the mammoth 6′5″ defenseman:
1. Jonathan Ericsson (+1) — Mike Babcock loves him and with good reason. The mobile 6-foot-5, 218-pound blueliner boasts a 100-mile-per-hour bomb and should be logging top-four minutes in Detroit in a couple of seasons.
The quote from Mike Babcock during the playoffs was that he couldn’t believe the team wasn’t dressing Ericsson. If Mike Babcock is in your corner you’ve got a great shot at making the move up to the big club. That was the case with Valtteri Filppula when all reports suggested he’d be sent down to Grand Rapids for the 2006-07 season because he didn’t have to clear waivers. When Greg Johnson was forced to retire due to a heart ailment Filppula was brought back to Detroit and locked down a scoring line spot in less than one season.
Pete over at Yzerman is God is pimping Ericsson for the #4 slot. I think there’s a chance Ericsson makes the club but I suspect he’s plan c. Here is how I think the process plays itself out.
1. Can the Wings get Brad Stuart to re-up? Dude put up 7 points in the playoffs and was +15. Did he have his moments when he got a little outside of his role on the team? No doubt. But with more time in the lineup and playing alongside Niklas Kronwall would likely result in Stuart having his best professional season and the Red Wings defense being quite possibly the best the team has iced during their resurgence that began in the early 90s. That would be kind of nice.
if not then
2. Can the Wings sign a proven #4 via the free agent market? Ken Holland has said again and again that the window for his team to win a championship is open. So long as that’s the case he is going to do everything he can to provide the team with the best opportunity to make the most of that chance. He’s not going to be reckless, which was proven when he walked away from contract negotiations with Danny Markov last summer. But if there’s a legit chance to sign a true, proven #4 for a salary that fits Ken Holland will go that route.
if not then
3. Jonathan Ericsson will be given the opportunity to claim that #4 spot in training camp. He’ll likely have at least one free agent - much like Brent Sopel last training camp - to compete with for that spot. What the team will likely say in this scenario is “Ericsson has got to win that #4 spot. If he doesn’t it doesn’t make any sense to keep him in Detroit so he can play 10 minutes a night; it would make more sense to play him 25+ minutes a night in Grand Rapids in all situations.”
So the only way he makes the team is if he wins that #4 spot outright. Detroit isn’t going to give it to him, just like it looks like they aren’t just going to give Jimmy Howard that #2 goaltender spot. With the ability to continue to be a legit Stanley Cup contender, the Wings are going to try and create as much competition as possible for their young prospects and then if Ericsson rises up and claims that #4 spot it’s his for the foreseeable future.
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Thanks for the plug! I do like Stuart and I think we would be better with him next year than a green Ericsson. But the money’s gonna be a problem, I think.
[…] I definitely wanted to see the Wings sign Stuart; here is what I said when considering the possibility of him remaining with the team next season: Brad Stuart…put up 7 points in the playoffs and was +15. Did he have his moments when he got a little outside of his role on the team? No doubt. But with more time in the lineup and playing alongside Niklas Kronwall would likely result in Stuart having his best professional season and the Red Wings defense being quite possibly the best the team has iced during their resurgence that began in the early 90s. That would be kind of nice. […]