Free Agent Forwards
MLIVE reporter Ansar Khan tells us what Red Wings general manager Ken Holland is thinking when it comes to acquiring forwards via free agency.
They will seek a top-six forward in free agency, but likely for only a short term (one or two years) and for between $4 million and $5 million a season. They have plenty of salary cap space next season, but much of it will be exhausted in 2009-10, when they plan to re-sign Henrik Zetterberg, Johan Franzen and Jiri Hudler.
Khan mentions a couple players who could be targets come July 1. The first player mentioned is Mats Sundin and I think he makes the most amount of sense. There were suggestions he might choose to retire, but with reports that Montreal, the Blueshirts and the Panthers are all interested in signing the center indicate he’d have no problem finding a new hockey club in the NHL.
Sundin on a 1-year deal would be a perfect fit
The biggest issue here is money, as other teams could almost assuredly offer more than Detroit would and could also offer longer term. But given the fact Sundin will turn 38 next season I’m not sure many teams would offer him more than a 1 or 2-year deal. In Detroit he’d see his ice time reduced which could be a welcome development for the aging Swede. My guess is if he came to Detroit he’d play on the second line alongside Valtteri Filppula and Johan Franzen. That would be an excellent second line. My guess is he’s split time between the first and the second power play unit were he to come to Detroit.
Khan also mentions Brian Rolston as a potential target and he’d be a really interesting addition if he decides to play for his home state like Brian Rafalski did this past summer. Rolston would be a good fit as far as allowing Valtteri Filppula to continue to develop as a playmaking center on the second line. If Sundin were to come to Detroit that would likely bump Filppula to a slot on the wing.
Could the flavor saver be headed to the D?
Rolston would have greater utility in Detroit as he’d be able to play the point on the second power play unit and make good use of his cannon of a shot, something that was expected from Mikael Samuelsson but hasn’t materialized other then when he broke Dan Cleary’s face. Rolston is also a great PK’er so he could eat up some of Dallas Drake’s minutes if Drake retires as is expected. While Sundin would be a brilliant addition I think Rolston would be a more likely acquisition.
The only way this dude is getting into
a Red Wings uni is via Photoshop
Finally Ansar suggests that Marian Hossa could be a target for Detroit. I’d love to hear how this conversation goes. In particular I’d like to know how shortly after the Red Wings mention the dollar amount and the term the converstation comes to an abrupt end. So I guess Khan is just throwing out names at this point. Hossa will get a Daniel Briere like contract. Add in the fact Hossa actually has more than a rudimentary grasp of defensive skills like backchecking and he’s obviously worth more than Briere.
Obligatory Avs beatdown footage
Another nugget worth pointing out is that Khan indicates that Ken Holland will carry an enforcer on the roster. That is a good sign that Aaron Downey could be on the team next season. He’s a good fit as far as being able to do his job but also not being so attractive that he wouldn’t be able to clear waivers. If the Wings were to hypothetically go after someone like Georges Laraque and needed to put him on waivers to bring up replacements there’s a good shot he’d be claimed. That’s probably not the case with Downey. Aaron Downey brian rolston Marian Hossa Mats Sundin Red Wings
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Rolston would be a good pick-up, but would he go for a one-year deal?
Oh, hey, how about Gary Roberts? …nah.
I think Gary Roberts has had more than enough of Pavel Datsyuk. I’d take Matt Cooke over him but that’s just me. Detroit might actually be able to work out a deal for Rolston beyond one year. He’s been at $2.4 million so Detroit could give him a nice raise this upcoming season then reduce his salary over the following years as Z, Mule and h00dlum’s contracts get renewed.
[…] As far as free agency goes the three guys I’d be most interested in seeing Detroit sign would be Brian Rolston, Matt Cooke and Alex Auld. I think there’s a good chance Detroit signs Rolston, I have no idea if they’ll target Cooke, and I doubt Auld would agree to the two-way contract Detroit will want for the free agent goaltender they sign. alex auld Andreas Lilja Brad Stuart brian rolston Jonathan Ericsson matt cooke Red Wings […]
[…] And here’s what I said recently about the prospect of acquiring him as a free agent: Finally Ansar suggests that Marian Hossa could be a target for Detroit. I’d love to hear how this conversation goes. In particular I’d like to know how shortly after the Red Wings mention the dollar amount and the term the converstation comes to an abrupt end. So I guess Khan is just throwing out names at this point. Hossa will get a Daniel Briere like contract. Add in the fact Hossa actually has more than a rudimentary grasp of defensive skills like backchecking and he’s obviously worth more than Briere. […]