Wings sign Jason Williams to one-year deal
by Christy on Aug 6, 2009 10:49 AM CDT
in News
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Michael Zuidema of the Grand Rapids Press reports that former Wing Jason Williams has returned to the organization, inking a one-year deal today. Financial terms have yet to be released, but we'll be sure to update this post once the number trickles out.
The forward spent six seasons with Detroit, signing with the team back in 2000. His time in the Winged Wheel ended when Williams was traded to Chicago. He then played in Atlanta and later Columbus before making his return.
He can play the point on the power play so I wouldn't be surprised to see him fill the void there left by Mikael Samuelsson.
Matt of On the Wings notes that there was an article on the Red Wings' official website with this announcement on Tuesday, but nobody picked up on it. However, the NHL.com article reports that the signing became official today. My opinion is that it looks like the article had been written Tuesday, but didn't actually go live until today.
With this signing, the Wings roster has finally been set. Thoughts?
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Williams?
We need a player with some toughness to “keep the flies off our best players” as Babcock said awhile ago!
by maksohockey on Aug 6, 2009 11:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Returnees Usually Have Success
Osgood’s done okay after spending time out of Detroit.
Dallas Drake made the most of his one-year finale with his drafting team.
McCarty was a positive in his turn-back-the-clock moment.
Even Hasek was a force for good when he re-signed with the Red Wings after the Ottawa stint.
Granted two of these guys are goalies, but I think guys who have spent time in Detroit’s system — since it’s different than most others — have a leg up on their way in. You can’t expect career seasons, but expecting them to have a better season than the one or two before seems to be almost a given.
I think Jason will fit right back in. He seemed a bit put off when he was traded, but a month in the locker room will probably take care of any residual sting.
by Misopogon on Aug 6, 2009 2:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m glad they didn’t sign Mike Grier, I’d argue they may be avoiding an enforcer on purpose to try and spur some of their larger players (Franzen, Ericsson, Kronwall) to be a bit more aggressive.
Also with Williams and Eaves, it seems the Red Wings are hedging one of the two can fill Hudler’s spot, possibly making him trait bait upon return.
by hallock on Aug 6, 2009 2:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Mike Grier isn’t really an enforcer. He is a good penalty killer and defensive player, and can get you 10-20 goals. His size would be nice to have and he doesn’t take crap. Grier would have been a better option than Williams, but Williams is a guy to replace Hudler. He’ll play PP and on an offensive line.
Eaves will be a good 3rd or 4th liner who also can put the puck in. Eaves, Leino and Helm would be a decent third or fourth line.
by dewman8810 on Aug 6, 2009 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Grier is a defensive liability like Lilja
Big slow guys have no play on a puck protection team, unless they are smart with the puck like Chris Chelios and Darren McCarty
by Marcmargolis on Aug 6, 2009 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Williams Will Be a Great Signing if it is for below $1.5 million
Great addition, Williams is better on the point during the powerplay than Samuelson defensively and has a more tipable shot. Williams is also very good on the draw and can penalty kill. Darren McCarty will play more next season and I would not be suprised to see Callahan in the line-up at some point this year to bring toughness right away.
by Marcmargolis on Aug 6, 2009 3:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The Red Wings are not going to offer McCarty a playing spot.
by hallock on Aug 6, 2009 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Williams is also a money guy on shootouts. He will also take Hudler’s position there.
by dewman8810 on Aug 6, 2009 8:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lines Next Year if I were the Coach
C-RW-LW
Datsyuk-Franzen-Zetterberg (Lets see if anyone can stop this top unit)
Fillpula-Helm-Cleary (Followed by an energy skilled unit)
Williams-Holmstrom-Leino (Followed by a unit that plays tough in the crease)
Draper-Abdelkader-Maltby (Followed by a grind line)
spots starts for Eaves and McCarty
Defensive Pairings
Lidstrom-Rafalski (The best n the business)
Stuart-Kronwall (Followed by a crush line)
Ericcson-Lebda (Followed by young energy unit)
Kindl, Delmore and Janik spot starts
Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Franzen-Lidstrom-Rafalski PP1
Cleary-Fillpula-Holmstrom-Williams-Kronwall PP2 sub Leino
Draper-Maltby-Lidstrom-Ericcson SH Unit 1
Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Kronwall-Ericcson SH Unit 2 sub Franzen
Goalie
Osgood starts 40 Howard starts 40
by Marcmargolis on Aug 6, 2009 3:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Zetterberg and Datsyuk won’t play on the same line. Babcock has always leaned towards having two strong lines rather than one elite line. I see Filpulla and Datsyuk switching linemates. Otherwise I like it.
by Apocalyptic0n3 on Aug 6, 2009 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe the Game Seven Loss Will Change That Thinking
Babcock may change the way he puts together lines after last years loss in game seven, because he would not put his best guys first.
by Marcmargolis on Aug 6, 2009 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think he lost because of his unwillingness to pair Datsyuk and Zetterberg together, rather because of his motivation to keep Zetterberg on Crosby constantly, thus making a pairing with anyone quite difficult.
I’d rather see Datsyuk on another line. Cleary has good chemistry with Zetterberg. Datsyuk on a second line bring a stronger face-off and offensive presence.
by hallock on Aug 6, 2009 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I doubt it. The Penguins didn’t do it either, if you remember. And Babcock has never done that and he’s had three Stanley Cup appearances and 1 ring (not to mention it’s got him the Canada job too)
by Apocalyptic0n3 on Aug 6, 2009 9:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh and I don’t see Howard starting 40. 25-30, yeah. Not 40. Osgood will start between 45 and 50 games, I think, and we’ll let a Griffin get some playing time.
by Apocalyptic0n3 on Aug 6, 2009 5:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think they’ll try to play Osgood more than last year as well, about 50 games as you said. Howard and Larsson will probably be the rotating back-up tandem.
by hallock on Aug 6, 2009 5:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
THEIR
Matt of On the Wings notes that THEIR was an article on the Red Wings’ official website with this announcement on Tuesday, but nobody picked up on it.
:)
by bleep bloop on Aug 6, 2009 7:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Good catch!
My bad. It has been fixed. :)
by Christy on Aug 6, 2009 9:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Moves
Dewman8810 hit it on the heaf. Essentiaaly, Williams is Huds san Stoly. In fact, Williams will be just fine now & if not, good bye. He should put net 20, play the pt on pp2 and get atleast 50 pts. I’m looking for him to fit right back in and then some. Besides, his price is pefect. I’m also looking forward to Leino this year. Eaves will be 3rd/4th line and do what he’s done for other teams. If they’re lucky, the WIngs could get 15+ goals out of him if he can put a better game together that’s closer to his actual potential. Holland did a great job in grabbing guys that fit the system & cap. Whoever that was that said Holland should be fired and that he did a terrrible job with these signings simply doesn’t get it. Ya gotta see the forest through the trees dude. Unbelievable. I guess Ron White was right when he said, “You can’t fix stupid.”
by WINGSOFVT on Aug 7, 2009 5:52 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Moves
Dewman8810 hit it on the head. Essentially, Williams is Huds sans Stoly. In fact, Williams will be just fine now & if not, good bye. He should net 20, play the pt on pp2 and get atleast 50 pts. I’m looking for him to fit right back in and then some. Besides, his price is pefect. I’m also looking forward to Leino this year. Eaves will be 3rd/4th line and do what he’s done for other teams. If they’re lucky, the WIngs could get 15+ goals out of him if he can put a better game together that’s closer to his actual potential. Holland did a great job in grabbing guys that fit the system & cap. Whoever that was that said Holland should be fired and that he did a terrrible job with these signings simply doesn’t get it. Ya gotta see the forest through the trees dude. Unbelievable. I guess Ron White was right when he said, "You can’t fix stupid."
by WINGSOFVT on Aug 7, 2009 5:55 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
okay this is the line; and Eaves IS playing next year in Detroit!
C RW LW
Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom (worked in 2008 and it was the best)
Franzen-Cleary-Fillpula (hardworking player Cleary PF Franzen and the playmaker Fill)
Helm-Lenio-Williams (mostly young talented speedy line)
Draper-Maltby-Eaves (hardworking grind line) sub-Abdelkader
RD LD
Rafalski-Lidstrom (Words won’t explain how great this is!)
Kronwall-Stuart (Best offense D here)
Ericksson-Delmore (BEST slap shots!!!) sub-Lebda
Unit 1 PP- Zetterberg Franzen Holmstrom (two good shots and a net crasher)
Unti 1 PP D- Rafalski Lidstrom
Unit 2 PP- Fillpula Datsyuk Cleary (Passing always tires down the D)
Unit 2 PP D- Kronwall Ericksson -sub-Delmore
Unit 1 PK- Draper Eaves (good faceoff guy and a hustler on the puck)
Unit 1 PK D- Stuart Ericksson
Unit 2 PK- Helm Williams (speed and a grinder…. aka beauty and the beast)
Unit 2 PK D- Lidstrom Delmore sub- Kronwall
Goalies- Osgood 53 games- Howard 25 games- Larsson 4 games
call ups- Kindl, Abdelkader, Janik, Lebda, Callahan, Larsson
This will work perfectly in all 4 lines. Two power lines followed up by hard working and grinding lines. The D is going to be better last year, our PK may be a little better, but our PP will not falter at all. Abdelkader needs a little bit of time before he is a sure spot but, he will see time in the JLA next year. Lebda is not what we need. Delmore has a HUGE slapshot and can boost our PP. Don’t see Williams on our PP defense because we have more depth now on there with Ericksson stepping up. Only reason why Holland had sammy on the PP, he didnt trust Cheli enough and didn’t want to waste cap space on a D guy. GO WINGS! Eaves is our new Cleary!
Datsyuk is like Iverson....... Breaks ankles all the time!
by Wings40 on Aug 7, 2009 8:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Adding Williams
Hmm, it still upsets me that they signed someone to a one year contract and didn’t renew Cheli for one year. My heart is totally broken. Once again we see the older player with a lot of life in Him, tossed aside for a younger one. And I do NOT care about the need for younger players, Cheli was a great locker room presence and a great person to learn from and I am steamed.
by cajea on Aug 11, 2009 8:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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