Trading Game: Cap Casualties
by Casey Richey on Feb 5, 2010 11:05 AM CST
in Opinion
18 comments
A lot of big trades have gone down recently and were topped off yesterday by the shipping of Ilya Kovalchuk to the New Jersey Devils from Atlanta. Add in the arrivals of Phaneuf and Giguere to Toronto and the departures of several Maple Leafs in those deals, the market has been shaken considerably.
Should Wings fans expect a blockbuster anytime soon? No, probably not. But there will be moves to get rid of cap room as Johan Franzen return to the line-up and begins counting against the cap again. Expect trades for draft picks or prospects only as the Wings are trying to get rid of cap money, not add to it.
Wings need to clear $700,000 by Franzen's return, so let's take a look at some of the ways that money can be cleared up. I'll pass up on the expected Brad May, Brett Lebda, Derek Meech, or even Ville Leino scenarios for some of the more unexpected but possible moves. Keep in mind, these are not at all being talked about (at least to my knowledge) and are rather interesting talking points and options for the Wings moving forward.
Jason Williams
$1,500,000
This one really stuck in my head after motownchollis brought it up on The Obstructed View Episode 8. Williams has done very little for this team--and yes, I know it's because of injury--so I wouldn't be surprised if the Wings tried to get something for him and clear a large chunk of cap room at the same time. Williams is a very viable trade option given his past success with smaller market teams like Columbus and Atlanta so perhaps a team in the East looking to make a playoff push. The only downside to trading Williams is the very small likelihood that anyone would take a chance on a guy that has spent the majority of the season injured; you don't know what you'll get.
See the rest of the options the Wings have after the jump...
Kirk Maltby
$883,333
I know, I know. Malts has done a whole hell of a lot for the Wings and I sure wouldn't want to see him go via trade. He does however free up a big chunk of change and the chances that he retires or isn't offered a contract by Detroit in the off-season are pretty high. The only drawback to dealing Maltby is the limited returns. Although a tenacious penalty killer and grinder (and word warrior extraordinaire) , Mallts doesn't offer all that much on the offensive side. The Wings don't need to get much for Maltby and probably aren't looking for much, but the offensive numbers also limit the trade marketability. Then there's the loyalty factor. Detroit likes the players that have been loyal to them and will likely return the favor to Maltby.
Chris Osgood
$1,416,667
Before you write an angry e-mail, at least read the argument for this. Osgood is due to make the same amount of money next year and moving him before the deadline would accomplish a few things.
- Free up all of the $700,000 before Franzen comes back and a good chunk of the $1.9 million or so that it will take for Lilja to come back.
- Getting rid of that cap space this year would free up a lot of money for signings in the offseason--more money available for guys like Holmstrom, Helm, Lidstrom, Eaves, Bertuzzi and the like.
- Daniel Larsson is scheduled to become a free agent when his entry-level contract expires this summer and what better way to determine if he is capable and/or deserving of being the future back-up to Jimmy Howard? At this point, all signs are pointing to Jimmy Howard being the starter for the majority of the regular season games remaining as well as the next few years and with one year left on his contract, Osgood might be the odd man out sooner rather than later.
- A lot of fans have become upset with the way Osgood and primarily his mouth have handled his time on the bench. Fans will respect what he's done in the past but he hasn't had the play to back up his words this year.
- Give Osgood a chance to actually play somewhere. Some teams making the push for the playoff are in desperate need of a guy that can consistently spell their starter down the stretch and provide valuable playoff experience.
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Send 'em to the Minors!
I’m thinking Detroit will actually do what they usually do – waive some players and send them to the minors. Brad May, Ville Leino, and a D-man (maybe Ericsson?) will be sent down to the minors.
I don’t know if they would have to clear waivers or not, but doesn’t the CBA have a rule that players who are playing as injury replacements can be exempt from waivers?
by jameshstephenson on Feb 5, 2010 2:06 PM CST reply actions
Ericsson no chance
Ericsson won’t be sent down before Lebda. Yes, Ericsson isn’t playing well but 1. he won’t make it through waivers and 2. his salary is too small to help by sending him down.
DROP LEINO AND LILJA
Addition by subtraction!!!
My Thoughts
I never thought about moving Ozzie but it makes sense. Trading him and his 1.417 cap frees up money and helps us determine Larsson’s worth. If we keep Ozzie what incentive does Larsson have to stay with the Wings next year? He won’t get a chance at the NHL with Howard and Ozzie in front of him and in a couple of years when Ozzie retires then McCollum will be ready for the #2 spot. With that being said I don’t want to see Ozzie end is Wings career by being traded and I want an experienced goalie either at the #1 or #2 spot going into the playoffs.
Maltby always steps it up in the playoffs and yes he plays like 5 minutes a night but normally that comes on the PK.
I say ship Leino to an Eastern Conference team that needs offensive help (Montreal, Tampa, Florida, NYR, Boston, NYI, Carolina) and get a 3rd round pick for him. He’s probably worth that to a team on the edge of playoff contention like Tampa, Florida or NYR. Plus he’s cheap with just a $800,000 cap.
Cap for Next Year
The Wings have 7 forwards (Datsyuk, Z, Franzen, Filppula, Cleary, Drapper, and Leino), 4 D (Rafalski, Kronwall, Stuart, and Ericsson) and 2 goalies (Howard and Osgood) under contract for next year. Those 13 players cost the Wings $39.9 million or 2/3 of this years cap. Now I don’t think the cap will move up or down (up if anything) so that gives the Wings $20 million to sign 6 forwards, 3 D and 1 goalie.
Holmstrom should re-sign but at a small pay cut so I’m guessing at $2 million a year instead of his $2.25 million this year. Give Bertuzzi $2 million a year as well and we’d have 9 forwards and $16 million in space. Trade Leino ($.8 million) and sign Helm to the same deal ($.8 million) and re-sign Abdelkader ($.8 million). 10 forwards and $15.2 million in space. I think Hudler comes back ($2.875) and that gives the Wings 11 forwards and $12.3 million in space.
Re-sign Lidstrom at $5 million a year or if he retires sign a top tier D for $5 million a year. Promote Kindl or Smith ($.8 million) and the Wings have 11 forwards, 6 D and 2 goalies. Sign Larsson to a 2 way deal around ($1 million to keep him in Detroit) but since he should be in the AHL most of the time only around $.2 of it will count towards the cap.
That gives Detroit a nearly full roster and $6.3 million in space. Sure Detroit will sign 1-2 more forwards and a 7th and 8th D but they should each cost Detroit no more then $1.5 million total.
If I were the GM I’d trade Rafalksi to LA straight up for JMFJ and save $4.75 million in space ($6 million for $1.425 million). Then with my $11.075 million ($6.325 million plus $4.75 million) I’d sign Nicklas Backstrom to a $6 million contract since Washington will either have to let him go at that price or lose their entire 2nd line, their 3 and 4th D and a lot of RFA. With the Backstrom signing I’d have over $5 million in space. I’d go and trade Hudler for picks and prospects giving me $7.95 million in space, 12 forwards, 6 D and 3 goalies. If Scott Niedermayer returns to Anaheim then Bobby Ryan could be signed for around $4 million a year. If he retires then I’d focus on Blake Wheeler at the same price since Boston is already only $1 million from the cap after re-signing Savard and Lucic for $11 million combined. 12 forwards, 6 D, 3 goalies and I’m still $3.95 million over the cap. With that I can sign a 13th and 14th forward (maybe Miller and a defensive forward), a 7th and 8th D (maybe Meech and a big stay at home D that is also a fighter) at $.6 million each.
I’d have a full roster 14 forwards, 8 D, and 3 goalies and still be $.75 million under this year’s cap.
Zetterberg – Datsyuk – Holmstrom
Franzen – Filppula – Cleary
Bertuzzi – Backstrom – Ryan/Wheeler
Helm – Drapper – Abdelkader
(Miller – Shelley)
Lidstrom (or FA) – Stuart
Kronwall – Kindl
Ericsson – Johnson
(Meech – Carkner)
Howard
Osgood
Larsson (AHL)
After the 2010-2011 season when Drapper and Osgood retiree saving me $3 million I’d re-sign Howard to a $3.5 million a year deal.
LA doesn't have the room for Rafalski
And I believe he has a no-trade clause, so he’s not going anywhere. Certainly not to make the blueline 50% inexperienced (Kindl is a rookie, Ericsson will be in his second season, and Johnson has had attitude problems and isn’t that strong defensively apparently). And why bother trading Hudler? He’s a solid player, knows his role within the team, and scores more than the majority of players with such limited ice time. And he has a very reasonable contract – any replacement would probably cost more than his contract.
And no way does Anaheim let Bobby Ryan go – they are talking extension right now, and he’s been a key part of the Ducks success.
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
Rafalski does not have a no trade clause! Total bull shit.
Ericsson is in his 2nd year now so he’d be in his 3rd. Johnson doesn’t have attitude problems. Give me one link that mentions that. It’s a made up comment by Johnson haters.
Anaheim can’t keep Ryan if they keep their $8 million defensman. I also said if you can’t get him then go after Wheeler.
Nice to see you actually read what I wrote.
You trade Hudler because we need PF, we have enough small forwards that can snipe but not do much more. I love Hudler but Ryan and Wheeler would be much more valuable on this team.
Uh
That will literally never ever ever happen, man.
Next year it’s going to be.
Zetterberg – Datsyuk – Franzen
Holmstrom – Filppula – Cleary
Bertuzzi – Miller – Ritola
Draper – Helm – Eaves
(Bench – Abdelkader)
Lidstrom – Rafalski
Kronwall – Stuart
Lilja – Ericsson
(Bench – Kindl)
Also, since no one seems to care even though it comes up EVERY WEEK
Brian Rafalski has a no-trade clause.
by Michael Petrella on Feb 5, 2010 9:10 PM CST up reply actions
And
Brian Rafalski is da balls. If Lidstrom retires in the next year or two we are going to be very happy Rafi is still around.
I won’t be. The guy is deteriorating faster than anyone else on this roster.
by eight_legged_freaks on Feb 6, 2010 2:29 PM CST up reply actions
That you did.
It doesn’t seem to matter how often things like that are mentioned…. everyone still thinks you can just trade Kris Draper to the Maple Leafs and Brian Rafalski to anywhere. It’s shocking how little people know and understand about their NHL teams and how things work.
by Michael Petrella on Feb 7, 2010 12:10 PM CST up reply actions
You’re a moron!
LA wants to move Johnson! They are begging for someone to take him. You mean they wouldn’t take a #2 D for their #5 D that they want to move?
Keep ripping me? What is illogical? Backstrom can’t be kept by DC and either Ryan or Wheeler will walk.
Tell me what I’m overstating?
I’m not saying trade Ozzie for Ryan or something.
Dreamland
1. There is no reason why all of these high-caliber players would want to play for the Wings at discounted prices, and it is highly unlikely that they would all do so.
2. It’s no BS, Rafalski has an NTC. And to be fair, he does have 28 points (fifth on the Wings) and is +16 (second on the Wings) on a team that has played less than stellar this season.
3. I hope that “Shelley” doesn’t mean Jody Shelley. I watch him play quite often. He sucks. I would never want him on the Wings. I’d bring back Joey Kocur first.
4. Ken Holland is smarter than all of us fans put together. Don’t panic, he’s on it. He’ll do us right like he’s done for so many years, even if we have to be patient in the short term. Let’s give the armchair GM-ing a rest. Kenny Boy will put together the best team given the available options and the reality of Gary’s new-and-improved NHL.
by Seaner in Sharkville on Feb 10, 2010 3:10 AM CST reply actions
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