Update (02. Aug, 6:25 PM): IwoCPO takes a look at the same Khan piece and points out the real reason Markov likely won’t be back. It’s not so much about the money as it is about the fact that the Wings have six defensemen already signed. Derek Meech is, as Iwo says, likely more of a lock for the 7th spot than Holland lets on.
So, unless the team is looking to make a trade, the defense will consist of Nick Lidstrom, Brian Rafalski, Niklas Kronwall, Chris Chelios, Brett Lebda, and Andreas Lilja, plus Meech, assuming he signs.
Danny is a good defenseman, but I’d prefer to see the Wings let him go rather than re-sign him and subsequently be forced to trade away someone like Lebda, who is already well on his way to being one of the Wings’ top four. Markov isn’t worth the loss of one of the Wings’ young D-men. - Matt
Ansar Khan has an update on negotiations with Danny Markov and Derek Meech, as well as on the search for a top six forward. Nothing groundbreaking. Basically, it looks like Markov won’t be back; Meech will have to earn the 7th defensive spot or risk being sent down through waivers; and there is no one on the market that is exceptionally interesting to the Wings, so it’s possible they’ll go into camp with the forward corps as is.
I don’t know about you guys, but I’m tired of the off-season. October cannot come fast enough.
Did Peca sign yet?
What about…..gulp…Yashin?
yashin is playing in russia and would be a horrible signing by the wings.
Hmm. Well, it’ll be sad to see Markov go, but IwoCPO and ansar make good points, it’s too risky to try and send Meech down, and why pay more than $3 million to Markov to have him sit on the bench for the majority of the season?
As far as the forwards go, I don’t see them signing anyone. The only two the Wings would go for are the two Ansar mentioned, Forsberg and Selanne. and both are WAY out of the Wings price range.
I like the look of our team as is. If Grigorenko can step up in the NHL, we’ll have our top six FW at no extra cost. And just knowing the Wings’ scouting team, I think he’s gonna do great. They make sure a player is NHL ready, so if Grigorenko is going to make the team and possibly play with Datsyuk, he must have a good upside.
I agree, Alex. I like the team as it is, too. While I’d prefer they somehow get a forward with a finishing shot (a Shanahan or Hull lite), I think they have enough young guns looking to impress that they shouldn’t have much trouble finding offense.
I have a good feeling about Grigorenko as far as his success is concerned. I just hope he is willing to take a conditioning stint in the AHL first, as I would be surprised if he can make an immediate leap, given his loss of foot speed due to the accident.
I think Valtteri Filppula will have a breakout season this year and I expect much the same from Jiri Hudler, if he is finally given the ice time he deserves.
Even with the loss of Schneider and Markov, I think the defense remains one of the best in the league.
And, the goaltending speaks for itself.
It should be a good year.
I also hope that this will be the year Filppula and Hudler get bigger roles on the team and become regulars on the top two lines. I think Val showed what he’s capable of during the playoffs.