Archive for the 'Roster Moves' CategoryPage 4 of 8

Bad News: Ellis must clear waivers

Published
by
Matt Saler
on March 22, 2007
in Griffins, Matt Ellis and Roster Moves
. 1 Comment

Update (2:02 PM): The AHL transaction wire has Ellis listed as returned to Grand Rapids, so that confirms it. He wasn’t claimed off waivers. - Matt

Update (12:05 PM): It wasn’t really clear from Conklin’s original report , but the team apparently already began the process of sending Ellis down (making much of the post below unnecessary). Conklin informed me via email that teams had until 12:00 PM today to claim him and since I haven’t seen anything saying he’s been taken, it looks like he made it. - Matt

The Wings will soon be sending Matt Ellis down to make room on the roster, but because Ellis has played over 10 games with the Wings (16), he has to clear waivers before he can go to Grand Rapids, according to Joe Conklin of the GR Press.

Cross your fingers, folks. Ellis may not have played a lot of time, but as Conklin pointed out, he looked good when he was on the ice and he may have attracted attention. The Wings have already lost a player to waivers this season, Joey MacDonald, who was taken by Boston. Given that, it’s not too far out of the realm of possibility that Ellis will get claimed.

The move is especially necessary if everyone currently injured is to return for the playoffs. With Dan Cleary, Todd Bertuzzi, and Tomas Kopecky healthy, and Ellis on the roster, the Wings would be a man over the limit of 23 players. The only way out of sending Ellis down is keeping Kopecky on the IR, which isn’t likely since he’s been practicing and they’ve been making noises about his return for weeks now. Even if that’s what they did, the Griffins still wouldn’t have their captain for their playoff run.

Personally, I think the Wings should get a break on this rule because they needed Ellis to fill in for injured players. He wasn’t on the team for the heck of it and they shouldn’t be punished for filling that kind of a need. He’d be a big loss to the system, for the Wings but for the Griffins, especially.

Bertuzzi to Wings

Published
by
Sarah Baker
on February 27, 2007
in Panthers, Roster Moves and Todd Bertuzzi
. 1 Comment

Update (Matt, 7:50 PM): Ansar Khan has an informative blog post up on the deal, including a breakdown of its conditions and a reaction. Check it out. - Matt

Update (Matt, 4:35 PM): George Malik has comments by Bertuzzi from the phone interview TSN did after the trade. Basically, Todd is excited to be a Wing and thankful that they have faith in him. He’s not 100% yet and isn’t going to rush his return, especially since the Wings are so comfortable in the standings, but sounds like he could be pretty close.

He’s going to be on WXYT 1270 AM (Detroit area) at 5:30 PM ET today. You can listen in at their website, just click Listen Live. - Matt

Update (Matt, 4:07 PM): I feel pretty dumb after my post yesterday on the Wings’ trading situation, in which I said, “it’s time to give up the idea of the Wings making a big acquisition,” among other related things.This is a Big Name acquisition, though I suppose part of my point still stands: that the Wings weren’t going to get someone they had to pay a high price for. They got a big name off the market, but overall they lost very little overall in the process. Both players they’ve brought in have a good shot at being big contributors.

At this point, it looks like Holland did a pretty good job. - Matt

Update (Matt, 3:45 PM): Okay, I’ve had some time to digest the deal and here’s my reaction: I think I’m going to find it a little hard to accept Bertuzzi as a Wing because it’s instinctual for me to think of him as the enemy (and not because of the Moore incident, per se). Plus, his health is a concern and will remain so even if he’s passed muster with the team’s health professionals.

However, if healthy, he can bring a lot to the team both in offensive ability and physicality. He’s what many Wings fans have lusted after for years, and now we finally have someone who, on paper, at least, can fulfill that desire for a big, bruising power forward.

When Chris Chelios came here, he was as hated a player and now he’s a fan favorite. I’m not saying that’ll happen with Bertuzzi, but I suppose it’s possible.

I’m conflicted. I felt dirty when I first read about the trade, but now excitement is rising. I’m interested in seeing how it all works out and I wish he were suiting up tonight. - Matt

Update (3:00): Here’s a little information on Shawn Matthias, the prospect we gave up for Bertuzzi. Red Wings Central has him ranked 13th in the prospects. He is currently playing for Belleville of the OHL. He was our second choice (47th overall) in the 2006 entry draft, and was not currently signed. He’s a good sized center and has 13 goals and 34 points in 67 games for Belleville this season. -Megan

Update (2:47): TSN just gave details. Apparently Florida gets another 2nd rounder if Bert re-signs. The conditional pick is based on team performance and Bertuzzi’s play. - Sarah

Update (2:36PM): It’s official. Bertuzzi is now a Wing. Not sure who the prospect is yet. Apparently someone in juniors. I’ll update as soon as I have more details -Sarah

TSN reports that the Florida Panthers have agreed on a deal to send Todd Bertuzzi to the Red Wings in exchange for a conditional draft pick and a prospect. The announcers caution that, given Bertuzzi’s injury status, the deal is pending until the official conference call with the league.

Zetterberg Out Tomorrow; Hussey Recalled from GR

Published
by
Sarah Baker
on February 26, 2007
in Griffins, Henrik Zetterberg, Injuries, Matt Hussey and Roster Moves
. 1 Comment

Helene St James reports that Henrik Zetterberg will miss tomorrow’s game due to back spasms. Apparently he hurt himself at practice this morning. MRI results were good and he is expected to return Friday.

Matt Hussey got the call to fill in for Zetter tomorrow. He’s been doing quite well in Grand Rapids of late, with 16 points in his last 14 games. He impresses me more every game. I doubt he’ll get much ice time, but I’m confident he won’t waste it. Hey, if you’re bored, you can check out his new blog on the Griffins website.

3 Way Trade Yields Kyle Calder for Jason Williams

Published
by
Sarah Baker
on February 26, 2007
in Blackhawks, Flyers, Jason Williams, Kyle Calder and Roster Moves
. 3 Comments

Update (Matt, 27. Feb, 12:03 AM): One last thing tonight: what number will he wear? He can’t have #19, which he had in Philly, nor can he have #16 or #9, both of which he has worn at different points in his career. He wore #25 his first year in Chicago, but I would think that’s also untouchable. Hopefully he won’t go fo #91 or else I’ll be pissed. He’s worn #32 before and could wear it again, even though it seems like a goalie’s number. Steve Thomas wore it during his time in Detroit so it actually might be fitting for Calder to take it. Anyway, it’s all speculation. We’ll find out tomorrow. (thanks to Sarah for doing the detective work on the numbers). - Matt

Update (Matt, 11:48 PM): Here’s what Ken Holland has to say about Calder, via the Freep:

“He chases the puck, he’s a forechecker. Come playoff time, that’s an ingredient you need. He’s not pretty, but he’s a gritty, greasy type of player.”

Sounds good to me. I’m very interested in seeing Calder play and it looks like we’ll get our chance tomorrow night as he’s expected to be in the lineup. - Matt

Update (Sarah, 10:53PM): Just a little more info on Calder for those (like me) who weren’t too familiar with him. He’s a 28-year old forward currently making $2.9 million a season. I spent a little time reading over his stats page on TSN and was pleased to read that he, “Provides his team with a bundle of energy every shift. Has a propensity to step it up in key situations. ” Sounds pretty good to me. Most sources seem to feel that he’s a gritty player (something there has certainly been a major outcry for…). One thing that stood out to me is that the guy hasn’t missed a game due to injury since October of 2005. Durability - there’s something to add to your list of pros. As for cons - well, this season’s stats top that list. +/- has never been stellar (though -31 is far below the norm). Personally I’m feeling pretty good about it at this point. I think once this guy gets on a winning team and starts having some fun, he could start putting up good numbers again. I bet Ken Holland does too. -Sarah

Update (Matt, 10:14 PM): Okay, the more I read about Calder, the better I feel about him. The general concensus seems to be that he’s a good player who’s just having a bad year. And if he’s a grittier player than Williams with a strong work ethic and good hands, I’m thinking he’ll fill the Wings’ need pretty well. Of course, we’ll have to see how he actually gels with the team, but I’m optimistic. - Matt

Update (Matt, 10:05 PM): Here’s James Mirtle’s take, plus the tidbit that the Wings are rumored to be close to getting Bill Guerin. I still find that hard to believe, but I could be wrong. Can the price have gone down that much? - Matt

Update (Matt, 10:00 PM): First of all, I’m unsure about how I feel about this deal. I know very little about Calder except that his stats are probably deflated from having been on a bad team, as Sarah pointed out below. I’m not sure what we gain by the trade, but perhaps Calder will be jumpstarted by a change in scenery. We’ll just have to see.

It’s a little hard to believe that Williams is no longer a Red Wing. It had to be awkward tonight when he got the call in Chicago. It will be strange if he’s on the ice tomorrow night for the Hawks, that’s for sure.

No comment from the Wings yet, but Jason Williams had a parting shot that struck me as a little odd, via the TSN article:

“I’m happy to be going to a team that wants me and I’m looking forward to helping the Blackhawks.”

From that I’ll assume he means he was Mike Babcock’s boy, not the front office’s. Interesting. Well, good luck in Chicago, Jason. - Matt

I’d be surprised now if anything else happens for the Wings on the trade front.

Paul Kukla is reporting a three way deal between the Blackhawks, the Flyers and the Red Wings

Apparently Chicago dealt Lasse Kukkonen and a third round pick to Philadelphia for Kyle Calder. Then Chicago traded Calder to the Wings in exchange for Jason Williams.

Hey, now we don’t have to worry about Babs putting Willy on the point anymore! That alone makes the trade worth it in my eyes (sorry Jason…).

TSN says Calder has 9 goals and 12 assists in 59 games with a +/- of -31

I was a little stunned by the -31 at first but then I remembered he’s been playing for the bottom-feeding Flyers. I expect that will improve playing with the defensive-minded Wings. We’ll see how he does in Willy’s spot on the 2nd line. Hopefully he’ll provide the offensive spark we’ve been looking for.

On the trade situation

Published
by
Matt Saler
on February 26, 2007
in Opinion, Roster Moves and Trade Rumors
. 0 Comments

Ansar Khan reports that the Wings are only likely to be in the running for a “second-tier” player at the deadline, given the ridiculously high price at which the Thrashers bought Keith Tkachuk yesterday. It’s hard to disagree, especially as that seemed to be a foregone conclusion as far back as the Stars’ acquisition of Ladislav Nagy. Like Khan, I think it is very unlikely the Wings will be able to swing a deal for Bill Guerin or any other top choice without putting a serious dent in their plans for the future.

I’ve never really bought in to the hysterical rhetoric that the Wings need a top-six forward or else they’re doomed, because, for the most part, I’ve been impressed with the team as it is. I believe such a forward, if attainable at a reasonable price and if he fits in the system, could be useful and helpful, but I hesitate to say that such an acquisition is imperative.

Over the past few weeks, there has been a widespread sentiment in Hockeytown fan circles that Ken Holland needs to go after someone to jump-start the stagnant second line. Why is that? No one was saying such things a few months ago when the second line was tearing it up and the first line was relatively dormant. The Wings have a possible solution on their roster and that is to promote Jiri Hudler and Valtteri Filppula to Robert Lang’s line and to demote Jason Williams to the fourth line with Josh Langfeld and Matt Ellis. Give the kids the kind of ice time they’ve earned and maybe then we’d see the second line start producing.

Even without that mixing of the lines, the second unit’s trouble is not from a lack of talent. It’s called a slump, folks. These things happen and there’s no reason to panic in February about it.

As far as a trade goes, it’s time to give up the idea of the Wings making a big acquisition. Ken Holland may be throwing up a smoke screen on his intentions, but it is clear that he is not going to sell the farm for success now. I believe the team wants to win the Cup this year, of course, but they also want to be in a position to win it down the road. I would not be surprised if they acquired a lesser-known player in the hopes that they turn into a Mikael Samuelsson or a Dan Cleary - i.e. a scorer nurtured by the team’s system.

Holland is not known for making big-name acquisitions at the deadline, but the three names that stick out, Chris Chelios, Mathieu Schneider, and Robert Lang, did not, with the exception of Schneider, cost the team much in terms of its future. A big name player this year will, however, and it is very likely that such a player, especially if you’re talking about Bill Guerin, will be a rental player only. You’ll notice that Chelios, Schneider and Lang are all still with the team. The Wings’ investment has paid off in each of their cases (though there is some argument on that with Lang) and with a rental this time around, they won’t get a fair trade-off without a Cup.

My point here is that I expect the Wings, if they’re able to make a move at all, they are less likely to trade for a big name player than they are to trade for a lesser-known, and thus less satisfactory to the majority of fans, player.

I was skeptical of it when it happened, but I’m now convinced that the Wings made their big push for the Cup when they signed Dominik Hasek over the summer. They are pinning their hopes on him and I actually believe they have a pretty good team surrounding him as it stands today. A defensive forward may actually suit their needs better as they go into the playoffs with a defensive emphasis. I do think they’ll go after a scorer, but don’t be surprised if it’s someone out of the blue and lacking top-tier credentials. I won’t be disappointed in any case, because, like I said above, I’m comfortable with the team the way it is, but I’m willing to admit an addition could be helpful.

Maybe a move that would harm chemistry, which is overall good, the second line’s slump notwithstanding, and disrupt this team’s greatest asset, its defensive prowess, would not be a good thing. One added player probably won’t make the team, but he could break it.

Overall, I’d be more surprised if the Wings get someone than if they don’t. And I’d be more angry if the Wings threw away top prospects for a rental than if they did nothing at all.

MacDonald put on waivers

Published
by
Matt Saler
on February 23, 2007
in Hockey Media, Jimmy Howard, Joey MacDonald, Roster Moves, Stefan Liv and Trade Rumors
. 1 Comment

Update (24. Feb, 1:50 PM): See 1:50 PM update on today’s GameDay post. -Matt

Update (24. Feb, 11:35 AM): Ansar Khan reports that since the Griffins will have trouble giving MacDonald playing time, the Wings will try to loan him to another AHL team or perhaps even send him down to the ECHL.

The main topic of Khan’s piece is the trade deadline, and it’s looking less and less likely that the Wings are actually going to be able to acquire anyone:

“There are prices we won’t pay,” Holland said before the Red Wings hosted the Edmonton Oilers at Joe Louis Arena.

“We’ll just sit on the sidelines and do nothing. I’m hearing that Monday or Tuesday as we get closer to the deadline and teams are sitting with players, prices will come down. If the prices don’t come down, we’re just going to sit on the sidelines and go into the playoffs with this team. It’s ridiculous right now.”

My stance on this remains the same as it was during the rumor storm with Peter Forsberg: the Wings could probably use an addition, but I don’t want to see them throw away their future for a rental. - Matt

Update (24. Feb, 1:17 AM): It turns out that I totally misread the situation yesterday afternoon, having been set off on a certain track by Khan’s post and extrapolating it into an overreaction.

Of all the reasons to waive MacDonald, I didn’t think of what probably should have been the most obvious one, given the resent news on the goaltending situation in Detroit. According to Helene St. James, Holland said later Friday afternoon that there was no deal coming and Joey was waived mostly in an attempt to get him to Grand Rapids where he’ll get more playing time and will finish the season, barring an injury. That means the goalie situation for the Griffins just got a little more complicated, as Jimmy Howard and Stefan Liv have been strong lately, I’m told, and need playing time as well.

As far as the goaltending situation in Detroit goes, we’ll be seeing Dominik Hasek and Chris Osgood from here on out, folks. Dom will obviously get the majority of the games, but he will also back up Ozzie at times, though I believe MacDonald will still be on hand for the game against Nashville tonight (which became even more important with the Wings’ shootout loss to the Oilers. More on that in the morning.).

St. James does mention that the move freed up $117,000 in cap space, which could come in handy should the Wings become frontrunners in trade talks for one of the top forwards on the market. So, while no deal was imminent, waiving MacDonald could help their chances of acquiring the “top six” forward they’re supposed to be seeking. - Matt

Ansar Khan reports that the Wings have put Joey MacDonald on waivers and suggests it could be a move to free up space for a trade.

He also notes that the timing is strange given the fact that Chris Osgood is playing Saturday and MacDonald’s usual job is to backup in those situations. Apparently, MacDonald could still be around if he clears waivers, which Khan says is likely, because he won’t have to be sent down immediately. I highly doubt they’ll have Dominik Hasek do the backing up so in the case that MacDonald is claimed off waivers by another team, expect one of the Griffins goalies to get the call-up.

This is interesting. Like Khan writes, it could mean they’re in the running for one of the more frequently-talked about trade options, such as Keith Tkachuk or Todd Bertuzzi. Keep an eye on the wire, folks. It doesn’t strike me as something Holland would do if he didn’t have a deal already cooking, because he could waive MacDonald at any time leading up to the deadline if he were only waiting for a good trade opportunity to come up this weekend. If a trade’s coming, and this move would be pretty pointless if one wasn’t, it won’t be long before it’ll be announced.

GameDay: @ St. Louis (19-21-8, 46 Pts) 8:00 PM

Published
by
Matt Saler
on January 26, 2007
in 2006-2007, Blues, GameDay and Roster Moves
. 0 Comments

Update (4:20 PM): Dominik Hasek will start tonight. - Matt Update (8:06 PM, just before the puck drop): Apparently, Dom has the flu, so Osgood will be the starter instead. - Matt

Update (5:45 PM): Ansar Khan has some thoughts worth reading on starting Dominik Hasek versus starting Chris Osgood down the stretch. I couldn’t agree more. The Wings have been smart so far, but playing Dom as much as they have been will be a mistake, especially given the fact that they have an entirely capable backup. I’m especially shocked to see that he’s been cleared to play back-to-back games. Why stray from the plan now? It makes no sense. Hasek is on this team to play and win in the playoffs, not win us the Central Division. If they somehow think playing Osgood means they won’t win the Division, so be it.

Khan also says Babcock is challenging Valtteri Filppula and Jiri Hudler to prove they’re ready for more minutes. Apparently, they haven’t been doing enough with the time they’ve been given, though I thought they’d been doing pretty darn well.

Apparently, our line projections earlier were a little off, as Khan says the three GR call-ups will be together tonight. So, does that make Williams-Filppula-Hudler the #2 scoring line? If Franzen, Cleary, and Maltby are together, I’d say it does. Tonight’s a great opportunity for the young guns. - Matt

Update (12:45 PM): Not that there was any doubt after the call-ups, but the Freep confirms that Lang and Draper are too sick to play and that they will be replaced in the lineup by Ellis and Hussey. - Matt

Update (9:38 AM): It looks like Kris Draper and Robert Lang will both sit out with the flu tonight as the Wings have called up Matt Ellis and Matt Hussey from Grand Rapids. To fill in for Ellis and Hussey in GR, Evan McGrath was called up from Toledo and Jamie Tardiff was given a professional tryout.

This’ll mean a bit of line shuffling for tonight. Megan and I project these lines:

Holmstrom-Datsyuk-Zetterberg
Hudler/Langfeld-Williams-Cleary
Franzen-Ellis-Maltby
Hudler/Langfeld-Filppula-Hussey

With Hudler playing as well as he has, he could very well move up to the second line, as Dave of Gorilla Crouch proposed yesterday. Ellis may center the checking line since he’s very good at faceoffs, but Franzen is also a likely choice. - Matt

Tonight is the fifth of eight games between these two clubs this season. The Wings lead the series 3-1, with wins October 28th (3-2), December 5th (5-1), and December 7th (4-3 OT). The Blues won the November 24th meeting, 3-2. They’ll play twice more next month before finishing up the 8-game series on March 24th in Detroit.

The last time we saw the Blues, they were in the midst of what would turn out to be a 0-8-3 losing streak and were falling as fast as they could. However, since December 19th, when they beat Pittsburgh 4-1 on the road, they’ve put up a 12-2-2 record, making them the hottest team in the League going into the All Star Break. If they can continue this and things go their way with the other teams, they’ll be able to think playoffs. They are currently just eight points behind Minnesota for eighth in the conference, but don’t have much room for error as the season hits the final stretch. Their upcoming schedule is tough and maintaining momentum will be very difficult.

One of the biggest reasons for the Blues’ recent success has been former Red Wing Manny Legace, who is 10-2-2 in his last 14 starts. He has posted an impressive .928 save-percentage in that span and earned three shutouts.

The Wings have not been quite as successful since December 19th, posting an 11-5-1 record in that span, with those losses coming in clumps of three and two. They are six points behind Nashville for the division lead with 65 and will need to have a fortunate finish if they want to catch the Predators by season’s end. An exhausted Detroit team dropped two games going into the All Star Break, first to Columbus and then to Colorado the next night. Only one player, Nick Lidstrom was in the Game so the team should be well-rested now and ready to go for the 33-game sprint to the post-season.

I assume Dominik Hasek will start tonight for the Wings, though the team did say a couple weeks ago that Chris Osgood would get the nod more often toward the end of the month.

Mikael Samuelsson is out with a broken/fractured right foot and will be replaced in the lineup by Josh Langfeld.

Mathieu Schneider remains out with a knee sprain.

Robert Lang and Kris Draper couldn’t practice because of the flu yesterday and if either one of them can’t go tonight, the Wings will call up someone from Grand Rapids.

It’ll be good to return to meaningful hockey now that the Break is over. After the rest, I expect the Wings to be back to form and to put up a good performance tonight. The Blues are playing well and can smell a shot at the post-season, but they’re still vulnerable and the Wings need to take advantage of it. Should be a high-tempo game with some good goaltending and hopefully Detroit’ll come out on top.

Kronwall gets 5-year extension

Published
by
Sarah Baker
on November 23, 2006
in Niklas Kronwall and Roster Moves
. 2 Comments

Well, the Wings may not be getting any closer to an agreement with Pavel Datsyuk, but they just locked up one of their many potential free agents. TSN reports that Niklas Kronwall has agreed to a 5-year, $15 million dollar contract extension. He would have been a restricted free agent this summer.

Kronwall, who has played just 63 games in the National Hockey League, will make $1.5 million in 07-08, $3 million in 08-09, $3.25 million in 09-10, $3.5 million in 2010-2011, and $3.75 million in 2011-2012, for a salary cap average of $3 million and a free agency value of closer to $3.5 million. Unquestionably, it’s a gamble for both the player and the team based on the length of the term.

Yes, a bit of a gamble given his injury history, however I think it will prove to be a good investment. He hasn’t exactly been astounding offensively this year, but who has on this team? He’s pretty sound defensively, won’t shy away from a hit and he’s only going to get better. With Lang, Datsyuk, Schneider, Markov, Maltby and Holmstrom (to name a few…) all up for free agency this summer, it’s nice to have one less guy to worry about. Now if we could just get him back in the lineup…

Williams to return tonight

Published
by
Matt Saler
on November 18, 2006
in Griffins, Injuries and Roster Moves
. 2 Comments

According to Ansar Khan, Jason Williams will replace Josh Langfeld in the lineup tonight.

Khan also provides an explanation for the strange call up yesterday of Darryl Bootland and Evan McGrath:

The Wings sent forwards Darryl Bootland and Evan McGrath back to Grand Rapids. Actually, they never arrived out West. It was just a paper move to get the team close to the salary cap ceiling, enabling them to place Jiri Fischer on long-term injured reserve and get relief for his $1.44 million salary.

Link

Bootland, McGrath and Liv Called up

Published
by
Sarah Baker
on November 17, 2006
in AHL, Griffins and Roster Moves
. 3 Comments

Update (3:58 PM): Helene St. James confirms the RWC message board postings. The Wings dated the start of Kronwall and Holmstrom’s IR term as being November 10th so they can be activated as soon as tomorrow, while Osgood’s term is dated from 12th, meaning he can come back Monday. She also says none of the call-ups are expected to make it to Calgary in time for the game. Lastly, she believes Liv will back up MacDonald on Saturday, therefore solving the dilemma she articulated last night. - Matt

Update (3:23 PM): The posters at Red Wings Central’s message board say it’s due to injuries, with roster space being cleared by Kronwall, Holmstrom, and Osgood joining Willaims on IR. - Matt

Update (2:25PM): The more I think about it, the more this seems very curious to me. Bootland has been mysteriously scratched for the last few Griffins games and now all of a sudden he’s getting called up to Detroit? And Stefan Liv has clearly been outplayed by Jimmy Howard thusfar in the season. I guess I can see maybe calling him up because they don’t want Howard to ride the bench, but that still doesn’t explain Bootland… -Sarah

Griffinscentral reports that the Wings have called up Forwards Darryl Bootland and Evan McGrath, as well as Goalie Stefan Liv from the AHL. I’m not sure how the Wings made room for these call-ups given that they were already at the roster limit. I would assume that this at least means that Homer and Ozzie have been placed on IR and that Williams won’t play tonight. Even then, they’d still have to clear one more spot. I would think if Kronwall were going to stay out they’d have called up a defenseman. Perhaps someone else is injured?