Wings in no hurry to sign trio of UFAs

I would not criticize or question any moves the Detroit front office makes. They usually get it right.

It's not going to be an intense negotiation. This is how it will go down:

Ken Holland: "Well, here is what we're prepared to give you, take it or leave it!"

Patrick Eaves: "Where do I sign.."

Drew Miller: "It beats working at Walmart, Patrick, can you give me the pen when you're done?"

Johnathon Erickson: "ahh.. Ken, can you find out if Lidstrom is coming back, I am scared that I won't have my safety blanket (sucking his thumb in the process)"

A non-story really. Now, as for my Canucks.. Jeez they really stunk it up last night.. Friday will be another story though. No Horton is a big loss for the Bruins, although the Nucks are definately missing Hamhuis and need him back before the 5th game.

Agreed with the Slickster (yeah, WWF reference), except for Ericsson. The Wings have invested draft picks and development effort on him - and even with his penchant for mistakes, he showed improvement in these playoffs, leading the team in minutes, if I remember right.

The other two guys are spare parts. Easily replaced if they get too cute with their contract demands. It'd be nice to keep at least one of them if the intention is to force Draper into retirement, but otherwise they can walk and the Wings won't skip a beat.

Nice technique Kenny ! The lazy concern level is a serious statement to the applicable agents.

With the retirement of Rafalski, and maybe Lidstrom, Ericsson should be retained. He's not on the verge of being a superstar, but he's solid, and the Wings should avoid turning over more than 1/2 their defensive corp in one off season.

Holland's pitch to these guys: "Right, I'll give you the cost of living increase (which actually in Detroit is a decrease! hey-o!!!) and bump your per deum a quarter." Mostly hyperbole, but for the forwards that's about correct, but Ericsson will take a little more work--as UM USA said, you don't want a near complete overhaul of your D. But Holland won't throw too much money at Ericsson.

All three of these guys are 26 years old. I'd rather keep these guys with a lot of hockey life left in them than the old guys fighting retirement in Draper, Modano and Salei.

Note: The Norris Trophy finalist is not fighting retirement.

Free agency isn't till July 1, so there's no real pressure on anybody.

So, in other words, this is a non-story.

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 01:09 PM ET  06.07 by Nobody expects Phantomphan MMT

Free agency isn't till July 1, so there's no real pressure on anybody.So, in other words, this is a non-story.

Agreed. And they should let them keep the pen, what the heck.

In Holland We Trust. Plus free pizza for life.

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 10:09 AM ET  06.07 by DSLICK

No Horton is a big loss for the Bruins, although the Nucks are definately missing Hamhuis and need him back before the 5th game.

Really? Dan Hamuis is what's separating the Canucks from the Cup? Yikes! Kind of like saying, "The Red Sox chances of getting to the World Series hinge on Dice-K." Really?

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 02:40 PM ET  06.07 by Cuperdo

Really? Dan Hamuis is what's separating the Canucks from the Cup? Yikes! Kind of like saying, "The Red Sox chances of getting to the World Series hinge on Dice-K." Really?

Did i hear right this past weekend ? Is Dice K having tommy John surgery ?

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 01:51 PM ET  06.07 by shiprock

In Holland We Trust. Plus free pizza for life.

Ha ! Nice. My kids get that whole pizza free deal- not sure they realize it even actually costs money :-)

QUOTE(#13):

Originally posted 04:02 PM ET  06.07 by Harry Crack

Did i hear right this past weekend ? Is Dice K having tommy John surgery ?

I think you did.

QUOTE(#15):

Originally posted 04:27 PM ET  06.07 by Nobody expects Phantomphan MMT

I think you did.

i do not have all the numbers Phantom but if one factors in the $ spent by Boston just to talk to Dice K plus the actual salary paid out i wonder if it works out to less then 1 thousand bucks per pitch thrown yet-i bet it doesn"t.

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 04:39 PM ET  06.07 by Harry Crack

i do not have all the numbers Phantom but if one factors in the $ spent by Boston just to talk to Dice K plus the actual salary paid out i wonder if it works out to less then 1 thousand bucks per pitch thrown yet-i bet it doesn"t.

It was a huge $$$ gamble on their part. Tom Verducci wrote an article on how Japenese pitchers don't seem to last longer than 3 seasons so any team is taking a big chance signing one, no matter how good he is in Japan. Going by Verducci's numbers, GM's should make any long term contract front heavy with declining salaries after the 3rd year.

QUOTE(#17):

Originally posted 05:38 PM ET  06.07 by Nobody expects Phantomphan MMT

It was a huge $$$ gamble on their part. Tom Verducci wrote an article on how Japenese pitchers don't seem to last longer than 3 seasons so any team is taking a big chance signing one, no matter how good he is in Japan. Going by Verducci's numbers, GM's should make any long term contract front heavy with declining salaries after the 3rd year.

Grass is not always greener and all that ! Smart call for your Boys using Roy to save a horrible sweep by Pirates................can we have him back now please !!!!!

QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 04:05 PM ET  06.07 by Harry Crack

Ha ! Nice. My kids get that whole pizza free deal- not sure they realize it even actually costs money :-)

Little Seizures?