Yzerman’s role with team to be decided soon
Now that Holland has re-signed all of his players and made up a roster that he is content with, he can finally spend some time figuring out what Yzerman’s role with the team will be.
He plans to meet next week in Toronto with senior vice president Jimmy Devellano and Yzerman to discuss the latter’s transition from player to personnel department. Yzerman, 41, announced he was done playing July 3. A move to the front office has been on the backburner for 10 years, and the Wings are prepared to let Yzerman dictate how he wants to handle the transition.
“I’ve talked to Steve a lot this summer, but about the team, not his role,” Holland said. “I said to him to take the summer to decide if he wants to get into the organization right away and be fully involved, or does he feel he wants a year to be away from the game? Whatever the role, he’ll be an important part of our management team.”
Wings still looking for offense
According to the Detroit News, GM Ken Holland is “sniffing around” for offensive. Ideally, the Wings would like to sign either Anson Carter or JP Dumont but they haven’t lowered their demands to fit under the Wings salary cap. Assuming that signing doesn’t happen, Jiri Hudler, Tomas Kopecky, or Valtteri Filppula should be the Wings’ 12th forward.
“We’re comfortable going to camp with where we’re at,” Holland said. “We feel comfortable we can compete for a playoff spot and have money available at trade deadline.”
Wings re-sign Johan Franzen
Johan Franzen will be staying in Detroit for three more years after signing a contract with the Detroit Red Wings. Financial terms have yet to be disclosed. The Wings don’t have any other player to re-sign, but are still looking for a winger to help replace the offensive void left by Brendan Shanahan who had 40 goals and 41 assists last season.
“Johan had a very good rookie season in the NHL,” Wings GM Ken Holland said in a statement. “He was a big part of our penalty killing, provided us with a physical presence and played very well in the playoffs. Moving into his second NHL season and beyond, we’re hopeful he can gain some confidence and increase his contribution in the scoring department as well.”
Update: TSN.ca is reporting that Franzen’s three year deal is worth $2.825 milllion, which averages out at $947,667.00 per year. The Wings now have even more depth at the center position. This doesn’t leave Holland with a lot of money to sign a forward like Anson Carter or JP Dumont if he wants to leave $1-1.5 million as a sort of salary cap cushion for emergencies.
Update #2: According to the Free Press, Franzen will make $775,000 the first season, then $900,000, and $1.15 million in the final year of the contract.
“After watching Johan last year, he’s a player we think can be an important part of our team,” general manager Ken Holland said Friday. “He’s 26 years of age, really just coming into his prime. He’s a big body, about 225 pounds, hard to bang around. He has good hands. He’s very aware of his defensive responsibilities.”
“We think he can fit into a checking line, be comfortable there, and kill penalties,” Holland said. “But he gives us the versatility to slide him up to play with offensive players because he can make plays and pass the puck. We’re hoping he gains confidence around the net. He’s never been a natural scorer, but the coaching staff tried to encourage him to do more with the puck in the offensive zone. We don’t think he’s a 30-35 goal scorer, but we like to think he can score between 12-20 goals every year and continue to be a responsible defensive player.”
Apology
I’d like to apologize for the lack of real content (and not just links to articles) of late. I went on the elliptical for the first time since November 2003 on Sunday and while I had no pain that day, I’ve had quite a flare up since then. The errands I have to run during the day to get ready for school (I move in September 1st) kind of wipe me out so I’m sorry about.
Niklas & Staffan Kronwall Video
A member of Red Wings Central’s forum posted a link to a Swedish video/report about the Kronwall brothers.
Another member helped translate a couple parts of the 2 minute video.
“Hon var stodet nar pappa gick bort — She always supported (stood?) near and dad something…”
This part is about how their dad died and the mother supported her three sons through school and their hockey practices. The oldest brother became an economist but the two younger became NHL:ers.
Nik said that Z and Dats will probably have to pick up the slack since they lost Shanny and Steve.
Two thoughts I had following this video…
1) Sweden reminds me a lot of German - not the prettiest language.
2) I *really* need to learn Sweden so I can understand all these articles.
Will Lidstrom be the new captain?
With the lack of Wings news lately, fans have resorted to rumors and speculation. To add more fuel to the fire, Helene St. James at the Detroit Free Press is reporting that defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom will be named captain.
So how did she learn that Lidstrom will be the new captain? Well, she quoted named cited an unnamed source within the organization. She also said that Lids had just won his fourth straight Norris Trophy this year, which is obviously inaccurate.
But the team is holding off on a formal announcement, according to a person in the organization, to make a big splash before the season starts. Training camp opens Sept. 15 in Traverse City.
IwoCPO at Abel to Yzerman also finds this article and her reasoning as a bit sketchy to say the least.
Does that sound like the Red Wings? When has this team been concerned with “big splashes�
And if St. James’ source is so highly placed, wouldn’t that source be equally concerned with keeping this on the QT for the benefit of the “big splash�
It all sounds a bit contrived to me, and oddly timed.
And the Wings forums have plenty to say in regards to this topic of captaincy: Lets Go Wings and Red Wings Central.
SultanPapper at LGW had this to say:
“Wanting Hank as Captain is purely sentimental… Please. If I’m trusting someone’s game and vision to lead this team, it’s the four-time Norris winner and guy who has hockey down to a science. If I’m trusting veteran leadership and rallying the troops, it’s Draper, the guy barking on the bench. As good as Hank is, he is not that leader. Yzerman’s time and captaincy was different. Get over it.
Actually, I would have liked a co-captaincy… Lidstrom defense; Draper offense.”
Personally, I was hoping that Kris Draper would be named captain. Sure he wasn’t the leading candidate or two, but he’s always been the media go-to guy, he’s very vocal and passionate, and he has that veteran leadership. But I would be happy if Lidstrom was named captain because I feel Hank should have a few more years focusing on his game than leading the team.
I wonder if we’ll hear anything from Holland, Illitch, Babcock, etc. about this report.
Update: The Canadian Press managed to get a hold of head coach Mike Babcock and he refuted this story (link via Kukla’s Korner).
“I’m not saying Nick Lidstrom won’t be the captain but what I am telling you is that we haven’t spent one second on it yet,†Babcock told The Canadian Press on Wednesday from his off-season home in Saskatchewan. “Anything written about it at this point is pure speculation.â€
“When I get back I’ll meet with (GM) Kenny (Holland), Steve Yzerman and also with our veteran core, Chris Chelios, Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Kris Draper, have a chat, and do what’s best for our hockey club,” said Babcock.
Is it weird for anyone else that Babcock included Datsyuk and Zetterberg as part of our veteran core? I’m not saying that I don’t think they are talented players or worthy of being included in discussions, but I just don’t see either one as a veteran player. Am I wrong?
My first thought after hearing the Free Press report this story was…when are we going to hear from the Detroit News? They either lost out on breaking some “big news” or they have a chance to prove that the decision has yet to be made or is inaccurate. And what do we hear from them? Nothing. We have to rely on the Canadian Press to call Babcock to get straight to the news. How hard can it be to call up Holland or Babcock and simply inquire about this story?
Update #2: A2Y has linked to a comment left on the Detroit News board by someone who apparently emailed Helene St. James today. She responded by saying, “Thanks much, He may not have spent 1 second, but others in the organization have…”
If Babcock doesn’t know the status of the Wings captaincy, it doesn’t look good for the organization. There has to be miscommunication somewhere whether her source was inaccurate or Babcock is out of the loop, which is possible but is it really all that probable?
Update #3: The Detroit News article came out the next morning follow the Freep article.
“In the days ahead, I’m going to talk with Mike Babcock, ownership, others in the front office, and we’ll come to a decision,” Holland said. “Nick is obviously a strong choice, but there are three or four players who we feel could be the next captain.”
Yzerman retired July 3. Holland said the issue of picking a captain was pushed back by the Wings’ busy offseason schedule, which included re-signing their free agents and the search for a starting goalie.
I do find it incredibly interesting that they held off on a naming a captain because of their busy offseason. Busy? I don’t really think of this “Summer of Ken” as busy.
McKeen’s Hockey interviews Nill’s son
George at Snapshots linked to an interview conducted by McKeen’s Hockey with the Wings assistant GM Jim Nill’s son, Trevor Nill. I was very interested to read the interview since my brother was best friend’s with Trevor in elementary and middle school (but grew apart after going to different high schools). I’ve known the Nills since Jenna and Trevor started going to my private school in elementary and both parents are really nice and they are just a wonderful Christian family (we used to go to the same church too).
Anyways, here are some of the questions/answers I found interesting from the interview.
McKeen’s: Talk about where you grew up and played your minor hockey.
Trevor Nill: I was born in Detroit and about a year later we moved to Glens Falls, New York. I lived there for eight years and that is where I began to play hockey. The year before we moved to Detroit I joined a mite travel team which was much better skill level but it ended up being to much travel so when I moved to Detroit I went back to house for a few years. After house, I moved up a year to play with some older kids on the Farmington Flames AA team. I spent two years there and then made the transition to Compuware where I have been ever since.
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McKeen’s: Are you superstitious and do you have to any pre-game rituals you must do before hand?
Trevor Nill: Not really superstitious at all and I would have to say the only pre-game ritual I have it to just pray. I just ask Him to calm me down and help me play to the best of my ability.
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McKeen’s: Are their distinct advantages of having your father as the Asst. GM with the Detroit Redwings developing as a player?
Trevor Nill: Most certainly, I have seen the players around the rink and how hard they work so I know what has to be done to make it. Also my dad is just constantly there for me giving me pointers to try to help me improve my game. He has been in the league and knows what it is like so he knows the small details that must be done to put myself above the rest.
A nice photo of Trevor & Jenna. 
Johnson talks hockey, Michigan
George Sipple wrote an article in the Detroit Free Press about newly signed center Greg Johnson and living in southeast Michigan.
Six years ago, Johnson had a house built in Rochester Hills where he and his family (a wife and two daughters) would spend their summers. They also like to visit Traverse City and Mackinac City. It will now become his family’s year long residence. I just want to know why you would come to southeast Michigan for summer. I can understand wanting to summer up north, but southeast Michigan? I’ve lived here all my life and I don’t get it…
Johnson, 35, played with the Wings in 1993-97. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Tomas Sandstrom. “It’s just such a huge thrill and honor to get this opportunity again,” Johnson said of wearing the winged wheel. “Unfortunately, I missed out on the (Stanley) Cups.”
Johnson said he’s a more mature player now than he was in his first stint with the Wings. “Came into the league mostly as an offensive payer and have tried to become a complete, two-way player,” he said.
Johnson, who will likely play the role of a fourth-line center, was a captain for the Nashville Predators. He scored 11 goals and 19 points and was plus-5 in 68 games last season. “I’m going to be who I am,” he said. “I don’t think that team lacks in leadership or experience.”
Chelios talks baseball
The Detroit Free Press printed an article today by Steve Schrader in regards to veteran defenseman Chris Chelios, Cheli’s Chili, and baseball.
As usual, Chelios has been summering in Malibu, where he thinks he’s better able to prepare for the Wings’ training camp next month.
“With the bar, to be honest with you, with all that’s going on, it’d be just too much to try and focus on training,” he said.
Chelios did take time off to attend one celebrity wedding, Brett and Darcie Hull’s in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (”It was pretty typical Brett Hull — laidback, no dressing up, T-shirts and shorts for the wedding. It was hotter than hell down there, so it was a good thing we didn’t have to dress up.”), but he hasn’t made it to buddy Kid Rock and Pam Anderson’s wedding tour.
I just want to know that if a reporter can call Cheli in Malibu, California to talk baseball with a hockey player, why can’t Wings beat reporters call up personnel, players, etc. to talk hockey? IwoCPO @ Abel to Yzerman has more ranting on the Wings Deep Diggers.
FantasyHockey.com online draft guide
FantasyHockey.com has released its first annual online draft guide, which you can buy for $4.95 here. I wrote the Red Wings team report and participated in the staff rankings for the guide. Once the season starts back up, I will be writing the monthly Wings team report for FantasyHockey.com.
The guide includes…
- How to Play Fantasy Hockey
- Draft Strategies
- Player Capsules (200 forwards, 100 defensemen, & 50 goalies)
- Staff Rankings (over 350 skaters & 16 round mock draft with full commentary)
- Rookie Data (top 20 rookies for 2006-07, review of the 2006 entry draft, & statistical Innovations
- Full Team Reports for each NHL team
- NHL Power Forward Review
- Goalie Situation Review
- Complete Free Agent Tracking