Cleary signs five year extension
Just before the start of the Wings-Blackhawks game, Dan Cleary signed a five year extension to keep him with the team through 2013. The deal is worth $14 million and will result in a yearly cap hit of $2.8 million. The contract also included a no-trade clause during his first three and a half years of the contract. In that fourth year, the no-trade clause will expire just before the trade deadline.
After the game, he told beat reporter Bruce MacLeod the following:
Ever since I came to Detroit a few years ago, it’s been a good fit I think for both sides. This is one of the proudest days I’ve ever had other than being married or having a child. I’m really happy about it and really thankful as well…
Think about testing the market? — I really never (did). I always felt inside that it would get done. What else can you say? For me being a Red Wing is truly amazing.
It’s great to see that he is that happy to be staying long-term. Now we just need to get him back on the ice and playing.
Bruce also had an unedited transcript of quotes from GM Ken Holland last night about the signing. Here’s an excerpt:
Heading into this summer, he was a key guy. We talked about if you don’t get him signed, how do you replace him. He’s playing 17-18 minutes a night. He’s killing penalties, he’s on the power play. He does a lot of things for us. How do you replace him?
If you look at players who have 40 points in 58 games, they’re getting salaries in the mid-threes ($3 million).
Basically, the trade-off is “I like it here. I want to be here. I’ll take less money, but in return I want to know I’m signing to be here.” I think the no-trade for me is about knowing he’s mature, he’s committed … so I don’t have a problem with the no-trade.
Personally, I like the signing. I like that we spent less than $3 million/year on him like we had hoped for. I like that we have a gritty forward like that who works hard for five more seasons. And I like that Kenny got it done before the playoffs and postseason so there isn’t so much unknown this summer.
Like Holland said, who would we go to to replace that type of player? And how much would that cost us on the open market? As we saw in the playoffs last year, we need gritty players and Cleary had a great postseason with some really clutch performances so you won’t hear any complaining from me about the signing.
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