The Detroit Red Wings went into this off-season with a lot of something they really didn’t have going into off-season’s in the past and that’s money to spend.
Yet the Wings didn’t go crazy and contribute to the $200 million dollars in total money spent on a mediocre free agent class.
Instead the Wings decided to pocket the money and save it presumably for next years free agent class which Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News sees as containing difference makers instead of just depth players.
And Kulfan is absolutely right.
It was Ken Holland that chose NOT to go out and hand a player like Ed Jovanovski a ridiculous 4 year contract which he will most likely be finishing in a walker. Ken Holland didn’t go out and give a six-year contract worth $27 million dollars to Ville Leino for scoring 19 goals and racking up 53 points.
Nope, Ken Holland decided to make the modest moves in Ian White and Mike Commodore as well as bringing back some of their won pieces in Drew Miller, Patrick Eaves, Jonathan Ericsson and Joey MacDonald.
Again, modest moves to make the Wings huge players in 2012.
But lets take a look at some of the possible free agents in 2012 from Ted Kulfan…
* Sean Avery, F, N.Y. Rangers: OK, he’s not a franchise player. But if Avery has a good season, you know there will be a certain amount of teams intrigued by his act. Especially after Avery stars on this winter’s 24/7 HBO production, which will follow the Rangers and Flyers.
* Johnny Boychuk, D, Boston: This workhorse showed in the playoffs how underrated he is. Boychuk won’t go unnoticed if he reaches free agency.
* Brad Boyes, F, Buffalo: With the additions Buffalo made, Boyes has a chance for a big offensive season.
* Brent Burns, D, San Jose: Sharks just acquired Burns — 6-foot-4 and only 26 — in a trade, and now they must focus on re-signing him.
* Shane Doan, F, Phoenix: Will Doan, who’ll be 35, finally tire of the ownership problems in Phoenix and be willing to move? Doan could be the piece that puts some team over the top.
* Ales Hemsky, F, Edmonton: Hemsky finally gets his chance to escape Edmonton. It’s likely this offensive wizard will. He’s one those guys who you’d expect would relish leaving Edmonton and thriving somewhere else.
* Barret Jackman, D, St. Louis: He’ll be 31 next summer and likely considered one of the more bruising defensive defensemen on the market.
* Niklas Kronwall, D, Detroit: With Nicklas Lidstrom very close to retiring, Kronwall will cash in big while entering the prime of his career.
* Zach Parise, F, New Jersey: Parise will be 27 next season and heading into the prime of his career. He was excellent at the Olympics for Team USA in Vancouver. Devils may not be able to keep him because of financial considerations.
* Pekka Rinne, G, Nashville: The Red Wings know how good Rinne is. And someone will gladly pay a lot of money to get him.
* Alexander Semin, F, Washington: He’s not likely a $7 million player, but someone may that price.
* Patrick Sharp, F, Chicago: Entering the prime of his career at age 29, Sharp is just below the level of his more celebrated teammates Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa.
* Brad Stuart, D, Detroit: The Red Wings won’t let him get away, especially with Lidstrom near retirement.
* Ryan Suter, D, Nashville: Only 27, and the Predators likely won’t be able to keep both Suter and his partner Shea Weber.
* R.J. Umberger, F, Columbus: There are some people in Columbus who believe Umberger, a quality person on and off the ice, is more valuable on that team than Rick Nash.
* Shea Weber, D, Nashville: Weber almost edged Lidstrom for the Norris Trophy this season, and at age 27 next summer, it’s ridiculous how in demand this burly defenseman will be.
What Ken Holland is doing is a perfect example of why the Red Wings have been able to stay good in the salary cap era. They know how to spend money, remain competitive and reload (not rebuild) for the future.
Source: Detroit News, NHL.com
