Polish-Hammer
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- Jul 8, 2016
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http://www.freep.com/story/sports/n...ed-wings-ken-holland-jeff-blashill/100392230/
Hard to see Holland, Blashill in current roles when Red Wings contend.
Freep
Detroit is stuck between a rock and a place that is hard. Detroit is handcuffed by many long term deals to players who well.... just aren't that great.
Franzen's career is over which is unfortunate because he is closest Detroit had to a guy who could score.
Ericsson is a 6th/7th D-man on any other team making 4.25 mil until he is 37. He is a human pylon, dosen't know how to block shots, constantly screens his own goalie, and is out muscled by players considerably smaller than him.
Helm is a 3rd line guy is making almost 4 million. His major attribute is speed which is only going to decline in his 30s, not to mention his prone nature to injuries.
Glendening's extension is kicking in this summer with him making almost 2 million a season. He is a 4th liner/PK specialist who is pretty good at faceoffs. He isn't making that much, but a replacement player could fetch for as little as 1 million. Being a Michigan boy means he gets a nice long contract.
Nielsen, if his contract was 2-3 years long it wouldn't be an issue. His contract/production is Stephen Weiss level (minus the injuries) plus his No Movement/No Trade clause on a contract keeps him until he is 38! Regression is just around the corner... 1 more season before his no trade kicks in.
DeKeyser is decent but at 5 mil a season is mindblowing. He has a no trade clause which kicks in this summer. Wonder if him being from Michigan has anything to do with it...
Abdelkader's contract runs until he is 36 at 4.25 per season. Twice made it to 40+ points at the cost of dragging down his centerman's point production. He was only on pace for 27 points had he payed an entire season, at almost 17 minutes a game that is awful. Abbie is a bottom 6 guy who has been playing above his skill level since the shortended season. At one point Datsyuk just started shooting the puck at him because he can't handle one of his passes. Wonder if him being from Michigan has anything to do with things... not to mention I have suspicions Holland wants to make him the next Captain.
$9 million being tied in goalies doesn't help the situation either. $5 is the going rate for a starting goalie in the NHL, although, there are so many goalies and so few spots its a wonder why that number isn;t dropping.
Don't worry, Stephen Weiss buyout ends at end of 2020-21 season.
Contracts that expire after 2020 season;
2019-20: Franzen, Ericsson
2020-21: Helm, Zetterberg, Glendening
2021-22: Nielsen, DeKeyser
2022-23: Abdelkader
I categorize all these contracts as bad. The Zetterberg less so but the rest.... just awful.