Khan's Cap Math

[djoos36]

blog.mlive.com/redwingsinsider/2007/06/is_there_enough_cap_space_for.html

So it basically boils down to this: They can sign two of these three -- Schneider, Bertuzzi, a high-end free agent ($6 million), if the cap is $50-51 million, as it's expected to be.

Khan suggests Ryan Schmidte.

[redwinghockeyfan]

Alot of writers are picking Smyth. Holland has said the Bert is his first choice. But I think if Bert balks at the price we offer, Holland will go with Smyth. All dependent on if someone else grabs him first.

[attica]

This is all based on IF the cap goes up to 51.5 mil, I also dont see meech as a competent #4. (or anyore else we have for that matter). Id rather have bertuzzi+ markov(or another competent #4) or something like kozlov+markov. Heck, at those numbers, if holland were to dump off lilja and sammy for some picks, (which makes 9.7 mil left) you could potentially afford bertuzzi(2.5), kozlov (4.5, although im not sure hell go that low) and markov (2.5).

[heyfolks]

Another crack report..eerrrr on crack reporter.

That defenseman would be Derek Meech, who's no longer exempt from waivers (pencil him in at $500,000). There's no room for Danny Markov if Schneider re-signs, unless they carry eight D or trade a defenseman, both of which are unlikely. So that leaves $7.3 million.

PROJECTION
Meech had a breakthrough year in 2006-07, establishing himself as an AHL all-star and showing he has what it takes to play in the NHL. That said, the Red Wings have a glut of blue-line depth -- with fellow prospect Kyle Quincey is ahead of Meech on the depth chart -- and it will likely be tough for him to crack the NHL roster in 2007-08. He doesn't have to clear waivers to be sent to the minors, and may end up back in the AHL depending on how things shake out in the off-season.

Meech is not a top 6 d let alone a top 4. This team is a lock for the playoffs and unless the Blues come up big a lock to win the Central. They don't need bloated regular season stats or regular season type player. Rather they need playoff types. Lilja wasn't anybody's darling in the regular season, but his size and grit was a valuable tool in the playoffs. Lebda was tossed about and injured (my 2 memories of him were the hip to knee hit and him being tossed into the corner during a scrum around Hasek, where he sat as the whistle blew.)

Nick is 38 and needs a proven NHL partner. Not only is Meech not it, Meech is not playing on the blue line next in anything other than a fill in roll. It all starts with D, 1st the goalie, then the d'men. Ryan Smyth or Schneider/Markov is a no brainer to me. If it is Markov/Boynton it is still money better spent. I would never buy offense at the sake of defense unless the player was just pure magic.

[19forpresident]

I totally agree here. I honestly think grabbing two top 4 dmen is far more important than getting any forwards. If the Wings go into the season with lilja, Quincey, Kindl, Meech, or even Chelios as a top 4 dman they are asking for trouble. Flip and Hudler should both be better than last season and Grigs should be a decent addition. That alone should improve our offense. A healthy Z and Dats going into the playoffs would also do wonders. You cannot have a 40+ year old goalie with a bad groin and stick an average D in front of him. You can't go with only three top 4 dmen when one hasn't made it through an NHL season yet. You also don't want to do that when the other two dmen are 37 years+ old. Cheli can fill in top 4 for a limited amount of time like just the playoffs but he'd never get through 82 games + playoffs in a top 4 role.

[slowhandfan]

I don;t think the WINGS will have any trouble putting Quincey in GR for another year and using him as call-up. Quincey is not so much better than Meech that if it allows up to keep both of them, putting Meech up here and sending Quincey down. The WINGS will make decisions like that to protect their assets.

Now the WINGS may send Meech down if they think he will clear waivers, and he might, unless NJ and Buffalo are screwed becasue of the cap they need any low price help they can get, and they might. There is no end to Lamarillo's mismanagement.

As far as Lilja goes, I would keep him. He is big, and if you get injuries in the playoffs, you could do alot worse than him. For 1 million, we would be stupid to trade him for some draft choice.

As far as a defenseman or forward, I think Holland will go with gives him the best VALUE.

I would really like to see Markov back. I gotta be honest, I don;t think I would pay 5.5 million for Schnieder because he is not defensively strong. Offensively he is a killer, but on D, I am not so sure.

I am not the least bit worried about the blue line on the power play because Chelios and Sammy can both man the point.

[ghostwing]

slowhandfan said:

I don;t think the WINGS will have any trouble putting Quincey in GR for another year and using him as call-up. Quincey is not so much better than Meech that if it allows up to keep both of them, putting Meech up here and sending Quincey down. The WINGS will make decisions like that to protect their assets.

Now the WINGS may send Meech down if they think he will clear waivers, and he might, unless NJ and Buffalo are screwed becasue of the cap they need any low price help they can get, and they might. There is no end to Lamarillo's mismanagement.

As far as Lilja goes, I would keep him. He is big, and if you get injuries in the playoffs, you could do alot worse than him. For 1 million, we would be stupid to trade him for some draft choice.

As far as a defenseman or forward, I think Holland will go with gives him the best VALUE.

I would really like to see Markov back. I gotta be honest, I don;t think I would pay 5.5 million for Schnieder because he is not defensively strong. Offensively he is a killer, but on D, I am not so sure.

I am not the least bit worried about the blue line on the power play because Chelios and Sammy can both man the point.

Matt has said Meech doesn't have to clear waivers to be sent down this year. Going on that I think Kindl will stick with the team this year.

[tstar]

Meech is still exempt from waivers per Matt. I also confirmed that from another source, so he'll be on the Griff's next season most likely. I think the team would keep Quincey first.

[jaster]

Not a fan of Khan's scenario of acquiring Smyth. I like Smyth, but I think too many sacrifices would need to be made. Furthermore, Khan mentions several things that would need to happen. Cap goes up to 51, Kenny decides to save only 1 mil for the deadline, Schneider signs for only 4.5. While one or two of those things may happen, it's not likely all three do. Not to mention the valid point he brings up about having too mmuch money tied up in only a few players a couple years from now.

And I also agree with shoring up the defense first, then worrying about the offense (I've said that a hundred times).

Who knows though, Holland is no slouch, he knows what he's doing. I won't be shocked if we get Smyth, but I feel like it's pretty unlikely.

[funkybluefish203]

Worried about defense? Great. Sign Markov. Forget about Schneider. Let Kronwall have Schneider's ice time. Go after a guy like Hannan or a cheaper option to get tighter on d. Deal Lebda. Cheli can play with Quincey. Lilja can fill in at times as the 7th man. Meech is in the A along with Kindl for depth.