Monday, July 21, 2008

Concentrated Juice: Fact, Factoid, Rumor and Speculation: July 21 2008

Wings Fact, Factoid, Rumor and Speculation: July 21 2008

Ladies and Gents, Cats and Pajamas: Today was a relatively active news day for the Wings. Here is what went down as Mr. Holland (or as he is known in Hockeytown as “Wile E. Ken-oyte, Super Genius“) rolled up his sleeves to tie up some loose ends:

FACT

Jimmy Howard and Jonathon Ericsson were extended. Deal terms:

Howard:


3 years, 2 way contract total value: $2.15MM, $600,000, $750,000 and $800,000.

Ericsson:


3 years, 2 way contract total value: $2.7MM, $550,000, 900,000 and $1.25 million.

Fun fact? Ericsson’s response in a Swedish paper:

“I am hugely satisfied and have thanked my agent for this, it was well done. I have not had the chance to earn really big money before. This gives [me] completely different security.”

Of Ken Holland, Ericsson says:

“He believes in me. He has said he believes in me and that I have a future with the club. It feels good and I am grateful.”

Good Kid!!!!!!!


FACTOID

McCrimmon:

Ken Holland has been in talks with Brad McCrimmon, an 18-year NHL veteran who spent three seasons with the Wings (1990-93). Some are reporting this is a done deal. McCrimmon is said to have much strength as a defensive coordinator having played in the league and served on an NHL Coaching staff. He is also said to have a very positive attitude and great instinct- sounds like he’ll fit in just fine with the Wings Org. Welcome Back Brad!

Fun fact? Nico Lidstrom LOVES McCrimmon: Here are some of his quotes over the last year:

April 2, Detroit News: "When I first came to Detroit, the older defensemen on the team, like Paul Coffey and Brad McCrimmon, would talk about Orr,"

Lidstrom mentioned McCrimmon again on April 10th…

April 10, NHL.com: “I’ve had some great partners over the years – Paul Coffey, Larry Murphy,Brad McCrimmon. It’s helped my game, too, playing with good partners over the years.”



RUMOR

Dmac and Downey:

Offers have been extended, rumor has it they are 2 way contracts for about $1MM each.


Filps:

Wings have decided to forgo arbitration with Filppula and just sign him to a 4 year 5MM deal. NOOO I am totally kidding. Sorry, I had to have some fun with ya….

Ccd3m, Mchiconsky: breathe, please breathe….

LOOSE ENDS

Filps, Filps Filps Filps:

See all the great comments from your fellow Connectors at my last blog.

With this new news on the Howard and Ericsson 2 ways, the money remaining under the Wings Salary Cap, an estimated $2.9MM is partially reduced, since both these players will see NHL Ice time.

Add to that the money/contracts extended to Dmac and Downey, PLUS about a Mill for Cheli and well…

How to say this gently…???

Filps is just watching the available funds trickle away…What is worse is that Wings seemingly might not be in a position to accept an arbitration award over $1.2MM/year. Filps really needs to sign before the money is all gone, or there may not be more than $1MM per year to accept.

At this point, if Ken has made an offer to Filps exceeding $1.5MM, for two years, I think Filps needs to take it, or he will find himself on the open market whether he wants to be or not.

Argh!!!!!


Originally posted on Monday July 21, 2008 @ 08:48 PM EDT at http://fans.nhl.com/members/JuiceinLA/blogs/18571
Copyright 2008. All Rights Reserved. No use or reproduction without the express written permission of the author.

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