I haven't been updating any of this stuff lately.

I'm still in shock and denial over the playoff exit.

Anyway. The Wings have let Legace look elsewhere for the starting job he wants.

LINK

If they sign Belfour I'll throw up all over myself. I'd like to see Giguere, but I doubt they'll have the cap space for it.

Also, if you missed it.

Chelios signed for $850,000. Which is okay, he was really solid last year.

Lidstrom is a priority.

From the Freep:

They currently have about $22.5 million committed to next season's payroll, and it's probably going to take around $8 million to re-sign defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom; those negotiations are on-going.

But I think at that price, it's too much for a guy who's lost a step. I'd like to see Saint Nic back but, that's too much from the cap.

And much to my chagrin it looks like they are going to pay Shanny more than he made last year.

From the Freep:
Holland also has decided to pursue potential free agent forward Brendan Shanahan, who last season made $2.28 million and probably will require a raise.

Require a raise?!! He's only a year older. Athletes are not like fine wines, they usually get worse with age. And Shanny is vinegar. Why are they so loyal to this guy? He's a poor man's Yzerman.

And speaking of Yzerman, Holland's changed his tune. He was originally saying that he wanted to know by the end of June whether Yzerman would be back or not, but now he's saying:

From the Freep:

Holland had hoped to know by late this month whether center Steve Yzerman wanted to return or retire, but after three conversations over the past week, it now appears the decision won't be known until next month at the earliest. It won't affect planning much, because neither Yzerman's salary nor his playing minutes will be very high.

And it looks like Datsyuk is safe for now.

From the Freep:

By the time the Wings also have signed various role players, there'll be about $3 million left for a goaltender, with $1 million in wriggle room. It's possible more could be spent via a trade, but Holland contends he will not part with the team's most desirable bait, center Pavel Datsyuk.

This is good, in my eyes. He was the team's leader in points, and I thought, despite not scoring, he played well in the playoffs. Remember he missed three weeks, plus one playoff game to an injury.

The Young D-man Kronwall shined in Sweden's win at the World Championships.

From the Freep:

Sweden becomes the first nation in history to capture Olympic and World Championship championships in the same year.

Afterward, the IIHF Directorate recognized Kronwall as the most valuable player of the tournament, and as the best defenseman. Kronwall, 25, had two goals and eight assists in eight games (including a goal and an assist Sunday), and a plus-three rating.

"He played very, very good," Holland said. "He played well for us in the playoffs and well here, and we look forward to having him back and skating next year."

Here is a link to the full story.

More to come.

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I know you don't mean $8mil. per for Lids.

That's what the papers are saying. I think we'd be alot better off trying to sign him for around $6mil. He was one of the highest paid players in the league this past season. $6mil would bring him down to the "very good" player range. $8mil is the superstar zone, I really don't think he is a superstar.

Sure, everyone in the organization will tell you that he is a superstar, but that, I think is the problem with this team: They forget that even superstars get older and loose a step.

Let me get this right.
Shanny and everyone else is paid around $2-3mil. max.
But Lids is looking at $6-8mil.?
Something is goofed up.

Here's what's in the books right now.

Datsyuk $3.9 mil
Lang $3.8 mil
Schneider $3.3 mil
Zetts $2.65 mil
Draper $2.128 mil
Maltby $1.406 mil
Fischer $1.387 mil
Holmstrom $1.368 mil
Samuelsson $1.2 mil
Lilja $1 mil
Kronwall $990,000
Cross $893,000
Chelios $850,000

That's what TSN.ca has listed, but I think I heard that they already decided to let Cross go, so I don't think he is under contract.

Anyway, it's interesting to go to this link, and (about 2/3 of the way down, on the far right of the screen), and click the different teams to see who is paying what for whom.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/

Chicago is paying Khaubibulin $6.75 mil, Iginla is making $7 mil, Pronger is $6.25 mil, Naslund $6 mil, Bertuzzi $5.269 mil, Niedermayer $6.75, Giguere $3.99 mil, Thornton $6.667 mil...

OMG... Tkachuk is making $7.6 mil... no wonder the Blues are for sale.

I'd really say anything over $6mil is too much for Lids.

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Well a few guys are getting over. I thought the owners were trying to get away from those huge numbers. I see problems. How do you tell your wing "I make 3x what you do"!

Well, the most that Lids can ask for is 20% of the salary cap. Something like $7.8 million.

But I still don't see how having one guy making 20% of the cap is practical.

Aside from that, I still don't think Lids is worth that much. Before the salary cap? Yeah, pay him whatever you have to Ilitch, but now? Gotta keep some $ for a goalie and a few consistant forwards.

Anyone hear the rumor that we are trying to trade Datsyuk for R longo? It is all over the paper here in south Florida? I am not sure that is such a good move.

Yeah, I've heard it here too. There was talk last season of Jose Theodore for Luongo as well. In fact, theres been talk of Luongo leaving Florida for a couple of years now.

Holland has come out and said that he doesn't want to let Datsyuk go.

Also Luongo would take up som much salary cap sapce that Lang would probably have to go as well. Not to mention Luongo has never played in the playoffs before. He's not worth it.