Detroit Red Wings Clips July 2, 2014 Detroit Red Wings PAGE 2 Detroit Red Wings re-sign Riley Sheahan, extend Petr Mrazek PAGE 3 NHL free agency rumor mill: The latest updates PAGE 4 NHL draft: New N.J. Devil Josh Jacobs has Michigan State on his mind PAGE 5 Red Wings coming up empty on free-agent targets to bolster defense PAGE 7 Tuesday's NHL roundup: Former Michigan State star Ryan Miller signs three-year deal with Canucks PAGE 10 Red Wings sign Kyle Quincey, Riley Sheahan for two years, extend Petr Mrazek PAGE 11 Red Wings sign defenseman Kyle Quincey to two-year, $8.5 million contract PAGE 12 Detroit Red Wings sign forward Kevin Porter to one-year, two-way contract PAGE 13 Trade might be best option after Red Wings unable to land top free-agent targets Niskanen, Boyle PAGE 14 Detroit Red Wings free-agent target Dan Boyle signs with New York Rangers PAGE 15 Detroit Red Wings sign goaltender Petr Mrazek to one-year contract extension PAGE 16 Detroit Red Wings sign young center Riley Sheahan to two-year, $1.9 million contract PAGE 17 Red Wings made several pitches, but came away empty in search for right-shot defenseman PAGE 19 Detroit Red Wings miss on free agents Boyle, Niskanen; re-sign Sheahan, Mrazek PAGE 21 Detroit Red Wings sign restricted free agent Riley Sheahan PAGE 23 Detroit Red Wings settle for re-signing Kyle Quincey as top free agents pick other teams PAGE 25 Duff: Wings shut out in free agent frenzy PAGE 27 Holland after tough day: 'We'll keep kicking tires' PAGE 28 Reports: Red Wings re-sign Kyle Quincey
Detroit Red Wings re-sign Riley Sheahan, extend Petr Mrazek 12:44 PM, July 1, 2014 By Helene St. James Detroit Free Press Sports Writer The Detroit Red Wings took care of some internal business Tuesday, locking up Riley Sheahan and Petr Mrazek. Sheahan, a restricted free agent, was signed to a two-year deal worth $1.9 million - he'll make $850,000 the first year, $1.05 million the second year, averaging out to a salary cap hit of $950,000. Sheahan, 22, emerged as a bonafide NHL center last season when he was called up to offset the massive injuries the Wings had down the middle. He held his own defensively, while contributing nine goals and 15 assists in 42 games. He had no points in the playoffs, but he was out consistently against Boston's David Krejci, who left the series with two points. That leaves Danny DeKeyser and Tomas Tatar as the remaining restricted free agents. Mrazek, slated to spend next season with the Grand Rapids but tabbed to be full-time in Detroit in 2015-16, was signed a one-year extension worth $737,500. Detroit Free Press LOADED: 07.02.2014 2
NHL free agency rumor mill: The latest updates By Brian Manzullo 1:15 AM, Jul. 2, 2014 NHL free agency officially opened Tuesday. And the Detroit Red Wings could be busy, at least looking for a top-4 defenseman. Free agency season these days is usually loaded with news, reports, rumors and jabber across all 30 hockey teams. So we want to make it as easy for you to follow as possible: A real-time Twitter feed following our very own Helene St. James and select NHL insiders across the country. No refreshes necessary. Keep your eyes on the Twitter feed below for the latest up-tothe-minute NHL news and trade rumors! Detroit Free Press LOADED: 07.02.2014 3
NHL draft: New N.J. Devil Josh Jacobs has Michigan State on his mind July 2, 2014 By Chris Solari Gannett Michigan Josh Jacobs admits he keeps in touch with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League. But the defenseman Tuesday reaffirmed his commitment to Michigan State. I love Michigan State, and I want to be a Spartan, the Shelby Township native said during an interview with Staudt on Sports on Lansing s WVFN-AM (730). Right now, I m looking at Michigan State and taking online classes here back at home. Michigan State, the Spartans, the university everything like that is on my mind. So that s what I m planning on doing come the fall, being a Spartan. Jacobs, an incoming freshman, was selected in the second round of the NHL draft with the 41st overall pick by the New Jersey Devils on Saturday. The 6-foot-1¾, 193- pounder was the highest-picked Spartan since Daultan Leveille went to the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2008 first round. Jacobs, 18, committed to MSU two years ago while playing for the HoneyBaked Hockey Club in Detroit. That summer, Sarnia selected Jacobs in the 12 OHL draft. MSU coach Tom Anastos said last weekend he expects Jacobs to be with his team in the fall and bypass major Canadian juniors. The NHL Central Scouting Service rated Jacobs as the 43rd-best North American skater in the draft. In his second USHL season with Indiana this past winter, he had five goals, 18 assists and was a plus-37 in 56 games. That s what I want to bring to the table at Michigan State, said Jacobs, who plans to arrive in East Lansing in late August. I want to be close with all my brothers there in the locker room, plus the coaching staff, and get on the roll with this season. Jacobs and his family were in Philadelphia to hear his name called at the draft. It was a fulfillment of his life-long dream. It was a great feeling to get drafted by the New Jersey Devils organization, he said. I just got back to planet earth pretty much right now. Detroit Free Press LOADED: 07.02.2014 4
Red Wings coming up empty on free-agent targets to bolster defense Ted Kulfan The Detroit News Detroit The Red Wings still are looking for a right-handed shooting defenseman. But on Tuesday, the first day of NHL unrestricted free agency, they came up short. We went in looking to add a right-hand defenseman and we felt we made very competitive offers, said Red Wings general manager Ken Holland, who had between $8 million-$10 million to spend. For various reasons, they chose to go elsewhere. Holland said earlier in the day he wouldn t rule out the possibility of turning back to lefthanded shooting defenseman Kyle Quincey, a unrestricted free agent who did not sign with any team. That s just what Detroit did, announcing Tuesday evening it had reached a two-year deal, believed to be worth $8.5 million. Among the targets the Red Wings missed on: Matt Niskanen signed a seven-year, $40.25 million contract with the Capitals. The Red Wings offered Niskanen similar terms and slightly less money (believed to be $40 million), but found out early Tuesday they weren t on Niskanen s preferred list. Danny Boyle signed a two-year, $9 million contract with the Rangers. The Red Wings were willing to go over $10 million, but Boyle likely felt the Rangers, coming off a Stanley Cup appearance, were a more desirable option. Anton Stralman signed a five-year, $22.5 million deal with the Lightning. Stephane Robidas signed a three-year, $9 million deal with the Maple Leafs. Christian Ehrhoff, bought out by the Sabres last weekend, signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Penguins. Despite missing out of some top targets, Holland still believes the Red Wings are an attractive option. Daniel Alfredsson could be going to the Hall of Fame; he chose to come to Detroit (last season), Holland said. Stephen Weiss had a choice of teams, and he chose to Detroit. There is a salary cap. Players have a lot of options. With no big acquisition, the trade route is again a possibility. Defensemen such as Tyler Myers (Sabres), Dustin Byfuglien (Jets) and Jeff Petry (Oilers) all right-handers could be available. We need another defenseman, maybe two, Holland said. We ll see what the rest of the summer holds. 5
But any package for any of those defensemen likely would have to include a young forward such as Gustav Nyquist, Anthony Mantha, Tomas Tatar or Tomas Jurco, along with a draft pick. The Red Wings have been unwilling to part with any of their young prospects. Detroit News LOADED: 07.02.2014 6
Tuesday's NHL roundup: Former Michigan State star Ryan Miller signs three-year deal with Canucks Associated Press The Vancouver Canucks have signed free-agent goaltender Ryan Miller. The three-year deal is reportedly worth $18 million. Miller (East Lansing/Michigan State) was seen as the best goalie on the free-agent market this year. The Canucks need a proven goaltender after trading Cory Schneider and Roberto Luongo in the past 13 months. The St. Louis Blues acquired Miller from Buffalo in February, hoping he could lead them deep into the playoffs. But the club was eliminated by the Blackhawks in the first round after Miller allowed 19 goals and had a.897 save percentage. He was 25-30-4 with a 2.64 goals-against average and.918 save percentage this past season. Wild add winger Vanek The Minnesota Wild have made another splash in free agency. Thomas Vanek, one of the top free agents available, agreed to terms on a three-year contract with the Wild on Tuesday. The 30-year-old Austrian wing will get a chance to have a stable NHL home after playing for three teams last season. He started the season with the Buffalo Sabres and went on to play for the New York Islanders and Montreal Canadiens. Vanek finished the season with 27 goals and 68 points. Capitals sign 2, including Niskanen The Washington Capitals signed a pair of free-agent defensemen from the Pittsburgh Penguins, giving Matt Niskanen a seven-year, $40.25 million contract, and Brooks Orpik a $27.5 million, five-year deal. The 27-year-old Niskanen led NHL blue liners with a plus-33 rating last season, when he set career highs with 10 goals and 36 assists. The 6-foot, 209-pound defenseman has 35 goals, 132 assists and 266 penalty minutes in 491 career NHL games for Pittsburgh and Dallas. The 33-year-old Orpik has played his entire career with the Penguins, who drafted him in the first round in 2000. The Capitals also signed free-agent goaltender Justin Peters to a $1.9 million, two-year deal and re-signed center Michael Latta to a $1.15 million contract. Blues sign Stastny to four-year deal 7
The St. Louis Blues have lured Paul Stastny away from division rival Colorado, signing the veteran center to a four-year, $28 million deal Tuesday. Stastny has spent his entire career with the Avalanche after being picked in the second round of the 2005 draft. He thrived under first-year coach Patrick Roy last season, scoring 25 goals as he helped the Avalanche overtake St. Louis for the Central Division crown and into the postseason for the first time since 2009-10. The 28-year-old Stastny is a St. Louis native. His father, Hall of Famer Peter Stastny, and brother, Yan Stastny, are former Blues players. Paul and Peter Stastny will be the fifth father-son combination to have played for the Blues in franchise history. Source: Avalanche add Iginla The Colorado Avalanche added a big-name scorer in Jarome Iginla shortly after losing a fan favorite in Paul Stastny. The Avalanche signed Iginla to a three-year, $16 million deal, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has yet to be announced. Iginla scored 30 goals and had 31 assists in 78 games with the Boston Bruins last season. He will be counted on to help fill the scoring void left by Stastny, who signed a four-year, $28 million deal with division rival St. Louis earlier in the day. Stastny spent his entire career with Colorado after being picked in the second round of the 2005 draft. Iginla, who turned 37 on Tuesday, is a six-time All Star. He s led the league in goals twice and has 560 in his career with Calgary, Pittsburgh and Boston. The Avalanche also acquired former Red Wings defenseman Brad Stuart from the San Jose Sharks for a second-round pick in 2016 and a sixth-rounder in 2017. The 34-year-old Stuart will help bolster the Avalanche s blue line after a season in which he skated in 61 games for the Sharks. He was third on the team in blocked shots (114) and hits (122). Senators deal Spezza to Stars Jason Spezza has been traded from the Ottawa Senators to the Dallas Stars. The Senators traded their captain to the Stars for forward Alex Chiasson, forward prospects Alex Guptill and Nicholas Paul and a second-round pick in next year s draft. Dallas also receives forward prospect Ludwig Karlsson. Spezza, who is set to be an unrestricted free agent next summer, had asked for a trade and general manager Bryan Murray said he would try to accommodate him. The 31-year-old center had control of his destination with a limited no-trade clause. Spezza designated 10 teams he would not accept a trade to, which included the Nashville Predators, who had a deal done at this past weekend s draft. Spezza refused to waive the no-trade clause, leaving Murray to look for other options. Dallas emerged as that option. 8
Panthers sign 3, including former Michigan goalie Montoya The Panthers agreed to terms with centers Dave Bolland and Jussi Jokinen, plus former Michigan goaltender Al Montoya shortly after hockey s free agent period started. Bolland signed a $27.5 million, five-year deal. Jokinen signed for four years and $16 million. Terms of Montoya s deal were not immediately known. Jokinen had 21 goals and 36 assists for 57 points with Pittsburgh last season. Bolland, who once was with the Chicago Blackhawks when Florida general manager Dale Tallon was in the same role with that franchise, played in just 23 games for Toronto this past season because of a severed tendon in his left ankle. Montoya was 13-8-3 with a 2.30 goals-against average for Winnipeg last season, stopping 92 percent of the shots he faced. Ice chips A person familiar with the move has confirmed to the Associated Press the Devils have signed free-agent center Mike Cammalleri to a five-year, $25 million contract. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Devils have not announced the move which was reached Tuesday, the first day of the NHL s freeagency period. Cammalleri is an 11-year NHL veteran, who has spent the past two-plus seasons with the Flames. He is a six-time 20-goal scorer, who had 26 goals and 19 assists in 63 games last season.... The Sabres have acquired defenseman Josh Gorges in a trade with the Canadiens. In exchange, the Sabres gave up a second-round pick in the 2016 draft. Gorges had a goal and 13 assists in 66 games last season, and has 14 goals and 84 assists in 560 games. The Canadiens quickly filled the void left by Gorges by agreeing to sign free-agent defenseman Tom Gilbert to a two-year contract. The Canadiens also signed free-agent forward Manny Malhotra to a one-year deal worth $850,000.... Winger Milan Michalek is staying with the Senators, signing a $12 million, three-year deal soon after NHL free agency began. The 29-year-old Michalek was an unrestricted free agent coming off a season in which he scored 17 goals and had 39 points. He has 187 goals and 394 points in his career with the Senators and the San Jose Sharks.... The Oilers signed defenseman Mark Fayne and forward Benoit Pouliot.... Flames signed forward Mason Raymond to a three-year deal.... The Jets signed forward Mathieu Perreault to a three-year, $9 million contract.... Stephane Robidas signed a three-year, $9 million deal with Toronto as the Maple Leafs continue to overhaul their defense. 9
Red Wings sign Kyle Quincey, Riley Sheahan for two years, extend Petr Mrazek Ted Kulfan The Detroit News Detroit The Red Wings have taken care of two of their own, and brought two in from the outside. Center Riley Sheahan, a restricted free agent, has signed a two-year contract for $1.9 million Tuesday, the first day of NHL free agency. Later in the day, the Red Wings announced they signed unrestricted free agent defenseman Kyle Quincey to a two-year, $8.5 million deal. Sheahan, 22, was called up the middle of last season from Grand Rapids and never looked back. In 42 games with the Wings, Sheahan had 24 points, with nine goals and 15 assists. He was drafted by them in the first round in 2010 out of Notre Dame. Quincey played 82 games for the Red Wings last season, finishing with fours goal, nine assists and a minus-5 rating. The Red Wings also signed goalie Petr Mrazek to a one-year extension, through the 2015-16 season. Financial terms were not disclosed. Sheahan's signing leaves the Red Wings with two other restricted free agents to sign forward Tomas Tatar and defenseman Danny DeKeyser. The announcement regarding Sheahan came approximately 90 minutes before the start of unrestricted free agency, where the Red Wings were expected to make some sort of splash. The Red Wings did sign Northville native Kevin Porter to a one-year contract. Terms were not disclosed. Porter, a left wing, has split the last two seasons between the Buffalo Sabres and the AHL s Rochester Americans. In 12 NHL games last season, the 28-year-old recorded one assist and two penalty minutes, adding 36 points (19-17-36) in 50 AHL contests. The 5-foot-9, 191-pound forward has appeared in 206 NHL games since 2008-09, tallying 55 points (29-26-55) and 60 penalty minutes. The Red Wings also signed Andy Miele (Grosse Pointe), who will be sent to Grand Rapids along with Porter. Detroit News LOADED: 07.02.2014 10
Red Wings sign defenseman Kyle Quincey to two-year, $8.5 million contract Ansar Khan akhan1@mlive.com By Ansar Khan akhan1@mlive.com on July 01, 2014 at 7:18 PM, updated July 01, 2014 at 7:27 PM DETROIT -- Unable to land the right-handed shooting defenseman they were seeking in free agency, the Detroit Red Wings turned to a familiar face, signing Kyle Quincey to a two-year contract worth $4.25 million per season. Quincey, a left-handed shooting defenseman, was strong the second half of the season after struggling in the first half. He finished with four goals and nine assists, along with a minus-5 rating, in 82 games. He and Drew Miller were the only Red Wings to play in every game. Quincey (6-2, 207) turns 29 on Aug. 12. He was paired most of the season with Danny DeKeyser. Michigan Live LOADED: 07.02.2014 11
Detroit Red Wings sign forward Kevin Porter to one-year, two-way contract Brendan Savage bsavage@mlive.com By Brendan Savage bsavage@mlive.com on July 01, 2014 at 3:30 PM, updated July 01, 2014 at 5:29 PM The Detroit Red Wings have signed forward Kevin Porter to a one-year, two-way contract. The 28-year-old Porter, who split last season between the Buffalo Sabres and AHL's Rochester Americans, gives the Red Wings depth for their AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids. In six NHL seasons with Buffalo, Colorado and Phoenix, Porter has 29 goals, 26 assists and 60 penalty minutes in 206 games. Last season, he had one assist, two PIM and a minus-5 rating in 12 games for the Sabres. He also played 50 games for Rochester, recording 19 goals, 17 assists, 24 PIM and a minus-8 rating. At Michigan, Porter won the 2008 Hobey Baker Award as college hockey's best player. Porter (5-11, 194) had 85 goals in 162 career games for the Wolverines. He was selected by Phoenix in the fourth round (119th overall) of the 2004 NHL draft. Michigan Live LOADED: 07.02.2014 12
Trade might be best option after Red Wings unable to land top free-agent targets Niskanen, Boyle Ansar Khan akhan1@mlive.com By Ansar Khan akhan1@mlive.com on July 01, 2014 at 3:37 PM, updated July 01, 2014 at 5:59 PM DETROIT The Detroit Red Wings have plenty of salary cap space, but nobody to spend it on, for now. The Red Wings were unable to land any of their top three targets -- right-handed shooting defensemen Matt Niskanen and Dan Boyle and left-handed defenseman Christian Ehrhoff - when NHL free agency opened today. The few lower-cost options available on defense are that not appealing, which could prompt the Red Wings to address their top need through a trade. Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said he has had many trade conversations over the past month but has been reluctant to deal any of the organization's best young forwards (Gustav Nyquist, Tomas Tatar, Tomas Jurco) or top prospect (Anthony Mantha). Defensemen potentially available through a trade include 6-foot-8 Tyler Myers of Buffalo, 6-5 Cody Franson of Toronto, 6-5, 260-pound Dustin Byfuglien of Winnipeg and 6-3 Jeff Petry of Edmonton all of whom shoot right and left-hander Keith Yandle of Arizona. The Red Wings have roughly $9 million to $10 million to spend, after factoring in what it will take to sign restricted free agents Danny DeKeyser and Tomas Tatar. They made a big push for Boyle and Niskanen. Boyle signed a two-year, $9 million deal with the New York Rangers, leaving money on the table. The Red Wings offered him three years at $12.5 million ($5 million each for first two seasons and $2.5 million for the third). Niskanen signed a seven-year, $40.25 million deal with Washington. His camp told the Red Wings as late as this past weekend that they were on his "short list" but informed them early Tuesday that they were out. The Red Wings felt they made a competitive offer and would have given him seven years at $42 million. Ehrhoff, who told the Red Wings he was seeking a five-year deal, signed a one-year, $4 million contract with Pittsburgh. He didn't give the Red Wings a chance to make a better offer. Michigan Live LOADED: 07.02.2014 13
Detroit Red Wings free-agent target Dan Boyle signs with New York Rangers Brendan Savage bsavage@mlive.com By Brendan Savage bsavage@mlive.com on July 01, 2014 at 12:52 PM, updated July 01, 2014 at 12:54 PM One of the free-agent defensemen the Detroit Red Wings coveted is off the board. Dan Boyle, who spent the last six seasons of his 15-year NHL career with the San Jose Sharks, has agreed to a two-year contract with the New York Rangers, according to a Tweet by Larry Brooks of the New York Post. The Rangers signed Boyle for $9 million over two years. Boyle, 37, signed with the Rangers for less than what the Red Wings were offering. Detroit was prepared to pay Boyle $11 million over two seasons. Michigan Live LOADED: 07.02.2014 14
Detroit Red Wings sign goaltender Petr Mrazek to one-year contract extension Brendan Savage bsavage@mlive.com By Brendan Savage bsavage@mlive.com on July 01, 2014 at 12:42 PM, updated July 01, 2014 at 12:45 PM The Detroit Red Wings have signed goaltender Petr Mrazek to a one-year contract extension, the club announced this afternoon. Mrazek, who led the Grand Rapids Griffins to the 2013 Calder Cup, had one year remaining on his contract and is locked up through 2015-16. He was second in the AHL last season with a 2.10 goals-against average and also appeared in nine games with the Red Wings. Mrazek, 22, had a 2-4 record, 1.74 GAA,.927 save percentage and two shutouts with Detroit last season. With Grand Rapids, he had a 22-9-1 record, was third in the AHL with a.924 save percentage and had three shutouts in 32 appearances. Michigan Live LOADED: 07.02.2014 15
Detroit Red Wings sign young center Riley Sheahan to two-year, $1.9 million contract Ansar Khan akhan1@mlive.com By Ansar Khan akhan1@mlive.com on July 01, 2014 at 10:52 AM, updated July 01, 2014 at 12:55 PM DETROIT The Detroit Red Wings have signed center Riley Sheahan to a two-year contract extension worth $950,000 per season. Sheahan, 22, is coming off a solid rookie season. Recalled from the Grand Rapids midway through the season due to the Red Wings' rash of injuries, Sheahan quickly established himself a dependable two-way player, playing mainly with other young players like Tomas Tatar and Tomas Jurco. He provided more offense than was expected, with nine goals and 15 assists, along with a plus-6 rating, in 42 games. He had no points in the five-game first-round playoff series loss to the Boston Bruins. Sheahan was one of the club's restricted free agents. The Red Wings are working on new deals for Tatar and defenseman Danny DeKeyser, too, as well as several players who played in Grand Rapids. The Red Wings selected Sheahan (Notre Dame) in the first round of the 2010 entry draft. Michigan Live LOADED: 07.02.2014 16
Red Wings made several pitches, but came away empty in search for right-shot defenseman Ansar Khan akhan1@mlive.com By Ansar Khan akhan1@mlive.com on July 01, 2014 at 9:14 PM, updated July 01, 2014 at 9:37 PM DETROIT The Detroit Red Wings came up empty in their attempt to acquire a righthanded shooting defenseman or two in free agency Tuesday. But general manager Ken Holland said it wasn't from a lack of trying. "Our hope was to acquire a right-shot defenseman," Holland said. "We made offers to four or five. For a variety of reasons they chose to go elsewhere. That's the reality of the salary-cap world. There's a lot of reasons why players go in different directions." The Red Wings made one move, re-signing left-handed shooting defenseman Kyle Quincey for two years at $4.25 million per season. But they're in the same predicament they were in last season with seven left-shot defensemen on their roster. Holland said he is not disappointed, however. "Not in the least," Holland said. "You're talking about 4-5 players and there's 30 teams. It's free agency; it's wide open. Other teams are after these players, too. Last year we got the guys wanted (forwards Stephen Weiss and Daniel Alfredsson) this year we didn't." The Red Wings were roughly $10 million under the cap, before signing Quincey, so money wasn't the issue. In most cases, they were willing to pay more than other clubs. Their main targets were Matt Niskanen (who signed for seven years at $40.25 million with Washington) and Dan Boyle (who signed for two years at $9 million with the New York Rangers). Holland declined to reveal details about any of the Red Wings' offers, but a source said Niskanen's agent told the Red Wings over the weekend that he was on their "short list." They offered him a seven-year deal for $38.5 million. The agent called Tuesday and told the Red Wings they didn't make the final cut. They were not given an opportunity to negotiate. The Red Wings made Boyle a three-year, $12.5 million offer ($5 million in each of the first two seasons, $2.5 million for 2016-17). Boyle, who turns 38 on July 12, took less to go to the Rangers. The Red Wings spoke to Anton Stralman, but he wanted a five- or six-year deal (he signed with Tampa Bay; five years at $4.5 million per season). The Red Wings didn't want to sign him for that long because they believe some of their young defensemen (Xavier Ouellet, Ryan Sproul, Alexey Marchenko, Mattias Backman) will be better than Stralman in a couple of years. 17
The Red Wings offered Stephane Robidas, 37, a comparable deal to the one he signed with Toronto (three years at $3 million per season). Robidas, who is from Quebec, wanted to be closer to home for family reasons. The Red Wings also were talking with Tom Gilbert, but he had an offer on the table from Montreal (two years at $2.8 million per season) and couldn't wait for Detroit to explore other options first. The only signing that puzzled the Red Wings happened immediately after noon, when free agency began, as left-handed shooting defenseman Christian Ehrhoff opted for a one-year deal with Pittsburgh for $4 million. A source said Ehrhoff's camp had told the Red Wings he was seeking a five-year deal for $5 million per season. They weren't prepared to offer more than two or three years. Ehrhoff clearly wanted to play for the Penguins because he didn't give the Red Wings a chance to beat that offer, which they would have. Holland dismissed speculation that Detroit isn't the free-agent destination it once was or that the franchise has lost its luster in the eyes of players hitting the open market. "Thirty teams are a destination," Holland said. "The game has changed. Players can go wherever they want. We all have the same money (because of the cap). We made some pitches. Those players chose to go elsewhere." Holland doesn't accept the notion that free agents don't want to play for coach Mike Babcock because of his demanding ways. "I think we got a fabulous coach," Holland said. (Team Canada executive director) Steve Yzerman has picked him for two Olympic teams and the results speak for themselves (gold medals in 2010 and 2014)." Holland said he will continue exploring trade possibilities for a right-handed shooting defenseman and look for free-agent bargains this summer. "Still lots of players out there that could be good one-year bargains," Holland said. "I was hoping to get a right-shot defenseman or two. They signed elsewhere, that's their prerogative. That's going to happen more and more with the cap ceiling and floor going up." Michigan Live LOADED: 07.02.2014 18
Detroit Red Wings miss on free agents Boyle, Niskanen; re-sign Sheahan, Mrazek By Chuck Pleiness, The Macomb Daily Posted: 07/01/14, 1:42 PM EDT Updated: 13 secs ago DETROIT >> The Detroit Red Wings had high hopes of landing at least one and possibly two premier right-handed defensemen on the first day of free agency. They wound up with neither. First, Detroit lost out on Dan Boyle, who signed a two-year deal with the New York Rangers for $9 million on Tuesday. The Wings shopping list began with Boyle, who ll turn 38 next month. They offered him a two-year deal at around $5.5 million a season. Matt Niskanen was next, but he informed the Wings that they were not on the list of teams he was considering. The 27-year old defenseman was looking for a lengthy deal at the maximum seven years and possibly in upward of $6 million a season to sign. The Wings were fine with the length of a deal and seemed willing to meet his salary demands. Originally they didn t seem willing to pay him much more annually than what Niklas Kronwall ($4.75 million) is making. Niskanen had career highs in goals (10), assists (36) and plus-minus (plus-33) last season with the Penguins. While their two main right-handed targets on the blue line decided to go elsewhere, the second tier also got deals done with other teams. Tom Gilbert was first, inking a two-year deal with the Montreal Canadiens at $5.6 million. Stephane Robidas fell off the board next, getting three years with the Toronto Maple Leafs at $3 million a season. Finally, Anton Stralman was given a five-year deal worth $22.5 million by the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Wings could now turn to trading for a right-handed defensemen Buffalo s Tyler Myers or Arizona s Keith Yandle but the asking price is quite steep Gustav Nyquist, Tomas Tatar or Tomas Jurco. Christian Ehrhoff didn t take long to sign a one-year deal worth $4 million with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Ehrhoff, who was bought out of the final seven years of a 10-year deal with Buffalo, had the offensive abilities they were looking for. He s a premier skater who logs a ton of 19
minutes who can move the puck and likes to join the rush. He can also quarterback the power play. Detroit thought Ehrhoff was asking for a five-year deal and the Wings are only willing to give him three years at roughly $5 million a season. Detroit had interest in Ehrhoff in 2011 when Brian Rafalski retired, but didn t want to overpay him. There was also talk between the teams a couple of times about possibly trading Ehrhoff to the Wings, but Buffalo decided to hang onto him. Lefty Michael Del Zotto is also out there after being bought out by Nashville. Detroit did sign two of its own: forward Riley Sheahan and goalie Petr Mrazek. Sheahan, who was a restricted free agent, inked a two-year deal at an average salary cap hit of $950,000. Mrazek got a one-year extension, taking his deal through the 2015-16 season, at a cap hit of $737,500. The Wings had enough money to sign two high-end blue liners. Detroit has just over $55 million tied up in 19 players for next season and still need to sign restricted free agents Danny DeKeyser and Tomas Tatar. With the salary cap at $69 million for next season, that leaves the Wings close to $10 million to spend on other free agents. Defenseman Kyle Quincey hit the open market. Daniel Cleary, who was promised a possible extension after signing a one-year deal on the first day of training camp, could also be back. Macomb Daily LOADED: 07.02.2014 20
Detroit Red Wings sign restricted free agent Riley Sheahan By Chuck Pleiness, The Macomb Daily Posted: 07/01/14, 12:38 PM EDT DETROIT >> One down and two to go. The Wings on Tuesday signed one of their three restricted free agents off last year s roster, Riley Sheahan, to a two-year worth an average salary cap it of $950,000. His last three-year deal had an average salary cap hit of $785,000. Sheahan had nine goals and 15 assists in 42 regular-season games last year. However, like most of the youngsters he struggled in the playoffs. He had no points, was a minus-1 and struggled to win faceoffs. Sheahan caught the eye of Wings coach Mike Babcock at last year s eight-team prospects tournament in Traverse City stating he was the best player throughout the event. He s gotten better and better, Babcock said last season. He s made plays for us and he s allowed his linemates to play and not worry about the defensive side as much. Your confidence grows when you know your coach feels comfortable with you, Sheahan said last season. Because of a rash of injuries at center last season, Sheahan got an opportunity to show how his game had developed and he impressed. He was recalled from Grand Rapids in mid-december and was sent back after playing four games. Not even three weeks later he was back with the team and was a fixture on it since Jan. 11. Sheahan was Detroit s first round selection (21st overall) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft and was projected to be a second-line, two-way center. Great player, great shot, big body, smart guy, Tomas Tatar said last season. I think he s one of the guys that s got the whole package. With Grand Rapids the year before, Sheahan had 16 goals and 20 assists in 72 games. I think my offensive game maybe is leveled up a bit, Sheahan said. I think confidence is the biggest thing. Playing with such good players it s sort of easy to get confidence because they re always making plays and you always feel like you re part of the play and then in the O-zone you re cycling the puck and you re always on it. Sheahan helped lead the Griffins to winning the Calder Cup two seasons ago. On Monday, the team also made qualifying offers to six other restricted free agents Danny DeKeyser, Tomas Tatar, Landon Ferraro, Mitch Callahan, Adam Almquist and Andrej Nestrasil to retain their rights. 21
Almquist signed a two-year deal in the KHL with Severestal Cherepovets. The Wings didn t make offers to Cory Emmerton, Trevor Parkes, Willie Coetzee, Gleason Fournier and Max Nicastro, thus relinquishing their rights. Emmerton, who was the Wings top pick (41st overall) in 2006, played most of last season in Grand Rapids after being waived. He s signed to play with the Sochi Leopards of the KHL next season. Macomb Daily LOADED: 07.02.2014 22
Detroit Red Wings settle for re-signing Kyle Quincey as top free agents pick other teams By Chuck Pleiness, The Macomb Daily Posted: 07/01/14, 8:48 PM EDT DETROIT >> The Detroit Red Wings had high hopes of landing at least one and quite possibly two premier right-handed defensemen on the first day of free agency. They wound up with neither. Instead, they ended up having to turn to a familiar face, Kyle Quincey, who Tuesday returned to Detroit for two years at $4.25 million a season. Quincey, who s a left-handed shot, struggled in the first half of last season, but finished strong. He was one of two players to play all 82 games a year ago, totaling four goals and nine assists. Dan Boyle, their top priority, and Matt Niskanen both chose to sign with other teams within the Eastern Conference. We had hoped to sign a right-shooting D-man, Wings general manager Ken Holland said. We made offers, but for a variety of reasons they chose elsewhere to go. That s the reality of the cap world. There are a lot of reasons why players go in different directions. Boyle, who ll turn 38 next month, signed a two-year deal with the New York Rangers for $9 million instead of a better deal Detroit had on the table, three years at $12.5 million. Niskanen informed the Wings a couple hours into free agency that they were not on the list of teams he was considering and he finally chose the Washington Capitals, getting a seven-year deal worth $40.25 million. Detroit was in the ballpark with its offer, seven years at $38.5 million, for the 27-year old defenseman. While their two main right-handed targets on the blue line decided to go elsewhere, the second tier also got deals done with other teams. Tom Gilbert inked a two-year deal with the Montreal Canadiens at $5.6 million. Stephane Robidas chose to take the three-year deal at $3 million offered by Toronto instead of a similar offer the Wings had structured for him, choosing the Maple Leafs for family reasons. Finally, Anton Stralman was given a five-year deal worth $22.5 million by the Tampa Bay Lightning. The length of a deal turned off the Wings. It s free agency, it s wide open, Holland said. Other teams are after these players, too. Last year we got the guys wanted. 23
Christian Ehrhoff was the head scratcher of the afternoon, signing a one-year deal worth $4 million with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Detroit was told by Ehrhoff s agent that he was seeking a five-year deal at roughly $5 million a season. The Wings were never given a second chance by Ehrhoff, who was bought out of the final seven years of a 10-year deal with Buffalo, to better the Penguins offer. The Wings could now turn to trading for a right-handed defensemen Buffalo s Tyler Myers, Winnipeg s Dustin Byfuglien, Edmonton s Jeff Petry or Toronto s Cody Franson but the asking price is quite steep Gustav Nyquist, Tomas Tatar or Tomas Jurco. Arizona s Keith Yandle, who s a left-handed shot, is also rumored to be on the trading block. There are still a lot of players out there that could be good one-year bargains, Holland said. We ll keep kicking tires. I was hoping to get one or two right-shot defensemen, but they signed elsewhere, that s their 24
Duff: Wings shut out in free agent frenzy By Bob Duff / Windsor Star Remember when July 1 wasn t just Canada Day, it was Detroit s day? No team rocked the Kasbah on the annual launch of NHL free agency like the Red Wings. Suitors lined up to sign on the dotted line. Tuesday, as the free agent period opened, the only sound around Joe Louis Arena was crickets. Lately, the Wings are more like the NHL version of Danica Patrick when it comes to free agency. They re in the race, but when the checkered flag waves, they quickly fall of the pace and finish up the track. Detroit set out in search of defensive help, but no defenceman that they coveted displayed any interest in coming to Detroit s defence. Christian Ehrhoff could have gotten two years and $8 million, but instead signed for one-year and $4 million from the Pittsburgh Penguins. My first priority was to be on a good team, Ehrhoff told TSN. That s got to sting just a little bit, don t you think? Dan Boyle picked the bright lights of Broadway over Hockeytown for $3.5 million less than the Wings put forth. The Wings offered Matt Niskanen seven years and $42 million. He chose seven years, $40.25 million from the Washington Capitals. Just like that, the Wings were the Austin Jackson of free agency three swings, three misses, go grab some bench further evidence that Detroit is no longer a destination NHL players covet. Second-tier defenders also spurned Detroit. Tom Gilbert already had the offer he accepted from Montreal by the time the Wings called. Stephane Robidas, saying he wanted to be closer to family, spurned the Wings to take a similar offer from the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Wings weren t willing to give Anton Stralman the five-year term he received from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Left standing at the altar again and again. It s a trend that is becoming a recurring theme for the Wings. 25
Remember the spring of 2012, when Zach Parise and Ryan Suter were the prize UFAs? Flying to Suter s Wisconsin home on owner Mike Ilitch s private jet, GM Ken Holland and Wisconsin grad Chris Chelios did the wooing. They boarded the return flight certain they had their man. But Suter signed with the Minnesota Wild. Word was his significant other vetoed any thought of living in Detroit. Clearly, there s an image problem afoot for the Wings. They skate in one of the NHL s most ancient facilities. The view most outsiders have of Detroit is the bleak one presented on the nightly news. They are coached by a demanding, micromanaging taskmaster in Mike Babcock and that s not a quality many of today s pampered athletes seek in their bench boss. Postseason participants for a league-best 23 straight springs, the Wings aren t winning when it matters most one playoff series triumph in three years, five straight springs absent from the conference finals, their longest drought since 1989-94. On the one hand I m proud that we ve been a playoff team, but on the other hand I m disappointed that the last three years we ve only been able to win one playoff round, Holland admitted. We re working here to find a way to see if we can be a playoff team and go further. None of the game s elite players seem willing to work with them, though. In his desperate bid to win a Stanley Cup, Jarome Iginla was offered three chances to choose Detroit, and chose elsewhere each time. In the old days, it was the Wings who were the big spenders and to see them shut out of this part of the process is interesting, seeing as unlike some other teams, they had some cap space, Hockey Night In Canada s Craig Simpson said. At the end of the day, Detroit s only moves were to keep free-agent defenceman Kyle Quincey, a guy they d hoped to jettison at the start of the day, for two years and $8.5 million, more than Ehrhoff got from the Penguins. They also added a couple of forwards to their minor-league depth chart, both of them former Hobey Baker Award winners as MVP of NCAA hockey Kevin Porter, who couldn t earn a regular place with last season s woeful Buffalo Sabres and Andy Miele, unable to crack the Phoenix Coyotes lineup. Not exactly difference makers, but guys who will yo-yo back and forth between the big club and Grand Rapids if injuries are again a major factor in Detroit s season. Today, the only hurt the Wings are feeling is from their wounded pride. The mighty have fallen. And they can t get up. 26
Holland after tough day: 'We'll keep kicking tires' By Art Regner / Fox Sports Detroit Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland had a bad day Tuesday, when he was snubbed by the unrestricted free agents he coveted most -- among others, Matt Niskanen (who landed in Washington) and Dan Boyle (who signed with the New York Rangers). But Holland understands the competition for free agents is fierce under the salary cap and he won't always land his man. "Our hope was to acquire a right-shot defenseman," Holland said. "We made offers to four or five. For a variety of reasons, they chose to go elsewhere. That's the reality of the cap world. "There are a lot of reasons why players go in different directions." When asked if he was disappointed that the Wings were shut out in the open market, Holland replied, "No, not in the least. You're talking about four to five players, and there's 30 teams. It's free agency. It's wide open. "Other teams are after these players, too. Last year, we got the guys we wanted (forwards Stephen Weiss and Daniel Alfredsson). This year, we didn't." Holland is well aware of the speculation that Detroit is no longer a destination for free agents, but doesn't buy it. He believes that in a salary-cap world, every team is a potential destination because the money is the same. 27
Reports: Red Wings re-sign Kyle Quincey By Art Regner / Fox Sports Detroit a day that they would just as soon forget, the Detroit Red Wings have agreed to a twoyear, $8.5 million deal with defenseman Kyle Quincey, according to several reports. At the conclusion of last season, the Wings had decided to let Quincey become an unrestricted free agent, but never completely ruled him out of the picture. The Wings let Quincey know that the only way they would consider bringing him back was if he agreed to a short-term, affordable deal. Based on what happened Tuesday, with the Wings being shut out on the open market and Quincey not getting a lot of interest, it appears that both parties gave in a little bit -- Quincey on length of contract and the Wings on money. Picked by Detroit in the fourth round, 132nd overall, of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Quincey was claimed off waivers by the Kings in October 2008 and traded to Colorado in July 2009. Then, in a three-team trade in February 2012, Quincey returned to Detroit, via Tampa Bay, where the Wings gave up a first-round pick and Sebastian Piche. Quincey, who will turn 29 in August, appeared in all 82 games for the Wings last season. The left-handed shooting defenseman had four goals, nine assists, was minus- 5 and logged nearly 21 minutes a game. A mobile defenseman who can move the puck, Quincey is prone to turnovers and isn't physical enough, depite his 6-foot-2, 207-pound frame. Still, many in the Detroit organization felt that he improved in the second half of last season because he simplified his game. Also, as much as the Wings are high on their young defensemen, they were intent on adding at least one to two veteran defensemen this offseason. And as it stands now, Quincey might have been their best option. 28