One game. Just one more game before Johan Franzen is set to return.
The Wings finish off another West Coast/California swing on Saturday in Los Angeles, and when they take the ice in St. Louis the following Tuesday they will have the Mule back in skates. And the fans rejoiced.We all know how much Franzen means to this team, but his return will have a major impact on the roster as Ken Holland will have to make a move or two by Monday to create space on the bench and under the salary cap.
From my understanding, Detroit will have to clear approximately $700K in order to activate Franzen to the roster. Justin Abdelkader has already been sent to Grand Rapids to pave way for the return of Tomas Holmstrom, so who is next on the block?
May
The obvious, simplest solution is Brad May. The 38-year-old tough guy, with one assist and a minus-five rating, has little trade value and is predicted to clear if put on waivers. In this scenario, assuming that no other team grabs him, he would be able to join Abdelkader with the Griffins and be available in the playoffs if needed. The problem with May? He is the second lowest paid Wing at less than $500K. He won't be enough.
Leino
Ville Leino gets my resounding vote. This guy had such high expectations before the season, now the Wings will be lucky to get a sixth round pick for him. He has been a healthy scratch for the last six games going back to the last time Detroit faced Los Angeles (January 23). Four goals. Seven points. Minus-10 rating. See you later, Ville, it's only imminent now.
"You can't really think about it," Leino said. "Obviously, it's crossed everybody's mind who's on the (bubble). It's going to happen if it's going to happen. Nothing you can do about it right now."Like a chicken with its neck stretched across a tree stump, Leino is already mentally prepared for the axe. His days are numbered in Detroit. If Holland can get any kind of trade for a draft pick or future consideration to move his $800K contract he will probably leap at it. If not, he will be placed on waivers.
Meech and Lebda
Derek Meech and Brett Lebda are probably safe for now, especially with Niklas Kronwall slightly re-injuring his knee. Both make less than Leino, but both have higher trade values, so they might be easier to move if Holland is stuck. Expect to keep seeing them, either on the ice or as healthy scratches, until the possible return of Andreas Lilja, who is playing with the Griffins in Grand Rapids tonight.
Peace.
I'm all for moving Leino. His performance this season has been unfortunate. I was really hoping he would come on strong, and we could have a pair of Finns holding down the second line for a few years.
ReplyDeleteWhat bothers me most about Leino is that he doesn't seem to get it. His statements in the press are constantly along the lines of "there's not much you can do," and "you just have to hope things start going better."
There's a lot you can do you fool! Dig for the puck in the corners. Hit someone. Start a fight. Draw some penalties. Show some hustle!
In a few years he might become a Danny Cleary for another team, but right now, for the Wings, he's reminding me of Robert Lang in his last season in Red.