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Lidstrom Will Get Whatever He Wants - And The Red Wings Have No Choice
Transcript of my live chat today at theoaklandpress.com http://tinyurl.com/26oj4s5
There will not be a prolonged contract negotiation with Nicklas Lidstrom. The Red Wings will try to cut his salary a bit for cap reasons, but if he still wants what he made last season - nearly $7.5 million - he will get it.
For Lidstrom isn't only part of the Red Wings' past, he is their future, too - as in next season.
I don't know where the idea came from that Lidstrom has "slowed a step."
It could only come from people looking at his age, not his actual performance. He had lesser years when he was in his early 30s. He played in every game, the Olympics and the playoffs. He had a scoring slump early in the season, but played well defensively with a rookie goaltender and reduced firepower. And he scored at roughly a point-per-game clip when it mattered most late in the season.
With Lidstrom, the Red Wings' chances of getting back to the Stanley Cup finals will be pretty good. I think they would have beaten the Blackhawks had they met face-to-face this year. Without him, they have little chance. He is still the best defenseman in the world.
It's a joke he wasn't nominated for the Norris Trophy.
Random Thoughts
- Brandon Inge is on pace to hit 19 home runs with 75 RBI. He is hitting the .230s. In other words, he is having a typical Brandon Inge season. So what is everybody complaining about? It's not his fault the Tigers are getting virtually no production from the catcher and shortstop positions.
- Speaking of Inge, he does have power - and it's not just home runs. He has 15 doubles this season. Magglio Ordonez has just 16 extra base hits (seven home runs, nine doubles).
- Pitching is the least of the Tigers' problems. They don't need to acquire more pitching. They need a bat or two. Problem is, shortstops and catchers who can hit are not readily available.
- I very much like what I have seen from Carlos Guillen at second base. If he can keep it up - and stay injury free - it'd be a huge plus for the Tigers.
My column in Monday's Oakland Press. Are Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson going to be the next great passing combination in the NFL. Seems possible. http://tinyurl.com/2ebjvml
There will not be a prolonged contract negotiation with Nicklas Lidstrom. The Red Wings will try to cut his salary a bit for cap reasons, but if he still wants what he made last season - nearly $7.5 million - he will get it.
For Lidstrom isn't only part of the Red Wings' past, he is their future, too - as in next season.
I don't know where the idea came from that Lidstrom has "slowed a step."
It could only come from people looking at his age, not his actual performance. He had lesser years when he was in his early 30s. He played in every game, the Olympics and the playoffs. He had a scoring slump early in the season, but played well defensively with a rookie goaltender and reduced firepower. And he scored at roughly a point-per-game clip when it mattered most late in the season.
With Lidstrom, the Red Wings' chances of getting back to the Stanley Cup finals will be pretty good. I think they would have beaten the Blackhawks had they met face-to-face this year. Without him, they have little chance. He is still the best defenseman in the world.
It's a joke he wasn't nominated for the Norris Trophy.
Random Thoughts
- Brandon Inge is on pace to hit 19 home runs with 75 RBI. He is hitting the .230s. In other words, he is having a typical Brandon Inge season. So what is everybody complaining about? It's not his fault the Tigers are getting virtually no production from the catcher and shortstop positions.
- Speaking of Inge, he does have power - and it's not just home runs. He has 15 doubles this season. Magglio Ordonez has just 16 extra base hits (seven home runs, nine doubles).
- Pitching is the least of the Tigers' problems. They don't need to acquire more pitching. They need a bat or two. Problem is, shortstops and catchers who can hit are not readily available.
- I very much like what I have seen from Carlos Guillen at second base. If he can keep it up - and stay injury free - it'd be a huge plus for the Tigers.
My column in Monday's Oakland Press. Are Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson going to be the next great passing combination in the NFL. Seems possible. http://tinyurl.com/2ebjvml
Labels: Nicklas Lidstrom Brandon Inge Magglio Ordonez Carlos Guillen
posted by Pat Caputo at
9:59 AM
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