CP: J.R. wants to play in Canada - for cheap
posted by matt saler @ 6/28/2006 11:55:00 PM ::
13 comments
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I always thought it was a bummer things didn't work out between the Wings and Roenick in the summer of 2001, although they were able to acquire Hasek, Hull, and Robitaille instead, which more than made up for any disappointment I had. Sounds like the number of horse farms around a given city is no longer a determining factor in negotiations, however. So, you know, JR, Detroit's just across the river from Canada. Why not sign here?
13 Comments:
I suddenly have a whole new respect for Jeremy Roenick. He appears to be a completely different person, and a completely different hockey player. It would not displease me at all if he decided Detroit was close enough to Canada. I mean, it's basically Canada. And if he's not looking for a lot of money...He could be exactly what the Wings need this summer.
And if he's not looking for a lot of money...
During the Luongo discussions you seemed pretty worried about the Wings payroll. Even counting Grand Rapids prospect signings and such. So, since when did the $2.5-3M Roenick would command not become an issue with you? He's 36 yrs old and coming off a terrible, injury-riddled season. Sure, he's motivated. That only goes so far for forwards his age. We have enough aging dinosaurs. Go after a Torres or Brier type guy with that money! And do that after signing/trading for a goaltender! Detroit is not going to pass as Canada anyways...it's a moot discussion.
So, since when did the $2.5-3M Roenick would command not become an issue with you?
So, as far as the payroll goes, he'll cost less than Torres or Briere would. And Briere is not available.Well, it wouldn't be $2.5-3 million since he specifically said he's not looking for that much:
I'd be willing to give Roenick the benefit of the doubt, because he's done so much before. He's a tough, physical player and would bring something the Wings need. He is old but not too old and motivation with a player like JR goes a long way.
But, you're right, Detroit isn't going to fit his criteria, so this discussion is fantasy.
Oh, I read it as "I'm looking for the $2.5-million to $3-million deals", so either TSN had it misprinted when I read it (which happens time to time with them) or I just read it wrong. Probably the latter.
But the general point I was trying to get at is why sign or even consider him when we don't have a starting goaltender yet, haven't signed the young, speedy forward we've needed the past two playoffs, and haven't even re-signed Shanny, Lidstrom yet...and our payroll is going to be limited by the fact that we haven't moved Datsyuk and Lidstrom is reportedly not giving the Wings much leeway.
Yeah, I agree he'd cost less than a Torres or Briere, but even at his market value (I'm guessing $1.5M) I wouldn't take him. Maybe at a Chelios type bargain I would...
I know Brier is unavailable. I said "Go after a Torres or Brier type guy with that money."
Yeah, they have other things they need to do first, of course. Roenick wouldn't be a priority signing but they'd probably have room for him, if they get the other things they need, especially given the paycut he seems willing to take.
I was reading Jes Golbez's response to the same story and he made some good points. I had forgotten JR's attitude about the Olympics when he wasn't on the team. Also, the way he was talking in the CP story, it sounds like he's expecting to step in and be a team's top player, when in reality, he'd have to take a lesser role.
Jes also says JR seems to need a tough coach, which he'd certainly get in Babcock. But, given Babcock's comments about older players, I doubt he'd even want him.
You bring up a good point about Babcock. It's really an unknown what buttons he's pushing in the background and how he's influencing Holland. The sense is that he would not approve of a JR signing, or even Yzerman returning.
Soo...topic of Wings re-signing our guys...It's Friday and Holland said he'd try to have Ozzie, Lidstrom, and Shanny re-signed by today (or Saturday at latest). And Yzerman is supposed to give us word any day now.
I'm thinking Shanny's going to be back. He made $2.28 M last season, and should get a one year offer for around $2.5M. His 40 goals are great and all, but he is 37 yrs old so I doubt any team out there is going to throw much cash at him. You think he'd jump ship if offered, say, $3M from somewhere else?
Ozzie should be back for sure. As for Lidstrom, hopefully he signs for around $8M.
I'd like to see Holland get something done during this weekend. I hate the feeling that the Wings are going to miss out on all the trade / free agent options by being distracted with Lidstrom, Yzerman, whatever. All's we've done is re-sign Chelios and Franzen basically. Not very impressive.
Should be an active weekend for deals...
yeah, by the way, today isn't Friday...it's Thursday. Jumping the gun a bit over here, eh. You can tell who's at work right now...
Yeah, Babcock sure is creating a bit of a conflict in fans minds, between those who aren't ready to see the veterans gone and those who want youth to come in because that's where the team's best chances for success lay.
Even if it's not Friday, Holland should have gotten at least a couple of those guys signed by now. I'm not overly impressed, I have to say. If nothing happens this weekend, I'll be even less so. Not really any excuse.
I had forgotten JR's attitude about the Olympics when he wasn't on the team.
D00D, how could you ever forget that? JR was openly bleating about cheering for Canada if he wasn't selected to play for Team USA.
The one thing I'll give Holland is that he has an awfully tough end of the bargaining table. I mean, why would anyone want to sign here? There's no ring for the President's Trophy, and Holland really has to be able to argue why the Wings are going to go deep in the playoffs next year. I for one would not sign with the Wings, looking from outside the fan perspective. It's got to be a tough sell to be asking Lidstrom to take less money to play for a first round tanker.
Jes,
All the more reason to be thankful you reminded me about it.
Brian,
You're right, he does have a bad bargaining position. He can't even throw around money any more. Still, those guys aren't exactly new acquisitions and it shouldn't be that hard to convince them to stick around...
JR is legendary for being full of hot air. The guy is a complete flake and the TSN article contains all of the big talk JR has always been notorious for spewing. If Cups were awarded for how well someone talks about what they are going to do than Roenick would have won multiple Cups. There is the Olympic talk Jes mentions but Roenick also criticized the fans for the hard salary cap that was put into place. Then he "earned" his $5 million salary last year by being more or less invisible.
Roenick is a complete tool. I will take a pass on him ever wearing a Red Wings jersey.
I think you're all overlooking one terrifying aspect of the whole JR in a Winged Wheel concept. Do any of you want the Joe desecrated by that horrible on-ice dance he does?
Great player, will really enjoy him as a commentator someday, but please God, make him stop with the dancing.
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