Finally, Ken Holland makes a deal at the NHL level (with established NHL talent). Albeit he's not the acquisition everyone thougth was coming (i.e. a goalie), but Markov will add to an already-strong defensive corps. Forget Pronger/Niedermeyer. Look out for the Lidstrom/Schneider and Chelios(Kronwall)/Markov defensive pairings, Western Conference.
Kind of disappointing Markov only signed a one-year contract (at $2.5 million, by the way) but maybe he'll like it here in Detroit and decide to stay longer. The
more I
read about him, the more I like him. He's a good skater, good passer, and good in the lockerroom. More importantly, he's tough and plays a gritty game. Oh yeah, he's also a one-time Predator who will no doubt
love to play his old team eight times next season.
If, as
IwoCPO speculates, the pairings will be Lidstrom/Schneider, Kronwall/Markov and Chelios/Lebda, that kinda leaves poor ole' Andreas Lilja out in the cold, doesn't it? Too bad he's not much for trade bait, eh?
Welcome to Detroit, Danny. (And, nice one, Mr. Holland)
As for the goalie question, it looks like the answer very well could be Chris Osgood. Ken Holland told the AP (quoted from TSN):
"I think Chris Osgood could be the No. 1 goaltender to start the season. Chris can win regular-season games for us, but I'd like to get another veteran, too, that can give us an option in the playoffs. "I'm continuing to talk to teams. We could do something in the next six weeks, or we could wait until the trading deadline to make a move for a goaltender."
I'm okay with that. Now, Kenny, who's going to be the backup? Are we really going to have to wait until training camp to find out?
3 Comments:
Looks like Lebda will be the odd man out.
That's what Ansar Khan says but he also quotes Holland as saying, "In the early going, if Lebda is the odd-man out, we can send him down to make sure he's playing," (my emphasis).
I think training camp and the exhibition season, if not the first 18 games, will decide the matter.
Markov's a fantastic competitor. I'm shocked it took this long for him to get signed; there were a lot of defencemen who received more money than that who are less worthy.
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