Thursday, July 14, 2005

David Guralnick / The Detroit News Steve Yzerman is an unrestricted free agent, but the Wings have said they would like him to return.

Wings move forward

From coach on down, they won't resemble the team that Detroit has come to expect.

By Ted Kulfan / The Detroit News

Paul Chiasson / The Associated Press Former Mighty Ducks coach Mike Babcock is expected to be the new coach of the Red Wings, who didn't retain Dave Lewis. Balancing the books Here is the contract status for Red Wings players (salaries in parentheses): Under contract: Kris Draper ($2.8 million), Jiri Fischer ($1.75M), Derian Hatcher ($6.5M), Tomas Holmstrom ($1.8M), Robert Lang ($5M), Manny Legace ($1.5M), Nicklas Lidstrom ($10M), Kirk Maltby ($1.9M), Darren McCarty ($2.25M), Jamie Rivers ($425,000), Brendan Shanahan ($3M - player option), Ray Whitney ($3.5M) Unrestricted free agents: Chris Chelios, Mathieu Dandenault, Curtis Joseph, Mark Mowers, Mathieu Schneider, Jason Woolley, Steve Yzerman Restricted free agents: Pavel Datsyuk, Niklas Kronwall, Jason Williams, Henrik Zetterberg Trolling for fans How long will it take the NHL to recover its fan base? No time at all, once the games start 1 to 3 years Up to 10 years It never will Get results and comments Hockey's back Are you glad hockey is back? Yes No Doesn't matter to me Get results and comments Related Links Player stats, career history Comment on this story Send this story to a friend Get Home Delivery

DETROIT -- They will name a new coach, likely early next week, and from there, a new version of the Red Wings will take form.

This will be a new team, make no mistake.

Wednesday's announcement of an agreement between the NHL and the players union on a collective bargaining agreement begins the transformation of the Red Wings and the other 29 teams.

Changes will be made. The contracts of some high-salaried veterans likely will be bought out as the free-spending Wings adjust to a salary cap.

First, though, comes the likely hiring of Mike Babcock.

Babcock, a former coach of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, will replace Dave Lewis, who was let go last week.

Fiery, enthusiastic and hard-driving, Babcock will get the attention of his new team.

"He's a guy who is a good communicator," ESPN analyst Darren Pang said. "Mike wants to be a good coach. He studies the game. I've been impressed with him during his time in the league."

But the team Babcock would have seen a year ago, compared with what he'll see in training camp this year, is much different.

With 12 players committed to the Wings at a cost of about $32 million, general manager Ken Holland has tough decisions to make.

"The veteran Red Wings have been in the spotlight for how many years now, there is only a certain amount of time that a person can shine," said Tequila Harris, 26, of Detroit. "It is now time for our up-and-coming players."

Here is how the Wings break down by position:

Goaltender

Manny Legace is the only one who is signed. He is supposed to earn $1.5 million before the 24 percent rollback. That's manageable under the salary cap, but it's also easy to buy out.

The Wings could go after a No. 1 goaltender such as Nikolai Khabibulin, an unrestricted free agent from the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning.

Whether the Wings will be able to afford Khabibulin is debatable. Whether Khabibulin even wants to leave Tampa is questionable.

Other candidates could be Chris Osgood or Sean Burke.

Osgood, a former Wing, loves the Detroit area and was disappointed to leave when Dominik Hasek came aboard in 2002. Osgood and Legace are good friends and would form a capable duo.

Burke is a proven veteran, with one glowing omission from his résumé. He has never won a playoff series.

Defensemen

Nicklas Lidstrom, Derian Hatcher, Jiri Fischer and Jamie Rivers are signed.

Hatcher, who is owed nearly $20 million over the next three years, could be a candidate for buyout.

Free agents include Mathieu Schneider, who is likely to be too expensive to return; Chris Chelios, who is 43 and would need to accept a huge pay cut; Mathieu Dandenault, who could be attractive to other teams with more salary-cap room; and Jason Woolley, who also would need to accept a significant cut.

The Wings would love to retain Dandenault and wouldn't mind adding one more big-name veteran, but that will be difficult.

Rookie Niklas Kronwall is expected to develop into a top-four-caliber defenseman fairly soon after his great season with the Wings' minor league affiliate in Grand Rapids.

Forwards

Kris Draper, Tomas Holmstrom, Robert Lang, Kirk Maltby, Darren McCarty, Brendan Shanahan and Ray Whitney are signed.

Pavel Datstyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Jason Williams are restricted free agents.

Steve Yzerman is unrestricted.

Whitney and McCarty are candidates to be bought out. Each has multiple years left on his deal, and the Wings need the cap room.

For one, they need it to sign Datsyuk and Zetterberg. Datsyuk and the Wings were not on the same page before the lockout. It will be interesting to see if a deal can be reached now, and if Datsyuk is willing to play in Russia if nothing can be worked out here.

Yzerman hasn't given a clear indication if he will play another season. He's another veteran who would be asked to take a lot less money to return.

Holland indicated last week he'd like to have Yzerman back.

The Wings also would like one more big, scoring wing. Before the lockout they were interested in Glen Murray, formerly of the Boston Bruins.

Senior vice president Jimmy Devellano said the Wings will examine the collective bargaining agreement when it arrives at Joe Louis Arena and do whatever is necessary to stay competitive.

"Changes will be made," he said, "but changes were going to be made regardless. There will be changes, and there will need to be adjustments."

You can reach Ted Kulfan at (313) 223-4606 or ted.kulfan@detnews.com.