WTFchris
07-09-2007, 01:19 PM
Wings sign Drake
Posted by Ansar Khan (http://blog.mlive.com/redwingsinsider/about.html) July 09, 2007 11:12AM
The Wings have signed scrappy free-agent forward Dallas Drake to a one-year contract for $550,000. He was waived by the Blues last month.
Drake, 38, will provide a physical presence on the third or fourth line; he's certainly not the top-six forward they're seeking. He's a good open-ice hitter, an agitator with a reputation for playing dirty. He was suspended two games last season for a flying hit to the head on Wings defenseman Brett Lebda.
"We're very pleased to have Dallas join the Red Wings," Wings general manager Ken Holland said in a release. "He's a very physical player who will add grit to our lineup and make our team even more difficult to play against. He's a veteran player and you can never have enough experience and leadership on a team."
Drake (6-1, 195) had six goals and six assists in 60 games last season. He missed the final 12 games because of a wrist injury.
He started his career in Detroit in 1992-93 and was traded to Winnipeg the following season as part of the Tim Cheveldae-for-Bob Essesnsa deal. He's spent the last six seasons in St. Louis and served as the team's captain. The Wings have been trying to reacquire Drake for the last six years. Twice, the Blues outbid them in their efforts to sign him.
The Wings now have between $4-and-$6 million in cap space, depending on whether they apply Dominik Hasek's bonuses (up to $2 million) on the upcoming season's cap or the 2008-09 cap. They're prefer to do it on the 07-08 cap and not have to reduce their cap the following season. But they'll dip into it for a player they really like.
They're still seeking a top-six forward and a defenseman (no priority, Holland said, just the best player at the best deal). He said he likes some of the players still available but right now their price is too high and/or they're looking for a longer term than the Wings are willing to give. He said he'd be comfortable taking his current roster and some extra cap space into training camp and seeing who becomes available during the season.
Just a hunch, but they might be keeping some money free to sign Peter Forsberg midway through the season, if he wants to continue playing and they're convinced his foot is OK. Or maybe they're keeping their eye on Sergei Fedorov, who's likely to be dealt midway through the season or at the trade deadline once Columbus falls out of playoff contention.
Posted by Ansar Khan (http://blog.mlive.com/redwingsinsider/about.html) July 09, 2007 11:12AM
The Wings have signed scrappy free-agent forward Dallas Drake to a one-year contract for $550,000. He was waived by the Blues last month.
Drake, 38, will provide a physical presence on the third or fourth line; he's certainly not the top-six forward they're seeking. He's a good open-ice hitter, an agitator with a reputation for playing dirty. He was suspended two games last season for a flying hit to the head on Wings defenseman Brett Lebda.
"We're very pleased to have Dallas join the Red Wings," Wings general manager Ken Holland said in a release. "He's a very physical player who will add grit to our lineup and make our team even more difficult to play against. He's a veteran player and you can never have enough experience and leadership on a team."
Drake (6-1, 195) had six goals and six assists in 60 games last season. He missed the final 12 games because of a wrist injury.
He started his career in Detroit in 1992-93 and was traded to Winnipeg the following season as part of the Tim Cheveldae-for-Bob Essesnsa deal. He's spent the last six seasons in St. Louis and served as the team's captain. The Wings have been trying to reacquire Drake for the last six years. Twice, the Blues outbid them in their efforts to sign him.
The Wings now have between $4-and-$6 million in cap space, depending on whether they apply Dominik Hasek's bonuses (up to $2 million) on the upcoming season's cap or the 2008-09 cap. They're prefer to do it on the 07-08 cap and not have to reduce their cap the following season. But they'll dip into it for a player they really like.
They're still seeking a top-six forward and a defenseman (no priority, Holland said, just the best player at the best deal). He said he likes some of the players still available but right now their price is too high and/or they're looking for a longer term than the Wings are willing to give. He said he'd be comfortable taking his current roster and some extra cap space into training camp and seeing who becomes available during the season.
Just a hunch, but they might be keeping some money free to sign Peter Forsberg midway through the season, if he wants to continue playing and they're convinced his foot is OK. Or maybe they're keeping their eye on Sergei Fedorov, who's likely to be dealt midway through the season or at the trade deadline once Columbus falls out of playoff contention.