RSS
Downey to sign two-way deal
UPDATE: As of late Wednesday night, Downey has officially signed a one-year, two-way contract.
------------
Forward Aaron Downey will be back in the Red Wings organization this season, agreeing to terms on a two-way contract that will pay him $575,000 when he's with the Red Wings and $100,000 when he's with Grand Rapids.
Vice president and assistant general manager Jim Nill confirmed today that the two sides have agreed to terms. The contract has to be formally signed after which the deal will be announced.
Nill said that the same two-way contract has been offered to Darren McCarty.
"The two-way (contracts) are not a reflection on the players," said Nill. "It's because of the CBA. We need the flexibility."
By signing free agent forward Marian Hossa to a $7.4 million contract, the Red Wings are approximately $478,000 under the league salary cap of $57.6 million. With that money, the Wings still have to sign defenseman Chris Chelios, who has been in communication with vice president/general manager Ken Holland from his home in California.
Downey and McCarty (if he agrees to terms) will fight for the last forward spot on the roster with Darren Helm during the preseason. Helm's cap hit is $598,000.
------------
Forward Aaron Downey will be back in the Red Wings organization this season, agreeing to terms on a two-way contract that will pay him $575,000 when he's with the Red Wings and $100,000 when he's with Grand Rapids.
Vice president and assistant general manager Jim Nill confirmed today that the two sides have agreed to terms. The contract has to be formally signed after which the deal will be announced.
Nill said that the same two-way contract has been offered to Darren McCarty.
"The two-way (contracts) are not a reflection on the players," said Nill. "It's because of the CBA. We need the flexibility."
By signing free agent forward Marian Hossa to a $7.4 million contract, the Red Wings are approximately $478,000 under the league salary cap of $57.6 million. With that money, the Wings still have to sign defenseman Chris Chelios, who has been in communication with vice president/general manager Ken Holland from his home in California.
Downey and McCarty (if he agrees to terms) will fight for the last forward spot on the roster with Darren Helm during the preseason. Helm's cap hit is $598,000.
posted by Chuck Pleiness at
4:22 PM
6 Comments:
Good to know that the roster is finally filling up. I am not sure however if I would love this if I was Downey...
Off topic...Is there any talk of the Wings moving to the Eastern Conference? What a shot in the arm it'd be for hockey attendance. Seems like moving was an issue at one time, but haven't heard anything lately.
It's not a bad deal, though.
Downey knows it's because of the cap, not a reflection of his value to the team, and his other option would be go to another team with equivalent playing time (likely low, but in the press box instead of sent to the minors when he wasn't in the lineup) to make a bit more money, but not have an opportunity to repeat as champs. Besides, he seems to really like his teammates (although he seems to be the kind of person who likes pretty much everyone, so I'm not sure how much that counts for anything).
He's getting paid to play a game he loves and his contributions are valued by the organization. That's a pretty good deal when you look at it that way.
It's kind of a relief that Detroit will again have a decent enforcer on the roster (or at least available) who has also proven to be a good person/team player. It is kind of tough that some players are valued so much more financially than others. Hopefully Downey will earn his full salary and perhaps get into a playoff game or two this season. McCarty would be smart to sign the same deal. He can no longer fill the specific role Downey does and is lucky that his remaining grit and smarts are valued enough to earn him a depth position in Detroit.
I wish the Red Wings and in particular Mike Babcock would appreciate the value of enforcers on the team. Last year 80+% of on ice player injuries occured to Detroit when none of the enforcer capable players were dressed (McCarty, Downey, or Drake). With no enforcer dressed, other teams take runs at our players and injuries start occuring drastically more often. I would hope both would sign and one would be dressed for EVERY game.
I totally agree with james. Besides, Downey is down right funny to watch. One time when I was watching the Wings play the Blue Jackets, I swear during Downey's shift he did nothing but absolutly throttle guys into the boards.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home