McCrimmon's Back, And Free-Agent Signings
Talked with a sleepy Ken Holland this afternoon by phone. He spent the weekend celebrating with family and friends and a special guest -- the Stanley Cup -- at his home in Vernon, B.C.
But he confirmed the news that ex-Wings defenseman Brad McCrimmon is the choice to fill Todd McLellan's old assistant coaching slot. McCrimmon's a Saskatchewan boy like Mike Babcock, and his ties to the Western Hockey League run deep, so he and the Wings' head coach certainly are no strangers. Babcock made it clear he wanted a top-notch assistant who could handle the defensemen, which is exactly what McCrimmon will do. And while it's not the head coaching gig Nick Lidstrom's long-ago defense partner wanted -- McCrimmon was in the mix to replace Waddell as Atlanta's head coach -- it's certainly a good stepping stone and a comfortable fit for now.
As for the rest of the news, Jonathan Ericsson's contract is a one-way deal worth $2.7 million. He's the only D-man who can be sent down without going through waivers, but he'll get his money even if he's in Grand Rapids. Jimmy Howard won't, at least not this coming season -- his $2.15 million deal is a two-way contract for '08-09, and a one-way deal for the final two years. Further evidence he'll be in the AHL next year while Ty Conklin serves as Chris Osgood's backup.
No deal yet for Valtteri Filppula, but Holland is confident they'll get something done before Aug. 1. And it'll likely be a two-year deal if they can't find a long-term number that works for both sides. Re-signing Chris Chelios is just a formality, so that leaves only Kyle Quincey (a waiver casualty this fall?) and Darren McCarty and Aaron Downey, who got two-way contract offers from Detroit and are shopping to see if they can find better deals elsewhere.
Oh, and here's the Cup update: Chris Osgood gets it this week, before it heads to Sweden for an extended European vacation.
