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Fri Jul 03, 2009 12:59 pm EDT

Wings exodus continues, as Samuelsson leaves for Canucks

By Greg Wyshynski

The salary cap-induced exodus from the Detroit Red Wings continues, as winger Mikael Samuelsson leaves for a three-year deal with the Vancouver Canucks, the team reported today. Elliotte Friedman of CBC Sports had it at $7.5 million total, or a $2.5 million cap hit; Samuelsson was at a $1.2 million hit last season.

For the Red Wings, this is the fourth player they've lost in the Frenzy, along with forward Tomas Kopecky(notes) (Chicago Blackhawks), goalie Ty Conklin(notes) (St. Louis Blues) and perennial championship voodoo idol Marian Hossa(notes) (Blackhawks).

Fans and observers are naturally of the mindset that "hey, it's the Red Wings, they can fill the voids" and lord knows they're stocked with forwards (Justin Abdelkader(notes), Ville Leino(notes) if he's re-signed) who will have expanded roles next season. But Samuelsson was a very good fit for their style and contributed some essential offense down the lineup.

This one will hurt a bit, even if his departure was expected due to financial constraints.

As for the Canucks, it's a nice move. He's a 40-point guy with size (6-2, 210) and oodles of the kind of postseason success that locker room needs. Forwards like him have gotten looks on the top two lines for the Canucks before, so his spot in the lineup's a bit of a mystery. But Samuelsson, who'll be 33 in December, has the versatility to pull off different roles. At the very least, a good depth move.

Now it's onto the blue line for Canucks GM Mike Gillis.

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166 Comments

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  1. thewall125
    1. Posted by thewall125 Fri Jul 03, 2009 1:20 pm EDT

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    It's a running joke to pass to Samuelsson when he's in a shooting position. He's ALWAYS in a shooting position. Sitting, standing, taking a shower, reading a book. He shot from everywhere and it was never on net. One in ten got close to the goalie. He's worse than Ovechkin.
  2. Guy S
    2. Posted by Guy S Fri Jul 03, 2009 1:24 pm EDT

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    with size? he was the laziest player on the wings half the time if it wasn't hossa. i say thank god hes gone now i dont have to yell at the tv at the bar for all his dumb shots or lack of movement.
  3. Blanc
    3. Posted by Blanc Fri Jul 03, 2009 1:26 pm EDT

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    I agree, this one does hurt a bit.
    I think he was a more important playoff performer than he may have got credit for. He scored some timely goals and even played with a bit of the nasty from time to time in the post season. It' still "in Kenny 'Tick Tock' Holland we trust" but I am really anxious for what the Wings will be like at the start of camp next fall. Still, I think the focus needs to turn toward the blueline soon.
  4. Justin W
    4. Posted by Justin W Fri Jul 03, 2009 1:29 pm EDT

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    nm
  5. badsadmadam
    5. Posted by badsadmadam Fri Jul 03, 2009 1:31 pm EDT

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    Ovechkin won the Hart Trophy. Therefore everybody is worse than Ovechkin.
  6. habs1rule
    6. Posted by habs1rule Fri Jul 03, 2009 1:32 pm EDT

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    The parts you lost free up some cap space, and believe me, are replaceable!!
  7. thewall125
    7. Posted by thewall125 Fri Jul 03, 2009 1:35 pm EDT

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    @ 5
    I meant shot selection wise. Samuelsson would take ten shots, and hit a defensemen with three, Ozzie with one, the popcorn vendor with 4, and the goalie would make two saves. Skills wise, not even in the same phone book as Ovie. At least Ovechkin scores.
  8. Guy F
    8. Posted by Guy F Fri Jul 03, 2009 1:36 pm EDT

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    Good move. The problem with the Sedins has often been that they get too fancy and do not shoot enough.
    Look for Samuelsson to set a career high in goals in he gets to play on their line.
  9. brunnins
    9. Posted by brunnins Fri Jul 03, 2009 1:50 pm EDT

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    Thank god
  10. KDawg
    10. Posted by KDawg Fri Jul 03, 2009 1:52 pm EDT

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    He's the one player I thought the Wings shouldn't make an offer to this offseason. He's the one guy we could afford to lose other than Kopecky. I still don't understand Ozzie being the starting tender and having Howard as his backup - you can't tell me Conklin won't be missed.
    I love the Wings and they have great depth, but Kenny Holland should do something or stop creating all of these ultra-long contracts. The cap is the cap and that's how it is.
  11. tim b
    11. Posted by tim b Fri Jul 03, 2009 1:57 pm EDT

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    I think #'s 1 and 2 sum up every wing fan. Nice work there!
  12. John
    12. Posted by John Fri Jul 03, 2009 1:58 pm EDT

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    @ #7 lmfao
  13. John
    13. Posted by John Fri Jul 03, 2009 2:00 pm EDT

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    jesus still lmfao @ "Ozzie with one"
  14. carlo
    14. Posted by carlo Fri Jul 03, 2009 2:05 pm EDT

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    he puts a ton of shots on or near the net. which is great for net muckers and garbage goal scorers. that's his only skill. and that's replaceable. As long as he's replaced.
  15. Fred
    15. Posted by Fred Fri Jul 03, 2009 2:06 pm EDT

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    I've been waiting for him to leave for 2 years. He's a turnover waiting to happen and plays less physical than Hudler despite his size (his taunting after whistles doesn't count as physical.) Whatever limited offense he brought to the WIngs he gave up with lazy defense and constant turnovers. He handles the puck no better than Holmstrom, the difference is Holmstrom knows his limitations, Sammy thinks he's Datsyuk out there. Good riddance.
  16. matt
    16. Posted by matt Fri Jul 03, 2009 2:07 pm EDT

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    They can have him. If Vancouver wants to save some money, the Red Wing fans will pool together to pay his way out of town.
  17. woodward
    17. Posted by woodward Fri Jul 03, 2009 2:14 pm EDT

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    thanks sammy...
    you might want to send mr. holland a christmas card (or a sandwich cake or smoked fish)
    around christmas for helping you get this payday...
    would not have happened if your swede buddies didn't convince the wings to take
    a chance on you, considering the way you lit it up in your stops in SJ and FLA.
    i will sleep better at night knowing you will not be manning the point on the 2nd PP.
    I had nightmares when Jason Williams was back there...and it proves the old adage to be careful what you wish for, because you were worse.
    still, good luck in vancouver! you will be missed...but as ville leino, justin abdelkader and darren helm will make barely over 2.5 million this season, we will get over it.
  18. Wyshynski
    18. Posted by Wyshynski Fri Jul 03, 2009 2:19 pm EDT

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    I love it. Where was all this talk about Mikael Samuelsson being such a liability when he had 13 points in 23 games during the Cup winning run, playing to a plus-8?
  19. Anthony P
    19. Posted by Anthony P Fri Jul 03, 2009 2:20 pm EDT

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    I still believe detroit wont sign Hudler, and will go after Tanguay!
    watch and see boys!
  20. Patrick
    20. Posted by Patrick Fri Jul 03, 2009 2:22 pm EDT

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    I'm just glad he too didn't sign with another team in the Central. Like the rest of the ex-Wings.
  21. checkit
    21. Posted by checkit Fri Jul 03, 2009 2:22 pm EDT

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    Actually, son of Samuel also has nice puck handling moves. He is a bit slow but I like his unexpected shots from sharp angles. I think he could play really well with Sedins - I would imagine they had some input into this acquisition.
    As far as Detroit's depth is concerned, I defintely think that Leino is ready to fill the void. Last season Babcock was complaining about having to put him in the minor leagues because there was no available roster spot.
    I think the real problem will occur for Detroit when Lidstrom retires. This could actually be as soon as next season. Last season he already appeared unusually fragile after some hits - unfortunately, the great d-man is almost done.
  22. Anthony P
    22. Posted by Anthony P Fri Jul 03, 2009 2:25 pm EDT

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    I liked samelsson he was a good player, and if real wings fans would know that he was a great on the penalty kill and power play as that Foward/Defenseman watch the tapes kids.
    hah im a wings fans and you all crack me up.
  23. Jay
    23. Posted by Jay Fri Jul 03, 2009 2:26 pm EDT

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    Poor popcorn vendor in Vancouver!
  24. B Robz
    24. Posted by B Robz Fri Jul 03, 2009 2:27 pm EDT

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    He was expendable, especially with the rate he was demanding. He's just not worth taking up that much cap room when you've got the young guys comin' up, and other FA (still available) that are similar depth players. He fit well in the Wings system and flourished there, and I do hope him the best in Vancouver. Let's be honest, if you're a Wings fan you've gotta give this guy some credit. He helped us win in 2008, and scored some important goals this postseason as well. Thanks to Sammy for his time in Detroit.

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