I want absolutely nothing to do with that Letang contract and I doubt Pittsburgh wants to take on a guy who *may* have a career ending back injury...

I have one question why are the redwings still paying zetterberg

why though?

Because he has a contract and horrible back issues so he’s LTIR.

Do you see how much he actually gets paid for the 3 season he has on LTIR: 2018-19 - $3.35M, 2019-20 - $1M and 2020-21 $1M. Since he's been on LTIR and Detroit can get his entire cap hit back if needed keeping him doesn't hurt the team at all. Detroit has had 3 captains since 1986 and he is one of those so maybe the Ilitch's felt he earned it. Maybe they didn't want his career to end with a buyout or just being let go. Since it doesn't affect the team at all does it really matter why?

The contract I’ve read is heavily insured also so there would be no benefit outside of LTIR as he would cost more in cap and cash if bought out. He also doesn’t have a phony injury history like some of the guys on LTIR.

Didn't he come to camp before the 2019-20?

He will go to camp/practices and what not but it’s strictly for observation only. I’m not exactly sure what his medical diagnosis is but I know he has deteriorated disks in his back and nerve damage to his ankles so he can’t skate. I remember reading an article that during the 2014 playoffs they had to either brace or tape up his ankles so he could skate. He did come out and say he wants to stay around the organization similar to how other Swedish Mafia (Lidstrom/Kronwall) are doing miscellaneous (eg scouting/development) things for the organization. It probably explains why we’ve drafted more Swedes recently in addition to Yzerman leaning on Hakan more. This is pure speculation on my part but it looked like Draper wanted Perfetti during the draft and I’m sure Hakan was pounding the table for Raymond.