I think Bertuzzi will demand (and get) more then 5.25

I think he'll demand more, but with his injury history and inability to consistently play games, I think the most he'll get is $5.5-6M for 4 yrs. It's probably in his best interest to take yet another "prove it" bridge deal.

Fair points, but GM's continue to over pay. And his skill set coveted.

Probably. But look what Hyman and Nugent Hopkins got. Idk if Yzerman wants to sign Bertuzzi to a long term contract, but that could lower the Cap hit.

Seems like paying your 1C and 2C over 18 million combined through their mid 30s at the same time isn't smart

Horvat would be a excellent add to the team. This team needs goal scoring badly. Wings have zero players in the top 75G.

Just proving that this is possible to have both from a cap perspective, that's all.

We can't sign our own ufa center I'm not holding my breath over horvat

I wouldn't go as far as to say "we can't sign" Larkin. Many negotiations go down to the wire in the cap world. Steve isn't afraid to wait it out. It's not Ken Holland's team anymore.

Come on now... the only reason that Larkin isn't extended yet, is that there is ZERO urgency from both sides. Larkin has publicly stated that he wants to play his whole career here and Yzerman has publicly stated that he wants him here. There is a <1% chance he gets to UFA. Larkin would need to slap Yzerman's wife and insult her lasagna for things to fall apart...

The Wings might need scoring, but I wouldn't count on Horvat as being THAT special. He's having a career years but traditionally he is 65 point guy.

larkin wont even hit his mid 30's during that contract.

He'll turn 35 a few weeks after it ends. What are "mid 30s" to you?

That is WAYYYY too much money for Horvat (probably Larkin too).

$5M in cap space with Seider, Raymond, Ras, Berg, Hronek needing new contracts and not that much coming off the books.

Just proving that this is possible to have both from a cap perspective, that's all.

Also, Perron + Vrana coming off the books is close to $10M, so slightly more than "not that much" coming off the books.

Forgot about Vrana, but I hope he is able to get back on track and they re-sign him.

I don't think he'll ever play for the Wings again, personally...

I hope he will start putting in an effort and get back into it, but I'm not holding my breath. :\

He's obviously dealing with some pretty dark demons and I just don't think he'll have them in control before his contract is up... being on the road, with that pressure, under that spotlight just isn't conducive to recovery... I hope for his own sake, that he eventually finds his way back, but I would suspect it wouldn't be for a couple years at the earliest before he's really in a good place...

precisely 35. was a few weeks off! im just trying to say that i wouldnt worry too much aboht that larkin contract since you'll have have troughout his prime.

Yeah, I meant both of them at the same time. They should keep larkin

Do I think he signs here sure I do but it's not some done deal like people seem to think it is. He got the best representation possible to squeeze every nickel he could out of his next deal and if these reports are true there's a wide margin between ask and offered. Sure it's the home town and he's captain but it's also 6 years of losing and more every night. I couldn't fault him for wanting a fresh start.

No ken would have given him 9 million for 8 years day 1 when he could sign him. How terrible.

As he should, this is the biggest contract in a limited earning window as a professional athlete. Just because he's being smart financially doesn't mean there is ANY risk of him going to UFA. I also wouldn't be surprised if a deal is already agreed upon in principal, but hasn't been signed/announced yet simply because so many other chips need to fall in place first. I could legit see Larkin deferring some money to keep his buddy Tyler in Detroit and wouldn't be surprised if as soon as that situation is resolved, the Larkin contract is immediately announced. I strongly suspect his deal is purposely on hold, as a courtesy to Yzerman to have some flexibility. He's a team guy through and through and yes, he wants his money, but he does not have the ego that he will crap on the team over minor discrepancies.

He isn't going to defer money so they can sign Bert,the have plenty of money if the want to sign both and of course there's a risk of him going to free agency. He isn't just going to take what they give him. If he doesn't get paid he'll go.