Well, it is official: Mikael Samuelsson has signed a 3 year deal at $2.5 per year with the Vancouver Canucks. I can't blame him for leaving and based on our contract offer to him, I am not sure if the Wings are too upset by this, either. Once Hossa left we could have had either Jiri Hudler or Sammy. Both players probably could be had for between $2-2.5 million. Despite the fact that they could trade Hudler and get back a prospect or draft pick for him, they still valued Hudler over Sammy. The 7 year age difference probably had something to do with that, and Hudler's importance on the power play.
The interesting debate now becomes: who takes Sammy's spot on the point of the second power play unit? In the playoffs, that responsibility was given to Brad Stuart when Rafalski was injured. However, Babcock loves Jonathon Ericcsson and I think his reported 100 MPH shot from the point is something that will be hard to pass up. He and Kronwall on the back end of the second PP with their skill and shots would probably make up one of the best second-units in the game. Many fans were anxiously awaiting the day that Samuelsson was taken off the power play unit. That day has now come. But, still, for all of his faults, he was still a very good role player at a $1.2 million cap hit who played on all four lines during his 4-year stay here, and was at least decent on the PP. He also hit 20 goals with us and was an integral part of 3 trips to the conference finals, two trips to the Stanley Cup finals and a Stanley Cup victory. Hats off to you, Sammy.
Just for old time sake: Sammy scores OT winner against Chicago.
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