Confirmed Signing with Link: [DET] F Dominik Kubalik signs with the Red Wings (2 years, $2.5M AAV)

[Kane One]

Finally, my \[DET\]\s(F|G|D)\sDominik\s\w.*k regex found another match.

 

[Petes2424]

That's a stellar day's work (Husso notwithstanding). Fantastic stuff by Yzerman. Nobody's easy to play against in that list.

Yea, that’s quality stuff right there. Kubalik scored 30 a couple years ago. He’s a solid NHLer with size and reach. Hard to play against. Even Maata has carved out a career for himself the last few years. He’s a solid, professional.

It will be interesting to see who they trade, because one or two forwards are moving. If they need a certain player type right now, it’s a really solid LH, Top 4 D. If it’s Bertuzzi they move, I’d look for either two really good prospects, or that LH Top 4 guy. If they could somehow suck Theodore out of a desperate Vegas team, they might be set for awhile on the backend.

There’s still deals to be made to make Detroit better.

I’m hoping it means Zadina is gone while GMs might still be silly enough to think there’s an NHL player there.

There is, and that’s the scary part of moving him. Unlike some of the others who haven’t started scoring yet at the NHL level, he actually plays a 200ft game. Pretty well too.

 

[DamonDRW]

I don't understand the direction of the Wings at the moment

We are making the playoffs this year, make some noise there, evaluate these signings and starting from the year after that we are back in business with Kasper, James, Edvinsson, Wallinder, and Bulchenkov making transition.

 

[Umingmak]

I love this. Honestly, all of Yzerman’s moves today have been good, outside of the Chiarot error.

Hopefully these signings result in some trades. I want Bertuzzi gone ASAP. Don’t need a guy who puts politics ahead of the team.

 

[Petes2424]

A lot of teams owe Chicago a thank you note for throwing so many players away.

Along with a big middle finger for that Jones contract.

 

[Mrfenn92]

Good luck to kubs. Will miss him on the hawks.

 

[ManofSteel55]

Damn, I would have paid more than that for him. Good signing Detroit.

 

[Henkka]

I don't understand the direction of the Wings at the moment

Why?

It's clearly up.

They will push the playoffs hard. Beware Boston, 4th spot at Atlantic is realism!

 

[Esq]

Good luck to kubs. Will miss him on the hawks.

I won't. He was awful for most of last year. When his shot isn't on net, he's a nothing player.

 

[Mrfenn92]

I won't. He was awful for most of last year. When his shot isn't on net, he's a nothing player.

Ok

 

[Isles72]

Steve probably has more work to do but where does Kubalik even project to play ?

 

[JohanFranzenstein]

Steve probably has more work to do but where does Kubalik even project to play ?

Likely 3rd line with Suter and Zadina

 

[BHawk21]

Really Chicago?

Thats all it took.



Less than Domi

We couldnt trade Kubalik. Maybe we can trade Domi.

 

[RememberTheRoar]

That's a stellar day's work (Husso notwithstanding). Fantastic stuff by Yzerman. Nobody's easy to play against in that list.

Kubalik is pretty easy to play against. When he’s not scoring, he’s not making much of an impact.

Good luck to kubs. Will miss him on the hawks.

We’ve been missing the year 1 version of Kubs for a few years now

 

[Evgeny Oliker]

Question:
Anyone know if Kubalik played with P.Suter in the Swiss league?

I know they both played in Swiss league but not sure on what teams or lines

Also:
Did they play on same line in Chicago?

Thanks.

 

[danyhabsfan]

Question:
Anyone know if Kubalik played with P.Suter in the Swiss league?

I know they both played in Swiss league but not sure on what teams or lines

Also:
Did they play on same line in Chicago?

Thanks.

google is your friend
they didnt play in the same team in Switzerland. Took me 30 seconds to figure it out.

Line Combinations - Frozen Tools

NHL line combinations, NHL lineups from dobberhockey.com

frozenpool.dobbersports.com

they played together about 19% of Kubalik minutes so nothing there too.

 

[Petes2424]

So far the steal of UFA.. 10 points already and playing very well in Detroit.

Between Kubalik and Maata, Detroit really hit nicely on two, $2.5 million deals. Maata is playing the best hockey of his career. Looks like the player we all thought he would be when he was 17-18.

 

[Go Wings]

It is very early, obviously, but this is looking like an amazing signing by Yzerman.

In 11 games he has 5 goals and 14 points.

It is unlikely he will keep up that pace but even still for 2.5 million a season this could be an absolute steal.

 

[Space umpire]

It is very early, obviously, but this is looking like an amazing signing by Yzerman.

In 11 games he has 5 goals and 14 points.

It is unlikely he will keep up that pace but even still for 2.5 million a season this could be an absolute steal.

I’m not too surprised. In Chicago when he was good he was very good. He just seemed to lose his drive. I think it was a wake up call. He has skill.

 

[Henkka]

12 games, 6+9 = 15 points.

Not bad with a 2.5M deal.

Marian Hossa started 2008-09 Red Wings season with equal scoring after 12 games.

Both are wearing #81.

 

[Kaners Bald Spot]

Is Detroit using him as a PP trigger man?

 

[norrisnick]

Is Detroit using him as a PP trigger man?

He and Perron are the lefty/righty flanks on the PP.

Dom has 2 PPG and 6 PPA already.

 

[banks]

Still can't believe that the Hawks found this hidden gem, just to let him walk for nothing during the selling part of a rebuild. And he signs with the Wings, no less.

I really liked him as a player, too.

 

[norrisnick]

Still can't believe that the Hawks found this hidden gem, just to let him walk for nothing during the selling part of a rebuild. And he signs with the Wings, no less.

I really liked him as a player, too.

He's not dead. You can still like him.

 

[Petes2424]

Kubalik is exactly what Zadina was supposed to be, and still could be. It might just end up being in another city for Zadina, as the Top 6 depth chart is passing him by. This injury obviously doesn’t help Zadina at all.

He plays with much more of that confidence Zadina still lacks every night. There is no reason to think Kubalik won’t continue this either. His points aren’t secondary assists and bounces going his way. He’s good for 4-5 scoring chances every night it seems. He creates his own shot, finds the seams on the ice, and is now being used with Perron as their 2 top options on the PP. With his shot, none of that changes with Bertuzzi or Vrana returning.

While everyone is noticing Kubalik, let’s also not forget about the other steal of UFA so far. Technically Husso was a trade… and as good as Chiarot has been to my surprise, it’s not him either.

It’s been Olli Maatta… Hands down.

Nobody expected how good he was going to be after Yzerman signed him immediately as UFA opened. Maybe that should’ve given everyone a clue.

Maatta wasn’t necessarily signed to become Filip Hronek’s security blanket, but whatever the case, he’s not only that, but Maatta is playing legit Top 4 minutes and he’s been extraordinary given what they signed him for. 1 year at $2.5 million.

He looks like what Pittsburgh (and most scouts) thought they drafted. A two-way Dman who’s logging a lot of quality minutes.

It’s as if Maatta spent the last couple of seasons in LA quietly defining his game in his own zone, and now he’s putting his entire game together finally.

It just proves the right situation is so important for young dmen, but also for veterans in many cases. This is what Maatta was supposed to be when the Pens drafted him. We seen glimpses of it early on with Pittsburgh but they left him with way too much responsibility at such a young age. When he needed a security blanket he was left out in the cold. Much like Hronek the last couple years in Detroit. Maybe it’s why they play so well together. He’s been the best influence on Hronek, while at the same time, has taken his own game to a level almost everyone had given up on him ever reaching.

If Detroit lost Maatta to injury, this great start they’ve had could go south real quick. That’s how important he’s actually been in Detroit. Probably more important than Kubalik has been, picking up the Bertuzzi and Vrana slack.

His play itself has been so solid, they will end up with a nice asset come the deadline if it continues, but don’t be shocked if Yzerman gives him another 2 years. Even with the 3-4 kids knocking on the NHL’s door. That’s how good Maatta has been. Showing how sometimes it’s just as important to be in the right situation as a veteran too.
Unlike Kubalik, I’m not sure if Maatta can keep this up though. Keep waiting for the decline in his play but he’s just been as solid as it gets.

So we shall see but as we approach the 1/4 mark of the season, it’s very apparent Yzerman hit the lottery with most of his summer acquisitions. Remember, he signed these players immediately when UFA opened. They targeted Maatta and Kubalik, and it couldn’t have started any better for either player, Lalonde and the team.