Red Wings GM will talk with Kris Draper soon about future
Red Wings general manager Ken Holland soon plans to talk with Kris Draper regarding the longtime forward’s future with the team.
Draper wants to play another season, but the Wings are full well-stocked at the position.
“No doubt he wants to play … and play in Detroit,” Holland said. “We don’t have any cap issues, but we have to sort out what we’re doing with our 14 forwards.”
Draper, 40, showed last season that he still has something left in the tank. His primary role was as a defensive role player, but he also contributed six goals and 11 points in 47 games, and didn’t complain when made a healthy scratch. He has tremendous value in the locker room, where he sets a great example for younger guys with a relentless training program.
The Wings certainly can fit Draper in financially; they have about $6.5 million in salary-cap space. Roster-wise, however, it’s a hard fit.
Thirteen forwards already are under one-way contracts for 2011-12. Cory Emmerton, a second-round pick from ’06, is on a two-day deal, but he’d have to be exposed on waivers to be sent to the minors, and the Wings won’t risk that.
http://www.freep.com/article/20110714/SPORTS05/107140582/Wings-GM-will-talk-Draper-soon-about-future