Literally as a I rolled out of bed, I turned on my computer and caught the first wave of Leino tweets. I just woke up and had a gut feeling. Like something was happening, and I should get my day started. Basically what I'm saying here is I have untapped psychic abilities.

As initially broken by CBC's Jeff Marek, Detroit has traded Ville Leino to Philadelphia for Ole-Kristian Tollefsen and a 5th round pick in 2011. Helene St. James reports that, as I assumed, Tollefsen will be waived and sent down to Grand Rapids. UPDATE: Bob McKenzie is reporting that they've already waived him.

I'm actually pretty surprised. I'm seeing some people say "that's it?" but be realistic here. Don't think about Leino's talent level, think about his value as an asset. Leino will be 27 at the start of next season and he has looked like an NHL player in roughly a half dozen NHL games this season. He's under contract for next year, and for whoever acquires him, if you're going to send him to the AHL, or keep him in the press box for a long period of time, he'll probably just go back to Finland. And that's not to say he's selfish, that's just what happens to players who are getting a little to old to not be NHL players.

The worst part is, he never really looked like he fit in with the Wings. He had Langitis (the disease spread by Robert Lang which involves no moving of your feet after you have the puck), he wasn't a two-way player, he was an awkward skater, and although he was great at protecting the puck on the boards, he often got really confused and so focused on protecting it that he wouldn't get rid of it.

It's one thing to get scratched a few times. It's totally another when you largely lose a lineup spot to Brad May. I liked Ville, but he was just not fitting in anywhere in this lineup.

So does that sound like a player that's going to demand a high draft pick or a decent return? Does it sounds like someone you want Detroit to give up a 2nd round pick for? Sure, other teams have probably seen that the guy has great hands. But at this point in his career he's just a short-term gamble. I was about 80% sure they'd end up waiving him out of here. This is more than I expected we'd get.

And what did we get. We got an Olympian. Well, an Olympian for Norway (sorry, Andy, I'd like to hear what you think of OKT though). We've got the next Anders Myrvold here. I actually really liked Ole-Kristian Tollefsen back in his Columbus days. Based on those days, I'd say he's a better option for a #6 than Mebdeech, but that's only because I prefer physical defensemen for the #6 spot.

But there are two problems with that idea:

First, Tollefsen has only played 10 games this year after 18 last year, and it hasn't been a recurring injury. A knee injury kept him out most of last year. This year, he had a concussion that sidelined him earlier this year (his second in three years), and an MCL sprain that sidelined him recently. So admittedly, although I remember him being a good defenseman, that was two years and a ton of injuries ago. He could be an entirely different player. But ask a Jackets fan -- they really liked his game. He didn't make too many mistakes.

Secondly, this was a move to free up cap space, and Tollefsen makes $600,000, so Detroit would really only free up $200,000 after swapping Leino for Tollefsen. He's barely cheaper than Lebda, which actually does make a different if Detroit is really close to the cap. Tollefsen will be a restricted free agent after this season, so at the very least, Detroit can free up a contract if he doesn't work out.

I do like him. It is an interesting idea for Detroit if, knock on wood, something happens to Lilja. But knowing this made it pretty apparent that he'll go to Grand Rapids. At the very least, it gives Detroit flexibility in moving maybe both shape-shifting entities that comprise Mebdeech, knowing that they won't need to rely on the unproven Jakub Kindl or the terrifying Doug Janik for depth in the playoffs. He does seem to be healthy now, so I do recommend everyone check out a Norway game or two to see how he looks against NHL talent. On another note, the Griffins now have two Olympic defensemen (Sergei Kolosov being the other), so long as OKT clears waivers.

Truth be told, I'm probably more excited for the 5th round pick. It's unlikely that OKT makes an impact, but it does give Detroit some flexibility. The 5th round has brough such picks as Kolosov and Danger Helm in the past few years, so I anxiously await 2011 when Detroit can make that pick. I know, I better start scouting.

For as much as I ragged on Ville this year, I'm pretty sad to see him go. I'm not disappointed with what they got for him, just that he didn't work out. I do hope he gets it together, even if it means he's doing it for the Flyers, because he is really skilled. He just didn't look like a Red Wing to me, but you can't deny his talent. Not a huge loss either, considering what we got him for (nothing). And hey, at least he isn't Fabian Brunnstrom.

Comments (14)

felix said:

	... Ill Vile One. Level I Lion. Lil Lee Vino. Lo Line Evil. Jiri Hudler is the new Ville Leino.
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February 06, 2010 | url
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Osrt said:

	... I hope the best for him too in Philly or Finland.
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February 06, 2010
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Baroque said:

	... Too bad he didn't work out, but at least if he winds up going back to Finland he knows he gave it a fair shot instead of just a token couple of weeks before bolting back for his home country. And he's in the same division now, so wouldn't it be funny if he turns into a Penguin-killer and has 30 goals next year, 25 of them in games against Pittsburgh?
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February 07, 2010
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AndyfromFightNight said:

... This is two thirds of a good move. Getting rid of Ville and getting a draft pick great. Getting Tollefsen too, good. Sending him down, bad move. I'm one of the guys who doesn't really want one of my countrymen on the Wings team (see the drug-addled moron named Anders Myrvold), but having Tollefsen there would have made sense. As you say he is a tough, defensive defenseman and I would like to see that. He's injury prone and now and then makes bad plays (like on Bozak's first NHL goal), but he brings things to the table that Mebdeech doesn't. He is much safer defensively, he is big and strong and he's a fighter so the Wings could just go ahead and waive Brad May. IMO May and/or Meech/Lebda should have been waived and Tollefsen should have stayed.

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February 07, 2010 | url
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Dr. Cooper said:

... It's over. I made my golfing reservations in Florida when I heard about the Leino deal then watched the Wings collapse at the Staple Center. I am a huge Wings fan and usually wait until the season if over before I take my golf vacations but this year I can see the 18-year playoff run will end. They are not going to make it. The Wings might as well make their April tee times too. Ken Holland will get most of the blame. Too much money tied up in unproductive players like Lidstrom and Rafalski. There is no money left to bring in the players needed to give this team a lift. The Leino for Tollefsen deal makes no sense unless the player sell off has started already. At this point, it might be best for the Wings to be sellers in order to position the team to get a higher draft pick. Taylor Hall would look good in red.

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February 07, 2010
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Osrt said:

	... I'm not sure what it is about your blog Kyle, but you seem to attract a lot of crackheads. Are they your customers or something?
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February 07, 2010
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Baroque said:

... Too much money tied up in unproductive players like Lidstrom and Rafalski. Ummmm ... yeah. Because Nick is like, totally worthless and overpaid, so he should be dumped to anyone along with a draft pick to convince other teams to take on his albatross of a contract and horrible play. Words fail me. At this point, it might be best for the Wings to be sellers in order to position the team to get a higher draft pick. Taylor Hall would look good in red. When did Boston or Edmonton switch to red uniforms? Osrt - I think crack makes you hate Nick Lidstrom. It's an odd side effect of the drug, but I can reach no other conclusion.

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February 07, 2010
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KyleKujawa said:

... Andy, thanks for your feedback. I really liked OKT in Columbus but I wasn't sure about his health right now, haven't seen him play this year. Dr. Cooper, whatever man, hope you have fun golfing. I'll be watching Detroit dismantle Chicago in the first round. Osrt, I'm not sure what's going on, there seems to be an anti-Lidstrom faction that was just waiting for me when I joined Bloguin. Either way, I should stop selling crack just to be safe. Baroque, sometimes it's just not even worth it. Just gotta sit back and let Nick's play speak for itself. It's a shame he only takes heat in a loss.

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February 07, 2010
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Baroque said:

	... Osrt, I'm not sure what's going on, there seems to be an anti-Lidstrom faction that was just waiting for me when I joined Bloguin. Either way, I should stop selling crack just to be safe. Probably a good idea. I can still count on you for my meth, though, right?
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February 07, 2010
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Horton said:

... Hey Dr. Coop, I appreciate the honesty and some of your views are right on target. Too many Wings fans live in a dream world because the Wings have never missed the playoffs in their lifetime. Fans are expecting the return of Franzen to be the cure for all of the Wings problems. I just listened to Kyle's last podcast and one of the geniuses (not Kyle) said "Franzen could score at will". I remember him as a mule or donkey but not as an Ovechkin type scorer. I hate to bring up the Dead Wings of the 70's but I see signs of the team returning to that stage.

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February 07, 2010
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KIMcE said:

	... Thank you very much for the best writing just about this topic. But to determine the really good writing services some people should know about essays to buy.
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February 07, 2010 | url
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AndyfromFightNight said:

	... Kyle: OKT's health is a recurring problem. He's been injured twice this year, but right now he should be healthy.
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February 08, 2010 | url
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waltdetroit1 said:

... Darkness with Harkness, Dead Wings...we definitely are not at that point nor do we need to tear the core apart to rebuild. If we were that bad (see Leafs), making trades of our best players might make sense. I am sure the hope is that when we are healthy & the team can gel, get into a flow, we can be dangerous(most analysts say no one will want to play us in the playoffs, should we make it.) However to make the playoffs will be an uphill battle and not assured. Mule's return should help a lot, as getting scorers on the 3rd line. I am awaiting to see if the wings can "fire on all cylinders" and beat the injury jinx before I get my hopes too high. If Tollefsen is better than Janik, maybe they will move Mebdeech, maybe they have to due to the cap, but the wings generally play it safe and may keep Mebdeech for injury insurance. Also it takes some amount of time for a new D learn the system & work into rotation - its not a great time to try this when you are struggling to make the playoffs, but it can be done. I disagree with the Dr, as for a player to be overpaid (and every team has a few) you need to look at the contributions a player has made over the contract, not just when the player has a down year. As for Rafi & Lids, their down years are far better than the good years of most players - both are Olympians.

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February 08, 2010
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von Awesome said:

... Lmao. Get rid of Lidstrom? Honestly, the dude has been a Wing his entire career, been an Allstar, an Olympian, a gajillion time Norris Trophy winner, and is hands-down the best defensemen in the league for the past 20 years. Ask Jarome Iginla what he thinks of the Perfect Human. Now if you're making a case for Rafalski, then you may have some ground to stand on. But then again, this guy can be (and usually is) dynamite offensively, and isn't a slouch when it comes to defense. His contract is a bit much, but who keahs? Rafalski will most likely be the best defensemen we got as soon as Nick hangs 'em up. You wanna trade that way, Coop?

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February 08, 2010
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