Hi everyone, I'm Lionel Hutz, and I'm here to introduce you to the man, the myth, the legend that is Tomas Holmstrom. How you've lived without him this long passes imagination. A prototypical power forward not afraid to crash the net, throw his weight around, and take pucks to every part of his body. You need this man as much as he needs you. Who's with me?
Does a 36 year old forward who plays a physical game have another season in him? Is it even possible for Holmstrom to play without a Red Wings jersey on? Make the jump and let's find out.
Current Cap Hit: $2.25 million
Nathan: Tomas Holmstrom has a similar game to Andrew Brunette and Owen Nolan, both of whom have been very successful with the Wild. He is a Swede in name but a kid from Kamloops or Red Deer in his heart. Put him on the power play, and nobody moves him from the low slot. He's tough as hell, plays the garbage game, drives to the net and creates problems for the defense and goalie. I could not love his game more. That said, would Holmstrom ever even consider playing somewhere other than the festering sore that is Detroit? Likely not, but I'd love to see him in Iron Range Red, but only if we need to replace Cowboy.
Verdict: If Owen Nolan does not re-sign, jump on this. 2 years, up to $2.75/year.
Buddha: If this were 2006, I would bite. Holmstrom is a force to be reckoned with, to be sure. I think we all learned from Owen Nolan that the age of a warrior has little effect on his ability to play his game. Holmstrom is a mean, tough old bastard, and I mean that as a compliment. However, the Wild do not look to be moving in a direction that Holmstrom fits into. He is not a fast skater, and he would need to be on a line with someone with a booming shot, something the Wild lack.
Verdict: Pass
JS: He's getting old and he's not really a shooter, he's more of a garbage goal-getter, but he gets the job done. The problem is that to actually get the garbage goals, his teammates need to shoot, but he should be wonderful on the powerplay, and well he's way better than Mittens. He may be starting to feel the wear and tear of a laborious career, but if he's still got gas in the tank, it could be fun to have him. For some reason though, having Bruno and Holmstrom on the same line could be just too much of the same, especially since they're both left wingers...had 25 goals in 68 games, which is certainly something we could use though. I just wonder if his price tag would drop or stay about the same...
Verdict: 2 year, 1.75 - 2.5 million per year.