JUST IN: Red Wings re-sign Dan Cleary to one year, $2 million deal

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April Fools!

http://gty.im/139420041

Okay, but when you read the headline, you knew this sort of thing wasn’t out of the realm of possibility for Ken Holland and company, right? Admit it, you thought it was real for a few moments.

BONUS CONTENT – IS KEN HOLLAND CAPABLE OF LEADING RED WINGS REBUILD?

The Red Wings recently announced that general manager Ken Holland is expected to return next season, with or without a contract. Now, the question that is making it’s way through many circles of fans regards whether or not Holland is the man that would make them comfortable at the reigns of a complete rebuild.

Holland is currently the longest-tenured general manager in the National Hockey League, sharing that honor with David Poile of the Nashville Predators, having been in the position since July 18, 1997. Under his control, the team has won the Stanley Cup three different times.

The Red Wings have already been eliminated from contention for a spot in the playoffs this season, which marks the second consecutive season that an NHL postseason saw the team finish on the outside looking in. This is not something that either the Red Wings or Holland are accustomed to, but something that both may need to be prepared to hear for the next couple of years (at least).

Over the past few years, Holland has secured players that the Red Wings are quite familiar with to long term contracts. Some of those players include Justin Abdelkader (seven years, $29.75 million, four years remaining), Darren Helm (five years, $19.25 million, three years remaining), Jonathan Ericsson (six years, $25.5 million, two years remaining), Henrik Zetterberg (12 years, $73 million, three years remaining), Johan Franzen (11 years, $43 million, two years remaining), and Danny Dekeyser (six years, $30 million, four years remaining). The team also attempted to make a splash in free agency before the beginning of last season, signing Frans Nielsen to a six year, $31.5 million contract.

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