Just a quick update on the Tollefsen/Leino trade from earlier today and the cap numbers involved. It appears that the Red Wings have placed Tollefsen on waivers in preparation to send him to their minor league affiliate in Grand Rapids. He has until noon on Monday to clear waivers.
By trading Leino and immediately waiving Tollefsen, the Wings are able to trim Leino’s full $800,000 salary from the cap. However, the Wings still need to cut roughly $1.2 million and at least one more body before Franzen and Lilja return. If the team waives May, which it still sounds like they plan to, another $500,000 comes off the cap leaving roughly $700,000 that the Wings still need to clear to activate both Franzen and Lilja. It is still likely that either Brett Lebda or Derek Meech will be dealt within the next few days.
I think they’ve got time. Lilja won’t be brought back until after the Olympic break, so any deals the Wings make will probably be deadline deals.