The reason this perplexes me is that prior to the start of the playoffs, Tick Tock has said that the cap number was not a factor so apparently, at that time, the only issue left is term.

Yeah, that was before the playoffs, before the way he played in the finals.

Posted by Garth on 06/28/09 at 08:54 PM ET

As others have mentioned…

Is Mike Knuble still available?

Posted by mrfluffy from Cincy on 06/28/09 at 08:56 PM ET

I love all of you unconditionally.  Except today.

Look can’t we all just agree on one thing, before we put all of our deluded ‘all-knowing’ opinions into it...and agree that Unicorns are kickass?

Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 06/28/09 at 08:58 PM ET

Oh and I almost forgot YES we don’t have to watch Sasquatch throw elbows at us 4 times a year NO crotchby and mouthbreather are in for it.  Bigtime.

His name was Ritch Winter.

Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 06/28/09 at 08:59 PM ET

As others have mentioned…

Is Mike Knuble still available?

Posted by mrfluffy from Cincy on 06/28/09 at 09:56 PM ET

I like Steve Sullivan myself.

Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 06/28/09 at 09:04 PM ET

His name was Ritch Winter.

Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 06/28/09 at 09:59 PM ET

Winter was his Ritch name.

Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 06/28/09 at 09:06 PM ET

I like Steve Sullivan myself.
Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 06/28/09 at 10:04 PM ET

Sullivan and Helm together with Cleary?

Oh, I just drooled a bit.

Posted by Alzy from Innisfail, Alberta, Canada on 06/28/09 at 09:07 PM ET

It’s a friggin’ flood of a drool, Alzy.  I was just thinking the same.

Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 06/28/09 at 09:12 PM ET

I like Sullivan a lot, always have - I wish he wasn’t hurt so much, because he is fun to watch.  Same as Gaborik - the league is just more fun with guys like that on the ice instead of rehabbing.

Oh and I almost forgot YES we don’t have to watch Sasquatch throw elbows at us 4 times a year NO crotchby and mouthbreather are in for it.  Bigtime.

Also, don’t forget that Brian Burke wants the Maple Leafs to be cheap-shotting, dirty brutes as well.  And think about the first Ovechkin-Pronger collision, too. 

Crosby and Malkin had better keep their heads up next season.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/28/09 at 09:14 PM ET

Sullivan and Helm together with Cleary?

Oh, I just drooled a bit.

Posted by Alzy from Innisfail, Alberta, Canada on 06/28/09 at 10:07 PM ET

I could finally own a Red Wings sweater with SULLIVAN on the back and not feel like an *#$%@&.  Oh and he’s a good player too.  Yeah, I say I support this decision.  Good thinking team.

Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 06/28/09 at 09:16 PM ET

Did anyone catch this story from the Freep?

Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 06/28/09 at 09:31 PM ET

I saw that, doesn’t worry me too much.  I loved Conks, but he’s due a raise and we can’t give it to him.  He could very well be a starter after the last two years he’s had and I wish him luck.

I think Howard deserves to have a chance to show what he’s got.  An ACTUAL chance, not the 9 games he played spread over three different seasons.

Posted by Garth on 06/28/09 at 09:37 PM ET

I agree, Garth.  He’s been a terrific soldier for the Wings and after bouncing around the league, he’s due a starter’s job (and pay!) elsewhere.  I hope he goes East.

Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 06/28/09 at 09:44 PM ET

Wherever Conklin goes, they must play in the outdoors game.  It’s become a league tradition now. 

It’ll be interesting to see what Howard can do in an actual NHL chance, instead of a few games here and a game there and some mop-up duty over there.  If he can’t handle the job, the only way to find out is to play him - and at least then everyone will know what he is capable of.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/28/09 at 09:47 PM ET

I have complete faith that Sullivan will stay in Nashville plus I doubt he’d come at a discount. 

I’d run screaming away from Knuble at this point in his career.

Posted by HockeyJoe from Upstate New York on 06/28/09 at 10:31 PM ET

I can’t see Sullivan leaving Nashville, either - they stuck by him for a long time when he was injured, and that obviously counts a lot with anyone.

I am not familiar enough with Knuble at this point to know his worth.

(Off topic - lol at the New York Mets.  Walking Mariano Rivera with the bases loaded is just unbelievably pitiful.)

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/28/09 at 10:42 PM ET

Just a couple of points at the end of an interesting thread of posts.

One, for those who’ve been suggesting that the Wings trade Rafalski, Cleary and/or Stuart...forget about it. They all have no-trade clauses, at least through the upcoming season. And I can’t imagine any of them saying okay to a trade. If you were a Red Wing, would you?

Two, Fil’s name keeps coming up as a trade possibility because he does not have a no-trade clause...and because his $3M salary is the largest salary that can be moved. But I just can’t see Kenny getting rid of the kid right at the point where he seems ready to play up to his potential, as witnessed by his play this spring.

I’m just glad all of this will be over within the next 24 hours. And for the record, I still say Hossa is a goner. He’s just not worth dismantling a fifth of the team in order to keep him.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 06/28/09 at 11:09 PM ET

One, for those who’ve been suggesting that the Wings trade Rafalski, Cleary and/or Stuart...forget about it. They all have no-trade clauses, at least through the upcoming season. And I can’t imagine any of them saying okay to a trade. If you were a Red Wing, would you?

Not to mention that there’s no single logical reason why they should be traded.  They’re all integral parts to this organization, and even though Stuart had probably his worst game ever at the worst time ever, he is still a very solid d-man that we need.

I dunno why I just keep having the idea that no matter what at the end of the day somehow it’s going to be announced that Hossa is staying and Kenny worked it all out.

Posted by stayouttamalibu from Temporarily in Tempe, AZ on 06/28/09 at 11:23 PM ET

Wait a minute - which wacko was suggesting trading Cleary?

Rafalski I can understand, because of the money, and Stuart, because he had a horrible game at the worst time (although I see no reason to trade either of them, so I tried to ignore the contrary talk), but why would anyone in their right mind trade Cleary?

He plays hard all the time, does anything the coach asks, can kill penalties like a madman, plays hurt, can be effective on a scoring line, is good defensively, and is on a very team-friendly contract.  If he were up for trade there is no shortage of teams that would snap him up immediately - which is a sure sign that getting rid of him would be a very, very bad idea.

And Wally isn’t going anywhere, either - he is also on a relatively cap-friendly contract, with a good bet to perform beyond his salary level pretty soon.  Those are the players teams hang on to, not the ones they dump at the first opportunity.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/28/09 at 11:33 PM ET

I am not familiar enough with Knuble at this point to know his worth.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/28/09 at 11:42 PM ET

He’s been a consistent 50-60 point guy, between 20-30 goals each year for the last six years, played every game in each of those six years except for 06-07 where he missed 18 games.  Sounds great, right?

Yeah, he turns 37 on July 4th. 

He’s not so fast these days, he’s a load of a player now at 6’3 230 but he does work damn hard.  He’d essentially be like Holmstrom since Knuble is another goalie screener, work the front of the net type of guy.  He’s had double digit PP goals the last four years in Philly.  He’s thought of highly as a leader in Philly and they love his production on the power play.  He made $2.8 million last year and may be looking for a raise.

I’d say he’s an intriguing guy to look at, but the price is bothersome as is the age and the nagging worry that the wheels are going to come off at some point.

Posted by HockeyJoe from Upstate New York on 06/28/09 at 11:43 PM ET

I see TPSH got tired of blogging in order to provoke a reaction, so has turned to commenting in order to provoke a reaction.

Nobody from the top three lines or top two defensive pairings is going anywhere.  That way is foolish and a surefire way to screw up the team and the image of the team to prospective free agents.  As angry as some people may be with Disco Stu right now (and I’m one of them), he wouldn’t have had a chance to screw up in Game Seven if he hadn’t been playing like an absolute rock throughout the rest of the playoffs.  Get it out of your head.  Neither he, nor Wally, nor Buckets, nor anyone is going anywhere just to keep a one-year rental like Hossa.

I honestly think that Tick Tock’s top priority right now is NOT re-signing Hossa, but making sure we don’t have to bring Gator up next year.  Better that he be playing twenty+ minutes a night on the Griffs’ top line, than spot duty on our fourth line.  An extra year will give him polish and make him a legitimate threat every shift in ‘10-’11, teach him to cut down on unecessary penalties, and get him comfortable playing on the wing, all of which we need him to do.  Look at what an extra year in GR’s top six did for Taz.  To that end, I expect the top priority is to get some third/fourth line sandpaper this offseason so we’re not forced to keep Gator on the roster.  I still like the idea of Laperriere, but Knuble intrigues me, especially as a former Wing, and a Michigander.  But he would have to take a hometown discount to come back.

I also think Kenny’s learned his lesson about not having the cap space to deal properly with injuries.  I think that’ll be important to him, as well as having the flexibility to address any needs and deficiencies in the regular season, instead of trying to guess at them in the offseason.  Unfortunately, this probably means that in addition to Hossa’s rights being traded, William Tell walks for more money and we wait for the $3 million offer sheet to Happy and take the picks.  Besides, I said last summer when we signed Hossa that at this time we’d need to give Buckets his scoring-line spot back.  This year’s playoffs were NOT an aberration.  The guy is versatile as all hell, and he put up massive numbers in the ‘07 playoffs as well.  The reason he didn’t score much in the Cup run was because we used him in a checking role (which he is also great at), but he’s capable of much more.  It’s not his fault that we’re overpaying him to put him on a checking line.  Give him a spot in the top six, maybe fifty or more games with Pasha and Sasha to develop some chemistry, wind him up and watch him go.  Bump Homer down to the third line with PP specialization.  A Buckets-Eurotwin line, plus the Finn Twins (Willy DeVille & Wally) with Mule is as good a top six as any, with some suprising potential scoring punch on the lower lines in the form of Helm and whomever we pick up for abrasiveness and grit.

As for Hossa, I had an odd idea this morning.  Maybe it geniunely isn’t the amount that’s bugging Ritch Winter, but the term that’s bothering Hossa himself?  He wants a long-term deal which we just can’t guarantee.  Maybe he’s being offered one more shot at proving himself on another one-year contract, with the promise that if he delivers, we open the bank vault next summer when Lidstrom either retires or signs a massive hometown discount?  We’ll find out soon enough.

I’m not ruling out Los Angeles.  The Kings are young, up & coming, and could be in the playoffs as early as next year, with a threat to be a contender in the next five years if their development goes well.  They’d still need to deal with the elite teams in the West, but maybe they could surprise people.  I’m not counting them out.  But then if I were Hossa, I wouldn’t sign a long-term deal with them and expect to retire with a Cup ring.

Realistically, I expect we’ll hear today that his rights have been traded for picks.  I’d love to see a bit of irony here and see Hossa’s rights traded for Kyle Quincey, because we signed Hossa last summer, had no room on the roster for Quince and put him on waivers, and lost him.  We’d be back where we were with no real losses (in terms of picks, prospects, or players), and Quincey with a full year of NHL development time on him.  Obviously, that’s not going to happen-- they’d have to be fools to trade him, just like we were fools to let him go.  We’d probably get picks for Hossa.

And off the Hossa topic, it’s good to see we took another third-round long-term project USHL/NCAA defenseman again.  Nick Jensen may pay off even if Max Nicastro doesn’t, or vice versa.  Smart drafting.

Would we expect anything less from the smartest management in the room?

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from Fortress Europe on 06/29/09 at 04:22 AM ET

This little gem is from A2Y on 5/9/08.

Mike Knuble grew up in Kentwood, Mich., played hockey for the University of Michigan, held the Stanley Cup in his hands at the end of his first two NHL seasons with Detroit. “The passion it brings out in the city and the fans is something you never forget,” he said after the Flyers’ practice yesterday. “In Detroit they had all those flags hanging on the cars . . .

“You got tired of it almost after 2 years in a row. It sounds crazy but . . . It was like, ‘There’s that damn Cup again.’ “

No thanks.

Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!

Posted by Kate from Pa. on 06/29/09 at 06:01 AM ET

Maybe he’s being offered one more shot at proving himself on another one-year contract, with the promise that if he delivers, we open the bank vault next summer when Lidstrom either retires or signs a massive hometown discount?

Hmmmm....interesting idea.  I like it.

As for Hossa leaving, I think the Steve Sullivan deal would be a wonderful addition to great book of Wings “stealing players”.  Can’t you see how upset Bubba would be if after being so patient with Sully, that he bolts to Detroit for a chance to win the Cup?  Sully would be a wonderful addition if we don’t re-sign Hossa as a depth player...he’s all heart.

Gonna be a slow three day work week for this guy.  I’ll be checking in often.

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 06/29/09 at 07:23 AM ET

Pipedream of the day: Somewhere around noon, Holland announces he’s traded Hossa’s rights and a draft pick to LA to regain Kyle Quincey.

... still irked about that one…

Posted by CaptNorris5 from Chicago via Detroit on 06/29/09 at 10:25 AM ET

As am I....as seen above.

Just checking in to hedge my bets by saying that it’s entirely possible that we retain Hossa.  After all, I though Brad Stuart was a goner, back to LA, last year.  All the way up until he re-signed for four years thirty minutes after the start of free agency.  If we do, let the record stand that the Chief was the only one that saw it coming.

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from Fortress Europe on 06/29/09 at 10:36 AM ET

If we do, let the record stand that the Chief was the only one that saw it coming.

I certainly hope the Chief is completely wrong about this.

The thing with the Stuart signing is that we had the space to sign him (barely), but with Hossa, it’s not just a case of needing to find a number, there’s a HUGE overhaul coming if he signs…

Posted by Garth on 06/29/09 at 10:39 AM ET

All hockey aside for a moment. My little dude, whom some of the 19 have heard me speak of and playing baseball..... his team just won the Missouri State Championship Game for 7 & Under Machine Pitch baseball. Gave up 5 runs in the top of the first to rally and win 17-10.
We have an optional invite to the regional World Series......
Hossa? Heh, does he play baseball for my kids team? Sorry, on cloud 9 for a bit here.

Congratulations to your litlle guy, Mo! (And to you for all the coaching.)

OK Jeff, congrats on your daughter’s nuptials. I’m sure it wa one of your best days ever.

Time away from here and the office was just what the Dr. ordered for me. Nothing like staring into a big ditch at sunrise to make you feel really small and insignificant. All stress over work, family and the Wings’ loss evaporated.

I think Happy will get some nice offers but will chose to stay. We are stuck with Malts for one more year; buying him out does not significantley help the cap #. I’m sad to see Conks go and scared by Howard. And Hossa? Gone. This playoff run put in specific relief the need for depth almost above all else. Hossa would come at the expense of depth.

That big ditch I was talking about? Here is a pic:

Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Sunny SoCal on 06/29/09 at 11:35 AM ET

The longer the day goes on without news on Hossa...the more heartburn I get...and the more I dread 81 playing on the team next year…

Posted by mrfluffy from Cincy on 06/29/09 at 11:47 AM ET

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Posted by Osrt on 06/29/09 at 12:10 PM ET

As far as trading the rights, they should package him with Jimmy Howard, because anybody signs Hossa....well… Howard is about the only other thing they could afford.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd from upset when blogs don�t live up to my expectations on 06/29/09 at 12:21 PM ET

...Jesus, Orst.

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 06/29/09 at 12:25 PM ET

Orst is right dude.  When has he ever (Bertuzzi and Cujo aside) let us down?  I don’t think we should be this worried.  Hossa or no Hossa, we’re back in the Finals next year.  Do you wanna get there with super speed and scoring capabilities?  Or super hate and physical Helm-inspired play?  You can’t have your cake and eat it too.  Unless you’re Kenny Holland, which none of us are.

Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 06/29/09 at 12:56 PM ET

Bouwmeester’s rights are now property of the Flames per NHL.com, they sent Leopold and a 3rd rounder for the rights.

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 06/29/09 at 01:26 PM ET

So maybe we can trade Hossa’s rights to get Quincy back....

I said this in another post, but I want the 19 to know that your Winter Classic representitive will also be in Stockholm on October 2nd and 3rd...tickets got booked today through Sweden’s version of ticketmaster.

Here’s the link…

http://www.ticnet.se/html/searchResult.htmI?l=EN&keyword=nhl

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 06/29/09 at 01:36 PM ET

The problem, Sully, is that at least SOME of the guys whose heart help Detroit get to the finals this year while Hossa was scoring in one game every series before disappearing will have to go if Hossa is to stay.  Period.

And frankly, I’d rather stick with the guys who prove themselves in the playoffs rather than the guy who’s a monster when it doesn’t count and a ghost when it does.

Posted by Garth on 06/29/09 at 01:45 PM ET

I can’t disagree with you Garth.  But because this is A2Y, I’m going to.  I know you hated how he played but most of, including Ken Daniels thought that he was the Red Wing giving the best effort, whether points reflected it or not, most nights.  If points are the system we rate Hossa’s performance; Fail.  But his effort was encouraging.  All I’m saying is that I won’t be crushed if he stays for $4+ mil.  And I won’t be bitching if he leaves.  I won’t say he’s a sell out, I won’t boo him in his returns, I won’t say “Isn’t it ironic...” if we meet in the finals, or, more likely, Conference finals.  I won’t Pen(i)sify his departure, in other words.

So maybe we can trade Hossa’s rights to get Quincy back....

Only out of stubbornness will I not agree to that.  It makes sense, but we shouldn’t have let Quincey bounce in the first place.  He’s a very talented kid with a mean streak and a hell of a physical game.

Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 06/29/09 at 01:56 PM ET

He’s a very talented kid with a mean streak and a hell of a physical game.

But weak mentally, which is why he tanked in GR after being sent back following the 2007 playoffs.

Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI on 06/29/09 at 01:58 PM ET

so Garth if the regular season doesn’t count then why do they play it? ...  did ya ever think if Hossa hadn’t scored those 40 goals maybe the RedWings wouldn’t even have made the playoffs? ( I know thats a stretch but it is possible) ... and just because he and other players didn’t score “as” much in the playoffs doesn’t mean they didn’t contribute in other ways.  Plus its kind of hard to score when your being held and mauled out there which he and Z and the other Wings top scorers were, with no calls being made.

Posted by MsRedWingFan on 06/29/09 at 02:10 PM ET

So maybe we can trade Hossa’s rights to get Quincy back....

I wonder if LA would give him back if Kenny packaged Hossa with a couple of other assets. It’s virtually guaranteed not to happen, but out of curiosity I wonder what it would take.

Posted by Bio on 06/29/09 at 02:13 PM ET

did ya ever think if Hossa hadn’t scored those 40 goals maybe the RedWings wouldn’t even have made the playoffs?

No, I didn’t.  Because I have a brain.  He wasn’t the only good player during the regular season.

And yes, everyone was mauled when they had the puck, but it didn’t stop Z and Mule and most of the other team from trying.

Just keep going on and on with the excuses, but guess what?  He’s one of the few Red Wings WITHOUT a documented injury during the playoffs.  He didn’t have a bone bruise, he didn’t get his nuts busted, he didn’t have to borrow someone else’s gloves to get more protection on his wrists because of the injuries, he didn’t have a herniated disc in his back.  These are all injuries that other Wings had, and all of them contributed more in the finals than a healthy Hossa did.

My point is, he was one of the better Pens against us last year, so signing him was a no-brainer, but he WASN’T one of the best Wings this post-season, so why would you reward him with a long-term deal that will push other players -players who DID step up their games in the playoffs- out the door?

But his effort was encouraging.

I would agree with you for the first three rounds of the playoffs and parts of the first two games of the finals.  But it’s very obvious that he was not in the game mentally after that.  As soon as his skates hit the ice in Pittsburgh he was a different player.  He wasn’t the same WITH the puck or WITHOUT it.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved him up until the finals and if this was last year, where we had the choice to either sign Hossa or sign a lesser player and have a couple million in cap room, then yes, I would be ALL FOR signing him again and giving him another go, but it’s not last year and we DON’T have the space to simply keep him AND keep the rest of the roster intact.

Posted by Garth on 06/29/09 at 02:32 PM ET

My point is, he was one of the better Pens against us last year, so signing him was a no-brainer, but he WASN’T one of the best Wings this post-season, so why would you reward him with a long-term deal that will push other players -players who DID step up their games in the playoffs- out the door?

Because the fact that he was great with the Pens in the finals against us last year proves that he is capable of performing in the postseason.  Whatever the reasoning is behind why he seemed to choke this year, I know that due to his production for them last year that it is possible for him to produce like the player he is.  I strongly believe that if he signs with us this year that his playoff lacking won’t happen again.

Posted by stayouttamalibu from Temporarily in Tempe, AZ on 06/29/09 at 06:12 PM ET

Because the fact that he was great with the Pens in the finals against us last year proves that he is capable of performing in the postseason.

You’re right.  Because the guy who, throughout his entire career, has not been thought of as a playoff performer, did really well last year, then didn’t do so well this year PROVES that he is a playoff performer.

Someone who isn’t delusional might think that last year was a fluke.

OR might, at the VERY LEAST, not partially dismantle a team that, in back-to-back years WON the Stanley Cup (WITHOUT that non-playoff performer) and came within a game of repeating as champions, to accommodate this guy who, through NINE years of post-season play has had exactly ONE outstanding run.

But you’re right.  One playoff, playing with Sid and Geno, has proven that he’s a playoff performer.

Do you, stayoutofmalibu, happen to be a former GM of the Maple Leafs?  If you can get the job back, maybe we can trade you Chris Osgood and Nick Lidstrom for Vesa Toskala and Jeff Finger.

I strongly believe that if he signs with us this year that his playoff lacking won’t happen again.

Based on what?  The fact that never before, and not since, has he replicated that year?

Posted by Garth on 06/29/09 at 06:31 PM ET

LOUD NOISES

Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 06/29/09 at 06:38 PM ET

I’m surprised we haven’t heard anything today. Would someone trade for rights with such a small window of negotiation time? If Hossa goes (and at this point I’m at about 99 percent sure that he’s gone), I’d hope to at least get a draft pick out of it.

Posted by Bella on 06/29/09 at 06:42 PM ET

I’m Brick Tamland. People seem to like me because I am polite and I am rarely late. I like to eat ice cream and I really enjoy a nice pair of slacks. Years later, a doctor will tell me that I have an I.Q. of 48 and am what some people call mentally retarded.

Posted by monkey from Waiting for the lambs to stop screaming on 06/29/09 at 06:44 PM ET

I’m surprised we haven’t heard anything today. Would someone trade for rights with such a small window of negotiation time? If Hossa goes (and at this point I’m at about 99 percent sure that he’s gone), I’d hope to at least get a draft pick out of it.

Brian Burke calls this buying a ticket to get into the circus early just to get a look at the acts warming up.  Of course, he’s also a big fat idiot.  So.

Posted by monkey from Waiting for the lambs to stop screaming on 06/29/09 at 06:55 PM ET

bella - as mentioned by HOlland himself he could only sign 1 UFA by july 1st after he signed Franzen.  some sort of tagging rule prevented him from signing hossa so soon after signing franzen.

Posted by Jeebus on 06/29/09 at 07:24 PM ET

Because the fact that he was great with the Pens in the finals against us last year proves that he is capable of performing in the postseason.Posted by stayouttamalibu from Tempe, AZ on 06/29/09 at 07:12 PM ET

ou’re right.  Because the guy who, throughout his entire career, has not been thought of as a playoff performer, did really well last year, then didn’t do so well this year PROVES that he is a playoff performer.

Someone who isn’t delusional might think that last year was a fluke.

You both know that only a sith deals in absolutes, right?

How about someone saying:  The Jury is still out on Hossa’s playoff abilities.  Last season was his first REAL playoff experience (in getting far, anyway).  This year was his second shot.  Therefore, his long-term contract is what we’d call a “risk” in this business.  High Risk, High Reward.  That’s just it. Stop trying to break it down with logic and reason, it’s not math, science or philosophy, it’s Red Wings Hockey (i.e. Religion).  Besides, lalalalallalalal [I’m not listening] llalalalalalala

Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 06/29/09 at 07:55 PM ET

Jeebus, I think you misunderstood me. It was reported this weekend that the two parties were far apart in negotiations, and if that continued to be the case, Tick Tock would look at trading Hossa’s rights (a few teams reportedly were quite interested).

As of this evening, his rights haven’t been traded. So does that mean that the takers simply have backed off until Wednesday? Or are the two parties closer? Or was it all simply a smokescreen?

Either way, I’ll have reason to be depressed if he goes or if he stays. It’s just the suspense that’s killing me.

Posted by Bella on 06/29/09 at 08:07 PM ET

You both know that only a sith deals in absolutes, right?

That’s why I said might.

Last season was his first REAL playoff experience (in getting far, anyway).

Not true though.  He played in 18 games for the Senators in 02-03, made it to the Conference Finals, got within a game of the Finals.

That’s pretty far.  So, in three post-seasons of making it “pretty far”, he had one outstanding season.  Why give him a big contract and break up the band for something he did two post-seasons ago?

Hey, if I was a fan of the Leafs or the Wild or the Oilers, I would jump at signing Hossa, because his 40 goals might actually be the difference in making the playoffs or not.  But as a team who is perenially in the top 5 of the league, what’s the point?

And you’re right, it’s high-risk, high-reward, except for one thing.  They won the cup without him.  With almost the same exact team as they lost with...except for him.

Oh, another thing.  They’ve made the Finals for two years in a row.  WHY do they need a high-risk, high-reward signing?

I said it before and I’ll restate my opinion.  If the cap situation was the same as last year, in which they need to sign one player, and they had enough to sign Hossa without breaking up the Stanley Cup winning team then I’d say go for it.  It made complete sense last year.  It doesn’t this year.  Again, in my opinion.

Posted by Garth on 06/29/09 at 08:10 PM ET