Abel to Yzerman
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Guaranteed Dozen: Hossa A Wing
by IwoCPO on 07/02/08 at 12:59 PM ET
Comments (134)
Reliable. Confirmed.
Ok. This is insane. I mean it’s absolutely frigging out of control insane.
We have issues to address.
All the questions coming in: can we still sign Filppula? Will this deal work in our Cap structure? Will this affect Zetterberg’s deal?
Consider them all answered because Ken Holland is a mastermind. He’s an artist. There is no question and zero doubt. Goddamn, it’s great to be a Wing fan.
My god, think of the line combinations, the power play, the firepower.
New York Yankees of hockey. Expect that to come back. Well, here’s your answer: Scoreboard bitches. Hossa’s a UFA. The rest of the forwards? Home grown or castoffs.
Here’s what we’re finding out about some players in the NHL. There is a difference between saying you want to win and proving your priority is to win. Hossa? The guy wants a Cup and he wants it badly. Undoubtedly he could have signed a 4, 5, 8 year deal with any number of teams. But here’s the thing.
With or without him, Edmonton probably isn’t winning the Cup next year.
Brad Stuart proved it yesterday and Hossa did today. Some guys value winning above all else. Stuart got a taste and he wants more. Hossa came close and he’s starving for it. Well, he gets his best chance ever because he took less money and a big risk. A one year deal, despite what must be huge amounts of insurance money, is a chance few stars like to take. Especially at age 28.
Conklin, Stuart, Hossa. A nice 24 hour period for our boy Tick Tock Kenny Holland. The Summer of Ken, as soon as Fil’s signed, is officially over. Rest up big fella. You deserve it.
God, what a move.
This from Stilly at Pensblog, and I bring you this not to rub it in to them, but because it’s brilliant.
this is devastating.
It’s like getting beat up by the popular kid in school, but taking solace in the fact that your girlfriend is way hotter than any whore he’s dating.. Then the next day she ditches your ass for captain popular.
If I were emo, I’d be cutting myself.
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Comments
I’m running around the garage nude, an early PBR in hand, stopping only occasionally to refresh thepensblog comments to laugh maniacally.
Too, too sweet.
Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 07/02/08 at 01:07 PM ET
And dammit, I’m sick of our league-worst GM screwing things up yet again.
(Psssst, hey Thommy… enjoy Raycroft! HAHAHAHA!)
Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 07/02/08 at 01:09 PM ET
I am laughing and crying at the same time. He can play on a line with Z and Dats...no, wait! Don’t break up the Circus! He can play on the second line with Fil and Franzen…
/walking on the floor in circles going “WOOWOOWOOWOOWOO”
Posted by cephalopod from Chicago, on the poop deck, not over it yet on 07/02/08 at 01:11 PM ET
GTFO. Well played Kenny. Leaves ability & flexability for next years necessary signings. 
Posted by MOWingsFan19 from KC MO on 07/02/08 at 01:12 PM ET
Great, way to make my afternoon strikingly less productive. 
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/02/08 at 01:12 PM ET
Now that’s the definition of a “short-term” forward. I guess with Hossa’s one year deal, there’s still room to get RFA’s like Fil and Howard signed to longer deals, and still have a big raise kick in for Zetterberg after this season. But for this one year, I guess the numbers work out. They better. I’m sure they know what they’re doing, and long-term deals for other guys will get done too.
Posted by justin13 on 07/02/08 at 01:13 PM ET
Holy cow! I am going to crap in my pants!
Posted by Larry Aurie #6 from New York, NY on 07/02/08 at 01:14 PM ET
Nice, (Gabe!)
Similar to the reaction I had when Fedorov left for Ducky land.
Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 07/02/08 at 01:14 PM ET
I am shocked...just totally shocked. How does this work money wise? I hope we can resign Fil.
Posted by John from Pittsburgh, PA (Wings fan for life!) on 07/02/08 at 01:15 PM ET
Did I mention I’m stunned?
Zet+Hoss
Pav+Franz
=
5 million goals.
Posted by Nate A from Dark side of the moon on 07/02/08 at 01:15 PM ET
Not to dampen the spirit, but this must put us at the cap, unless some other deal is pending. Not that any of them are Mensa members, but would any of the league’s other GM’s take this opportunity to take a run at Fils? Not sure how that RFA deal works entirely.
Posted by Cal on 07/02/08 at 01:17 PM ET
We are now the Chakka Khan of the NHL. Stacked on the front and back.
LOL. Awesomeness!
And a tribute to you Charlie’s friends.
Posted by Osrt on 07/02/08 at 01:20 PM ET
he Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks are two teams likely to make pitches for Hossa on July 1. Hossa, a star right wing who totaled 26 points in 20 playoff games with the Penguins, expects to command a raise on his $7 million salary.
However, Hossa told Pittsburgh reporters two days after the Stanley Cup final that he would ”take less to play on a good team.”
I guess Marian realized he was in the wrong set of bleachers for the freakshow…
Training camp, now please.
Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 07/02/08 at 01:21 PM ET
Quite sure with RFA status you have to match the offer, maybe not under a certain age though? There’s a ton of what if’s with the tiers, age, years played etc....
I just wanna keep the Finn around. Maybe kenny can lean on him to take what we can offer before then… to avoid being forced into something else?
Posted by MOWingsFan19 from KC MO on 07/02/08 at 01:21 PM ET
Is there a church or a website or something where I can go and accept Ken Holland as my personal Lord and Savior?
Oh my figgin’ god how good are we going to be next year? Jeez, how freaking stacked can one team get? I’m speechless. I am utterly speechless.
Posted by TDeters on 07/02/08 at 01:21 PM ET
Dats Hank and Hossa = 300 line all capable of 100 points
franzen Fil and homer
Hudler Draper cleary
Addelkader Helm Sammy
scratches Maltby Mac
IR Kopecky
Posted by hankyspanky40 from Michigan on 07/02/08 at 01:22 PM ET
This leaves the Wings with roughly 5 million in cap space. I’m sure Kenny wants a cushion for the trade deadline. $2 mil is an ideal cusion, $1 mil will work. ........, but look at the freakin’ depth we have..... at every position!!!!!
Posted by WingMan19 from Metro Detroit on 07/02/08 at 01:23 PM ET
Suddenly, not one of my Wings hating hockey buddies are answering their phone. I don’t THINK I was being obnoxious at all the first time I called and gave them the good news. Maybe they just have hubris envy.
Posted by dougie on 07/02/08 at 01:25 PM ET
300 line = chiefs dream score in wii bolwing against the wiffie 
Posted by hankyspanky40 from Michigan on 07/02/08 at 01:27 PM ET
This leaves the Wings with roughly 5 million in cap space.
I’d like to be able to keep track of that stuff but it makes my pea brain hurt.... Makes me feel better about Fil if thats the case....
Posted by MOWingsFan19 from KC MO on 07/02/08 at 01:27 PM ET
I’m thrilled about Hossa, but equally worried about Filppula. On the other hand, Flip could just accept his qualifying offer from the Wings and end the drama before ir starts. Also, an offer sheet only matters if the player signs it. So, if he doesn’t sign an offer sheet, he can sign with the Wings for any ammount equal to or higher than his qualifying offer. (please)
Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 07/02/08 at 01:28 PM ET
Tick-tock Holland flabbergasts me once again. First Stuart and Conklin at a perfect price. Then the single best UFA on the market for a SWEETHEART one year deal.
The Circus with Franzen, Hossa, and Filpulla make our Top 6, the most potent scoring group in the NHL. We’ve got 3 top defencemen locked in for 4 years, with the Captain around for at least two more, so we may as well retire the Hasek club car.
We run deep and our nuts hang low. Pure studs. Cause that is how we roll bitches… we take on all comers in 2008-2009.
Unless the injury bug hits I will be at JLA watching another Stanley Cup finals game in 2009, and you are welcome to join me.
Notice served to the NHL… the Wings are ready to play in 2008-2009… are you, bitches?
Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 07/02/08 at 01:28 PM ET
IR Kopecky
nice spanky.
This [I]is[/I] the post lockout Wings right? We’re not supposed to have HOFers at every position right?
BWWHAHAHAHA
Posted by Osrt on 07/02/08 at 01:29 PM ET
What spark to the PP too with Hossa.
Just keep Sidewinder off the point.
Posted by MOWingsFan19 from KC MO on 07/02/08 at 01:38 PM ET
I’m running around the garage nude, an early PBR in hand, stopping only occasionally to refresh thepensblog comments to laugh maniacally.
If I weren’t at work I’d surely be naked and drunk as well.
I get the feeling that this opportunity came up, and as such, Kenny decided he’s sacrifice his deadline cash because this is just too good to pass up. Can’t blame him though. The fact that Hossa is willing to take a one-year deal makes my pants snug since it boosts the team massively for next season, without hamstringing them the year after when they need to re-up Z and Franzen.
Posted by Nathan from Jonny Ericsson's ice cream truck on 07/02/08 at 01:39 PM ET
Via George:
As MLive.com’s own Ansar Khan notes, the Wings are now approximately $4 million under the cap with UFAs Chris Chelios, Darren McCarty, Aaron Downey, and RFAs Jonathan Ericsson, Jimmy Howard, and Kyle Quincey left to re-sign. Holland must re-sign Filppula nearly immediately so that he’s not poached away via a RFA offer sheet.
That’s a lot of players. Someone is getting shipped for draft picks.
Posted by Osrt on 07/02/08 at 01:44 PM ET
If I weren’t at work I’d surely be naked and drunk as well.
I am (d) all of the above. This is just too good.
Posted by Cal on 07/02/08 at 01:45 PM ET
WHAT THE *#$%@&
I MEAN
HOLY SHIT THIS AWESOME
BUT WHAT THE *#$%@&
Posted by Pete K from Chicago, IL on 07/02/08 at 01:47 PM ET
I just have one question.
Is it October yet?
Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 07/02/08 at 01:51 PM ET
I am looking for my jaw ... It has dropped to the floor here somewhere, and I cannot drink my Scotch until I find it.....
The audacity!
The Stanley Cup champions take the 2nd best player from the team they beat.
Jeez...it reminds me of the 2001-2002 season.....
Posted by w2j2 on 07/02/08 at 01:52 PM ET
Damn, I spend all morning arguing an idiotic contract case, and come home for lunch, flip on the NHL channel: “Hossa a Red Wing” Marian frigging Hossa, a Red Wing!!
About had a freaking heart palpatation. Run to the lap top!!
Its true! OMFG!!!
Ken’s Summer of Pure Bitching Genious!!
1 Year, 7.4, No freaking way. Hossa turns down multi-year deals at 9 a season - to play in DET!!
What a freaking awesome message. Can anyone come up with a better way to communicate that the Red Wings Rule!!!
“The Highlander” this morning noted the Wings cap space:
The Red Wings’ cap number for next season is a little under $44.5 million. That includes the signings of Lilja and Stuart, but doesn’t include Filppula, Howard and Chelios, who will be signed. The league salary cap is $56.7 million.
The Red Wings’ $44.5 million figure includes eight defensemen, one goalie and 11 forwards for a total of 20 signed players. That leaves $12.2 million of cap room with a few more players to be signed.
My math says 4.8 left. Fil can fit!! I thnk the number tossed around is 2.5 or a little more. Cheli and Downey may be on the outside.
Marian Frigging Hossa!!!
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 19 on 07/02/08 at 01:52 PM ET
CBJ fan here…
Dont know if this is a good move or a bad move, but it sure does cast a large shadow over Chicago and Columbus. They were supposed to the buyers this summer.
Posted by Herringbone from Seattle on 07/02/08 at 01:53 PM ET
Good point Osrt
We know we have a log jam on defense. Makes me wonder about Howard. Fil may get about 1.4 or 1.5 and chelios 600,000. I think Downey is gone and mac is back maybe at 400,00 that is 2.5mil with 3 more to sign and some possible trade ect.
Posted by hankyspanky40 from Michigan on 07/02/08 at 01:55 PM ET
We should watch MacLeod’s space. He’s the only Detroit journalist smart and hardworking enough to actually crunch the numbers and show how much money Holland has to offer Fil.
Posted by TDeters on 07/02/08 at 01:55 PM ET
Gee TD, I already noted it at 1:52, see above!
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 19 on 07/02/08 at 01:59 PM ET
I wouldnt be suprised to see a team put together a crazy offer for Filpula. Detroit may have put themselves in a little bit of a bind with this one.
Posted by Herringbone from Seattle on 07/02/08 at 02:01 PM ET
Fil will get above $2mil for sure.
My guess is that Lebda is gone to Tampa/ Florida. They need a puck moving, skating defenseman and we could use their high draft picks. He’ll look like a stud in the East.
Posted by Osrt on 07/02/08 at 02:03 PM ET
As MLive.com’s own Ansar Khan notes, the Wings are now approximately $4 million under the cap with UFAs Chris Chelios, Darren McCarty, Aaron Downey, and RFAs Jonathan Ericsson, Jimmy Howard, and Kyle Quincey left to re-sign. Holland must re-sign Filppula nearly immediately so that he’s not poached away via a RFA offer sheet.
A few things to consider before the panic about Filppula sets in:
- Anything over 2.6 million on an offer sheet would result in the Wings getting at least one first-round pick; anything below that they can easily afford.
- As much as I like Filppula, you have to admit, a first-round pick could be very useful, and frankly, I think paying any more to Filppula than 3 million just doesn’t fit into their salary structure anyways—the Wings have been smart about overpaying in the right spots (a little bit to Stuart), and underpaying wherever they can (Homer, Draper, Cleary, etc.).
- Filppula has to sign an offer sheet, it’s not a guarantee that he’ll take whatever comes his way. He’s marrying a girl from Michigan soon and was, by all accounts, pretty important in (and excited about) getting Ville Leino in a Wing uniform.
- Ericcson and Howard are playing in the AHL anyways, so they won’t count against the cap except for their occasional call-ups or injury fill-ins.
- One of McCarty and Downey is probably gone, or playing in GR, so again, won’t count against the cap in one case and will be dirt cheap in the other.
- If you have to let Chelios go, you have to. Offer him a coaching position or something.
- If you have to take the hit and let Quincey go for nothing, let him go. The organization is stacked at defense with NHL talent for at least the next four seasons, and with some of the prospect they have that have steadily developed, should be on track to build the D from within for five or more years ahead, even if Quincey is given away.
- Think of this as the Wings’ deadline signing—while it’s nice to have that cash for the deadline, just in case, this opportunity was too good to pass up not to take it and roll the dice by going with one team beginning to end.
The last point, and perhaps most important point is this—you have to try and win it all when you can. Even though the Wings have been a great organization for a long time now, you never know, because of reasons beyond your control, what might happen. So you’ve got to take your shot to win when it sits in front of you. And frankly, even if they don’t win, and even if they lose Filppula and/or Quincey in the process, they will still be one of the top teams in the league the season after, because they will still have that excellent top four D, they’ll still have Pav, and they’ll have plenty of cap space to get Z and Franzen signed.
Posted by Nathan from Jonny Ericsson's ice cream truck on 07/02/08 at 02:05 PM ET
That leaves $12.2 million of cap room with a few more players to be signed.
I hope Bruce is right and all is well. The cap estimate seems to be all over the place. Khan is saying about $4 mil, and the table at hockeybuzz.com (I’ll use George’s caveat—click at your own risk!) shows about $2.5 mil. I know it’s hockeybuzz, but they have a spreadsheet with pretty colors and stuff.
That’s a big difference. If Bruce is correct, we’re fine.
Posted by BobTheZee on 07/02/08 at 02:07 PM ET
HOLY FRICKING FECKING FRACK YOU’RE FRIGGING KIDDING ME…
I come back from evening KM practice and THIS is what I come back to? Sweet baby Jebus. Marian Hossa, the most salivation-worthy free agent on the market this year, takes less cash and less term to sign with OUR TEAM for the CUP! And Don Cherry says that Europeans don’t care enough about winning it all…
Well. I guess Mats Sundin just blew his shot at the Cup for one more year. And this is one year we won’t have to play the anxiety game on trade deadline day…
Somehow, though, I think some skaters already signed will be traded, and those unsigned will remain that way. And Kenny? I know you’ve just performed a miracle on the level of turning water into funk, but if I can offer one little bit of unsolicited advice? Filppula. Arbitration. NOW.
Of course, could be that Fil already heard about the Hossa signing and he’ll turn down any offer sheets for the chance to repeat in ‘09.
First Conklin and now Hossa. It really must suck to be a Pens fan right now.
HOLY FLURKING SCHNIT THE HOSSA JIG OF JOY IS STARTING AGAIN GOTTA GO…
Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from right in front of Ken Holland, kowtowing on 07/02/08 at 02:07 PM ET
We run deep and our nuts hang low. Pure studs. Cause that is how we roll bitches…
ROTFLMAO
I too would like to have Kenny Holland as my personal Lord and Savior.
un-friggin-believable. I’ve been gloating to every Avs fan in the building.
“We got Hossa bitches!”
“Yeah! Well we signed....”
“Raycroft and Tucker. You got rid of one head case goalie and brought in another. Oh yeah, you added a goofball who can’t stay out of the penalty box. I predict another long golf season for the Avs”
“Just die”
BUWHAHAHAHAHA
Kenny, you magnificent bastard!
Posted by wingsfanindenver from 'lanchland on 07/02/08 at 02:09 PM ET
I say sign Chelios as the assistant coach and alleviate that log jam a bit
Posted by WingMan19 from Metro Detroit on 07/02/08 at 02:09 PM ET
Fil at 2mil wow he only made 698,000 last year. Howard made 733,000, Quincey 535,000 and ericsson 495,000.
I was thinking double the amount for Filppula at around 1.4 to 1.5mil.
Posted by hankyspanky40 from Michigan on 07/02/08 at 02:09 PM ET
Words can’t express how happy I am right now. We started free agency resigning Stewie so right then and there we’re icing the same team in 08-09 minus the CMOI. Now this little ditty gets dropped on us, prepare to shatter the records we set in 95-96.
Don’t call it a comeback, we’ve been here for years.
Posted by D Town in Bubbaville on 07/02/08 at 02:10 PM ET
Sorry about the caps up there, guys. It’s not every day you win two Cups in one summer.
20 bucks says within 24 hours the Penguins or Oilers (or some other bitter team) throws down an offer sheet for Wally Filppula.
Posted by Pete K from Chicago, IL on 07/02/08 at 02:10 PM ET
ohhh, uncle mike, make sure hossa likes skating with the rest of the top 6. can you imagine any combination of those 6 guys coming off the bench? it doesn’t matter if we’re at the joe or not anymore! we send out our top 3, the home team sends out their top 3...too bad we have ANOTHER top 3. damn. kenny, sometimes you scare me.
Posted by micah from rochester, ny on 07/02/08 at 02:13 PM ET
even if they lose Filppula and/or Quincey in the process, they will still be one of the top teams in the league
Can I help it if I’m greedy and want them all signed with Detroit? I’m already hoping Kenny figures out a way to keep Hossa after this season, too. If there’s anyone who can pull it off, he da man!
Posted by BobTheZee on 07/02/08 at 02:14 PM ET
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Posted by Cal on 07/02/08 at 01:02 PM ET