Abel to Yzerman
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Here’s What We Do: Live Blogging A Day That Will Probably Be Uneventful For The Wings
by IwoCPO on 07/01/09 at 10:34 AM ET
Comments (212)
And we can start with this biotch.
Not sure if Sportsnet is referring to last night’s rebuttal or if another has taken place this morning. Kenny, you stubborn bastard you.
Marian Hossa has turned down yet another long-term deal to try his luck as a mercenary on the free agent market. The Red Wings were prepared to keep Hossa in Hockeytown for 10 years.
Anyway, it’s a Live Blog. And we’ll even open it up to you Pens fans who want to take a break from peeking around the corner to see who’s going to steal your Cup.
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Comments
wow, a live blog I can actually participate in (since I’m likely to be sitting at the computer hitting f5 anyway for the next few hours).
Posted by shanetx on 07/01/09 at 10:40 AM ET
Today feels so much different than other July 1st’s….f*ck.
Posted by moore00 from Columbus, OH/Grand Rapids, MI on 07/01/09 at 10:40 AM ET
And I will probably keep myself entertained/distracted by messing with PSH. My new favorite hobby at work.
Posted by moore00 from Columbus, OH/Grand Rapids, MI on 07/01/09 at 10:41 AM ET
Today feels so much different than other July 1st’s….f*ck.
It really does. There’s no, “What magic will Kenny pull off this year?”
Last year there was so much eagerness. “The Sundin signing will come soon, he’ll come up and join the rest of the Swedes and win a cup. It’s gotta happen soon.” - how wrong we were, not only did he not, but far greater things happen.
This year it’s more of a depressing, “How long will we wait to have our hearts ripped out?” feel. I do not like this nearly so much.
Posted by shanetx on 07/01/09 at 10:43 AM ET
Curious, would you Wings fans even want Hossa for that long?? What is he now, about 30?
Posted by NHLJeff from Pens fan in Chicago, IL on 07/01/09 at 10:43 AM ET
Players signed before 30 can retire after 36 and their contract is off the books. No one really expects any of these long-termers to stick around that long, Jeff, though I think we’d all be pretty pleasantly surprised if they were able to perform at a level that warranted them doing so.
I could easily see Z and Franzen making it to 38-39-40 (given Z’s back allows it) but Hossa? Maybe, maybe not. He’s got the smarts and raw talent to meld his game around his diminishing physical abilities the way the great ones that stick it out do.
Posted by shanetx on 07/01/09 at 10:46 AM ET
Curious, would you Wings fans even want Hossa for that long?? What is he now, about 30?
Posted by NHLJeff from Boston, MA on 07/01/09 at 11:43 AM ET
Old veterans are great tools to keep around to bring out the best in developing young talent. Brett Hull was past his prime when he was paired with Datsyuk and Zetterberg, but there’s no questioning how much he helped them develop their game. I’d take Hossa until he’s 40 if he can still play.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/01/09 at 10:46 AM ET
What’s the latest gang? I’m headed out to breakfast. Check in on my phone. Not that I have internet on my phone, I’m really going to call you people.
Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 07/01/09 at 10:50 AM ET
No worries Wings fans. Take heart. At least you have a team that’s good enough to warrant an uneventful free agency day.
The rest of us, however, have some work to do.
Posted by AvsRock from My timeshare in insanity... on 07/01/09 at 10:51 AM ET
There is no way Hoss will last till he is 40. He is just not that type of player. Im kinda glad that he rejected Kenny’s offer…We need some big, depth players, that can crash and bang and play d…some good two-way forwards…We can’t risk the next few years on a guy who wants so much money. IN KENNY I TRUST. Its now time to move on…
Posted by yzer19man from Public Enemies film location on 07/01/09 at 10:51 AM ET
And I will probably keep myself entertained/distracted by messing with PSH. My new favorite hobby at work.
Keep in mind TPSH has internet Munchausen’s. He revels in any attention, positive or negative, and says dumb shit to get some, whether he truly believes what he says or not.
Posted by MarkK from Maryland on 07/01/09 at 10:52 AM ET
he rest of us, however, have some work to do.
Posted by AvsRock
Good luck, I wouldn’t mind feeling the blood boil facing off against a revamped Avs.
Posted by MarkK from Maryland on 07/01/09 at 10:54 AM ET
My new favorite hobby at work.
Posted by moore00 from Grand Rapids on 07/01/09 at 11:41 AM ET
My new favourite hobby at work….pooping with the door open.
Seriously, try it sometime. Then when people say “Why don’t you try closing the door!” you can say “Does anybody still knock on this planet?”
Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 07/01/09 at 10:57 AM ET
Hey 19.
Thought I’d better check-in.
My month of mourning has ended.
Time to suck it up and move on.
After careful meditation since 612 “Hello Summer” the reality of the Detroit Red Wings STILL being the best professeional hockey organization, top to bottom, has brought me much comfort. Now begins the opportunity, the challenge, the quest to reclaim the prize, the ulitmate of all sports’ crowns. And my confidence is very sure that we will keep our heads held high as the task before us turns into a plan to succeed. And that plan is carefully, analytically, masterfully being developed by Tick Tock, Uncle Mike, ... you know the men we trust. Be assured they will place the best team possible on the ice for the ‘09-’10 season!
Is it October yet?
GO WINGS!!!
Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 07/01/09 at 11:00 AM ET
Prediction: Wings keep Hudler, bring up Helm and Leino, and pick up either Chad LaRose (Hey - I can dream can’t I) or Ian LaPerriere. My bet is on Lap Dance.
Cast of Meech to a team that will play him. He deserves a shot, but will have to be elsewhere.
Oh - and they win the Cup in a rubber match against Pittsburgh.
Posted by CJBear71 on 07/01/09 at 11:00 AM ET
Well, at the end of the day, which ever way the winds blow, worst case scenario, we’ll be putting an incredible team on the ice next season.
On the other hand, think about what it must be like to be a fan of about 25 of the other teams today. Their best case scenarios still sucks it hard.
It’s hard for me to be too concerned, one way or the other.
It’s good to be us.
Posted by dougie on 07/01/09 at 11:03 AM ET
Time to do the damn thing. Interesting to see where Hoss and Kopy will end up. I’d still like to hang on to Huds and Sammy, but I’m guessing we don’t get both. I really just want the season to start… is it october yet?
Posted by CaptNorris5 from The Winged Wheel, stuck in Chicago on 07/01/09 at 11:04 AM ET
Barring a miracle with Hossa, I wouldn’t mind seeing Mike Knuble back in the Winged Wheel. There’s your wing on the Flip-Mule line.
And Hudler? At this point, I think a couple picks are worth more, long term, than he is. Love the guy, and I’d miss the fertile Photoshop opportunities, but he’s too one dimensional to hang on to when we can get value back.
And please, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, let Sammy walk, Kenny.
Posted by mudshark from DIA, Waiting to Ambush Matt Duchene on 07/01/09 at 11:06 AM ET
I’m thinking maybe Joel Lundqvist, never has done much offensively, but he sure likes to hit, he’s the one the broke Kronners back prior to the 07 playoffs if I remember correctly. Plus he’s a Swede and won’t cost a lot and is relatively young at 27.
Posted by John W. from a bubble wrap cocoon on 07/01/09 at 11:07 AM ET
@shanetx
Have you ever seen a scenario where an older player locked into a long-term deal i]refuses to retire? Is there a vehicle in place for special buy-outs at that point? Just curious; could be a difficult position for teams orchestrating these very long contracts (read WIngs).
Posted by Moebius on 07/01/09 at 11:08 AM ET
Oh, forgot to show off the newest addition the family…
Luigi, the 8 week old Kingfish Pit puppy:
(He’s still young, we may start calling him “Pav.”)
Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 07/01/09 at 11:10 AM ET
I would prefer to hang onto Huds rather than Sammy. But I guess we’ll see.
Posted by Jennemy of the Skate from putting the b*tches in the box on 07/01/09 at 11:10 AM ET
I’ve worked out how we can keep Hossa (comment 8)
Thoughts?
Posted by Zach on 07/01/09 at 11:13 AM ET
Tick tock, tick tock…
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 07/01/09 at 11:15 AM ET
Hahahaha. My boss just postponed a meeting we had scheduled because “we both have too much work to do.”
Little does she know ...
Posted by Bella on 07/01/09 at 11:15 AM ET
Have you ever seen a scenario where an older player locked into a long-term deal i]refuses to retire?
Yeah, that can happen. I think some of us might feel, deep down inside, that Maltby is approaching the point where we might could wish he’d hang it up. It’s certainly a risk. The thing you’re banking on with these deals, if you’re the Detroit Red Wings, is that the players you give the long contracts to are prideful guys, and they want to sign for long terms to play in Detroit because they enjoy being Detroit Red Wings and buy into the product and atmosphere the franchise is selling. Also, there’s really not a huge incentive to stick around when you’ve made 65 million over the first half of your contract and the last years are paying you 1, 2 million per.
I think it’s less a case of the player refusing to retire than it is the player not really knowing when their time has come. Few athletes want to admit that, after all. With a formerly elite player who has fallen from elite status, however, it’s a bit easier for them to realize that.
I do think this is slightly easier with European players who have strong ties to their home countries. A Henrik Zetterberg who is no longer an elite player and who burdens down his Detroit Red Wings (of which he’ll almost certainly be the captain at this point) might decide at 38, 39 that he can’t quite do it any more like he’d like to, his cap number is prohibitive, so… Why not go back home and take Timrå to another Elitserien championship? Loob did it. Why not me? I think the proud, star athlete wants to end as a proud, star athlete and they can do that in the KHL or their national leagues when their skills don’t allow them to dominate the NHL any longer.
I suppose the counter-argument to this is Michael Nylander in Washington, but he’s not made of the same stuff that a Z or a Mule is.
Posted by shanetx on 07/01/09 at 11:17 AM ET
Tampa Bay signed Mattias Ohlund
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 07/01/09 at 11:17 AM ET
@TeamDub - Puppy is too damn cute. But as much as I love Pav, I’d go with Hank.
Posted by CJBear71 on 07/01/09 at 11:20 AM ET
I think some of us might feel, deep down inside, that Maltby is approaching the point where we might could wish he’d hang it up.
It’s quite easy to “force” someone to retire…just stop playing them, Maltby still, at least in the organ-i-zations viewpoint, adds value, otherwise they would have brought up another black-ace in his place this year in the playoffs.
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 07/01/09 at 11:20 AM ET
I’ve worked out how we can keep Hossa (comment 8)
My Salary Cap Management
Thoughts?
Posted by Zach on 07/01/09 at 12:13 PM ET
get Holland on the phone. looks good to me
Posted by AxeMaster9 on 07/01/09 at 11:21 AM ET
@TeamDub - Puppy is too damn cute. But as much as I love Pav, I’d go with Hank.
Posted by CJBear71 on 07/01/09 at 12:20 PM ET
I already have dibbs on Hank.
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 07/01/09 at 11:21 AM ET
@Zach,
your roster only has 20 men. Don’t see that happening at all. Hossa is gone; he was gone the day that that Mule signed. I’d like to see the Wings add some Dally style grit. Basically staring down the barrel of the 08 Champ team then.
Posted by CaptNorris5 from The Winged Wheel, stuck in Chicago on 07/01/09 at 11:21 AM ET
BTW - be glad Hossa isn’t signing. Wings will add a little depth over next few days, probably after the big guns are gone. But next year, Lidstrom’s deal will be up. He’ll probably still play, but will give the Wings a big discount - watch him sign a 2 year deal for $5 million (2.5 cap hit), freeing up $5 million in cap room for the Wings going forward.
Posted by CJBear71 on 07/01/09 at 11:22 AM ET
CLBear - Thanks - he’s a cool little monkey and learning really quickly. Hank was bandied about, but his personality is way more Pav.
He’s gonna be a moose, he’s already almost 20 lbs. at 8 weeks.
Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 07/01/09 at 11:23 AM ET
God I hate HossaWatch ‘09.
I’m to the point I would rather see who goes to other teams.
BTW, reportedly 7 years for Ohlund. How desperate is TB?
Posted by Primis on 07/01/09 at 11:24 AM ET
It’s quite easy to “force” someone to retire…just stop playing them, Maltby still, at least in the organ-i-zations viewpoint, adds value, otherwise they would have brought up another black-ace in his place this year in the playoffs.
It’s easy for some teams to do this. I don’t think Ken Holland would agree it’s easy, even if it was questionably in the Wings best interest. The wings value experience a whole lot- everyone can see this- but to some degree, what they’re really rewarding is loyalty rather than the benefits of experience.
Zach-
I don’t really think I can support anything that involves flipping Filpulla. He did the Wings a big favor last year around this time and that makes him a Wing until his contract is done, in my book.
Plus, having Filpulla aboard means we can play Z and Datsyuk together without a huge dropoff on the second line (assuming Franzen is there) That has value of it’s own that can’t be understated. Center depth is never something to throw away, even if you do have Darren Helm waiting.
Posted by shanetx on 07/01/09 at 11:25 AM ET
My 2 cents: Hossa should go. Its whats best for the team. He was great during the regular season, but there is a hidden downside to all those easy goals - the team lost its defensive focus, didn’t have to fight for the puck or grind out wins 2-1.
If anyone reads SportsGuy, Hossa is a classic Ewing Theory candidate. He left and forced PIT to man-up and play grittier (to some extent anyway), and did the opposite for the Wings. I hope he’s gone and will be glad when its official, then we can get back to disciplined cup-winning hockey.
Posted by kman76 from Brooklyn on 07/01/09 at 11:25 AM ET
I’ve worked out how we can keep Hossa (comment 8)
My Salary Cap Management
Thoughts?
Posted by Zach on 07/01/09 at 12:13 PM ET
Zach, I don’t like having to lose Filppula and put Leino up on the first line. I don’t think he’s ready for that kind of sink-or-swim just yet. It looks like you’ve traded too much depth for Hossa, something I was worried about from the get-go. I think we could win like this, but I’d worry about Meech on the fourth line and Helm getting buried on the third because he’s paired with two relatively slow skaters.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/01/09 at 11:26 AM ET
Wow, just saw the 7 year term for Ohlund. Good lord. That’s going to have him playing in the Bay till he’s 40. What a depressing fate.
Posted by CaptNorris5 from The Winged Wheel, stuck in Chicago on 07/01/09 at 11:26 AM ET
“Hossa is closing in with Chicago” TSN talking heads
Are you kidding me? Chicago has to try and sign Kane, Towes and Keith next year (and they’re still paying Campbell $7 million). How the hell can they afford a long-term deal?
Posted by Bella on 07/01/09 at 11:27 AM ET
Wow, Hossa -> Chicago seems pretty crazy. No way they can afford him without dumping some real salary.
Posted by CaptNorris5 from The Winged Wheel, stuck in Chicago on 07/01/09 at 11:29 AM ET
[MIN] Named Jim Mill assistant to the general manager.
yikes, that freaked my out when I first glanced at it.
Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 07/01/09 at 11:29 AM ET
Are you kidding me? Chicago has to try and sign Kane, Towes and Keith next year (and they’re still paying Campbell $7 million). How the hell can they afford a long-term deal?
Simple, they can’t or won’t. TSN is talking out of their backside on this one…
EDM’s gonna’ make another huge offer to Hossa (and anyone else that will listen, because nobody wants to play in EDM).
Posted by Primis on 07/01/09 at 11:30 AM ET
@ CaptNorris 5
My roster alllows for the signing of another F/D at league minimum.
I realize it is highly improbable that he re-signs, but its fun to do ‘what ifs’
Onto Hossa to Chicago: I dont like this one bit. Toews/Kane/Hossa. Yikes. Thank god Brian Campbell is overpaid and defensively foolish. :p
Posted by Zach on 07/01/09 at 11:30 AM ET
It’s a LB…is it wrong that I’m drinking?
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste Marie on 07/01/09 at 11:31 AM ET
It’s a LB…is it wrong that I’m drinking?
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie… yes there are two, Tony F on 07/01/09 at 12:31 PM ET
If its wrong I dont want to be right
Posted by AxeMaster9 on 07/01/09 at 11:32 AM ET
Hossa to Chicago - per a dream (nightmare) I had last night.
Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 07/01/09 at 07:38 AM ET
Red Winger - no, it’s just aboot mandatory.
Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 07/01/09 at 11:32 AM ET
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Hossa won’t matter if Flip can pack on about 10 pounds and learn to shoot the friggin’ puck more. He’s developing at a good pace and I want a breakout year out of him centering a line with Franzen and (???).
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/01/09 at 10:40 AM ET