Abel to Yzerman
Next entry: 9/11
Previous entry: For Lions Fans: An Intervention
Hossa: One Year Wonder?
by IwoCPO on 09/08/08 at 04:30 PM ET
Comments (54)
For those of us (yes..us, meaning “me") hoping Marian Hossa has every intention of signing a long-term deal for about 6/year, just so he can stay part of the glorious Wing family? Umm.
“I look at it like I’m here for one year,” Hossa said after an informal skate with some of his new teammates. “During the year, we’ll see how the cap room is going to stay or move. Then we’ll talk with the GM (Ken Holland) and see if they like me to stay here or I like to be here, if I’m a good fit in the group. We don’t know yet. We’ll see in the future. It’s tough to say right now.”
Key words: Cap. Room. Stay. Move. Holland. Don’t. Know. Future. Tough.
I just kinda pulled those out. Let’s use them all in a sentence, eh?
Here’s what he meant to say:
“Want me to stay? Holland better get tough and make sure the Cap moves, and I mean moves up. Way up. Know when? In the near future. If not, my pal Kopie can rent that room out starting June 15th. Don’t like it? Tough.”
One more word we might use soon? Mercenary.
Predictions: make ‘em. Real simple.
Filed in: | Abel to Yzerman | Permalink
Comments
At least he’s being honest and not playing the spin game from the get-go. Everyone knew this but I don’t think very many people expected him or Holland to come out and see it. As for Hossa, there’s probably a less than 10% chance that he doesn’t fit in, Babcock loves him and he chose us. Holland will do everything in his power to re-sign Hossa but since he can’t have formal talks until Jan. 1st it really depends on how the kids develop and what Franzen/Zetterberg both sign for.
Bottom line, Holland went after Hossa HARD at the trade deadline, Babcock wanted to get Hossa before he was even a head coach in the NHL and Hossa wanted to sign here. I believe it all comes down to Hossa because Holland will make the right adjustments if it’s right for the team and we don’t become too top heavy.
Posted by Heaton on 09/08/08 at 03:45 PM ET
honest answers imo. If the cap stays where it is, there is absolutely no chance we can keep him without making major roster moves. After Z, with or without franzen, the cap is going to have to go up significantly for us to even have a chance at extending him. Sounds to me like He;s already talked to holland and holland laid it down for him. Possibly when he originally signed.
“We like you, we want you here for a long time, but we also have to extend Z and want to extend franzen. The capspace just isnt there right now for a long term deal. If this is a good fit and the cap goes up a good amount, we will do everything we can to keep you here. But no promises”
Posted by aTTicA from NY on 09/08/08 at 03:46 PM ET
agree with Nathan
Also, McCrimmon might take the mullet award away from BarrytheDouche…
Posted by Osrt on 09/08/08 at 03:47 PM ET
I think he can stay, but he’d have to sign a long term, front loaded deal. The cap would have to go up of course, you’d need to bid adieu to guys like Sammy and Maltby for starters, possibly even Hudler, but I think it’s possible. He has seemed to want to be here forever, loves the style of play, I’m sure he’ll love the organization also, so now it’s just making it fit.
Posted by bababooey on 09/08/08 at 03:53 PM ET
Sheesh, the guy just got into town. Give him at least a little bit of time to fall in love with us, will ya?
Once the season starts, and he’s been elected mayor—or at least co-mayor with Lidstrom, Zetterberg, Datsyuk, et al (quite a crowded field for Kwame’s old job, eh?)—Marian will discover that there’s only one HOCKEYTOWN (TM) and realize he’s found a true home.
P.S.—It also might help if a few silly people stopped saying that Hossa’s Slovakian buddy Kopecky should be shipped out for cap space. (Who knows, maybe next year they’ll talk Gaborik into signing for peanuts, plus all the tripe he can drink out of Lord Stanley’s Cup.)
Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 09/08/08 at 03:58 PM ET
A front-loaded deal would be genius… I’m thinking six year deal, $19 million the first year, $1 million the other five…
We can dream, right?
Watch, tomorrow there will be a new “rumor” on Dwayne’s site about how a “source close to the situation” told him that Hossa will sign with Detroit on January 1st for a six year deal worth a total of $24 million… :(
Or does Hossa have a wife? He could always play for the veteran minimum and we could pay his wife $8 million per season to make brownies for Uncle Mike and the coaching staff. I bet Uncle Mike LOVES brownies.
Posted by Nathan on 09/08/08 at 04:03 PM ET
only way i see Hossa staying is if the caps goes up dramatically, or we lose Lidstrom, Datsyuk, Rafalski or Zetterberg to serious serious injuries..
*knock on wood
Posted by Pharazon from England on 09/08/08 at 04:16 PM ET
Hmm,
I can’t decide between “Idiot. Stupid question. Exactly zero.” and “He’ll Wub The Wing Way. 100 frigging percent.”
Posted by lilja4ever on 09/08/08 at 04:24 PM ET
If it’s a really, really good year, so what if it’s just one?
Let him at least play one game before everyone starts fretting, anyway.
(Like Penguins fans sure that Hossa would take less to play with Crosby ...) 
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 09/08/08 at 04:39 PM ET
I’m assuming one and done. The only way that changes is if the Wings have trouble signing Franzen. If Franzen looks like he’ll be a tough signing they might use that as an incentive to try and get Hossa signed beyond this season.
Posted by Dave on 09/08/08 at 05:06 PM ET
I was under the impression that it was understood he was a temporary Wing while there was cap space… he’s already taking a discount at 7.5, I think you’re wearing your Red-tinted glasses if you think he’ll sign for 6…
it’s not impossible, but I would put the odds much closer to 0 than fifty-fifty
Posted by Carl on 09/08/08 at 05:09 PM ET
League revenues are figured in $ and it is quite possible the loony exch rate will hurt the Cap this year. There is speculation that the 15% of player salaries held back will be needed to supplement league revenues.
also
I believe the front loaded/back loaded contracts have been amended to be averaged so that the cap charge is even throughout the length of the contract.
A little help...George… on that ?
You can all start puckering up now to kiss Hossa goodbye.
Posted by HockeyTownTodd from upset when blogs don’t live up to my expectations on 09/08/08 at 05:32 PM ET
...with or without franzen, the cap is going to have to go up significantly for us to even have a chance at extending him.
The other day you pulled out “fantasy math” to prove the Wings could keep Hossa. Now, even if Franzen leaves, the cap would have to go up “significantly” in order to “even have a chance at extending him”. Geez, bub, pick a stance and try sticking with it for more than 24 hours.
I believe the front loaded/back loaded contracts have been amended to be averaged so that the cap charge is even throughout the length of the contract.
All contracts are averaged over the length of the contract.
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 09/08/08 at 06:00 PM ET
I wouldn’t call it zero chance. But probably not a real high chance of resigning either unless, as Dave mentioned, Franzen is a stinker.
Still, I’m not reading much into his comments. I know we’re all used to being lied to, but I think he’s just being honest about the situation. We know the organization loves him. We know he’s gonna play his heart out, and we’re fairly certain he’s gonna love it here. But that looming cap probably is gonna make future deals unpossible. The first response by Nathan sums it up nicely.
Posted by Nate A from Dark side of the moon on 09/08/08 at 06:09 PM ET
Sheesh, the guy just got into town. Give him at least a little bit of time to fall in love with us, will ya?
What Y to Z said…
Posted by mudshark from Divetown, Colorado on 09/08/08 at 06:20 PM ET
Its the same stance. If the cap goes up to 62-63 mil. Theres a good chance that the wings could fit in hossa franzen and Z, provided the 3 of them took significant discounts. Thats 7-8 mil more than the current cap. IF the cap stays put, the wings would barely have enough to retain Z and franzen, but not enough to sign hossa. (even without the 3-4 mil franzen will probably get). That extra 7-8 mil is right around what it would take to retain him. Try reading next time before you blast someone.
Posted by aTTicA from NY on 09/08/08 at 06:39 PM ET
Wings will not sign Hossa for less than $7 million a year, which is what Zetterberg will probably earn at the minimum and at least $5 million a year for Franzen.
I voted for 50-50 to re-sign Hossa.
Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 09/08/08 at 07:06 PM ET
Try reading next time before you blast someone.
I read quite well, thank you. And your fantasy math from yesterday had Holland signing Mule for 3M (if he did it SOON). That would leave enough to sign Hossa in your scenario. Today, the cap would have to go up by 7M-8M in order to make it work.
You’re posting the same nonsense here that you’ve posted on the Detroit News Forum for years now. Pick a topic, dream up as many scanarios as you can, hedge your bets on every one of them and then claim you were right all along when any one of them comes remotely close to happening. Maybe you should see if Dwayne needs another “writer” over at HockeyBuzz. 
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 09/08/08 at 07:07 PM ET
Are W2J2 and I the only ones going to get in on this?
http://info.detnews.com/redesign/blogs/wingsblog/index.cfm?blogid=1991
caption it bitches…
Posted by Osrt on 09/08/08 at 08:27 PM ET
Are W2J2 and I the only ones going to get in on this?
http://info.detnews.com/redesign/blogs/wingsblog/index.cfm?blogid=1991
caption it bitches…
I don’t think I could top the “hair down there” remark.
Posted by monkey from Waiting for the lambs to stop screaming on 09/08/08 at 09:03 PM ET
I guess it all depends on how this season goes. If they win another Cup, would Hossa want to stay and defend it? And if so, would a Maltby or a Draper continue playing, or hang em’ up?
Say a couple guys win another Cup, then retire, and the Cap goes up just a little bit… who knows?
Hossa’s a Wing for now though. The rest, we’ll see.
Posted by Primis on 09/08/08 at 09:36 PM ET
I guess it all depends on how this season goes. If they win another Cup, would Hossa want to stay and defend it? And if so, would a Maltby or a Draper continue playing, or hang em’ up?
Say a couple guys win another Cup, then retire, and the Cap goes up just a little bit…
Nice idea, but according to the CBA, any player who is 35 years or older who is signed to a multi-year deal and retires before the last year of the contract will continue to have the average salary of his contract count against the team’s salary cap in the remaining years of the contract. It’s legal mumbo-jumbo for: “You knew they were (or would be) over 35 and you signed them anyway, so now you’re stuck with them.”
If Draper retired after this year, the Wings would still take a cap hit of $1.583M for the following two years. With Maltby, it would be a cap hit of 883k for one more year. So Drapes, Maltby and St. Nick will all be playing until they either finish their contract or they’re traded.
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 09/08/08 at 10:32 PM ET
I went for fifty-fifty, because it’s fifty-fifty between Hossa or Franzen-- one or the other. Dave got it in one. We can use Hossa as a bargaining chip in negotiations with Franzen. If they get too bad, we just give his money to Hossa. Then trade Franzen’s rights after the playoffs. But I don’t think what he said is mercenary-- just honest.
Let’s just not delude ourselves like the tear-eyed saps over at the Pensblog, okay?
Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from a top-secret offshore Slovak savings bank on 09/09/08 at 01:45 AM ET
OlderThanChelios,
The 35 year old rule applies to players who were signed after they are 35. Neither Draper nor Maltby’s contracts were signed after they were 35. Lidstrom’s was.
Posted by PRS on 09/09/08 at 05:38 AM ET
I believe the front loaded/back loaded contracts have been amended to be averaged so that the cap charge is even throughout the length of the contract.
That’s exactly why a front-loaded deal would be the way they’d have to go to get it done. The player doesn’t care about his average salary—he cares about what he takes home. So give him a guarantee that he’ll get huge money early in the contract when he will undoubtedly play, and most likely be healthy, and wrench it down later in the contract to shrink the cap hit.
Either way, I voted 50/50 simply because I don’t see how you can say 0. 50/50 is probably generous, but 0 is unrealistic as well, after what we’ve seen this organization do time and time again.
I’d go for a 75/25 option (75 he leaves).
Posted by Nathan on 09/09/08 at 07:50 AM ET
The 35 year old rule applies to players who were signed after they are 35. Neither Draper nor Maltby’s contracts were signed after they were 35.
My mistake. You’re right about the rule (and about Maltby), PRS. But Drapes signed his three-year, $4.75-million contract extension last October when he was 36, so apparently he does fall under the over-35 provision. (Or is there something about it being a contract “extension” that negates that?)
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 09/09/08 at 08:24 AM ET
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfqqFStZO4o
not to change the subject but this his hilarious!
Posted by dwingsrock on 09/09/08 at 05:35 PM ET
Dwingsrock: I just settled my family ‘round the computer, with our cocoa and our blankies. We sang some John Denver, read a little Laura Ingalls Wilder and then watched that video. Our evening..no, our family...is now complete.
Thank you my friend.
Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 09/09/08 at 05:43 PM ET
This has to be moved to the first page of KK. I don’t know who produced this, but he should definitely be made an honorary member of the A2Y 19. That video was both brilliant and hilarious. Many thanks to dwingsrock.
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 09/09/08 at 11:04 PM ET
Oh man, that’s great...way to go dwings..
and of course......
Thanks Gary. Ass.
Posted by Rumbear from Sun Di Eggo on 09/09/08 at 11:50 PM ET
That tune is pretty catchy.
I didn’t get all the words since I was laughing at the pictorial essay of incompetence. 
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 09/10/08 at 06:15 AM ET
Nice video. Appropriate too since Denis Leary is a big hockey fan.
Posted by Nate A from Dark side of the moon on 09/10/08 at 09:09 AM ET
I WON THE CAPTION CONTEST!!!!
Woohooo!!
I’ll have a picture of two players who are almost sure to leave next year 
Posted by Osrt on 09/10/08 at 11:07 AM ET
Zetterberg, seeking long-term deal, to wed girlfriend
Résumé summary:
-Olympic Gold
-Stanley Cup
-Conn Smythe Trophy
-trophy wife
Holland is really going to have to pay through the nose now…
Posted by monkey from Waiting for the lambs to stop screaming on 09/10/08 at 04:33 PM ET
Count me in as one of the 26 (at the time of posting) who’s drinking the kool-aid. Of the 6 UFAs and RFA to be, I think we’ll keep at least 4, if not 5, Hossa among them. Why?
“It’s always fun when you’re winning and that’s why I’m here.”
Always. Fun. Win. Here.
Hopefully after the new year?
Happy. As. Expected. Do. Know. Future. Holland. Negotiation. Signing.
Posted by yawt from norcal on 09/10/08 at 05:20 PM ET
Dwings...I am just back from court this afternoon. Another inconsequential hearing listening to opposing counsel prattle on about some triffling .... when, your video with it’s catchy little ditty pops in to my head. My smile betrayed me enuff such that opposing counsel queried “What’s so funny?”
Uh, nothing really, I stammered..sorry.
yet in me head...the chorus...."yur an *#$%@&”......
Thanks dwings! Now get outta my head!
Posted by Rumbear from Sandy Eggo on 09/10/08 at 05:23 PM ET
I thank all of you all!!!! Man I love the guy who produced it!!
A Flyer’s fan sent it to me and thank god!
I also had it my head for days on days, and it made my life easier to deal with.
“Smile or laugh, people will wonder what you have been up too!” Love to keep the A--holes guessing!
Especially in your vase Rumbear!!!
Hey, if we win the suite we will be in touch!
GO WINGS!!!
Posted by dwingsrock on 09/10/08 at 06:21 PM ET
Thanks, dwingsrock, you filthy, dirty, rotten, stinking-ass bastard.
I love it.
LOL!
Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 09/10/08 at 06:36 PM ET
I love being a, filthy, dirty, rotten. stimking-ass bastard!!! You are most welcome you crazy rat bastard!!!
The Butt as recieved top billing and is famous!!!
Thanks. Gary. ASS. You potray yourself well on film.
Posted by dwingsrock on 09/11/08 at 04:10 PM ET
Crikey! I just got an “interactive email” from the Wings Organ-I-Zation.
It’s got Karen Newman and Kenny H. talking to ME!! I feel so special!!
I’m surprised RWBill wasn’t in the background!!
Posted by Rumbear from Sandy Eggo on 09/12/08 at 01:27 PM ET
Heh, I got the same thing. But I don’t consider hitting the “skip” buttons repeatedly as interactive.
I’ve not been so annoyed by an advertisement in a long time. I guess that’s what I get for purchasing Great Lakes Invitational tickets last season.
Posted by Nate A from Dark side of the moon on 09/12/08 at 06:07 PM ET
I didn’t get all the words since I was laughing at the pictorial essay of incompetence.
Baroque,
I had that tune in my head today at work and the thing is, I work with “Special Meeds Chilren,” just like Gary. ASS. has special needs! I know this becauseI work in mental health!
Posted by dwingsrock on 09/12/08 at 06:27 PM ET
Heh, I got the same thing.
Okay, prolly just the two of us. Try not hitting a button and see what happens. RWBill better have some heart meds handy!
Posted by Rumbear from Sandy Eggo on 09/12/08 at 08:08 PM ET
I had that tune in my head today at work and the thing is, I work with “Special Meeds Chilren,” just like Gary. ASS. has special needs! I know this becauseI work in mental health!
Have you been taking your work home with you?
Posted by Kristie from Ann Arbor on 09/12/08 at 09:14 PM ET
No Kristie,
I been taking home to work! That tune sticks in my head like flies stick to fly paper! Walking through the halls of the elementary school and suddenly, I’m an *#$%@&! Good God!
Posted by dwingsrock on 09/13/08 at 07:08 AM ET
If “*#$%@&” sticks with you, I’d highly recommend you NOT listen to “Life’s Gonna Suck.” If that sticks in your head, and you find yourself singing that when little kids are around, well…
Trauma. That’s all I’m sayin’.
Speaking of trauma, anyone read the interviews with Franzen after the first informal skate? He says he needs to earn the confidence to be back in the top-six and to score like stink the way he did at the end of last season and in the playoffs. He sounds so humble and self-effacing...maybe, just maybe, re-signing him will be easier than I dread. Still don’t think we’ll be able to re-sign both him and Hossa, though.
Here’s a hypothetical question-- supposing we re-sign Hossa, where do you see Franzen landing? Considering he’s had a taste of success, it’s kind of hard to see him on a basement team. I hate to say it, but I could see him join the Hawx. Seems like the perfect fit.
Aaaaand now that I’ve given myself the heebie-jeebies, I think I’ll go outside and scream.
Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from the back door of Franzen's house, slipping him cas on 09/13/08 at 11:19 AM ET
All these “Franzen will be hard to sign” thoughts came from the previous contract negotiations right? Every time I’ve heard or read anything Franzen he’s said, I’ve gotten the same impression Andrew did. He’s always so very humble. I’m trying to figure out why he’s expected to be a tough deal to do. It just doesn’t seem to fit.
Where else might he go? Howabout Edmonton? They’re clearly willing to spend the cash. Especially if Bertuzzi sticks around in Calgary, they’ll want a rivalry equalizer. Chicago would be frightening. Boston and Vancouver could both use some more scoring, and the Canucks have the Swedish twins, for the time being anyway.
I’m glad we wont have to seriously consider this for another year.
Posted by Nate A from Dark side of the moon on 09/13/08 at 11:46 AM ET
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Most Recent Blog Posts
Create Your Own Headline For The Wings/Habs Live Blog
Mellow Is The Man Who Hosts About 120 Live Blogs Per Year
“Faux”…Interesting. Do You Use “Faux”?
Detroit Media: Zero Outrage. Fedorov? Plenty
Well Gary? Your League Is A Joke
Gambling In Havana? Hiding In Honduras? Dad? Get Me To A Live Blog…STAT
About Abel to Yzerman
Welcome to Abel to Yzerman, a Red Wing blog since 1977. No other site on the internet has better-researched, fact-laden and better prepared discussions than A2Y. Re-phrase: we do little research, find facts and stats highly overrated and claim little to no preparation. There are 19 readers of A2Y. No more, no less. All of them, except maybe one, are juvenile in nature. Reminding them of that in the comment section will only encourage them to prove that. Your suggestions and critiques are welcome:
A2Y Stuff
-----------------------------
Wanna Feel Smart?
Does confusion make you sad? When you read words like "enigma" and phrases like "Thanks Gary. Ass", do you wonder why mean people speak in languages you don't understand? Fret no longer friend! The A2Y Glossary will bring you great joy and enlightenment.
-----------------------------
How Others View The A2Y 19
"Hell, I guarantee the content co-opters at Abel to Yzerman were about to link this article under the heading “Bitter Blues Fans” again right up until they just read that last half-sentance. Thanks but no thanks, you Kukla hangers-on."
--St. Louis Game Time
"I realize it’s the slow summer season, but can this guy tone down the tough-guy histrionics? His posts are fatiguing on an otherwise excellent site."
--A2Y Fan, Eternal_Fields
"I constantly marvel at how Bill (IwoCPO) and his disciples at Abel To Yzerman can be so pompous and full of themselves throughout every regular season, but come playoff time they collapse into wavering puddles of stress and nervousness as they anxiously await the impending and unavoidable collapse of the Red Wings in the post-season."
--Mile High Hockey
"I hate them because they are better than us. Of all the frigging teams…"
--In The Cheap Seats
"It's just a shame that the most classless, uneducated, lowbrow fanbase in the league gets this sweep. Red Wing fans don't deserve their team."
--Thhom
"I really don’t care what fans or bloggers think."
--Drew Sharp
"Why is it you Detroit fans are still so classless when you have such a classy hockey team, with such a professional GM and gentlemen players? I understand that the author of this blog is a manner-less cad, but the rest of you should be better."
--A2Y Fan, Jeff Beaumont
"Have you ever *read* A2Y? Its the most opinionated, juvenile stuff i've read."
--Paul Nicholson
"I actually like the Detroit team and have a sh&% load of respect for them, but their fans are the biggest douches next to Canadians."
--KStewy, PensBlog Commenter
"Just when it looks like we have bottomed out, the 19 hit a new low."
-A2Y legend, Hockeytown Todd
"And for the record, I don't hate the Red Wings, I hate their fans."
--Douche Bag at Puck Daddy who isn't Wyshynski
"You’re nothing but a douchebag ****, c3po. Go f**k yourself, and learn something about hockey in the process. Nothing ruins my day more than seeing your byline on the kk page."
--Hector, A2Y fan, statesman, Pittsburgh Chapter of Jonas Brothers Fan Club President
"I can just imagine the kindergarten teacher’s reaction when the tyke blurts out 'Mommy says Gary Bettman is a f*cking f*ckface! He wants to give ‘Rosby the bad touch.' ”
--Bella, of the 19
"A2Y is what other blog sites aspire to be when they fail to grow up: intelligent immaturity for the juvenile genius set”
--Captain Dennis Polonich, of the 19
Head to Hockeytown
Blogs the Chief Likes
Can’t rule it out. I think you’re reading it the wrong way. I don’t think it’s a matter of Hossa acting like a mercenary, I think what he was saying was more like:
“Look, I wanted to be here because the team wins and has a culture that fits my style of play. In all likelihood, I’d like to stay here beyond this year, but I understand that the team has to take care of the players its invested the most in (Z and Franzen) before it considers my situation.”
Obviously all speculation on both your part and mine… just my opinion.
Posted by Nathan on 09/08/08 at 03:44 PM ET