Abel to Yzerman
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Only 48 More Tuesdays Without The Cup…Better Hurry Hoss
by IwoCPO on 06/30/09 at 10:55 AM ET
Comments (106)
The longer this thing with Marian Hossa drags on, the greater the chance that the Hasek may burn to the ground. Angry readers. Frustrated and irritable. Sniping and spitting. I blame myself. I don’t give you guys fodder for conversation and all of a sudden the knives come out.
So we’ll address that because we have to. We must. Break time is over. Ikea sucked.
Hossa. It’s not a secret that I believe our hero Tick Tock Kenny Holland is going to make this happen. I still believe, although not as strongly as I did a few weeks ago, that come 1 July Marian Hossa is going to be a Red Wing for life. I give credit to Holland for this not so much due to his negotiating abilities, but for what he’s helped build. Ken Holland can not budge. He can get creative with term and he can have his cap geniuses working OT to figure out incentives and probably some under the table deals that don’t have to be seen by Gary’s contract nazi’s. But, if Marian Hossa stays it’s not going to be due to the contract he signs, but rather the environment he doesn’t want to leave.
Now the question that’s causing the angst among you. Is keeping Marian Hossa what’s best for the Wings?
I believe it is, but I also think that if he’s allowed to walk…that wouldn’t be the end of the world. If Hossa walks I suppose that means Hudler stays. I believe Samuelsson’s gone regardless because this is his one chance for the big cash. And you know somebody’s gonna pay it. We talk about Hossa going to LA? (And when we discussed it earlier we were talking about the Wings trading his rights, not the player himself. And if those rights are dealt, the player still has the right to negotiate a deal or walk.) Now I could see Samuelsson going to LA. 3 mil/year for three? I just don’t see him staying in Detroit.
Hudler would though. Hossa leaves, Hudler stays. And another UFA to the tune of Laperierre, or Knuble (who says he wants to stay in Philly), or Ellis. Some of you have mentioned Steve Sullivan?
No. I don’t like the guy and never have. I respect that he came back from a huge absence but I believe he’s a dick and don’t want him in red and white. I didn’t just invent that either. Take that how you want.
Laperierre is the guy I’d go after if Hossa leaves. The firepower you lose in watching Hoss go is compensated for by the hunger and feistiness of a guy like Laperierre. Is it an equal trade off?
Well, considering the sobs you’d hear from the Dive bloggers when their hero “Lappy” signs with the enemy? That in itself would be warming. And, listen. If Laperierre does come here? He’s not “Lappy” anymore. That’s for exclamation point users. To us he’ll be something cool like…“Lap Dance.”
Back to reality. Hossa is a top ten talent. In some areas, top five. If you think that losing him and gaining anyone else who’s out there is going to be an even trade? You’re wrong.
And while I understand where people don’t want to break up the Wings, to see them lose as many as 4 forwards? Kopecky and Sammy? See you. We lose them and no one mentions their name after 1 November. We lose Hudler and that stings because he’s a favorite of ours and his teammates.
I don’t understand those who wish, who demand, to see Hossa leave because of his performance in the Final or throughout the playoffs. Do we say the same about Datsyuk? Did we demand his departure after 2006? He was signed for a lot more money than Hossa will be (if he stays) and he’d done nothing in the playoffs up to 2007 when Steve Yzerman stepped in and strongly recommended the Wings get the deal done, which they did of course.
I believe, based on nothing really, that Hossa’s performance as a Wing should not be judged soley on his playoff. I think he was hurt and I also think playing Pittsburgh affected his noggin more than any of us understand. I also think he’ll be starving for a Cup if he returns. If he doesn’t and if he goes anywhere else, and I mean anywhere, he’s not winning a Cup. Because none of the three or four other contenders out there can afford to sign him.
Holland offered him 4/year over ten. As Captain Polonich pointed out, that’s a tremendous pay cut. Huge compared to what he could get elsewhere. But if he does sign with the Wings? He deserves some serious credit for doing so. Just the fact that he’s still deciding says a lot about the guy in my opinion.
Here’s the only thing we know for sure: Ken Holland is going to do the right thing for the Detroit Red Wings. It’s why JJ in Kansas isn’t worried. It’s why we can view this with an almost amused (some would say “bemused”...I don’t use that word) stance; because we know for a fact that whatever happens, Tick Tock is going to guarantee an ELITE team takes the ice in Traverse City. That is a fact and we all know it, with or without Hossa.
So, yeah. I still think Hossa’s gonna sign with Detroit. I think that because I don’t believe he wants to leave and I think that ten-year deal is something he’s always wanted. I think that would be the best thing for the Wings, but not a kick to the sack if he decides to jet. Whatever he decides? We win. We either retain a guy who….blah, blah, blah. I’m frigging tired of talking about this. I just wrote like 19 paragraphs about the same shit we’ve been discussing for a year.
He stays. He goes. Whatever. They’re still the Wings. And they still only have 48 more Tuesdays until the Cup comes home.
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Comments
Now that I’ve already posted, going to see who actually made the post.
Posted by MarkK from Maryland on 06/30/09 at 11:56 AM ET
I think we’re going to see Hossa test the market, and see if he gets larger offers from teams he deems to be contenders. 01 July will not be the date that we can breathe a collective sigh, I think it will be some time. Maybe Montreal? Vancouver? I think you’re right in that he will likely not want to go play with the Kings, though I think they’ll be much much improved this year. We’ll see…
Is it october yet?
Posted by CaptNorris5 from The Winged Wheel, stuck in Chicago on 06/30/09 at 11:56 AM ET
I give you this.
If Fedorov would have taken the 50 million deal back in February 2003 or so, we would have never won the Cup in 2008. It would have been a huge, huge mistake. The Hockey Gods came to the rescue and it was a tough pill to swallow, especially that he went straight to enemy camp (I mean, was there ever a bigger upset than being swept in 2003?).
I believe locking up your team with 4 long term monster contracts is how you lose your elite status. Players become satisfied, and I sure don’t want to root for a country club again (see also: Lewis, Dave).
So, Hossa goes, and we will praise this day in a few years, I think.
Oh.
The security codeword here is make16.
16Ws, that is.
Bitches.
Posted by MacPhisto from Budapest, Hungary on 06/30/09 at 11:57 AM ET
Lappy
Well, being at work I’m not doing an image search for lap dance to compare to… but rock on, Chief.
Posted by MarkK from Maryland on 06/30/09 at 11:58 AM ET
He stays. He goes. Whatever. They’re still the Wings.
Amen!
Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 06/30/09 at 11:59 AM ET
My answer about all this waiting is I don’t have the first damn clue. Maybe he was an early riser and liked to choose in the morning. And maybe he didn’t have any friends. I’m an educated man, but I’m afraid I can’t speak intelligently about the negotiating habits of Marian Hossa. What I do know is that he was set to have an answer at 1200. Now, are these the questions I was really called here to answer? Phone calls and foot lockers? Please tell me that you have something more, Chief. These 19 are on trial for their lives. Please tell me their CPO hasn’t pinned their hopes to a phone bill.
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 06/30/09 at 12:04 PM ET
He stays. He goes. Whatever. They’re still the Wings. And they still only have 48 more Tuesdays until the Cup comes home.
And that’s that.
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa.-made in Detroit on 06/30/09 at 12:06 PM ET
I still think he stays. I think they’ll add more years to the end of it in order to add more money to the front of it. And like you said, there’s no team that can offer both compensation and contender status.
I say front load the hell out of this deal and keep him here.
Posted by DetCapC19 from Vancouver, BC on 06/30/09 at 12:07 PM ET
If Laperierre does come here? He’s not “Lappy” anymore. That’s for exclamation point users. To us he’ll be something cool like…“Lap Dance.”
Is this an inappropriate time to say I love you equally as much as I hate Dive fans? That’s a lot….like somewhere in the thousands.
Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 06/30/09 at 12:07 PM ET
Please tell me that you have something more, Chief. These 19 are on trial for their lives. Please tell me their CPO hasn’t pinned their hopes to a phone bill.
All I can say Drew is that she outranks me, and you know what that means.
Posted by IwoCPO from Sunny San Diego, bitches on 06/30/09 at 12:11 PM ET
Just to remind you all, the Pittsburgh Penguins are the reigning Stanley Cup Champions. They are also doing a great job in signing the players they have targeted, many for less money than they could get elsewhere. Contrary to what many of you said, looks like the Dead Wings aren’t the only organ-i-zation to be able to offer winning over cash. It’s also worth noting the Dead Wings do have to deal with the cap, and are losing players because of financial considerations. With the horendous local economy, how many season ticket holders are not going to renew? There were a lot of Pens fans in Joe Louis Arena for games 1,2,5 and especially 7. This will have an impact on how the club goes about its business.
The Chicago Black Hawks are going to be one year better, and the Dead Wings aren’t going to walk into the Finals. How’s it feel knowing you aren’t the kings of the hill any longer? Let your childish nonsense begin. I love it. THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!! Let’s Go Pens!
Posted by Pens Fan in DC on 06/30/09 at 12:11 PM ET
What? Me worry?
Here’s a thought though and it’s only tangentially related to this whole Hossa mess, but what’s the salary cap all about anyway? I’m not going to cry and say there shouldn’t be a cap. It’s a reality I have to accept, even if my team voted against it. Firstly, the league created a cap to save owners from themselves. A few unnamed GMs would offer insane salaries to players that didn’t deserve them, artificially driving up everybody’s price and cutting into the league’s profits. Secondly, they agreed that a salary cap would help the league as a whole benefit from tighter competition. You could no longer have the same four teams buying up all of the talent because they could afford it, leaving the smaller markets’ pocketbooks to languish as they couldn’t pay for bigger talents and their fans dwindled because they weren’t competitive for so long.
The cap floor (lower limit) was put in place as a promise to players that there would be minimums for their salaries. What the post-cap era has taught us to this point is that, for some teams, getting up to the floor has been as challenging as other teams’ who are trying to stay below the ceiling. These teams are still struggling to make money in the new era.
What I suggest is to allow teams to sell their unused cap space before a season starts. If the Atlanta Thrashers have $14M in cap space, they should be able to barter part of that off to another team. The cap space would be a commodity just like a pick or a player. Let’s say they agree to sell off $8M worth of their available cap space. You’d easily get five or six teams vying for those dollars, driving the cost of that $8M to unkown levels. If a team is willing to spend $20 million for the honor of getting to spend another $8 million, then who are they hurting? The small market team gets money for their pockets (or draft picks for their future) and the large market team gets to show their fans how committed they are to spending for a championship.
Now, one possible problem I do see with this is that it may end up turning some of those smaller market teams into a kind of tryout league for the big clubs. If a team like the Coyotes drafts a hot young talent with their high draft pick, what happens when he develops and it comes time to sign him and they can’t afford to now? Well, it’s simple… they just don’t sell of cap space for next year and offer him the money he deserves. Otherwise, if an owner wants to stay small-market and still remain profitable (something that happens in every other sport), then that’s his choice.
Bottom line is that I think cap space bartering benefits the whole league. Teams who have pockets deep enough to overcome these artificial ties can become “elite” again with big rosters and those left behind can still profit off of that. The league remains strong. Revenue sharing finally gets tied to desire to win instead of being a strictly “business-first” decision. Isn’t that how business in the league should run anyway? Why should teams who want to win be held back to support the teams who haven’t built up their organization yet? Cap space bartering fills that gap.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 06/30/09 at 12:15 PM ET
THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!!
You just underlined everything I’ve been saying about a number of things that are way, way over your head.
Posted by IwoCPO from Sunny San Diego, bitches on 06/30/09 at 12:16 PM ET
With the horendous local economy, how many season ticket holders are not going to renew?
That’s a new question? First time I’ve ever heard that one before. Bravo, young lady. You’ve managed to ask the REAL questions, because I guarantee no one in the Detroit braintrust has ever thought of that before. Because the last 5 years have been SO wonderful, and the fans have had an easy time filling the Joe.
Ass..
Let your childish nonsense begin. I love it.
Seriously, where you have been? (See also: above)
Oh and I think you missed an exclamation point in there. It should read !!!!!!! not !!!!!!
Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 06/30/09 at 12:16 PM ET
Just to remind you all, the Pittsburgh Penguins are the reigning Stanley Cup Champions. They are also doing a great job in signing the players they have targeted, many for less money than they could get elsewhere. Contrary to what many of you said, looks like the Dead Wings aren’t the only organ-i-zation to be able to offer winning over cash. It’s also worth noting the Dead Wings do have to deal with the cap, and are losing players because of financial considerations. With the horendous local economy, how many season ticket holders are not going to renew? There were a lot of Pens fans in Joe Louis Arena for games 1,2,5 and especially 7. This will have an impact on how the club goes about its business.
The Chicago Black Hawks are going to be one year better, and the Dead Wings aren’t going to walk into the Finals. How’s it feel knowing you aren’t the kings of the hill any longer? Let your childish nonsense begin. I love it. THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!! Let’s Go Pens!
Where were you Pens fans when you were bottom feeders of the East???????
Are you still going to call them the “Dead Wings” when they make it back to the finals next year??? Im willing to bet the Pens dont even make it to the East finals, take it to the bank
Posted by Aaron from MI from Huron, MI on 06/30/09 at 12:18 PM ET
You don’t want a speed demon, a guy with heart and an actual scoring touch, and the only player in Nashville worthy of respect, but you want a talentless prick like Laperierre? I don’t get it. The Sullivan question’s moot because he isn’t likely to leave Nashville, despite his agent’s talk about going to market. But if he were, Sullivan would be first on my list.
As for Hossa, if it hasn’t happened yet, I can’t see it happening. The Wings have to be offering him a structured deal that’d pay him $6 million or so for a couple years with progressively decreasing salary over the rest of his career, and the fact that he hasn’t grabbed it shows he’s dropped the “I want to win, screw the money” act and is going full on for the money grab. Every hour that goes by without news of him signing, he’s less a Red Wing and more a mercenary.
If he does sign, I’ll take some of that back, but I’ll never understand this hesitation.
On the question of the wisdom of signing him, I’m definitely leaning the other way. It’s not worth the cost in cap space. The Wings do not need him, but they do need supporting casts for Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Franzen.
Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI on 06/30/09 at 12:19 PM ET
I guess my main gripe with this situation is that we’ve spent the last several years watching Holland pick up hasbeens, nobodies crushing disappointments and neverweres, and showing us what they can do when put in the proper situation.
He picked up Larry Murphy for the price of a long distance phone call, and he fit. He picked up former first rounders who were disappointments…floundering journeymen like Cleary and Stuart. I’m sure a lot of people scratched their heads when Holland made those moves. He brought back former Wings like Osgood, Drake and McCarty. He plucked a retired Joey Kocur out of a beer league, he convinced Aaron Downey to play for another year.
It just seems to out of sync with the model of “salvaging” careers and developing draft picks. Last year I was absolutely cool with it because he was a steal. Holland had a formula he knew was a winner (hell, he signed Hossa while on the way to the engraver to pick up his new Stanley Cup), he had some cap space and he had the crazy idea to fill his single roster spot with who did pretty damn well against the Wings that year.
Posted by Garth on 06/30/09 at 12:20 PM ET
The Chicago Black Hawks are going to be one year better, and the Dead Wings aren’t going to walk into the Finals.
Oh so the East isnt getting better either?? Love to see the Pens and Flyers take a go now that Crosby and Malkin have to deal with Pronger, good luck with that
Posted by Aaron from MI from Huron, MI on 06/30/09 at 12:22 PM ET
What I suggest is to allow teams to sell their unused cap space before a season starts.
Would you call this…. cap and trade?
Posted by MarkK from Maryland on 06/30/09 at 12:26 PM ET
Fellas, fellas, fellas…Don’t.Feed.The.Trolls.
Let’s stay on topic here. Chief, you don’t think that Bubba’s outrage about Sully coming over to win a Cup after their patience with him would be a good story? Now, I know he’s a former Blackhawk (and we all know how I feel about Chicago in its entirety), but him on a line with a Nightmare on Helm Street would be a site see.
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 06/30/09 at 12:26 PM ET
If Laperierre does come here? He’s not “Lappy” anymore.
Amen. If Laperierre becomes a wing, that sad excuse of a nickname gets thrown in a bank-like safe and taken to the ocean to be dropped in the Mariana Trench where it will stay, untouched and unsaid for ever and ever.
As with Hossa, I have really no attachment to him. Always thought of him as a rental player. If he stays, great. If he goes, well he goes and no anger will be had.
Posted by UMFan from Colorado on 06/30/09 at 12:27 PM ET
J.J. now that is something to wrap my head around. The only fault I can even think of would be when a team wants to trade a player. The poor accountant who has to over see something like that…Overall, I like that idea. Way to think outside the box.
Pens fan in Douche Canoe, I imagine its pretty intolerable in there, I can’t stand the guy from the outside.
Off to the motherland for a week (Michigan here I come). Going to be able to read the deep diggers articles as I hold the paper in my hands. Lets see how this free agency unfolds.
Posted by Aaron from Phoenix on 06/30/09 at 12:29 PM ET
Hossa is a great player but i say let him walk, dont forget we won without him in 08. I say focus on 2nd tier guys like Pahlsson, Axellson or Madden they fit the Wings style.
Posted by Aaron from MI from Huron, MI on 06/30/09 at 12:31 PM ET
I say focus on 2nd tier guys like Pahlsson, Axellson or Madden they fit the Wings style.
Posted by Aaron from MI from Huron, MI on 06/30/09 at 01:31 PM ET
I hate Pahlsson and I don’t think Axellson(sp?) is worth the Charmin extra-soft he wipes his butt with. But Madden on the other hand…another Selke candidate in the Winged Wheel? If only we could afford him…
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 06/30/09 at 12:36 PM ET
Chief, you don’t think that Bubba’s outrage about Sully coming over to win a Cup after their patience with him would be a good story? Now, I know he’s a former Blackhawk (and we all know how I feel about Chicago in its entirety), but him on a line with a Nightmare on Helm Street would be a site see.
Yep that would be a great line.
Sullivan’s a talented guy and I’m sure, because of how I roll, I’d come to like him immediately after he signed with the Wings. But, as of right now? I think he’s a dick.
then again, as Matt pointed out, so is Laperierre. So was Chelios and so was Drake.
Posted by IwoCPO from Sunny San Diego, bitches on 06/30/09 at 12:36 PM ET
He spells his name is Axelsson.
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 06/30/09 at 12:38 PM ET
He spells his name is Axelsson
My bad
Posted by Aaron from MI from Huron, MI on 06/30/09 at 12:42 PM ET
Hoss stays or goes, whatever.
How aboot a long ass deal for hat-trick Nash?
*drool*
Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 06/30/09 at 12:43 PM ET
Got my flight booked for Stockholm on Wednesday September 30th through Tuesday October 6th…and for about $83.00 thanks to frequent flier miles.
That’s $250 for two tickets to both games and $80 for the round trip flight…damn, I’m good.
Oh, sorry…staying on topic…uh….errr….I wonder if I’ll see Hossa when I’m in Stockholm to see the Wings play the BBBB’s on October 2nd and 3rd.
***ducking.
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 06/30/09 at 12:46 PM ET
Okay, I’ll throw more gas on the fire.
Personally, I heavily discount Hossa’s stint in Ottawa as evidence that he’s a big time playoff performer.
Think about what those physically talented, mentally soft Ottawa teams of the late 90s and early 00s were known for in the playoffs? That’s right….
*CHOKING*...hard
I’d argue that all the years around that mental softness has caused some of it to linger in Hossa’s head.
My feeling is that Lapierre or Madden would be much better fits for the Wings, even if Madden is nearly as much of a reach as keeping Hossa.
I’ve done my best to be magnanimous about the Cup, but all these bitter Pens victors are making me really eager to see a certain Dman take the ice for the Flyers and put his fizzix all over their in-state rivals.
Posted by thethirdcoast from Rottenchester on 06/30/09 at 12:58 PM ET
How aboot a long ass deal for hat-trick Nash?
Hell yes. Next summer. Make it happen.
Posted by Nate A from Detroit-ish on 06/30/09 at 01:00 PM ET
I’ve done my best to be magnanimous about the Cup, but all these bitter Pens victors are making me really eager to see a certain Dman take the ice for the Flyers and put his fizzix all over their in-state rivals.
Posted by thethirdcoast from Rottenchester on 06/30/09 at 01:58 PM ET
YES drum up the support of Pen(i)s getting elbows to the back of the head.
Anyone remember when I said I’d like to see a 7 game series between Anaheim (of 2005 to 2009) and this Pen(i)s team? Well Sasquatch going to Philly is a step closer, now only if Philly will sign Pahlsson away from Chicago…
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 06/30/09 at 01:09 PM ET
Maybe Hossa wants to play with his Buddy Maryann Gaborik? I wouldn’t doubt it.
Posted by goon from Grand Forks, ND on 06/30/09 at 01:20 PM ET
Cheli was never a dick and neither was Dally. I hated Cheli when he was a chickenhawk, but he was never a dick. A hard nosed player that played the game the way it was meant to be played. Cheli was like Laimbeer, you loved him if he was on your team and hated him if he was on any other team.
Lappy belongs in the “I’m a Dick” Club with LePuke, Stilwoozie, Sasquatch and Niedergayer. Lappy was a dick with the Kings and ever since. Just because a player comes to the Wings does not mean I have to be a fan of that player. In Kenny we trust, but he’s not perfect. Stillwoozi and that dogsledding Dive denfenceman who’s name escapes me at the moment are two that come to mind. I would hate Niedermayer and Sasquatch just as much if they played for the Wings.
“Lap Dance”? Chief, do you really want a male lap dancer on the Wings? He should have been “Lap Dance” while playing with the Dive.
I do not know enough about Sullivan to form an opinion.
Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Warm and sunny SoCal on 06/30/09 at 01:24 PM ET
So Chief,
Still waiting on that post about your trip to Ikea….
Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 06/30/09 at 01:24 PM ET
Hossa is a top ten talent. In some areas, top five. If you think that losing him and gaining anyone else who’s out there is going to be an even trade? You’re wrong.
Exactly right, but that’s also exactly the reason to let him go. If he signs, the Wings will have four top-20 forwards (Hossa, Z, Pavel and Mule). After that, it’ll be slim pickings…other than Cleary. Fil and Happy will definitely be gone and so will others (Lilja probably and maybe even someone like Abbi).
I sure as heck would rather see Hank, Pavel and Mule surrounded by a four-line team that includes guys like Fil and Happy than I would a team of “Four Superstars and a bunch of Fillers”.
So, come on, Marian, just say no and move on. You gambled last season and you lost (through no small fault of your own in the playoffs). We appeciate seeing your talent firsthand. Now just go away. 
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 06/30/09 at 01:25 PM ET
From an outsider who nearly hates the wings as much as Hossa himself, I have to admit that considering Hossa’s rights have not been traded yet indicates to me he is going to sign with the wings.
I really can not believe it though, considering he will need to earn near the 4 million mark. There must be something extremely special in Detroit for him Hossa to pass up 3.5 - 4 million a year on a penguins team to play in Detroit. No matter what wings fans think of Hossa’s performace in the playoffs and what players may not be signed if Hossa stays a wing, to get him at 4 million a year would be the steal of the century. It would easily top the discounts that the other wings have given in the past two years.
Posted by Gretzky_to_Lemieux on 06/30/09 at 01:33 PM ET
So Chief,
Still waiting on that post about your trip to Ikea….
HTT, Chief bought a car at the Ikea Summer Sale. He thought it was a great deal until he opened up the flat pack and saw this:
Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Warm and sunny SoCal on 06/30/09 at 01:35 PM ET
Here’s my thoughts on the Hossa situation.
If he signs for $4m / year cap hit, I’m thrilled. That way we’ve got an amazing deal that will really benefit us in the long term. Especially after Lidstrom takes his discount in a year and we’ve got more cap space. Honestly, I don’t think Hossa signing gives us the best lineup for next season, but rather, for the seasons to come. We’ll be too tight against the cap to maneuver next year, and there is going to be injuries. That many games in that short of a time… there’s going to be injuries. However, in a year or two we’ll have Dats, Hossa, Z, Mule at a STEAL, AND cap space. I’m ok with that scenario.
That being said, the numbers are crazy. Even if Hossa takes $4m cap hit, we’ve got to do some shuffling. Players will need to be traded, and salary will need to be shed. Ok, so Liljs goes and we get another $1.5m… still not enough. It’s not going to be easy, but if anyone can do it, its Tick Tock.
I’m also totally alright with Hossa taking his payday somewhere else. We’ll still be elite, in fact, in the short term I think we’ll be MORE elite without him. Retain Hudler, maintain depth, keep the role players. I’m definitely alright with that.
...is it October yet?
Posted by CaptNorris5 from The Winged Wheel, stuck in Chicago on 06/30/09 at 01:39 PM ET
Chief bought a car at the Ikea Summer Sale. He thought it was a great deal until he opened up the flat pack and saw this…
Hilarious. No matter how simple a product is, if I have to assemble it myself, my mind sees it as being exactly like that photo. 
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 06/30/09 at 01:41 PM ET
that dogsledding Dive denfenceman who’s name escapes me at the moment
Uwe Krupp.
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 06/30/09 at 01:42 PM ET
considering Hossa’s rights have not been traded yet indicates to me he is going to sign with the wings.
Or that nobody’s going to give up anything worthwhile for his rights the day before he’s free.
Posted by Garth on 06/30/09 at 01:50 PM ET
There must be something extremely special in Detroit
Posted by Gretzky_to_Lemieux on 06/30/09 at 02:33 PM ET
I could go on at some length about this, but a recent anecdote in Red Wings Corner sums it up perfectly. Hakan Andersson showed Bruce MacLeod his Cup ring. Engraved inside was the word “Family.”
That’s what it means to be a Red Wing.
Posted by Bella on 06/30/09 at 01:54 PM ET
You HAVE to take Hossa if he accepts just around 4 million a year. No question. It might not be the best for next season, but come on! 4 million. Wade Redden makes six million a year. Wade *#$%@& Redden.
Posted by moore00 from Columbus, OH/Grand Rapids, MI on 06/30/09 at 02:00 PM ET
He spells his name is Axelsson.
(snorts)
Posted by monkey from here to Timbuktu on 06/30/09 at 02:05 PM ET
Kevin Allen’s Twitter…
Bottom line: Hossa has to accept a Franzen-style (10- or 11 year) deal with $4 million cap hit to stay in Detroit. Others can pay more.
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 06/30/09 at 02:10 PM ET
Don’t stop believing…hold onto that feeling!
9 hours till D-Day with Mr. Hossa.
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 06/30/09 at 02:11 PM ET
Kevin Allen’s Twitter…
Bottom line: Hossa has to accept a Franzen-style (10- or 11 year) deal with $4 million cap hit to stay in Detroit. Others can pay more.
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 06/30/09 at 03:10 PM ET
WE KNOW.
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 06/30/09 at 02:12 PM ET
Associated Press wire story from 50 minutes ago:
GM: Red Wings won’t be big free agent players
DETROIT (AP) — The Red Wings general manager says Detroit won’t not be a big player when free agency opens on Wednesday.
GM Ken Holland said Tuesday the Wings did most of their shopping during the season by extending the contracts of center Henrik Zetterberg and right wing Johan Franzen.
Holland says the team has received no signs from potential free agent Marian Hossa about his plans.
Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Warm and sunny SoCal on 06/30/09 at 02:16 PM ET
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HT Todd had the winning post last thread.
Anyone that thinks Hoss staying or going determines our success doesn’t understand Tick Tock and doesn’t understand the organ-I-zation.
Posted by MarkK from Maryland on 06/30/09 at 11:51 AM ET