Abel to Yzerman
Sipple: Mule and Tick Tock Getting Closer
by IwoCPO on 04/02/09 at 12:54 PM ET
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Based on the fairly difficult time the Wings had re-signing Johan Franzen a few years ago, it’s been assumed here that he would be tougher to get inked again then Marian Hossa.
Stand by. Looks like another hometown discount for Holland.
Johan Franzen said he spoke with his agent over the weekend and again on Wednesday and is hoping to get a new contract worked out soon.
“We’re still talking,” Franzen said today. “And getting closer, too.”
Franzen, 29, said he’s willing to accept less money to remain with the Wings, rather than break the bank as an unrestricted free agent and end up playing on a losing team.
“The hockey is way more important than that,” Franzen said after the morning skate. “I couldn’t imagine playing on a team where we’re losing all the time. … Otherwise you’re going to have a tough career losing all the time. I don’t want to end up with that.”
Sipple also pointed out Franzen’s relationship with his Swedish teammates is contributing to his willingness to take less to stay in Detroit. No comment from Don Cherry on that.
Teddy Kulfan, former Deep Digger captain, has almost the identical ditty…because that’s how he rolls. But he’s also got one more line Georgie didn’ t include.
“If you’re going to stay, you know you’re going to make a little less, but that’s the price you have to pay to be on a winning team,” Franzen said. “Many of my closest friends are on this team and I want to stick around and play with them.”
And Khan(!)? He’s telling us Rafalski’s going to miss a few more games…and he’s got a bit more on the Mule.
If he re-signs, it’ll probably be in the neighborhood of $4 million a season.
Because of tagging rules in the CBA, the Wings only have the salary cap space to sign Franzen or Marian Hossa before the end of the regular season. Hossa indicated he wasn’t close to a deal, but he was still hopeful something could be worked out either before the end of the season or after the playoffs.
By the way…surprisingly, I didn’t receive any welcome notes or letters from a single Digger after yesterday’s announcement that I’d be joining them. That made me sad.
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