I find it astounding that a star player asked to play for the Wings…

First, I never thought that players would have the ability to pick which team they will play for.

The next step will be for the teams to have no say in the matter.  The players themselves will decide who plays for each team.

Second, how can one team be so much more attractive than another?

To quote Holland and Babcock:  “The Wings are selling “Dreams and Happiness"”
Amazing!

It is kind of like selling bottled water or Starbucks coffee.
It may be only marginally better than everyone else’s product, but people are lining up for it.

It is kind of like selling bottled water or Starbucks coffee.
It may be only marginally better than everyone else’s product, but people are lining up for it.

Marginally better? Four Stanley Cups in the last eleven years is very much better than anyone else.

You beat me to it, Muero.

The Wings organ-I-zation is far better than the majority of NHL teams. As Custance put it: ”Hossa selected a team with a deep history, one run by one of the smartest men in hockey and competing for an owner in Mike Ilitch who is committed to winning.”

His agent also pointed out another reason for his choice when he said: ”This may be, going forward, one of the best teams ever assembled...” Sounds like a place where a quality guy like Hossa might like to stay for awhile. You know, just to see how it all unfolds.

Just got the Championship DVD today! I’m going to order that dvd set of all the cup games too when it comes out!

A 50% discount?  The only one that big I can think of is Osgood.  But I’m pretty sure he’d play for free if Ken Holland would let him.

I didn’t know Hossa’s contract had a no-movement clause.  Must have been one of the easiest NMC’s to negotiate in memory.

A 50% discount?  The only one that big I can think of is Osgood.  But I’m pretty sure he’d play for free if Ken Holland would let him.

Zetterberg, although that doesn’t count because it’s an existing contract.

Kronwall, maybe?  Not 50%, but he could easily get more now that he has actually played a healthy season.

I think Lidstrom is worth twice as much, but that exceeds the limit. 

I don’t think it’s very plausable for people to keep thinking that Z is going to put the Wings in any cap trouble next season, whether they keep Hossa or not.  Hank was commented earlier this season as saying that he wants to be a Red Wing for life, and that he feels he is ALREADY being over paid...sounds to me like a guy who just loves to play the game, and is as content as can be with the organization.  With an architect like Ken Holland, the Wings will have room for Mr. Hossa next season...if he wants it.

Guys, I think w2j2 is being sarcastic.

Is there a point to a NTC/NMC in a one-year deal?  I mean, really.

Just trade deadline deals, I guess - maybe more symbolism than anything else?

Nathan,
Thanks for picking up on my “obtuse” sense of humor!