Hasek isn’t worth it at all!  He does nothing beyond what any other goalie does.  People need to sober up.  1 million is fine, it allows us to bring in defensive help for when Hasek leaves his net.  2.5 is insane… plus incentives from last year, and he is a 3.3 million dollar cap hit this season!  That is -not- bargin goalie.  I don’t understand what bargining chips he holds.  St. Louis, L.A., Phoenix, Tampa, Boston, Columbus, and maybe Nashville are the only teams that need goaltenders.  St. Louis, L.A., and Phoenix are rebuilding, they want long term goalies.  Columbus and Boston arn’t cup contenders.  Nashville can’t afford him.  The only other team out there he could go to would be Tampa, and Hasek would be set ablaze by Tortella, because Tampa doesn’t have the Defense to back Hasek up.  If you can’t tell he isn’t my favorite goalie.

Posted by Jdunc from Flint, MI on 06/26/07 at 06:25 AM ET

I like Hasek.  But not at 2.5 million plus.  1.5 mil, okay.  But not 2.5.  I still say the Wings should go with Ozzy and Howard, use the savings to keep Schneids and go grab Smyth.  That would help the offense to offset the “softie per game” that Ozzy would let in.  Good to see that they seem confident about bringing back Bert.

Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI on 06/26/07 at 07:02 AM ET

If they have to pay more than anticipated then it’s too much.

2.5 mill base plus incentives for 3.5 mill! That’s crazy.

Considering he’s one injury away from being done for the season I can’t be happy with signing him to that kind of money. We have other needs as far as I’m concerned.

He played well when he had to earn his money and another incentive deal would be the way to go in my mind but nothing that went over 2 mill max.

Cut him free.

Posted by Moocat on 06/26/07 at 07:33 AM ET

Hasek was one of our best players last year and one of the biggest reasons we went to the WCF. He was right at the top of the league with goalies and if he played more games then he could have been a Vezina candidate. He was just as solid for the team this year as he was the year he won the cup with us back in ‘02. I love Ozzie but I don’t think we go far with him. Hasek is a proud man and he is passionate and he knows what he did wrong this year. He wants to win and he is going to do everything he can to do so.

Posted by Josh from Mich on 06/26/07 at 09:33 AM ET

I think that the only bargains any team is going to get are unexpected ones, say with a young, cheap player exceeding expectations--or a veteran with a lot to prove.  Hasek was dirt cheap last year and understandably doesn’t want to be considered the same this year.  He wants to be paid what he feels is fair for a proven starting goaltender.

Besides, if he is hurt enough to not play for the season, his salary won’t count against the cap, and Detroit may be forced into going with Osgood and Howard anyway.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/26/07 at 10:21 AM ET

I’m sorry, I just don’t think you over pay for a 42 year old goaltender. He certainly deserves a raise but not at the money that’s being suggested.

As for him getting hurt and his money going off the cap, sure it does but that’s not the point. The point is RIGHT NOW he’ll be a big cap hit right when we need money to sign players and have options.

Should he go down in the season, his money may not count but our options will be far more limited than they are now. 

I can’t see overpaying for a 1 year goalie with an injury history no matter how good he was last year when we have UFA’s to resign and some great UFA’s on the market. I’d rather see Gomez, or Drury, or Smyth come here and resign Schnieder than just get Schnieder and Dom.

Posted by Moocat on 06/26/07 at 10:39 AM ET

I like Hasek, and he was good for the Wings in the playoffs.  I will even admit that he was really good.  But so was Chelios...what’s the difference?  Cheli knows he is playing on borrowed time.  He could show up to training camp this year and just throw in the towel because his body won’t do what he needs it to anymore.

Hasek is also playing on borrowed time, and might I add not in the kind of shape that Chelios is in.  To pay him $2.5 mil plus incentives is nuts.  If the Wings had a guarantee he would be healthy and on top of his game all season and all through the playoffs, then $2.5 mil is the upper limit of what you pay him.  But the reduced salary was offered to him last year because of the huge risk that comes with paying him (in a cap world) and playing him.  I trust Ken Holland, I always have, and I will put my faith in him again.  But if I were the GM and Hasek came to me with that offer, I would say no thank you and let Ozzie know he’s the man next season.

Posted by John the Red Wings Fan from East Lansing, MI on 06/26/07 at 12:08 PM ET