I sure hope this is part of Tick Tock’s Secret Plan to Keep the Big Three (and Jiri Hudler).  At this point, I’m quite inclined to conclude (Mule + Happy) > Hossa.  Assuming Z’s re-signing is a fait accompli, I would rather keep those two than lose both of them to lock up Hossa.  Looking at the numbers, keeping Z, Mule, Happy, and Hossa next year and beyond seems impossible.  Time to earn those big bucks, Kenny Boy!

Posted by mudshark from Divetown, Colorado on 01/11/09 at 11:39 AM ET

Right mudshark, I’ve tried not to let that whole situation ruin the enjoyment of this season that is one of the deepest collections of talent, skill, and commitment to playing both ends of the ice that we will see in Gary’s Communist NHL.  But it really is impossible NOT to think about.

One of these players will have to pull a Kariya and play for $1M to keep all the forwards we have this year.  I started posting 3 years ago on mlive that Z’s salary was woefully undervalued and how we got this agent to go for 4 years I’ll never know.  Z has been underpaid for 3 years and this year you’d be hard pressed to list all the very mediocre players being paid more than this SC MVP.  He may be the post Lidstrom Red Wings Captain, and we’ll need to compensate him to make up for the last 3 years of below value salary.

Here’s hoping someone will in fact volunteer to give up another $5 Mill per season to stay with the Wings.

Oh and in fact with the CAN$ no longer at a significant greater value than the US$ the NHL Cap may actually go Down.

Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 01/11/09 at 12:08 PM ET

I believe one of the reasons Z’s been playing on the second line is to intentionally lower his production levels so Kenny’s got leverage in contract talks.  A little underhanded if you ask me to put one of the best 2-way centers in the world in such a position after paying him a paltry amount all these years.

I’m beginning to see the writing on the wall, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that it is incredibly possible that we do not sign Z, and instead keep both Hossa and Franzen.  Huds is a lock. 

I’d hate to see Z go, personally I’d rather see Hossa take a hike since he’s the rental and the others have been franchise players.

Something’s got to give, that’s clear.

Posted by Hippy Dave from Portland by way of Detroit on 01/12/09 at 04:15 AM ET