40#1Fan

April 2, Detroit Free Press: "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." One big factor for Franzen is the bond he has with teammates; the Wings have seven other Swedes on the roster. The Wings could end up structuring Franzen's contract like they did with Henrik Zetterberg, giving him a long-term deal with less money in the last couple seasons to bring down the cap number. The Detroit News's Ted Kulfan also confirms: April 2, Detroit News: Wings GM Ken Holland was unavailable for comment Thursday, but it's always been his policy to try to wrap up contract negotiations before the playoffs. The free agent signing period begins July 1. Franzen's salary this season is just under $1 million. Franzen said he might be willing to take less to stay in Detroit than what he could get in the open market. "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. "Hockey is way more important (than landing a bigger contract elsewhere). I couldn't imagine playing on a team that's losing all the time. I want to find a team that's a good team and will win. Otherwise, it'll be a tough career losing all the time. I don't want to end up with that."

Red Wings' Johan Franzen says deal might be close Update from Thursday's morning skate: Wings forward Johan Franzen indicated that he might be getting close to signing a long-term contract extension. The club made a formal contract offer earlier this week and is waiting for a response. "We're still talking. We're getting closer,'' Franzen said. "They're working hard at it.'' Franzen indicated a strong desire to take less money to stay with the Wings rather than seek the most lucrative contract on the open market on July 1. 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. http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20...zen_says_d.html

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2009/03/fo...ings_thund.html Posted by George James Malik March 04, 2009 13:37PM The Denver Post's Adrian Dater reports the following: March 4, Denver Post: Just learned from a reliable source that Peter Forsberg, along with his parents, are in Denver right now and that Forsberg will "make an announcement" at the Avs-Wings game tonight. That announcement is expected to be that he will officially retire from the NHL. I'll have more on this as it develops. I talked to Forsberg's agent, Don Baizley, about this just now and he didn't want to offer a comment of any kind. This would be the kind of appropriate game to make such an announcement, no?

From MLIVE Red Wings' Marian Hossa has movement in all extremities, never lost consciousness by Ansar Khan Tuesday March 03, 2009, 8:54 PM Red Wings spokesman John Hahn said forward Marian Hossa has feeling in all extremities and never lost consciousness after sliding into the boards head-first at 5:24 of the first period in Tuesday's game in St. Louis. He was taken to a local hospital for precuationary purposes only, Hahn said. Hossa was off-balance when he was pushed by Blues defenseman Roman Polak. He fell and slid hard into the boards. He immediately clutched his head with both hands. He was on the ice for several minutes while attended to by medical personnel, who strapped him to a board and placed him on a stretcher. This was Hossa's first game back after missing two games with a stiff neck.

Update from Monday's late afternoon practice: Defenseman Andreas Lilja didn't skate. He has a concussion and a knee injury, after taking a big punch from Nashville's Shea Weber in a fight during Saturday's game. Lilja said it's not serious and that he's day to day. He'll miss at least the next two games "He knocked me out, I had to admit it,'' Lilja said. "I just remember the first two punches and the rest of it I saw on TV afterward. I realized I probably got a concussion.'' Marian Hossa (stiff neck) is ready to play. Tomas Holmstrom had his first full practice with the team since having hernia surgery on Feb. 11 and said he hopes to return in a week, possibly by Saturday's game against Columbus. Brett Lebda (back spasms) will return to the lineup. They juggled the lines a little after Saturday's 8-0 debacle in Nashville, but it's not necessarily what they'll start Tuesday's game in St. Louis with: Cleary-Zetterberg-Hossa Franzen-Datsyuk-Samuelsson Hudler-Filppula-Kopecky Maltby-Draper-Holmstrom Holmstrom, obviously, isn't playing Tuesday. Coach Mike Babcock said Aaron Downey will play, so that's where he will skate. Babcock said Jonathan Ericsson will make his Wings season debut Tuesday but indicated he hadn't settled on his defense pairings, other than to say Ericsson and Lebda are in for Lilja and Derek Meech. Chris Osgood will start in goal. Babcock said will continue to alternate goalies for the time being. http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20...lja_out_wi.html

additional update from practice: Update from Thursday's practice: Wings forward Marian Hossa didn't skate and won't play Friday against the Kings due to a sore neck, coach Mike Babcock said. Hossa took a hit to the back of the head by San Jose's Douglas Murray on Wednesday. He left the game in the second period and didn't return. "I would think he would be back right away,'' Babcock said. Defenseman Brett Lebda said he feels ready to play but Babcock said he will not play Friday. Ville Leino took Hossa's place on the line with Valtteri Filppula and Johan Franzen. All the other lines and defense pairings remained the same. Chris Osgood will start in net, as scheduled. It'll be his first game since Feb. 15. http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20...ng_wi.html#more

Update from Thursday's practice: Wings forward Marian Hossa didn't skate and won't play Friday against the Kings due to a sore neck, coach Mike Babcock said. Hossa took a hit to the back of the head by San Jose's Douglas Murray on Wednesday. He left the game in the second period and didn't return. http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20...cticing_wi.html

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2009/02/mu..._malts_out.html Mule in, Malts out Posted by George James Malik February 18, 2009 12:34PM The Detroit Free Press's Helene St. James reports that Red Wings forward Kirk Maltby drew the short straw and will sit tonight against the Nashville Predators: February 18, Detroit Free Press: Update from Joe Louis Arena Wednesday: Johan Franzen is in tonight against Nashville, and Kirk Maltby will be a healthy scratch. Franzen hasn't played since taking a shot to his right hand Feb. 7. "We'll just watch him here tonight but normally the first game back is not an issue anyway," Mike Babcock said. "He's missed five games; in saying that, his hand feels good. He's a big body and we missed him when he was away and it's great to have him back." The Detroit News's Dave Dye confirms the news as well.

http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hock..._of_the_week44/ NEW YORK (Feb. 9, 2009)—Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick, Detroit Red Wings right wing Marian Hossa and Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green have been named the NHL’s ‘Three Stars’ for the week ending Feb. 8. FIRST STAR—JONATHAN QUICK, G, LOS ANGELES KINGS Quick stopped 95 of 100 shots in posting three consecutive road victories, lifting the Kings (23-21-7, 53 points) within three points of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. He stopped 29 shots in recording his third shutout of the season in a 1-0 victory at Ottawa Feb. 3, made 41 saves in a 5-4 victory at Washington Feb. 5 and concluded the week by making 25 stops in a 3-1 victory at New Jersey Feb. 7. The 23-year-old Milford, Conn. native improved his season record to 10-6-0 with a 2.38 goals-against average and .920 save percentage in 18 games. He ranks third among NHL rookie goaltenders in victories behind Steve Mason of Columbus (19) and Pekka Rinne of Nashville (14). SECOND STAR—MARIAN HOSSA, RW, DETROIT RED WINGS Hossa shared the NHL scoring lead last week with seven points (six goals, one assist), helping the Red Wings (35-11-7, 77 points) post four consecutive victories and move within two points of the first-place San Jose Sharks in the Western Conference standings. He notched a pair of goals in a 4-3 shootout victory over the St. Louis Blues Feb. 2, scored two more in a 5-4 win over the Phoenix Coyotes Feb. 4 and tallied the game-winning goal and one assist in an 8-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers Feb. 7. Hossa closed the week by reaching the 30-goal mark for the seventh time in the past eight seasons, scoring a key third-period insurance goal in a 3-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins Feb. 8. THIRD STAR—MIKE GREEN, D, WASHINGTON CAPITALS Green earned Third Star honors for the second consecutive week after posting seven points (four goals, three assists) and becoming the first NHL defenseman in nearly 25 years to score a goal in six consecutive games. He notched one goal and one assist in a 5-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils Feb. 3, tallied another one-goal, one-assist effort in a 5-4 loss to the Los Angeles Kings Feb. 5 and concluded the week with two goals and one assist in a 3-1 win over the Florida Panthers Feb. 7. Green’s current six-game goal-scoring streak is the longest by an NHL defenseman since Ray Bourque’s six-game streak for Boston in March, 1984 and is one shy of the League record for blueliners set by the Bruins’ Mike O’Connell in January, 1984. Green’s 19 goals and 47 points lead all defensemen this season.

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20...strom_worr.html by Ansar Khan Tuesday February 03, 2009, 1:34 PM Update from Tuesday's practice: An MRI on Tomas Holmstrom's ailing groin was inconclusive, so the results are being sent to a specialist in Philadelphia for further evaluation. Holmstrom tried to skate a little today before practice but said he was in too much pain. He is concerned about the injury. Henrik Zetterberg declared himself ready to play Wednesday. He has missed three games with back spasms. Derek Meech did not practice and remains day-to-day with a sore groin. Darren Helm, recalled from Grand Rapids, joined the team for practice and will play Wednesday, coach Mike Babcock said. He said he hadn't decided which forward would be scratched. He will continue playing Niklas Kronwall with Nicklas Lidstrom. Chris Osgood is starting in goal Wednesday. Babcock said the club also would have recalled defenseman Jonathan Ericsson, but he reaggravated a wrist injury over the weekend with the Griffins. Here's how the lines looked in practice: Leino-Zetterberg-Hossa Hudler-Datsyuk-Franzen Cleary-Filppula-Samuelsson Kopecky-Draper-Maltby (Helm) Lidstrom-Kronwall Lilja-Rafalski Lebda-Chelios Osgood Conklin

DETROIT- The Red Wings announced today that they have recalled forward Justin Abdelkader from their AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids, and reassigned forward Aaron Downey. Abdelkader is fifth in scoring with the Griffins, compiling 14 goals and 13 assists in 44 games. The former Michigan State standout was named AHL Rookie of the Month for October after leading all rookie skaters with seven goals. http://kuklaskorner.com/

http://kuklaskorner.com/ Grand Rapids Griffins forwards Ville Leino and Aaron Downey were recalled by the parent club Detroit Red Wings on Thursday morning. The Red Wings were able to create salary cap space by placing defenseman Brad Stuart (ribs) on long-term injured reserve

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2009/01/ho...in_on_zett.html Posted by George James Malik January 28, 2009 13:37PM The Edmonton Journal's Jim Matheson spoke to player agent Rich Winter about both the long-term deal Detroit Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg will sign today and the inclination of his client, Marian Hossa, to attempt to stay with Detroit as well: January 28, Edmonton Journal: "I guess you could look at [Zetterberg's deal] as a hometown discount," said player agent Ritch Winter, who represents unrestricted free-agent Marian Hossa, who signed a one-year contract in Detroit last July for $7.4 million even though he could have taken much more from the Edmonton Oilers in a long-term deal. Hossa opted to go with the Wings because he felt they had a better chance to win a Stanley Cup. "How do you compare security against the hometown discount," Winter said. "As the years extend to the ninth, 10th, 11th and 12th, it's pretty challenging to also get the money. Security in this day and age with the economy so uncertain is a huge factor." In every deal, there is money and opportunity. ... Henrik hasn't known anything (but winning) playing in Detroit, and at the end of the day, you take that into consideration." ... If Zetterberg's cap hit is only $6 million a year, the Wings would have 17 players under contract for next season at a little more than $47 million in total. That doesn't leave them a lot of wiggle room to try and resign UFAs like Hossa and Johan Franzen, who have 44 goals between them, and group-two free-agent Jiri Hudler, who has 39 points playing just 131/2 minutes a game. In a perfect world, they would like to keep Hossa, but if he wants more money, then Franzen and Hudler might be manageable signings. "Marian likes Detroit; he's had a great time there and we've had discussions with Ken (Holland), but he wanted to get Henrik done first," said Winter. "One of his priorities with Marian is trying to figure out how he can stay there." Crazy suggestion of the day: Hossa or Franzen may have to take a one-year haircut until Nicklas Lidstrom's salary comes off the books, at which point I would imagine Lidstrom would be more inclined to sign a lower-dollar-figure deal to keep his teammates around.

http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/a2y/...nts_all_around/ Hometown Discounts All Around? by IwoCPO on 01/29/09 at 05:41 AM ET Comments (6) Not much time this morning but I do want to give you a little ditty to start your day. Yesterday I predicted the departure of Marian Hossa. Today, because it’s who I am, I’m taking that back. Based on this. HSJ “I definitely want to settle down long-term, too,” Hossa said. “It’s a great organization. Everyone is used to winning here, and you just want to be a part of it. It’s like big family here.” Asked if he would take less, Hossa replied, “I’ll be able to let you know soon.” Franzen also has said he’d like to stay. These guys are sticking around too. Bet on it.

This is from a long article on MLIVE. Didn't copy the whole article, just the part about Hossa/Franzen (provided the link if anyone wants to read the whole article). Early takes on the Zetterberg deal http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2009/01/ea...zetterberg.html From Kenny Holland "I get the sense that Marian is prepared to work with us and so is Paul Theofanus (Franzen's agent. So we're going to sit and crunch numbers. The more the cap can go up, the more wiggle room we'll have. Maybe we can sign one guy now and wait into June on the other guy. So we've got tough decisions to make. Certainly, Marian's a guy we'd love to keep. Johan Franzen is a guy we'd love to keep. You can go on down the line - Hudler, Samuelsson. Long-winded answer, I'm negotiating with all these guys, but we're going to have to make a decision in the next four, five or six weeks, and then I'll shut it down until the playoffs are over." Holland likes to say that in Detroit, the only thing he can sell is the hockey; no one comes for the weather. Considering the loyalty that the players demonstrate in return, it doesn't look as if that's about to change any time soon either.

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2009/01/re...tterberg_d.html MLive.com's own Ansar Khan broke the story that Detroit Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg will sign a 12-year, $72 million contract extension today, and both the Detroit News's Ted Kulfan, the Windsor Star's Dave Waddell, and the Detroit Free Press's Helene St. James confirm the length and amount. St. James also discusses Zetterberg's back spasms... January 28, Detroit Free Press: Zetterberg was coy about a deal after Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss at Columbus, saying merely that he hadn't signed anything yet. Zetterberg left the game late in the first period because a hit into the boards caused his back to tighten up. "I just tweaked my back kind of funny," Zetterberg said. "We just decided to be safe and take the rest of the night off." Zetterberg has had back spasms in previous seasons but said he hadn't experienced any pain this season. Asked if he would get X-rays today, Zetterberg said: "No, we'll just come down to the rink and see how I feel." And she discusses the press conference, which will be held at 2 PM: The Wings have more plans than that for their young star today: A release announcing the news conference was sent out immediately following the game, stating that those expected to attend included Zetterberg, Holland, team vice president Steve Yzerman and owners Mike and Marian Ilitch. Different lengths had been discussed, from 5 years to what evolved into the most lucrative contract given out in Wings history. The Wings sought a creative way to keep Zetterberg in Detroit for a long time because they see him as a cornerstone of their future and as the successor to captain Nicklas Lidstrom. The Red Wings posted that release this morning. The Red Wings' website will stream the presser online

MLive.com's own Ansar Khan reports that a very grumpy Nicklas Lidstrom and Pavel Datsyuk can't play during Tuesday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets as there's no appeal process for their suspensions, and as such, the Wings will play with 11 forwards and 6 defencemen as Johan Franzen's ready to play, but Brad Stuart's still banged up... http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2009/01/ca...idstromdat.html

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20...d_win.html#more by Ansar Khan Friday January 16, 2009, 3:56 AM LOS ANGELES -- Contract negotiations between the Detroit Red Wings and center Henrik Zetterberg appear to be heading toward the homestretch. A personal familiar with the talks said negotiations have intensified in recent days and that the sides could be closing in on an agreement. Zetterberg would not confirm the status of negotiations on Thursday, but he denied a CBC report that indicated he had spurned a 10-year, $75 million offer from the Red Wings. "That's not true,'' Zetterberg said. "I haven't turned down an offer of $75 million.'' If anything, he likely will sign a deal in the neighborhood of 10 years and $75 million, which would be the longest and most lucrative pact in franchise history. "That figure really is in the ballpark,'' said a person with knowledge of the talks. Zetterberg, 28, is the final year of a four-year contract that averages $2.65 million a season. Though his production (16 goals, 40 points) isn't on pace with last season, when he finished sixth in the NHL with 92 points, including 43 goals, his value has not diminished. Last year's Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP, Zetterberg is one of the premier two-way forwards in the league and would be one of the summer's most highly coveted free agents if he opted to test the market. But there is no reason to believe he won't re-sign with Detroit. Red Wings general manager Ken Holland and Zetterberg's agent, Marc Levine, have talked off and on for months and have made significant progress in recent weeks. Team captain Nicklas Lidstrom, forward Tomas Holmstrom and club vice-president Steve Yzerman also have had one-on-one meetings with Zetterberg over the last two months in an effort to get him signed. The Red Wings have three high-end players who could become unrestricted free agents on July 1 -- Zetterberg, Marian Hossa and Johan Franzen. They have opened talks with Franzen, but they're not going to sign him or anybody else until they have a deal with Zetterberg. Salary-cap restraints more than likely will prevent them from signing both Franzen and Hossa. Forward Jiri Hudler, who is having his best season, is a restricted free agent.

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20...ut_wi.html#more Update from Monday's practice at Jobing.com Arena: Johan Franzen didn't practice and won't play in Tuesday's game against the Coyotes. Franzen is still bothered by a strained hip, which forced him to leave Saturday's game in San Jose early in the third period "It's better, it's not a sharp pain, so it's a step in the right direction,'' Franzen said. "I got the ultrasound and the stim and ice and all that. It was a lot of fun. The (All-Star) break comes at a good time. I shouldn't have any problems after that.'' Valtteri Filppula takes Franzen's spot on the line with Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom, but coach Mike Babcock said Dan Cleary will replace Franzen as the net-front presence on the second power-play unit. Derek Meech fills in on the fourth line. Chris Chelios is in on defense, in place of Brett Lebda. Ty Conklin starts in goal. Here's what the lines looked like. Filppula-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Cleary-Zetterberg-Hossa Hudler-Draper-Samuelsson Meech-Kopecky-Maltby Franzen (out) Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Lilja Stuart-Chelios Lebda (scratched) Conklin Osgood

Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg denies report that he has turned down 10-year, $75 million contract offer by Ansar Khan Thursday January 15, 2009, 3:27 PM Red Wings center Henrik Zetterberg denied a report by CBC's Elliotte Friedman claiming that he has turned down a 10-year, $75 million contract offer from the club. "No, it's not (accurate). Usually I don't want to comment on that but that's not true,'' Zetterberg said Thursday. "I haven't turned down an offer of $75 million.'' http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20...terberg_de.html

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20...a_lot_of_p.html Update from Monday's morning skate: Wings forward Dan Cleary was back at Joe Louis Arena, starting off-ice workouts after a rough week dealing with his bad left eye. He can barely open the eye, which still is extremely red. He said it's painful and itches a lot. Cleary said it's not an infection, as they originally thought. The cornea was scratched for a second time last week, before the first scratch healed. "There's been a lot of pain in the eye. It almost hurts just to keep it open,'' Cleary said. "I haven't done anything this whole week. Hopefully I can get training and skating this week.'' Cleary, who hasn't skated since the Nov. 8 game against New Jersey, hopes to skate by himself this week ay JLA while the team is on its Western Canada road trip. Cleary can't drive and his depth perception is off. "It's hurting so much, I'm just sleeping and letting it heal itself,'' Cleary said. "This is the first day I've been able to open it and keep it open.'' General manager Ken Holland said Cleary will not be placed long-term injured reserve since that requires the player to miss a minimum of 10 games or 24 days. Holland said there's a chance Cleary might not have to miss that much time. Cleary will have missed seven games by the end of the trip. Holland said they have no plans to recall anybody from Grand Rapids prior to the trip.

Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur will have surgery Thursday morning to repair a torn distal biceps in his left elbow and will miss three to four months, Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said this morning http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2008/10/li...re_days_to.html Lilja needs a few more days to recover from appendectomy Posted by George James Malik October 23, 2008 06:24AM The Detroit News's Dave Dye reports that even laparoscopic surgery can't perform a three-day recovery miracle for Andreas Lilja, whose sore abdomen needs a full week to heal from his appendectomy: October 23, Detroit News: "The surgery was a success, but he's in a little bit of pain," [Red Wings GM Ken] Holland said Wednesday after talking with Lilja and Dr. Anthony Colucci, the Wings' team physician. "I think that's normal. "He's probably not going to play this weekend (Friday vs. Atlanta, Saturday at Chicago). Monday is a possibility (at Los Angeles). Wednesday is probably for sure (at Anaheim). "He probably needs the weekend just to be sure." Lilja is likely to return to practice this weekend, Holland said. This means one thing for Derek Meech: he needs to make hay over the next three or four games, because Lilja will be sorely (no pun intended) missed if he's unable to play against the physical Ducks.

Everything went well for Henrik Zetterberg at the morning skate, so he'll play tonight against St. Louis. Here are the Detroit line combinations ... Holmstrom-Datsyuk-Hossa Franzen-Zetterberg-Samuelsson Hudler-Filppula-Cleary Kopecky-Draper-Maltby Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Lebda-Meech Conklin (starts) Osgood Look for the defense pairings to shuffle as the game goes on, as they did against the Rangers. Lidstrom and Rafalski will likely stay together whenever the McDonald line is out, but could split at other times.

The Detroit Free Press's Helene St. James confirms MacLeod's report, and says that Lilja underwent endoscopic surgery: October 21, Detroit Free Press: Andreas Lilja missed Tuesday's practice because he was at the hospital having his appendix removed, Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. The procedure was a scope, and team spokesman John Hahn said doctors said Lilja should be ready to play Friday. Derek Meech will play tomorrow at St. Louis.