Ms_Hockey

Actually, the last time I went to a Wings game, there was a guy with a Hossa jersey already. I was like daaaaaaaang.

I read enough. And if those exact words were said, it'd be number one on this forum. I have read that Hossa's agent said Hossa likes it in Detroit - but as far as wanting to stay, I have yet to see. We'll have to watch and see how the dust settles in the end. The question is going to end up being how much Hossa & Franzen would both be willing to sacrifice to stay with this team.

I really haven't heard anything about Hossa having a deep desire to play on the Wings. I was sure he was here to win the Cup and then move on to other things.

IF Hossa were to decide to take $6m a year, I'd probably pass out in my living room. But I don't think he will, either. He knows he's worth way more on the market. He has no emotional ties to Detroit the way some of these other players do. He's got virtually nothing to lose by signing for big bucks with someone else.

While I completely understand where you're coming from (minus the Kopecky thing maybe - he's been irritating me since the start), I'm going to have to respectfully disagree. I honestly feel that Franzen is a physical force on the ice. Hossa and Franzen use their size in two completely different ways - and I just prefer Franzen's over Hossa's as of now.. but I do see what you're saying about the difference between being a physical presence and knowing how to use your body.

If people have a problem with the fighting in the NHL, they shouldn't watch. It's really just that simple. And if they want to watch hockey without the fights - watch college hockey.

Yep, couldn't agree more. I've seen Babs throw Cleary in there a couple times.. and he gets the job done as well - but it's a lot easier for Franzen because he's a physical giant.. and he's not afraid of a face-washing every now and again. In fact, he welcomes it.

They're both large - and either one of them is going to be tough to lose considering the Wings play a much better finesse game than they do a physical game. Any physically large player is a plus for us. That said, though.. Franzen tends to use his body a bit more. As I say, he's a hot head. He gets in there and mixes it up. Hossa is large, but the only advantage I've seen him use that towards is staying on the puck. It's hard to knock him off his skates because he's so damn big. I would in no way label Franzen an enforcer.. but I think he brings a certain physical presence that Hossa doesn't, even given their correlated sizes.

This. :Waits to smeared by the "this" haters:

As much as I never thought this would happen, Sammy has been having a heck of a season so far. I can't fault him. He's really improved. And (dare I say it?) even Lilja is making me happy... which is a difficult thing for him to do. It's going to be hard to let almost anybody go this time around.

Well, if that is the case - then I'd let Franzen go. No sense in keeping a player who is going to demand more than we can give. In the end, it'll hurt the team as a whole. However, when it comes to the talks - I still think Holland should talk to Franzen before Hossa and see what he has to say. Just as a matter of courtesy because Franzen has been with us longer. And really, Franzen's big body is a sorry thing to lose here.

He'd call Bettman.

.................. ^ That is all I could come up with for the swirl of anger pulsing through my veins at this precise moment.

As far as I know, if we count Zetterberg in... Cleary, Datsyuk, Lidstrom, Stuart, Draper, and Rafalski all have NTC. As far as other teams, here's a list of players with NTCs on the NHLSCAP.com website. http://www.nhlscap.com/no_trade.htm

What an idiot.

This.

Being a great goal scorer doesn't mean you've meshed with the team. Most people agree with me on this. You play with a particular team and you learn their strengths and weaknesses and where to place yourself on the ice to make up for it. Datsyuk & Franzen have both been around a lot longer so they're better attuned to the players. Hossa, while he does score a lot of goals, isn't at the point where he's fit in entirely with our team. For what he's worth, he should be getting at least one point per game. Some games are better than others. Some games, he goes out and really does great. Other games, he doesn't do nearly as well.. and you can visibly see him struggling to find his spot with the team. Every player - at the beginning - is that way. He hasn't gotten out of it yet. Gotten better? Sure. Gotten out of it? No.

You could be right. I don't know how it was signing Franzen last season.. and if he's looking for the big bucks, then it definitely won't be with this team. I just feel that he fits in better with the Wings, due to the extra time spent here over Hossa. But if either one of them is looking to drain our cap, then let them walk. I'll be sad to see him go, but I'd rather have players willing to take the cut to play for the team than ones who demand more from us than we can give.

January 28, Detroit News: "It could be a possibility, but it's something we have to look into further after the season," Lidstrom said Tuesday morning following the Wings' game-day skate at Nationwide Arena. "We'll re-assess it after the season, see what needs to be done." Mlive article.

Badmouthing Illitch is going to get you a lot of mean comments from people. On another note, this is why I love the Red Wings. We not only create amazing players, we have a franchise that makes them actually WANT to stay here, no matter what that means doing to their paychecks.

You're absolutely right. No matter which way we go, we're going to have a winning team. I'd still be a little upset to see Franzen go. He was drafted, trained, and basically created by the Wings. But, at the same time, if he feels an allegiance to this team.. he'll be okay with taking a pay cut.

I'd get Franzen first.. and I know people are going to disagree with me left and right here. Franzen has already made a name for himself with the team. He's already made a niche for himself. He knows his roll. He knows the players. He knows their strengths and weaknesses. And he fits in perfectly with the team. Now, I'm not trying to say that Hossa doesn't.. but he's not near the level Franzen is. I'd hate to go for Hossa first with the hope that he will some day mesh with the team the way that Franzen and others do - and then have him leave after the next season. Of course, I'm not saying this WILL happen.. but the Wings organization is set up as a very tight-knit family. Some of these guys have been with each other their entire careers. Hossa is a great goal scorer, but there's other aspects to look at when deciding who to put first.

Zetterberg is going to be a career-long Red Wing. There's no better news to wake up to. Maybe he'll be the next captain.

That's what I was thinking.

Spoken like a true Wings fan.