Hossa Sweepstakes down to four teams?

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Gainey wants to add top-line talent

TheFourthPeriod.com

It's no secret the Canadiens are trying to acquire a first-line goal-scorer before tomorrow's 3pm ET trade deadline, reports Montreal's La Presse.

The main focus of the Habs and GM Bob Gainey is Atlanta Thrashers sniper Marian Hossa.

Thrashers GM Don Waddell watched the Canadiens' AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs, face off against the Toronto Marlies on Sunday, there to scout some of Montreal's top young talent.

The Thrashers are believed to be asking for an NHL-proven player, a top prospect and a high draft pick, most likely a first-round pick, in exchange for Hossa.

Rumors suggest the Canadiens are willing to move such players as Chris Higgins, Michael Ryder, Mathieu Dandenault, Mikhail Grabovski, Kyle Chipchura and some of their top prospects.

According to Le Journal de Montreal, the Canadiens will be neck in neck with the Ottawa Senators for Hossa's services.

The Senators are believed to be dangling such players as Antoine Vermette, Nick Foglino and Andrej Meszaros.

Le Journal claims the Thrashers may also be looking at Canadiens prospects Matt D'Agostini, Mathieu Carle and Pavel Valentenko.

The Canadiens are also in the running for such players as Calgary's Alex Tanguay, Tampa Bay's Vaclav Prospal, Chicago's Martin Havlat and Edmonton's Jarret Stoll.

What do you think about Stoll? I can see Satan or Lapointe coming here... but would like to have Stoll or T. Ruutu... + one big stay at home DEF...

Why are people so hung up on Stoll. I dont know why some people think hes gonna come here and suddenly be a 30 goal scorer. Hes a LAST RESORT at this point. You remember Jason Williams? Take out the nifty shootout moves and add a little size and you´ve got yourself Jarrett Stoll. Id rather add Chris Gratton if thats the case. I wouldnt be surprised if their goal totals arent that far off either for the season..and Im pretty sure Im right about that.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Why would it be stupid? Hossa is everything you hope Filpulla turns out to be. He's in his prime and if Detroit does pull this off they're going to sign him long term.

The only potential problem you run in to is the salary cap. Zetterberg and Hossa are each gonna demand contracts around 8 million/year for at least 5 years. That's not too realistic. Then again, wanting to trade for Hossa isn't very realistic either.

More than anything Detroit needs a depth player with power forward potential. I'd be willing to bet that the trade Darcy Tucker rejected a few days ago was to Detroit.

Now Holland should focus on landing Jackman from the Blues, Prospal from the Lightning or a Mike Knuble type player.

Im pretty sure he was saying that Filppula would be ok to trade, but Ericsson would not be..

[AUWingsFan 0]

Well I keep checking and checking to see if there's any news but I keep coming away disappointed. Personally, I'd much rather the Wings get Hossa over Sundin, if only for the fact that the chances are probably higher that Hossa would resign (not saying the chances are good, but most likely better than for Sundin). I also like the fact that Hossa is younger and would be able to be signed to a longer term deal.....and correct me if I'm wrong but could the Wings "backload" his contract so that he'd make more toward the end of the deal which would sort of even out with the cap most likely going up each year? I honestly won't be surprised if we don't make a huge deal this year after what happened with Bertuzzi last year (I wish he would have stayed, but he went for the longer term deal).

For those who have already thrown in the towel if we don't make a huge move please don't be so down this early. I mean sure it's been 7 years since we've won a cup, but honestly we should be thankful we have a team that consistently makes it to the playoffs, some fans have to wait years between playoff appearances. Being from Alabama I've grown up an Atlanta Braves fan, and talk about watching a team fail to deliver in the playoffs year after year, but isn't the excitement that your team might make a run to the championship better than knowing your team isn't even in the playoffs? Last year this team proved that it could step things up in the playoffs, sure we lost to the Ducks, but I still believe we were a better team. This year the Ducks may be better than they were last year, but we shouldn't hand them the cup now because what if they lose a few D-men or they run into a streaking goalie who stops everything (but really that seems to only happen to the Wings)? My point is, I'm frustrated that other teams are making moves and might be getting stronger while we are not making moves, but if there is one thing I've learned over time is sports are so unpredictable, which is what makes them so interesting. Will I be upset if the Wings don't make it to the Stanley Cup finals, yes....but until the final seconds tick of the clock and they are eliminated I'll do all I can to cheer them on. Personally I'm very thankful that the Wings have consistently been a top team in the league because I'd hate to go years between playoff appearances. And all of this is why I trust that Holland will do what is best to keep us competitive, not just this year, but for years to come.....we've all seen what making a huge trade did for Nashville last year haven't we?

**For what it's worth...I'll be sick if the Ducks win the Cup again....if they pull off a huge trade this year I'll be upset because the salary cap was intended to even the playing field and prevent buying cups, but somehow they are finding a way around it....why couldn't we just be honest about it and let the owners who are willing to invest lots in their teams do it?

*Also a quick question....I'm obviously ignorant on the salary cap and how it works, but I'm guessing hockey doesn't have a luxury tax like baseball where you can overspend your cap limit and pay a fine?

Edited February 25, 2008 by AUWingsFan

[Dominator2005 558]

Why are people so hung up on Stoll. I dont know why some people think hes gonna come here and suddenly be a 30 goal scorer. Hes a LAST RESORT at this point. You remember Jason Williams? Take out the nifty shootout moves and add a little size and you´ve got yourself Jarrett Stoll. Id rather add Chris Gratton if thats the case. I wouldnt be surprised if their goal totals arent that far off either for the season..and Im pretty sure Im right about that.

He's good on face-off's, fast, young...

[YoungGuns1340 1]

He's good on face-off's, fast, young...

Hes also pretty decent defensively, but like I said, he wont be anything more than a Jason Williams to this team, because hes simply not dynamic. Hes a very boring player who really doesnt excel at anything that the Wings dont already have. Really his claim to fame is his faceoff abilities, and that about it. Last time I checked that wasnt really a need for the Wings. Other than that, his youth, decent size and skating...none of this is outstanding. We need a guy thats either a sniper or a banger. He fits neither of these categories and frankly, Im sick of having inconsistent, mid to late 20 somethings who are in no way dynamic players fill up our ranks (willy, Sammy, Franzen, etc.).

At this point, Id probably even take Federov over Stoll.

Edited February 25, 2008 by YoungGuns1340

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Im pretty sure he was saying that Filppula would be ok to trade, but Ericsson would not be..

Bingo. I don't really want to trade Filppula, but if it's for Hossa or Jokinen I have no issues. Filppula's potentially at the top of his tradeability, while Ericsson will be worth more in a few years.

[Viperar 16]

Hockeybuzz:

Jokinen to Montreal is gaining a ton of speed this morning, and Hossa to Detroit as well.

[StevieY9802 6]

Hockeybuzz:

Jokinen to Montreal is gaining a ton of speed this morning, and Hossa to Detroit as well.

Take what you get off that site with a grain of salt. He reports anything he hears. So if he heard Holland called a couple times to inquire about Hossa that might mean the Wings are close to getting him, in Ek's mind. He says the Sens are still very much interested in getting Khabibulin when tsn says this:

"Nikolai Khabibulin will have an MRI on his ailing back on Monday. "He's not doing better," coach Denis Savard said. "There may be something going on in there. Hopefully not, but we'll get an MRI to see."

Edited February 25, 2008 by StevieY9802

[Viperar 16]

Take what you get off that site with a grain of salt. He reports anything he hears. So if he heard Holland called a couple times to inquire about Hossa that might mean the Wings are close to getting him, in Ek's mind.

hahaha, thats why

a. i didnt post with too much excitement

b. made sure to include it was from hockeybuzz

its something though

[StevieY9802 6]

hahaha, thats why

a. i didnt post with too much excitement

b. made sure to include it was from hockeybuzz

its something though

Yeah I'll admit I visit the site just for entertainment. It's nice to imagine what could be.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Take what you get off that site with a grain of salt. He reports anything he hears. So if he heard Holland called a couple times to inquire about Hossa that might mean the Wings are close to getting him, in Ek's mind.

I beg to differ. Everyone knows that an Ekland rumour must first pass the NHL'08 xbox test before he posts it. The "E#" system corresponds to how many different platforms he was able to make the NHL'08 trade on.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Hockeybuzz:

Jokinen to Montreal is gaining a ton of speed this morning, and Hossa to Detroit as well.

Ive also heard the Wild are making a huge push for Jokinen...

[HudlerRULES 0]

Well I keep checking and checking to see if there's any news but I keep coming away disappointed. Personally, I'd much rather the Wings get Hossa over Sundin, if only for the fact that the chances are probably higher that Hossa would resign (not saying the chances are good, but most likely better than for Sundin). I also like the fact that Hossa is younger and would be able to be signed to a longer term deal.....and correct me if I'm wrong but could the Wings "backload" his contract so that he'd make more toward the end of the deal which would sort of even out with the cap most likely going up each year? I honestly won't be surprised if we don't make a huge deal this year after what happened with Bertuzzi last year (I wish he would have stayed, but he went for the longer term deal).

For those who have already thrown in the towel if we don't make a huge move please don't be so down this early. I mean sure it's been 7 years since we've won a cup, but honestly we should be thankful we have a team that consistently makes it to the playoffs, some fans have to wait years between playoff appearances. Being from Alabama I've grown up an Atlanta Braves fan, and talk about watching a team fail to deliver in the playoffs year after year, but isn't the excitement that your team might make a run to the championship better than knowing your team isn't even in the playoffs? Last year this team proved that it could step things up in the playoffs, sure we lost to the Ducks, but I still believe we were a better team. This year the Ducks may be better than they were last year, but we shouldn't hand them the cup now because what if they lose a few D-men or they run into a streaking goalie who stops everything (but really that seems to only happen to the Wings)? My point is, I'm frustrated that other teams are making moves and might be getting stronger while we are not making moves, but if there is one thing I've learned over time is sports are so unpredictable, which is what makes them so interesting. Will I be upset if the Wings don't make it to the Stanley Cup finals, yes....but until the final seconds tick of the clock and they are eliminated I'll do all I can to cheer them on. Personally I'm very thankful that the Wings have consistently been a top team in the league because I'd hate to go years between playoff appearances. And all of this is why I trust that Holland will do what is best to keep us competitive, not just this year, but for years to come.....we've all seen what making a huge trade did for Nashville last year haven't we?

**For what it's worth...I'll be sick if the Ducks win the Cup again....if they pull off a huge trade this year I'll be upset because the salary cap was intended to even the playing field and prevent buying cups, but somehow they are finding a way around it....why couldn't we just be honest about it and let the owners who are willing to invest lots in their teams do it?

*Also a quick question....I'm obviously ignorant on the salary cap and how it works, but I'm guessing hockey doesn't have a luxury tax like baseball where you can overspend your cap limit and pay a fine?

I actually just programed my phone to send me an lert from ESPN everytime there is breaking NHL news./

[rick zombo 3,739]

I actually just programed my phone to send me an lert from ESPN everytime there is breaking NHL news./

ESPN? Hahah. They will send you the latest results on the mid-westen Nebraska Dog Show competition before you get any info on NHL trades.

Edited February 25, 2008 by rick zombo

[russianswede919293 95]

Hockeybuzz:

Jokinen to Montreal is gaining a ton of speed this morning, and Hossa to Detroit as well.

Well he also said that a Sundin + Kaberle trade was going to go down the day before Sundin refused to waive his NTC and a few weeks after Kaberle already had made that statement...

again I say...

Eklund takes trades from NHL08 on his Xbox and that makes it an e3...

[luvmnger 125]

come on hossa.....you know that your 5 year goal for the cup is right here in detroit!

no other team in this decade has had more success than the wings.

[Hockeytown Red Wings 245]

come on hossa.....you know that your 5 year goal for the cup is right here in detroit!

no other team in this decade has had more success than the wings.

Well, technically the Devils have won two Stanley Cups this decade.

But the Devils were cheaters and boring.

[Viperar 16]

Well he also said that a Sundin + Kaberle trade was going to go down the day before Sundin refused to waive his NTC and a few weeks after Kaberle already had made that statement...

again I say...

Eklund takes trades from NHL08 on his Xbox and that makes it an e3...

hey buddy, i realize a hossa trade for you is the end of worlds, calm down, I was just posting what I read and I posted before that i forewarned that it was hockeybuzz. Chill people

[Guest Canadian Wings]

Hockeybuzz:

Jokinen to Montreal is gaining a ton of speed this morning, and Hossa to Detroit as well.

DETROIT FREE PRESS: Helene St. James reports Red Wings GM Ken Holland is busy negotiating contracts with Darren McCarty and Daniel Cleary. He's also been in talks with several teams but suggested the asking prices for the players he's interested in could be too expensive. MLIVE.com's Ansar Khan yesterday reports the Wings biggest need right now is scoring, particularly because many of their young forwards are struggling offensively in recent weeks.

[Viperar 16]

well that doesn't sound too good from holland....so lets see, we need scoring, and hossa knows how to score. Oh wait, holland thinks feds can still score...riiight

[dallas27 7]

I can't wait to be crushed tomorrow

[StevieY9802 6]

Alright people you need to remember a few things. First, sorry you don't know more than Ken Holland. He knows how good Hossa is and I'm sure he would love to have him, but no one here knows what exactly the asking price is. If Keith Tkachuk is worth Glen Metropolit, a first and third-round draft pick in 2007 and a second-round draft pick in 2008, what is Hossa worth? So maybe, god forbid, Ken Holland doesn't want to give up 3 picks and a player for this guy. Maybe he would rather get some cheaper pieces a try and then if that doesn't work try things out this offseason. And just because you might send Filppula and who or whatever to Atl doesn't mean the Wings organization is prepared to do that. Maybe they see Filppula as a good young player and would like to see how he developes, and would rather have him down the road and find a guy later on inf needed. And maybe Don Waddell wants Jonathan Ericsson as part of the deal. Sorry the Wings won't be doing that and you don't need to be an insider to know that. I would think Ken Holland would rather pay a small price and give Fedorov or someone like him a shot rather than give up a lot to get Hossa. I trust Ken Holland more than my want for a guy like Hossa.

[russianswede919293 95]

Flames announced that they will not trade Tanguay

TSN

So it is gone from Hossa, Sundin, Richards, Jokinen, Tanguay

To

Hossa, Richards, Jokinen

So the prices just went up again...especially since Montreal had been linked to Tanguay and Hossa, so I expect IF those rumors are true, they will push even harder for Hossa. Especially after 3 poor showings in a row.

[40#1Fan 0]

February 25, USA Today:

With 30 hours to go before the trade deadline, Brad Richards remains the most talked-about name in the NHL trade market and the Atlanta Thrashers now might not decide where to trade Marian Hossa until Tuesday.

Originally, the Thrashers were aiming to make the decision Monday, but the expectation is there will now be increased interest in Hossa because Mats Sundin is staying in Toronto.

As of 11 a.m. Monday, the Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens and the Detroit Red Wings, in this order, are the teams that I believe have the best chance of acquiring Hossa, but the favorites could be knocked off quickly if some team makes an offer that wows general manager Don Waddell off his feet.

The San Jose Sharks have seemed like a team in search of a trade for months, and they have the assets to be a force in any trade they pursue

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2008/02/al..._3rd_in_ru.html

[dallas27 7]

Thanks for screwing up everything Sundin