Zetterberg contract talks to be picked up in July

[Systemfel 33]

Translation of this article...

ZETTERBERG's NEW DREAM SALARY

Henrik Zetterberg is on his way of becoming one of the world's highest-paid hockey players.

This summer, he is expected to sign a new dream deal worth around $8-10 million a season.

"Realistically, he's going to become one of the league's highest-paid players," agent Gunnar Svensson says.

Henrik Zetterberg has been one of the NHL's best players both in the regular season and in the playoffs.

But salary-wise, he's far behind the league's top money makers.

"The reason for that is that Henrik was drafted so late (in the seventh round) and the last time we signed a contract, we wanted a multi-year deal for some security."

Zetterberg's current salary is $2.65 million, but not for much longer.

Negotiations starting

During the summer, Zetterberg's North America-based agent Marc Levine is going to open negotitations with Red Wings GM Ken Holland on a new dream deal.

"Henrik has another year left on his Detroit contract, and we're allowed to discuss an extension after July 1. That's also what team wants according to Holland.

They're obviously terrified of the thought of losing Zetterberg for nothing when he can go unrestricted."

Svensson wouldn't comment on any figures, but according to sources, Z and his agents are going to ask for $8-10 million.

Could sign a multi-year deal

That would make Zetterberg one of the league's best paid players, and pass Nicklas Lidström as the highest-paid Swede.

"We realize that Henrik is going to have be one of the NHL's best paid players," Holland says.

Z is ready to sign a multi-year deal.

"I'd like to spend my entire career with the Red Wings," Zetterberg says.

Edited June 4, 2008 by Systemfel

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

He's certainly worth it, but I wish he'd go the way of a Thornton/Iginla and take less.

[eva unit zero 271]

He's certainly worth it, but I wish he'd go the way of a Thornton/Iginla and take less.

He will not get more than Lidstrom. I expect his deal to be close to 7.1m as far as cap hit is concerned.

[#19=Legend 29]

Something like 7 years at 7.5 per would be my guess.

[weGotTheCup89 41]

Z has definitely earned it. Here's to hoping the cap goes up $4.5 mill this year too!

[Rice 42]

It's hard for me to see Zetterberg getting more than Lidstrom and significantly more than Datsyuk. I'd guess somewhere between $7 and $7.5 million.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

I wouldnt be surprised to see him sign a significantly long-term contract - even longer than Datsyuks - and take something in the arena of 7-8M as an average cap hit. However, Im betting that his salary per year at the beginning of the contract will be in the neighbor of 9 or 10 million.

[Matt 1,049]

It's hard for me to see Zetterberg getting more than Lidstrom and significantly more than Datsyuk. I'd guess somewhere between $7 and $7.5 million.

$7.3m/season cap hit. Book it.

[betterREDthandead 58]

I'll go against the grain. I say he becomes the highest-paid Wing this summer at just under $8 million a year.

[Nev 1,085]

He will not get more than Lidstrom. I expect his deal to be close to 7.1m as far as cap hit is concerned.

I agree - but Nick only has 2 years left after this, so I expect Hanks contract to rise after the first couple of years to the $8M mark

[Systemfel 33]

I agree - but Nick only has 2 years left after this, so I expect Hanks contract to rise after the first couple of years to the $8M mark

Good input. I can see the contract breaking down like this:

2009-10: 7.0

2010-11: 7.0

2011-12: 8.0

2012-13: 8.0

2013-14: 8.0

2014-15: 7.0

2015-16: 7.0

Total: 52.0

Cap hit: ~7.43

[dantroit 0]

Lock him up. He is definitely worth the money, and I don't see any reason for him to not be the captain once Lidstrom retires. I also definately see Zetterberg being a Red Wing the rest fo his career.

[UKWING 8]

he is certainly worth $9m+ but i am hoping datsyuk and lidstrom's contracts act as a benchmark and he gets somewhere in between the 2.

[JPT 26]

If he decides to play hardball say at an average of 9 million a year do the Wings cave?

[Opie 308]

If he decides to play hardball say at an average of 9 million a year do the Wings cave?

I think they do. After what he has done in the post season and in the regular season you have to keep this kid.

[JayUp88 1]

If he decides to play hardball say at an average of 9 million a year do the Wings cave?

Throw in a Hot and Ready whenever he wants and make it a deal

[eva unit zero 271]

Good input. I can see the contract breaking down like this:

2009-10: 7.0

2010-11: 7.0

2011-12: 8.0

2012-13: 8.0

2013-14: 8.0

2014-15: 7.0

2015-16: 7.0

Total: 52.0

Cap hit: ~7.43

What I don't get:

1) Why people feel the need to break down how much each year is worth, instead of just the expected cap hit.

2) Why anyone would offer a deal that starts and ends at the same value, but rises in the middle, rather than a front-loaded deal (makes the player more tradeable later on if necessary) or a deal that ramps up (helps delay the cost to a time when other high salaries might be off the books, or revenue may be up)

3) Why any player would sign such a deal rather than a deal that is heavily front loaded (quick cash) or a deal that ramps up at the end (leading hopefully to a bigger number on the next deal)

Z's deal won't be worth more than Nick's per year.

I would expect Z's deal to start lower and ramp up towards the end; with a cap hit between $6.7m and $7.4m, likely around $7.1m.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I tend to agree with Matt in regards to a Cap hit around $7.3.

I'll go even further and say $7.25 mil/5-6 Years.

[South Dakota wings fan 7]

Good input. I can see the contract breaking down like this:

2009-10: 7.0

2010-11: 7.0

2011-12: 8.0

2012-13: 8.0

2013-14: 8.0

2014-15: 7.0

2015-16: 7.0

Total: 52.0

Cap hit: ~7.43

That seems pretty fair. I could see it being something like 7.8 x 7 years. The only question I have, is with his back problems, will he get a contract that long?

[betterREDthandead 58]

What I don't get:

1) Why people feel the need to break down how much each year is worth, instead of just the expected cap hit.

2) Why anyone would offer a deal that starts and ends at the same value, but rises in the middle, rather than a front-loaded deal (makes the player more tradeable later on if necessary) or a deal that ramps up (helps delay the cost to a time when other high salaries might be off the books, or revenue may be up)

3) Why any player would sign such a deal rather than a deal that is heavily front loaded (quick cash) or a deal that ramps up at the end (leading hopefully to a bigger number on the next deal)

Z's deal won't be worth more than Nick's per year.

I would expect Z's deal to start lower and ramp up towards the end; with a cap hit between $6.7m and $7.4m, likely around $7.1m.

IIRC Martin Erat's vetoed deal was just such a one that rises in the middle and is smaller on either end.

And since when have you of all people been averse to overanalysis?

[eva unit zero 271]

IIRC Martin Erat's vetoed deal was just such a one that rises in the middle and is smaller on either end.

And since when have you of all people been averse to overanalysis?

When it is pointless and has no bearing on the discussion, such as trying to predict the year by year salary for a long term deal...even though it doesn't matter.

In the NBA, it would matter, as their cap rules are different.

[kozac 10]

The only hunch I have signing him to a long term expensive deal is his history of back problems.

[Shaman 713]

my bet is 7 years at 7.4 million cap hit