Keeping Hossa longterm

[egroen 384]

The great thing I take away from Holland's radio interview yesterday was the situation with Lidstrom's contract. I think we can pretty much assume Zetterberg will not be making more than $7.45 million... I've certainly been wrong before, but I have a tough time seeing Zetterberg demand more than the captain.

[Yemack 1]

Sammy and .. probably Huds will be gone. One of Conklin and Howard will not be on our 09-10 roster as well.

Also our ability to keep as much together depends on how much NHL teams sell their tickets and merchandises. So Wings marketing people should do their absolute best this season.

Wings, who have a very large fan base, going again to the finals would help generating some money for the league as well.

[BeeRYCE 2]

I'm not really liking these "let's worry about this in 09/10" style comments. Nobody's "worrying" about this, this is a messageboard where we talk about various subjects. I think this is a good thing to talk about really. I'm an "only worry about next season" kinda guy, but it's still interesting to know if we can actually afford Hossa after next season while at the same time keep Zetterberg and Franzen. If we have to lose Franzen or Hossa, oh well, nothing to worry about, we'll still have a star studded team in 09/10. It's just something to talk about, that's why it's a messageboard people.

[IrishWing19 6]

We can't move Cleary to make cap space he has a NTC (and I wouldn't trade him anyway), Sammy will have to go and a combination of Lebda, Meech, Quincy and Chelios to have any chance of keep Hossa, Z, Franzen and Huds.

[FinRedWing 172]

For the love of God please, please, please, please, please please don't even mention Flip's name next to Hossa.

That's right,one of them has won the Cup and the other hasn't (yet).

I kid,I kid.

You're right of course,but there's also no need to downplay "our own".

Edited July 3, 2008 by FinRedWing

[RWK23 0]

For the love of God please, please, please, please, please please don't even mention Flip's name next to Hossa.

Flip will never make it past the second line nor score more than 50 points. It just won't happen. *edit* To put it in real good perspective, Hossa will have just as many, if not more, goals than Flip will have POINTS this season.

If you have Hossa, you need to do your best to try to keep him. He is a franchise player. If it's too tough so be it, but you need to try and keep him.

Just like people saying we didn't need Hossa to begin with. Luckily Mr. Holland doesn't read this board because he obviously thought otherwise.

This is unbelievably ignorant. We're talking about a 23-year old two-way center with a ton of tools who is coming off a season where he scored 36 points and he isn't going to improve at all? Really? Did you know that some little Russian kid named Pavel Datsyuk put up nearly identical numbers at the same age (11 goals, 35 points)? He turned out alright.

I'm not saying that Filppula is going to develop into a world beater, all-star, Selke Trophy forward, but to say he's never going to get better than he is right now,well, that's just stupid.

[dallas27 7]

That's right,one of them has won the Cup and the other hasn't (yet).

I kid,I kid.

You're right of course,but there's also no need to downplay "our own".

Yea, I totally forgot that Flip is the next Bobby Orr

[dallas27 7]

This is unbelievably ignorant. We're talking about a 23-year old two-way center with a ton of tools who is coming off a season where he scored 36 points and he isn't going to improve at all? Really? Did you know that some little Russian kid named Pavel Datsyuk put up nearly identical numbers at the same age (11 goals, 35 points)? He turned out alright.

36 points to 50 points is improving isn't it?

Continue to put words in my mouth though, if you so please. No doubt he will improve. But to a level that Hossa is at. Please.

I'm not saying that Filppula is going to develop into a world beater, all-star, Selke Trophy forward, but to say he's never going to get better than he is right now,well, that's just stupid.

But you are by comparing their numbers.

[RyanBarnes! 293]

Filppula - $1.5, $1.75 and $2.0 million over 3 years. He really doesn't have the numbers to command more than that at this point on this team and thankfully, I don't think he'll push too hard for more.

Hudler - $1.5, $1.75, $2.0 million over 3 years. I don't think this one will be difficult nor hurt much.

I don't see how Hudler has earned the same contract as Filppula. Hudler scored a few more points last season, but Filppula still has a more allround game, more goals, better plus/minus etc. No deal.

[FinRedWing 172]

Yea, I totally forgot that Flip is the next Bobby Orr

You know he's not.

Granted he won't ever be near the superstar Hossa is.

But he's not in the team to score 50+ goals,there are also little things like faceoffs & PK that Val can do better.

And that's why we need to re-sign him.

[RedFX 48]

Hossa knew when he came here that this was going to be likely his only year as a Wing (unless something absolutely crazy happens). Even if Flip goes, there wont be enough cap space for both Z, Mule, and Hossa. To me, he came here because he wants to win at all costs.

Edited July 3, 2008 by RedFX

[RWK23 0]

36 points to 50 points is improving isn't it?

Continue to put words in my mouth though, if you so please. No doubt he will improve. But to a level that Hossa is at. Please.

You're right, I worded it incorrectly. Either way, if he fails to ever score 50 points, he would come pretty close to a bust considering how talented he really is. I don't disagree with you that he'll never be a 40 goal, 100 point player like Hossa is capable of being. My argument is the 50 points thing. What are you even basing that prediction on?

But you are by comparing their numbers.

Not really. I was using Datsyuk as an example who struggled points wise his first couple seasons as he began to adjust to the league and he had the same issues as Filppula his first couple seasons (afraid to take a hit, not very strong on his skates, etc.). It's stupid to say that a guy coming off a 19 goal, 36 point season at age 23 will be unable to break 50 points at any point of his career, especially considering he's very likely going to be playing with one of the league's best finishers in Hossa in the upcoming season.

Edited July 3, 2008 by RWK23