Hossa skates with the team, feels right at home...

[Shutemdown 23]

Taken from The Detroit Free Press, Tuesday, September 9th:

Marian Hossa is still looking for somewhere to live, but he's beginning to feel at home with his new team.

Hossa took the ice at Joe Louis Arena on Monday for the first time as a Red Wing. After a weekend of apartment hunting in metro Detroit, he joined several fellow Wings for a voluntary practice at the Joe.

It was the first chance for some players to meet Hossa, who stunned many in the NHL by signing a one-year, $7.45-million deal July 2. Hossa turned down more money and long-term deals to come to Hockeytown.

"It's my decision, and I try to get the best chance to win the Cup, and I felt like this is the team to be (with), and that's why I sign with Detroit," said Hossa, who has scored 299 career goals and 648 points for the Ottawa Senators, Atlanta Thrashers and Pittsburgh Penguins.

His decision to sign with the Wings opened a floodgate of media criticism in the days that followed. Some wondered how Hossa could turn down long-term job security and tens of millions of dollars. Some considered him opportunistic, jumping on the bandwagon of a defending Cup team with most of its parts still in place. Some wondered why he didn't return to Pittsburgh, which lost some key players, but returns three stars: forwards Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.

"I don't care. People can say what they want," Hossa said of the criticism. "It's my life, and I make the decision I like."

What factored into his decision to join the Wings?

"Obviously, it's a winning situation," Hossa said. "That's the No. 1 thing. I want to win.

"Basically, it's simple. There was a few teams in play, but my decision was between Pittsburgh and Detroit. Detroit won because the team stayed together and it's a strong hockey team, a strong organization. Don't want to take anything from Pittsburgh. I had a great time there, unbelievable young players and great group. But I just feel, you know, a little bit better chance here."

Hossa is staying with Tomas Kopecky, his fellow Wings forward and Slovak, until he finds a place to live.

"Kopy's taking good care of me," Hossa said. "He doesn't cook good but, you know, he's still taking me around."

As Hossa spoke with reporters, Kopecky walked over and held out his hand and jokingly introduced himself. Kopecky later joked that Hossa was a terrible houseguest because he will "leave the lights on during the night."

Hossa said it has helped to have a friend on the team.

"I could ask him so many questions," Hossa said of Kopecky. "He's a close friend of mine. ... He's helping, especially in the beginning. It's a big plus."

Hossa isn't concerned about whom will join him on a line. Coach Mike Babcock plans to have Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg center separate lines this season, so Hossa could end up playing with Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom.

"I haven't talked to the coach about anything," Hossa said. "I just got here. Obviously, it's his decision. It doesn't really matter who (you) play with. In this group, everybody's a great player."

NOTEBOOK: Kopecky said he hopes to play in a couple of exhibitions and be 100% by the time the Wings open the season Oct. 9 vs. Toronto. Kopecky had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left knee in April and spent the summer doing rehab.

"I have no big problems with the knee," Kopecky said.

Asked if he had any setbacks over the summer, Kopecky said: "It was more mental. A couple days I had to take off because I was just fed up with the rehab and I was going crazy at home."

[T.Low 1,011]

Thanks for rthe article. Can't wait, one more month.

Like how they gratuitously asked Kopecky some questions there at the end.

[Slave 31]

It doesn't really matter who (you) play with. In this group, everybody's a great player."

damn strait

[Shutemdown 23]

I thought this was funny:

As Hossa spoke with reporters, Kopecky walked over and held out his hand and jokingly introduced himself. Kopecky later joked that Hossa was a terrible houseguest because he will "leave the lights on during the night."

[Opie 308]

I know athletes say things all of the time and it is just canon fodder for the media, but I really believe this guy wants to stay here, comments like

Detroit won because the team stayed together and it's a strong hockey team, a strong organization

or

I look at it like I'm here for one year (and) during the year we'll see how the cap room is going to (be) and then talk to the GM and see if they like me to stay here or if I like to be here or if I'm a good fit in the group,'' Hossa said. "We don't know yet, but we'll see in the future.

Make me think he would like to stay long term.

I know I know but the Wings could lose Z or Mule, you know what if the Wings can fit Z and Hossa under the cap, I will remorsefully, yet with a big grin (because Hossa will be in a Winged Wheel long term), wave good bye to Mule.

Hossa >>>> Mule, if it comes down to the 2 of them Hossa wins every time. And that is not intended to be a slam on Mule at all, I have mad respect for what Mule does, but he is not Marian Hossa, and to tell you the truth very few players are!

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

I know I know but the Wings could lose Z or Mule, you know what if the Wings can fit Z and Hossa under the cap, I will remorsefully, yet with a big grin (because Hossa will be in a Winged Wheel long term), wave good bye to Mule.

Hossa >>>> Mule, if it comes down to the 2 of them Hossa wins every time. And that is not intended to be a slam on Mule at all, I have mad respect for what Mule does, but he is not Marian Hossa, and to tell you the truth very few players are!

I think that losing a forward that you have built since you drafted him is hard for an organization to do, especially when it's the Wings and he just smashed a bunch of Howe records.

If it came down to it, I think a defenseman with a big contract could be moved to make space (Rafalski). As great as he is, we have a BUNCH of defensemen in the system and we may be able to get a good defenseman back in the deal. But, you have to think that when Nick retires we may need to have Rafalski if no one else has stepped up to be the obvious #1.

[Shutemdown 23]

I'd still like to think that whenever these decisions need to be made, the team will try hard to retain all 3 players.

Just like Opie said, nothing against Mule at all, but Hossa wins the argument over who the better player is. It's just a given. I'd hate to wave g'bye to Franzen, but keeping Hossa would be clutch.

I'm hoping they'll figure out a way to keep them all.

The only way I can see that is if a couple things happen...

1.) Players retiring-- If the Wings have another great season, it may be on a good enough note for some players to consider retiring. Maltby just had twins, and is getting older. Chelios will once again face the "Should I retire yet?" bug.

2.) Salary cap raise-- IF, and I say that very sparingly... IF the cap rises yet again, it will allow the Wings more wiggle-room when it comes to re-signing their big guns. If the cap can increase a couple mil, it would be completely possible to retain them all while keeping the team (for the most part) intact.

3.) Players move-- Who knows what will happen when we finally get to this point where decisions have to be made, but if there's a legitimate chance at keeping all 3, the Wings might look to move a different player on the team. For instance, Ville Leino is in our system but is still unproven. Trading away our rights to a player like that might free up space to re-sign others. Also, as we're seeing a logjam on defense, moving a defenseman or two would free up much-needed room.

These are all just hypothetical. I only half know what I'm talking about when it comes to waivers and contracts, etc. So my reasoning could be way off.

Either way, I think there will be certain options available that MAY allow us to retain all 3.

And if we did... oh lord, watch out.

[Guest mindfly]

mule and z both sign for 3-4M$ salary cap increases and hossa can get 5-7M$ long-term... great

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I'd still like to think that whenever these decisions need to be made, the team will try hard to retain all 3 players.

Just like Opie said, nothing against Mule at all, but Hossa wins the argument over who the better player is. It's just a given. I'd hate to wave g'bye to Franzen, but keeping Hossa would be clutch.

I'm hoping they'll figure out a way to keep them all.

The only way I can see that is if a couple things happen...

1.) Players retiring-- If the Wings have another great season, it may be on a good enough note for some players to consider retiring. Maltby just had twins, and is getting older. Chelios will once again face the "Should I retire yet?" bug.

2.) Salary cap raise-- IF, and I say that very sparingly... IF the cap rises yet again, it will allow the Wings more wiggle-room when it comes to re-signing their big guns. If the cap can increase a couple mil, it would be completely possible to retain them all while keeping the team (for the most part) intact.

3.) Players move-- Who knows what will happen when we finally get to this point where decisions have to be made, but if there's a legitimate chance at keeping all 3, the Wings might look to move a different player on the team. For instance, Ville Leino is in our system but is still unproven. Trading away our rights to a player like that might free up space to re-sign others. Also, as we're seeing a logjam on defense, moving a defenseman or two would free up much-needed room.

These are all just hypothetical. I only half know what I'm talking about when it comes to waivers and contracts, etc. So my reasoning could be way off.

Either way, I think there will be certain options available that MAY allow us to retain all 3.

And if we did... oh lord, watch out.

Where you're off here (as you mentioned was a possibility) is with Leino. He won't help the Wings' cap situation. Players that would be moved to help keep the big 3 would be guys like Sammy, or like you said, a bottom pairing Dman that can be replaced with a minimum wager. Leino won't make won't make enough at the time to make much of any difference to the Wings' cap number.

[FinRedWing 172]

mule and z both sign for 3-4M$ salary cap increases and hossa can get 5-7M$ long-term... great

Get it done Kenny!

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

mule and z both sign for 3-4M$ salary cap increases and hossa can get 5-7M$ long-term... great

Mule absolutely, but no chance Z signs for even the max of what you just suggested (2009 salary: $2.9 million + $4 million increase = $6.9 million). At *best*, Z will be signing for around $7.25-$7.5 million.

[Shaman 713]

I can see Lebda and Sammy gone, a 5 million dollar salary cap increase and Z and Hossa taking discounts to stay with Detroit and we could have a great team for years to come and not lose any major parts.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

I think that losing a forward that you have built since you drafted him is hard for an organization to do, especially when it's the Wings and he just smashed a bunch of Howe records.

If it came down to it, I think a defenseman with a big contract could be moved to make space (Rafalski). As great as he is, we have a BUNCH of defensemen in the system and we may be able to get a good defenseman back in the deal. But, you have to think that when Nick retires we may need to have Rafalski if no one else has stepped up to be the obvious #1.

Rafalski has a NTC. I can't imagine he'd be too quick to waive it, nor would I expect the Wings Brass to ask him to. They honor those commitments.

[CrossoverThrash 0]

personally if hossa and z have to resign, z should get same as pav maybe 0.1 mil more for future captaincy, and have Hossa get slightly less because hes obviously not as good.

[b.shanafan14 733]

I think that losing a forward that you have built since you drafted him is hard for an organization to do, especially when it's the Wings and he just smashed a bunch of Howe records.

If it came down to it, I think a defenseman with a big contract could be moved to make space (Rafalski). As great as he is, we have a BUNCH of defensemen in the system and we may be able to get a good defenseman back in the deal. But, you have to think that when Nick retires we may need to have Rafalski if no one else has stepped up to be the obvious #1.

WHAT???!!! That doesn't make any sense, especailly when you look at the fact we have him for 4 more seasons at what is already a bargain price for an elite puck-moving defenseman. Kenny will get it done, in Kenny we trust... yikes...

[b.shanafan14 733]

personally if hossa and z have to resign, z should get same as pav maybe 0.1 mil more for future captaincy, and have Hossa get slightly less because hes obviously not as good.

In a perfect world, with no moron GMs throwing enormous amounts of money and term at players whose skillset is rare, thats exactly how it would work. I'd love for Hank to sign a mirror to Pav's contract, but that was two years ago by the time we get it worked out with Z and if Pav went unrestricted in todays crazy money pit, he would get Ovechkin money and term. We all want to say: Lidstrom is the best, no one makes more, None of our forwards are better than Datsyuk, money relative to his paycheck by skill. But sadly, it just doesn't work like that anymore...

[wingsgirl001 983]

Aaaahhhhh this is awesome!

Can't wait for the season to begin!

[GoalieManPat 1,007]

Im honestly hoping that Mule has a slow half season. If he puts up 30-35 goals this season then there is no way that the Wings can pay both him and Hossa. If he only puts in say 20 goals then it could be a lot more manageable. The Wings wont be hurting for offense unless they get a slew of injuries so that drop wouldnt hurt the team. Then the Wings can lock him up for say 3-4 years at a manageable price and he breaks out in the playoffs and the following season.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

personally if hossa and z have to resign, z should get same as pav maybe 0.1 mil more for future captaincy, and have Hossa get slightly less because hes obviously not as good.

I don't agree with that statement at all. In what regard is Hossa any less of a player than Pavel or Z?

[Shutemdown 23]

personally if hossa and z have to resign, z should get same as pav maybe 0.1 mil more for future captaincy, and have Hossa get slightly less because hes obviously not as good.

It's easy to say something like that, but it's obviously a biased opinion. Years and years ago, before there was any Pavel Datsyuk or Henrik Zetterberg's in the league, Marian Hossa was one of my favorite players. Still today, even if he were still on Pittsburgh, he'd rank in my top 5 all-time favorite players. (Being Slovakian, I always rooted for fellow Slovaks).

But saying he's obviously not as good as these two is taking it a little far... they're literally like Hossa-prototypes. If anything he's right on par, if not even better.

It's easy to say Pav and Hank are elite stars in the league, but they're still young and still coming into themselves, whereas Hossa has been an established superstar in the NHL for awhile now and boasts the stats to prove it.

In theory, disregarding the organization's loyalty to their homegrown talent, Hossa should command the same amount as Datsyuk and Zetterberg. It won't happen... but to say he doesn't deserve that much would be unfair.

[Guest mindfly]

Mule absolutely, but no chance Z signs for even the max of what you just suggested (2009 salary: $2.9 million + $4 million increase = $6.9 million). At *best*, Z will be signing for around $7.25-$7.5 million.

No I mean 4M$ Total, zettberg will do whats best for the team, if he must take 4million to keep hossa around he will do it, he's a wing for life and money is not important.

[Shaman 713]

if we can get hossa for 5 and Z for 6, drop sammy, drop lebda and lilja by july first next year, you may have a chance of keeping everyone whos important...

[Rice 42]

No I mean 4M$ Total, zettberg will do whats best for the team, if he must take 4million to keep hossa around he will do it, he's a wing for life and money is not important.

You're dreaming. Zetterberg's great and all but he's not going to take $4 million a year when he could get $8+ on the market.

[Doc Holiday 0]

You're dreaming. Zetterberg's great and all but he's not going to take $4 million a year when he could get $8+ on the market.

Yeah well I'm pretty sure 4 mil can buy you a decent house and enough money to keep you for 5 years. And considering the guy WANTS to be a franchise player I don't see how he wouldn't take a pay-cut.

[19Hockeytown5 0]

A paycut, yes, but not half of what he is worth. Imo he will sign for about what dats makes. I think he will buy into the "no one makes more than Lidstrom" because of how much respect he has shown towards him (calling him the best player for sweden ever, ect ect).