Z looking to stay here

[YoungGuns1340 1]

I will be very interested to see who re-signs first out of Mule and Z. If Z is being difficult, does KH move to lock up the Mule and work it from there? I don't see Hudler signing anything until after the season, unless he is super happy with his role and playing regular minutes on the 2nd line. I think he has to prove he can play those minutes and be responsible defensively before the org and palyer make a long-term commitment to each other. I think we all know Hossa will be waiting until after the season to decide what to do. Let's just hope the cap continues to rise at decent rate so that everyone can be retained.

Unless Franzen is really willing to give the Wings a gem of a deal thats gonna be great whether he proves to be a fluke or a force (and the likelihood of that happening might as well be nil), then he won't get signed before Hank. I wonder why you don't apply the same logic with Hudler to Franzen. Franzen is actually the lesser known of the two. Any player whos greatest productivity has come in the form of half of season at the age of 28 isn't a player you should jump into contract negotiations with before you see if he can continue at his pace.

[stormboy 47]

It's not that politicians are more corrupt or unseemly than you or I, it's just that no one cares enough to watch for us to screw up.

i'm going to go ahead and agree whole-heartedly with this statement. at the same time, i guess, they choose that spotlight, so they should be ready do live with the consequences (i.e., intense public scrutiny). but, as much as i love talking politics, this is a hockey forum......

Now, I personally want to keep this board from descending into the madness that was the 1000+ post Hossa hate-fest on the Pens board, so let's not get too excited about Hossa being here beyond June. Let's enjoy him for this season first.

i'll agree with this as well. it's hard for me to see lids+dats+z+franzen+stuart(?)+hossa ALL taking "home-town" ('cause let's be honest, it's ours, not theirs) discounts. the more that do, the happier a fan i'll be, and the better the wings will be. but when you're as good as those (or most of those) players, it's real, real hard not to take an extra few mil a year to change cities. i mean, even look at it in percentages. (raw figures don't really tell the story: obviously, if someone offered you two more million over your 30k a year job, it would be a no-brainer.) if hank has to take, say, 6.5 to keep the wings under the cap, and some other team is offering him 8. that's almost a 20% raise. that's, for an (upper) middle class working person, 10k a year off a 50k job. ******* hard to turn down. so much moreso when the percentages are amplified by large salaries. i'm rambling: you can't fault the players or the organization if all our star players can't stay here. it's simple economics and rational human self-interest.

He better get a no-trade clause into that one...

i honestly lol'd when i read that. if hank and his wife are signing a deal, who's the GM in that situation? god? get 'er done, jesus!

[chrisdetroit 189]

Good to know Z and I are on the same page. He's expressed his desire to remain a Red Wing before as well. It seems like all involved are working towards the same goal. I will be utterly shocked if he isn't re-signed here. That being said, I'd just be more comfortable if it was done sooner than later.

I was worried that Z would go out and do something that you didn't agree with and totaly screw up the deal.

[chrisdetroit 189]

Unless Franzen is really willing to give the Wings a gem of a deal thats gonna be great whether he proves to be a fluke or a force (and the likelihood of that happening might as well be nil), then he won't get signed before Hank. I wonder why you don't apply the same logic with Hudler to Franzen. Franzen is actually the lesser known of the two. Any player whos greatest productivity has come in the form of half of season at the age of 28 isn't a player you should jump into contract negotiations with before you see if he can continue at his pace.

True but you can't compare the two. Hudler didn't break Gordie Howe's record for the most game wininig goals in a month and then follow that up 2 months later with the record for the most goals in a playoff series (which happened to be only a 4 game series). We are not talking about a goal here or there.

How can you compare that with Hudler who has done nothing even remotely close to that.

[Booster313 138]

I think we can get Z done long term and he won't make more than Nik. Ideally I would like to see Z take 6.7 million a year like Datsyuk or maybe 7 million a year but long term. As for Franzen, If I had to sign him right now today I'd give him the same 3 million dollar deal that Flip got. If he plays another year and continues his dominance well then his value goes up and he might want 4.5-5ish, if that's the case you have to ask yourself do I want to sign Franzen to that contract or do I want to use that money to lock up Hossa for 7-7.45 a year. I think Kenny has made it clear no one on the Wings make more than Lidstrom.

[norrisnick 1]

True but you can't compare the two. Hudler didn't break Gordie Howe's record for the most game wininig goals in a month and then follow that up 2 months later with the record for the most goals in a playoff series (which happened to be only a 4 game series). We are not talking about a goal here or there.

How can you compare that with Hudler who has done nothing even remotely close to that.

And yet they both put up 56 points in the regular season and playoff combined. Strange...

[Dawgs 0]

And Hudler did it in less minutes on the third line.

[norrisnick 1]

And Hudler did it in less minutes on the third line.

If you go by Hudler's average TOI the difference in minutes that Franzen played this year would equate roughly 20 extra games.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I think one thing that may factor in for the timeline is that Z may give Kenny a chance to deal with Franzen and Marian (and Hudler!) to see what is possible to keep everyone. If they can all get together and find numbers that they are willing to live with and that fit under a cap, we're golden (silver).

I don't agree NN. Franzen, sure.....Hudler, maybe....but Hossa is in a totally different situation. Don't get me wrong, it would be great if your scenario worked out. It would be dream come true, but it already sounds as if Hossa will see what happens after the season concludes and I highly doubt Kenny waits that long to lock Z up. I'm sure there isn't too much concern of Z going elsewhere, but I just don't see he and Kenny waiting until that close to the deadline to get something done. The only way I can see your scenario working out is if the two of them (Kenny and Z) come to an agreement in principal before the playoffs which will include scenarios for each soon-to-be UFA and what that will mean for his salary. Still, the chances of figuring out something like that with the uncertainty of the cap and the lack of time is cutting it too close.

[norrisnick 1]

I don't agree NN. Franzen, sure.....Hudler, maybe....but Hossa is in a totally different situation. Don't get me wrong, it would be great if your scenario worked out. It would be dream come true, but it already sounds as if Hossa will see what happens after the season concludes and I highly doubt Kenny waits that long to lock Z up. I'm sure there isn't too much concern of Z going elsewhere, but I just don't see he and Kenny waiting until that close to the deadline to get something done. The only way I can see your scenario working out is if the two of them (Kenny and Z) come to an agreement in principal before the playoffs which will include scenarios for each soon-to-be UFA and what that will mean for his salary. Still, the chances of figuring out something like that with the uncertainty of the cap and the lack of time is cutting it too close.

I don't get that impression at all.

"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.''

During the year. Not after. And it most certainly isn't going to take long to figure out this is a match made in heaven. Marian can't go into serious talks until Jan 1st anyway so he's not worrying about it now. But come Jan 1 I can guarantee you both sides make this a high priority negotiation unless something completely crazy happens between now and then. And by then Kenny should have a handle on what Z is thinking and how Hudler and Franzen are progressing. If I were him I wouldn't sign anyone until I can actually talk numbers with all of them unless someone is willing to sign an absolute sweetheart deal early in the year.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I don't get that impression at all.

What impression do you get? From what I understand, Hossa is looking to have a great upcoming season and is really excited to be a part of the Wings. He's stated that he'll see how things go and how well he fits into the organization.

I'm not saying he's gonna want to leave (he may be a "lifer" given his attitude/commitment to winning and the decision he made this offseason), but I don't think it going to be an early deal either. I just don't see him re-signing with the Wings before the playoffs and if thats the case he won't sign until after they conclude given that Kenny rarely negotiates contracts during the postseason.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

During the year. Not after. And it most certainly isn't going to take long to figure out this is a match made in heaven. Marian can't go into serious talks until Jan 1st anyway so he's not worrying about it now. But come Jan 1 I can guarantee you both sides make this a high priority negotiation unless something completely crazy happens between now and then. And by then Kenny should have a handle on what Z is thinking and how Hudler and Franzen are progressing. If I were him I wouldn't sign anyone until I can actually talk numbers with all of them unless someone is willing to sign an absolute sweetheart deal early in the year.

You pretty much just answered my question here. Here's the thing, this all sounds great and I'd love to see it happen.....it just seems too great and too easy. Here's hoping I'm wrong.

[Doogs 0]

You pretty much just answered my question here. Here's the thing, this all sounds great and I'd love to see it happen.....it just seems too great and too easy. Here's hoping I'm wrong.

How does the signing of Z and Franzen effect your plans for Hossa. Or is that a one year thing?

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

How does the signing of Z and Franzen effect your plans for Hossa. Or is that a one year thing?

Immensely. What are you asking?

How does the signing of Z and Franzen effect your plans for Hossa. Or is that a one year thing?

I'm hoping not, but who knows. If anyone can make it work, its Kenny.

[Doogs 0]

Immensely. What are you asking?

I'm hoping not, but who knows. If anyone can make it work, its Kenny.

Just curious what the over all feel for the Hossa signing is. Besides the excitement for the season, what is the toughts of potential for the future of Hossa?

Not gonna lie, Pens fan here. I respect the hell out of you all and your team. Went to Game 1, had a great time, thanks by the way. I was a fan of Hossa BEFORE he came to the Pens, felt betrayed when he left. Like him in the Wing jersey, prefer him in a Pens jersey.

So just kind of asking...

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Just curious what the over all feel for the Hossa signing is. Besides the excitement for the season, what is the toughts of potential for the future of Hossa?

Not gonna lie, Pens fan here. I respect the hell out of you all and your team. Went to Game 1, had a great time, thanks by the way. I was a fan of Hossa BEFORE he came to the Pens, felt betrayed when he left. Like him in the Wing jersey, prefer him in a Pens jersey.

So just kind of asking...

Why do you feel betrayed?

[norrisnick 1]

I, for one, would do nearly anything in my power to keep Hossa.

[norrisnick 1]

Why do you feel betrayed?

Because a guy that never signed a contract with Pittsburgh believes Detroit is the better team.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Because a guy that never signed a contract with Pittsburgh believes Detroit is the better team.

That was the point I was getting at NN. Hossa owed Pittsburgh nothing and a solid portion of their fans felt he owed them the world and then some.

[A.T.Hun 0]

If Kenny can manage to shoehorn Z, Mule, and Hossa under the cap to new contracts beyond this year he will be deserving of the "Bestest GM Evar" award. Can't see it happening, but I didn't see Hossa signing with the Wings for this year either.

[Doogs 0]

That was the point I was getting at NN. Hossa owed Pittsburgh nothing and a solid portion of their fans felt he owed them the world and then some.

This is why sites get bad wraps. Same happens at Lets Go Pens. I come here a respectful fan of the game, the Wings, and the hospitality of the fans I met in Detroit for Game 1. I asked a legit question in regards to one of my favorite players, that signed with probably my 2nd favorite team (all thanks for that goes to Stevie Y.) and his future there.

Made a comment that I felt betrayed, probably should have added that the reason was the Pre-July first rhetoric about taking less to stay, and the fact we gave up quite a bit of depth/ cahracter guys to get him.

And this whole arguement crops back up. I don't believe Mario Lemieux owes Pittsburgh anything, why would I think Hossa owes us anything. I was asking a question.

[Rick 42]

This is why sites get bad wraps. Same happens at Lets Go Pens. I come here a respectful fan of the game, the Wings, and the hospitality of the fans I met in Detroit for Game 1. I asked a legit question in regards to one of my favorite players, that signed with probably my 2nd favorite team (all thanks for that goes to Stevie Y.) and his future there.

Made a comment that I felt betrayed, probably should have added that the reason was the Pre-July first rhetoric about taking less to stay, and the fact we gave up quite a bit of depth/ cahracter guys to get him.

And this whole arguement crops back up. I don't believe Mario Lemieux owes Pittsburgh anything, why would I think Hossa owes us anything. I was asking a question.

Like, betrayed that he didn't take less to stay with who some people consider the two best players in game?

I hear where you're coming from. Pittsburgh did give up some players for him. I figured he would have resigned there. From my perspective Pittsburgh deserved to lose in the finals and to lose Hossa. Pittsburghs former attorney general is responisble for the entrapment and inprisionment of Tommy Chong.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

This is why sites get bad wraps. Same happens at Lets Go Pens. I come here a respectful fan of the game, the Wings, and the hospitality of the fans I met in Detroit for Game 1. I asked a legit question in regards to one of my favorite players, that signed with probably my 2nd favorite team (all thanks for that goes to Stevie Y.) and his future there.

Made a comment that I felt betrayed, probably should have added that the reason was the Pre-July first rhetoric about taking less to stay, and the fact we gave up quite a bit of depth/ cahracter guys to get him.

And this whole arguement crops back up. I don't believe Mario Lemieux owes Pittsburgh anything, why would I think Hossa owes us anything. I was asking a question.

You probably should've added the bolded comment to clear up your stance. I wasn't getting on your case specifically one bit, rather the fans of Pittsburgh that are simply mad because he left town. As for giving up a ton to get Hossa, that isn't a valid reason for any player to re-sign with the team that traded for them. Hossa had nothing to do with those negotiations, nor was his re-signing with the Pens part of the deal. He simply went where Atlanta got the most for him, but that doesn't in anyway obligate him to re-sign.

I'm glad you understand that Hossa owes Pittsburgh nothing (even though I'm not 100% sure you do with your "how much PIT gave up" comment), but that seems to be the consensus amongst a good amount of Pens fans. I simply asked why you felt betrayed......I never once stated that you yourself felt he owed the Penguins anything.

[Doogs 0]

Like, betrayed that he didn't take less to stay with who some people consider the two best players in game?

I hear where you're coming from. Pittsburgh did give up some players for him. I figured he would have resigned there. From my perspective Pittsburgh deserved to lose in the finals and to lose Hossa. Pittsburghs former attorney general is responisble for the entrapment and inprisionment of Tommy Chong.

No betrayed for the reasons I gave. He spoke a good game right up to the end about liking it here, playing with Sid and Geno. I think Winter is shady. Rumor has it he said if the Pens upped their offer, Hossa would have signed the next minute. We did, he didn't. Plus the guys we gave up. And then the topper in a recent article I read he said one of the reasons he left was because Detroit was keeeping their team together, and one of the reason we had to let Malone and other go was because we were trying to free up room to fit him in!!! AAARRGGGHHH!!!!

Believe me there were many folks, including me, that were pissed that Mr. Chong was even delayed for a second here in our city. That is a terrible stigma to carry.

[Rick 42]

No betrayed for the reasons I gave. He spoke a good game right up to the end about liking it here, playing with Sid and Geno. I think Winter is shady. Rumor has it he said if the Pens upped their offer, Hossa would have signed the next minute. We did, he didn't. Plus the guys we gave up. And then the topper in a recent article I read he said one of the reasons he left was because Detroit was keeeping their team together, and one of the reason we had to let Malone and other go was because we were trying to free up room to fit him in!!! AAARRGGGHHH!!!!

Believe me there were many folks, including me, that were pissed that Mr. Chong was even delayed for a second here in our city. That is a terrible stigma to carry.

I recently watched the aka tommy chong documentary so I'm just sort of fired up about it for no apparent reason. Didn't really mean to take a shot a ya over that.

I don't have much to base this on, but I don't think people like playing for Therrian.