Looking ahead... and the re-signing of Hossa

[This Is Bida 0]

Yes, I am jumping the gun! For all we know Hossa might not gel with this team and might just not be the right piece to the puzzle. I know this can happen. On the other hand he could be absolutely GREAT for the Wings organization too. So lets just stick with the hopes that he plays wonderfully here is Detroit, loves the team and the organization and wants to stay...

Now the reason I made this topic was because I've seen an interview they did with Babcock about the signing of Hossa (they've showed it a few times on FSN) and in this interview Babs says something along the lines of "Give Holland 6 months to see where you fit in (speaking of Hossa) salary-wise. So far we've never lost a player we wanted to keep, and I don't see him (Hossa) going anywhere either."

So, I'm just more asking this question to you number-crunchers out there.

I'm not asking for a debate of what Z might/should make next year.

I'm not asking for a debate of what Franzen might/should make next year.

I'm more asking that if we sign Z for basically the exact same number as Lidstrom, and kept the other core guys in place, what's the most that we could offer Hossa to keep him around? You can come up with some kind of number for Franzen cause I'm not too sure what numbers he should be getting next year if he has a good season.

Anyone wanna help me out? Thanks in advance.

*Just to clarify...

I'm a Hossa fanboy (if you will). I love the idea that he took less money to come here. To me, it shows he's a true athlete who will do whatever it takes to win the Cup. I'm not saying he is Stevie Y, but it reminds me of that winning dedication that Stevie had. Now, to ME, I don't see this as a "one year window" for Hossa to win the Cup. I truthfully believe he came here knowing that they very well might not win it this year, but knowing that they have the best chance of any team to win the Cup in the next FEW years. Quote it if you want, but I have a feeling that Hossa might take another huge paycut at the end of the year (if the Wings don't win it) to stay with the organization in hopes they'll win it within the next couple of years. Soooo, because of this, I'm very curious what the max amount we could spend on him without getting rid of any of our key guys.

(oh, and also, other than Z and the Mule, who's contracts are up after this year that could help with the resigning of Hossa? Hudler, Samuelsson? The type of players that you'd rather have Hossa for)

Again, sorry to jump ahead, I'm still very much excited for this season and more excited to see what Hossa is capable of.

Here's to an amazing Wings season and a career year for Hossa (hopefully)

[DatsyukownzU13 1]

The question is... How long does the Lidstrom salary is the boss thing hang around? What if Z gets offered big money somewhere else (i.e. the 10 million for Sundin in Vancouver)?

My guesses:

Franzen - at least 3.5

Zetterberg - 7.45

If you want to keep Hossa, then Sammy and Hudler are more than likely gone.

[Superman54 91]

The way I look at it is, we keep Franzen, Sammy and Hudler, or we keep Hossa and lose the other 3. Zetterberg is an automatic. Now I'm not saying that if we keep Franzen and let Hossa go that we will ensure Sammy and Huds a spot, just that if its indeed Hossa, we can defaintly say goodbye to the others.

[Reds4Life 51]

Depends on the cap limit. If it goes up by 5 million or so we might keep Hossa, Zetterberg and Mule.

Hudler and Samuelsson could be easily replaced by Leino and Helm.

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

There's a decent chunk of cash that is about to be let off by the team. I think were in for another trade before the season really gets rolling. I think trading (if possible) Ty near the trade deadline is a good financial move (pending Jimmy/others do well this season as primary goaltenders in AHL).

2009 UFA's: Hossa, Z, Franzen, Sammy, Kopecky, McCarty, Cheli, Conklin

2009 RFA's: Hudler?

My thought is that those in bold will be moving on before next years start or in early season.

[T.Low 1,011]

Depends on the cap limit. If it goes up by 5 million or so we might keep Hossa, Zetterberg and Mule.

Hudler and Samuelsson could be easily replaced by Leino and Helm.

[Guest mindfly]

get rid of sammy and hudler! =) and the other guys take big paycuts = deal!

[CenterIce 83]

I have seen a few things, recently, that this offseason the cap may go down, which would make it interesting to see how teams handle that.

[BeeRYCE 2]

Replacing Sammy and Huds for Leino and Helm would be the best thing. That way we could at least *comfortably* afford 2 of the big 3 UFAs.

[VM1138 1,921]

The question is... How long does the Lidstrom salary is the boss thing hang around? What if Z gets offered big money somewhere else (i.e. the 10 million for Sundin in Vancouver)?

My guesses:

Franzen - at least 3.5

Zetterberg - 7.45

If you want to keep Hossa, then Sammy and Hudler are more than likely gone.

Sammy can leave. HOssa does everything Sammy does, but better and more consistently. Hudler would be a loss, but he could always sign for dirt cheap.

[up2here 41]

I have seen a few things, recently, that this offseason the cap may go down, which would make it interesting to see how teams handle that.

Everything I've seen is saying it will go up again. Early season ticket sales are up including huge gains in Edmonton and Chicago.

[Stu in Israel 0]

A large part of whether Hossa is re-signed, other than his productivity, is what will be the amount of the salary cap.

However, here's another name to think about: Brian Rafalski. Rafalski's 6 mill. salary is presently exceeded by only three players: Lidstrom, Hossa, and Datsyuk. How good could Jonathan Ericksson be, assuming that he'd be the next defenseman called up? Would it be worthwhile to jettison Rafalski's salary and bring up Ericksson in order to keep Hossa? Rafalski is signed until 2012, so he'd have to be traded.

There's an entire hockey season to think about this one.

[egroen 384]

Rafalski has a no-trade clause.

The only way it is possible to hold on to Zetterberg + Hossa + Franzen is if we see another significant cap raise. It has been going up approximately 10% a year and another $5.6 million would go a long ways in keeping those three.

*If* Hossa works, you have to accept letting Hudler + Samuelsson go. You then have to look at your trading options with Cleary and Filppula, who both make a chunk of change, but whose salaries would still be very attractive to other teams. That is only if Hossa is clearly worth it.

[Doc Holiday 0]

What is Hud's cap hit?

I want to think there is some way we can keep him on the roster. I always hate having to part ways with intergral parts of the team.

[egroen 384]

Hudler is currently at $1m -- which is a great deal, but it all depends on what he asks for, as he could get offers close to $3m from other teams. He is not worth that to the Red Wings, especially if he can not crack the 2nd line.

Edited October 16, 2008 by egroen

[Doc Holiday 0]

Hudler is currently at $1m -- which is a great deal, but it all depends on what he asks for, as he could get offers close to $3m from other teams. He is not worth that to the Red Wings, especially if he can not crack the 2nd line.

Just get him drunk during negotiations and he will be perfectly happy with 1 mil.

[Shutemdown 23]

Just get him drunk during negotiations and he will be perfectly happy with 1 mil.

lawlz

[Slave 31]

if lids leaves after next season when his contract is up that clears a s*** load of $$$ too. with cap hits not being = to yearly wage would there be anyways to pay hossa or Z something like 5 mil next year, 10 mil and 10 mil the next 2 years or would the cap hit still be something like 8.25 next year?

[CenterIce 83]

if lids leaves after next season when his contract is up that clears a s*** load of $$$ too. with cap hits not being = to yearly wage would there be anyways to pay hossa or Z something like 5 mil next year, 10 mil and 10 mil the next 2 years or would the cap hit still be something like 8.25 next year?

Cap numbers are based on yearly average salaries.

[South Dakota wings fan 7]

Sammy can leave. HOssa does everything Sammy does, but better and more consistently. Hudler would be a loss, but he could always sign for dirt cheap.

I think Cheli may still be back as an insurance policy next year depending on what happens this season. I also think we could see Hudler traded this season and replaced by Leino (depending on how he plays in GR). I think Sammy will be gone via UFA unless he comes for less than a million next season.

I think the cap potentially going down could be a huge factor in this equation.

I have a major sentimental attachment to the Mule, but we must remember Hossa is probably better and they are the same age. I think this debate is almost like Kyle Busch v. Dale Jr. for those of you who pay any attention to NASCAR. Hendrick motorsports went after Dale Jr. who was a bigger name and more marketable and gave up Kyle Busch who was an up and coming star. Busch could very well be the better driver, but Hendrick went with the superstar. Very similar situation.

Edited October 16, 2008 by South Dakota wings fan

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Just get him drunk during negotiations and he will be perfectly happy with 1 mil.

But that might mean he has his agent contact the Leafs

[YoungGuns1340 1]

If the 1) the cap goes up to around 59-60M and 2) Hank, Hossa, and Franzen are all re-signed to reasonable long-term deals, then not only will Sammy and Hudler be the victims at forward, but I don't see any reason why the Wings shouldn't turn around and package up Hudler AND Filppula for something different.

If the Wings re-sign both Hossa and Franzen, then realistically Babcock is going to stick to the lines that he has going now, at least in the sense that Zetterberg and Datsyuk will be split up as there are plenty of viable wingers to go around in Franzen, Hossa, and Homer. So then there are two options for Filppula - to play wing on one of the top 2 lines which he isn't suited for, or he can play 3rd line center, which he is suited for, but is costly at 3M on a team that, as of next season, will have capable centers in Helm, Draper, Franzen, Datsyuk, and Zetterberg, all of whom are good or great defensively.

When you consider that Hudler and Filppula are

1) both ill-suited for the Wings when you consider the Wings depth at each players respective position

2) nothing that the Wings don't have plenty of

3) likely going to cost the Wings a combined 5M

then it makes sense for the Wings to try and trade them for a player that makes around or less than 4M and provides the Wings with something they'll need either now or in the near future. With Franzen, Hossa, Cleary, and Homer likely to be around for the next 4-5 years at wing (under this scenario), and with Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Helm, Draper, and Franzen/Cleary being versatile in the shift from wing to center while still being good offensive threats while providing grit as well, it doesnt leave much room for the growth of Filppula and Hudler.

[This Is Bida 0]

If the 1) the cap goes up to around 59-60M and 2) Hank, Hossa, and Franzen are all re-signed to reasonable long-term deals, then not only will Sammy and Hudler be the victims at forward, but I don't see any reason why the Wings shouldn't turn around and package up Hudler AND Filppula for something different.

If the Wings re-sign both Hossa and Franzen, then realistically Babcock is going to stick to the lines that he has going now, at least in the sense that Zetterberg and Datsyuk will be split up as there are plenty of viable wingers to go around in Franzen, Hossa, and Homer. So then there are two options for Filppula - to play wing on one of the top 2 lines which he isn't suited for, or he can play 3rd line center, which he is suited for, but is costly at 3M on a team that, as of next season, will have capable centers in Helm, Draper, Franzen, Datsyuk, and Zetterberg, all of whom are good or great defensively.

When you consider that Hudler and Filppula are

1) both ill-suited for the Wings when you consider the Wings depth at each players respective position

2) nothing that the Wings don't have plenty of

3) likely going to cost the Wings a combined 5M

then it makes sense for the Wings to try and trade them for a player that makes around or less than 4M and provides the Wings with something they'll need either now or in the near future. With Franzen, Hossa, Cleary, and Homer likely to be around for the next 4-5 years at wing (under this scenario), and with Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Helm, Draper, and Franzen/Cleary being versatile in the shift from wing to center while still being good offensive threats while providing grit as well, it doesnt leave much room for the growth of Filppula and Hudler.

See, I personally would be happy to give up Huds, Sammy and Flip for Hossa (resulting in more playing time/a roster spot for Helm and Leino).

Welp... Make it happy Kenny!

[Reilly 24]

Well, if Hossa continues to go goal-less, I'm sure he could be brought back for relatively cheap.

[bkeck 0]

If Hudler isn't going to be on one of the top two lines this year, I could definitely see him being traded sometime during the season. I think the energy and speed that Helm could bring to one of those bottom two lines is needed more than the scoring that Happy could bring. Even Leino in that spot, I mean the way he was going to the net and pushing the play in the preseason really impressed me, and I think would really go well paired with Filpula. I think we're going to need that aggresiveness and drive this year from those 3rd and 4th liners to really push the energy of the team. Plus we could save some cash, yo.