Hossa can't believe his good fortune

[Namingway 146]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=391635

Here's a good read, enjoy

[The Mule 0]

Good read. Hossa seems like a class act.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

This is going to be one of the most interesting off-seasons we've seen in years. Even though Hossa supposedly isn't thinking ahead, or of anything other than the games right now, he sure seems to be buying into the Wings' system. Who knows what will happen around mid June.

[HOCKEY MATTERS 167]

Lucky Wings. Lucky Hossa. Lucky us. We are very fortunate fans. How can any of us ever ***** about anything? boggles. it. just. boggles.

[Jwo 7]

Hossa seems to be a good character from all the articles Ive read with him being interviewed in them.

[pjgj13 30]

If he keeps up his pace as he has been doing he might be a leading Hart Trophy candidate.

[The Secret 304]

I can't believe our good fortune having Hoss on our team. The more I watch this guy the more I like him. In my opinion he has been by far the best player on our team. He fits in like he's been there forever and he is still gaining speed. Would be nice if we could keep him but if not at least it will be nice if we could benefit from him and win another Cup.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

If he keeps up his pace as he has been doing he might be a leading Hart Trophy candidate.

Not in a million years. You don't win Hart trophies playing with the likes of Zetterberg, Datsyuk, and Lidstrom on your squad.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Not in a million years. You don't win Hart trophies playing with the likes of Zetterberg, Datsyuk, and Lidstrom on your squad.

Maybe they ought to split it into 4 pieces and give one to each

[dallas27 7]

I can't believe our good fortune having Hoss on our team. The more I watch this guy the more I like him. In my opinion he has been by far the best player on our team. He fits in like he's been there forever and he is still gaining speed. Would be nice if we could keep him but if not at least it will be nice if we could benefit from him and win another Cup.

He's the best player on any team. He's shown us time in and time out that he can simply take over a game whenever he wants to. And the biggest asset of his game: He is the hardest backchecker on the team.

Hossa has been my favorite player for years and years but the more I think about it I believe Holland is more committed to keeping what the "core" was before Hossa came here together even though you can tell as time goes on that Hossa is eating the team first mentality up. It's stupid because I'm taking Hossa over Mule and dumping Flip, Hudler, etc. to keep him. Hossa is 29, he's still going to continue playing his best hockey for 4-5 more years. I just don't think Holland is willing to dump three or four people to keep someone. Loyalty is a damn good thing, but I think it's going to be getting in the way this time around.

[Opie 308]

He can't believe it, neither can I.

OMG we got HOSSA!!!

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

He's the best player on any team. He's shown us time in and time out that he can simply take over a game whenever he wants to. And the biggest asset of his game: He is the hardest backchecker on the team.

Hossa has been my favorite player for years and years but the more I think about it I believe Holland is more committed to keeping what the "core" was before Hossa came here together even though you can tell as time goes on that Hossa is eating the team first mentality up. It's stupid because I'm taking Hossa over Mule and dumping Flip, Hudler, etc. to keep him. Hossa is 29, he's still going to continue playing his best hockey for 4-5 more years. I just don't think Holland is willing to dump three or four people to keep someone. Loyalty is a damn good thing, but I think it's going to be getting in the way this time around.

No doubt Hossa is a world class talent that the likes of Franzen, Filppula, Hudler etc. will never be able match. *However*, while keeping a guy like Hossa would be incredible, I don't feel Kenny's loyalty is getting in the way if Hossa happens to part after this season. Of course Hossa can take over a game, but guys like Zetterberg and Datsyuk have shown they can do the same at times. This teams strongest asset isn't Marian Hossa, its the machine that the unit is. Subtracting a piece here and there to make a difficult decision isn't the worst thing (and its something Kenny has done and will do), *but* losing too many pieces to keep one player can be just as (if not more so) costly. We all know what happens to a team with too much salary on the top 3-4 guys...the rest of the team suffers. Not to mention Kenny and Co. would be banking on his health throughout the entire length of the contract. Lose a couple high end guys to injury and your team all of a sudden looks extremely thin. The bottom line is, the sum is always greater than the parts.

That being said, don't get me wrong....I'd love to keep Hossa especially the way he's played not only this season but the way he has his entire career. I'll be thrilled if Kenny can hang on to him for the right price and without sacrificing a good chunk of our depth, but I'm not going to claim Kenny's loyalty is getting in the way if Hossa can't be retained.

[dallas27 7]

No doubt Hossa is a world class talent that the likes of Franzen, Filppula, Hudler etc. will never be able match. *However*, while keeping a guy like Hossa would be incredible, I don't feel Kenny's loyalty is getting in the way if Hossa happens to part after this season. Of course Hossa can take over a game, but guys like Zetterberg and Datsyuk have shown they can do the same at times. This teams strongest asset isn't Marian Hossa, its the machine that the unit is. Subtracting a piece here and there to make a difficult decision isn't the worst thing (and its something Kenny has done and will do), *but* losing too many pieces to keep one player can be just as (if not more so) costly. We all know what happens to a team with too much salary on the top 3-4 guys...the rest of the team suffers. Not to mention Kenny and Co. would be banking on his health throughout the entire length of the contract. Lose a couple high end guys and you're team all of a sudden looks extremely thin.

Bottom line, the sum is always greater than the parts.

Lastly, don't get me wrong....I'd love to keep Hossa especially the way he's played not only this season but the way he has his entire career. I'll be thrilled if Kenny can hang on to him for the right price and without sacrificing a good chunk of our depth, but I'm not going to claim Kenny's loyalty is getting in the way if Hossa can't be retained.

I think Flip and Hudler are really good hockey players, they wouldn't be on the team if they weren't, but you aren't losing much by dumping Flip and Hudler's salary for a draft pick when you have guys like Leino, Abdelkader and Helm waiting in the GRap. Losing Mule would be a tough pill to swallow until you realize who you get in return; someone who is going to be a perennial 100 point guy every season playing in the Wings system and who is just as good in his own end.

And the Red Wings will never be extremely thin, I think we all know how well they draft.

[Zion 93]

Nice read!

Lucky Wings. Lucky Hossa. Lucky us. We are very fortunate fans. How can any of us ever ***** about anything? boggles. it. just. boggles.

Don't worry, good sir. We here at LGW will always find our Lazy-Boy Lang, our Logo Hunters... our favorite goats to ***** about.

Never forget: We never have an enforcer. We're too small. Maltby should always be benched.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I think Flip and Hudler are really good hockey players, they wouldn't be on the team if they weren't, but you aren't losing much by dumping Flip and Hudler's salary for a draft pick when you have guys like Leino, Abdelkader and Helm waiting in the GRap. Losing Mule would be a tough pill to swallow until you realize who you get in return; someone who is going to be a perennial 100 point guy every season playing in the Wings system and who is just as good in his own end.

And the Red Wings will never be extremely thin, I think we all know how well they draft.

I'm not sure if you forgot what I posted in my initial reply to you or just didn't touch on it, but my point about injuries was unaddressed by you. Regardess of Hossa's all-world skills, if the injury bug hits him and a guy like Dats or Z's back flares up for an extended period of time, you're talking quite a thin lineup without the players that would have to moved in order to keep Hossa. Not to mention the fact that bumps and bruises sideline guys during a long regular season and this team isn't immune to injury. Last February proved that.

Also, to say that the Wings aren't losing much by dumping guys like Flip and Hudler because we have Leino, Abdelkader and Helm waiting in GR isn't accurate. First and foremost, you're missing a huge asset to any team....experience. Not only experience but playoff and Stanley Cup final experience. You can't buy stuff like that, and whether you feel so or not it's extremely important to a team, especially one with perennial Cup expectations like the Wings.

I think Flip and Hudler are really good hockey players, they wouldn't be on the team if they weren't, but you aren't losing much by dumping Flip and Hudler's salary for a draft pick when you have guys like Leino, Abdelkader and Helm waiting in the GRap. Losing Mule would be a tough pill to swallow until you realize who you get in return; someone who is going to be a perennial 100 point guy every season playing in the Wings system and who is just as good in his own end.

And the Red Wings will never be extremely thin, I think we all know how well they draft.

This is absolutely no knock on Hossa whatsoever but you need to stop referring to him as a perennial 100-point guy, because he's not. No doubt he has the potential every year to near that mark, but only once in his career has Hossa hit triple digits for points and that was a 100 point campaign exactly. Throwing out his off/injured season last year where he only managed 66 points, in his past 4 years his average total has been 88.5 points per season.

I'm not trying to be nitpicky, but 12 points is a decent sized difference from what you continue to call Hossa, which is a perennial 100 point scorer.

[dallas27 7]

I'm not sure if you forgot what I posted in my initial reply to you or just didn't touch on it, but my point about injuries was unaddressed by you. Regardess of Hossa's all-world skills, if the injury bug hits him and a guy like Dats or Z's back flares up for an extended period of time, you're talking quite a thin lineup without the players that would have to moved in order to keep Hossa. Not to mention the fact that bumps and bruises sideline guys during a long regular season and this team isn't immune to injury. Last February proved that.

Trying to say Hossa isn't worth it because the "injury bug" that can hit anyone at any time is ridiculous. Hossa is damn near close to averaging 80 games a year, at 78, which smashes your "injury bug" argument. No further explanation needed.

Also, to say that the Wings aren't losing much by dumping guys like Flip and Hudler because we have Leino, Abdelkader and Helm waiting in GR isn't accurate. First and foremost, you're missing a huge asset to any team....experience. Not only experience but playoff and Stanley Cup final experience. You can't buy stuff like that, and whether you feel so or not it's extremely important to a team, especially one with perennial Cup expectations like the Wings.

Heeeeerrrrrreeeeee we go, experience. I assume you also want Howard to rot in the GRap as well? The only way you get experience...iiiisssssssssssss???!?!?!?!!?!?!?!? Iiiissssssss??!?!?! Oh, they gotta play. They won't get experience rotting in GRap like Howard has done. *edit* And if there ever was a perfect time for them to get experience it would be with guys like Lidstrom, Datysuk, Hossa and Hank who can carry most of the workload.

This is absolutely no knock on Hossa whatsoever but you need to stop referring to him as a perennial 100-point guy, because he's not. No doubt he has the potential every year to near that mark, but only once in his career has Hossa hit triple digits for points and that was a 100 point campaign exactly. Throwing out his off/injured season last year where he only managed 66 points, in his past 4 years his average total has been 88.5 points per season.

I'm not trying to be nitpicky, but 12 points is a decent sized difference from what you continue to call Hossa, which is a perennial 100 point scorer.

I made no mention to how he was a perennial 100 point scorer. I DID, however, say in the Wings system he would be a perennial 100 point scorer. He's never had Pavel Datysuk dishing the puck to him. You need to stop treating guys like Flip and Hudler like they are freaking all-stars. They are disposable if that means keeping Marian Hossa. I'm sure at the trade deadline you were in the we can't get rid of Flip for Hossa because Flip is way too valuable to the team. But I'm done trying to convince you Hossa > Hudler and Flip. Even though, I'd guess, anyone not on this site would pick 10 times out of 10.

Edited November 11, 2008 by dallas27

[FinRedWing 172]

I'd be all for trading Filppula if Hossa re-signs.

The reason? We've got Leino now as well.

Now we don't have to argue about this anymore,Dallas27.

:beerbuddy:

[Guest MrSandMan]

Sadly, Hossa will only be with us this year. Detroit isn't going to be able to afford his salary.

[Packer487 3]

I'm with Dallas. Hossa is amazing and he needs to be locked up long-term. I love The Mule, but I really don't care if we have to let him go to keep Hossa. There's no guarantee that Franzen is going to keep doing what he was doing in the playoffs (though I suspect we'll have a better idea by the end of the year) and he's had some injury problems. And honestly, what's his ceiling? 30-35 goals/50-55 points? Nothing to sneeze at, but also probably not worth the money he's going to command.

As long as they can convince Hossa to buy into the "You're not making more than Lidstrom" thing, we'd be paying like...$3 million extra to upgrade from Franzen to Hossa. You're talking a 50ish point player to a 80/90/100 point player who is a top-notch defensive forward as well. It would be worth whatever they have to do in order to keep him, IMO.

Also keep in mind that Hossa is almost the same age as Franzen (he's like 10 months older). It's easy to forget that since Hossa has been in the league for over a decade and Franzen has only been around like 4 years. To me it's a no brainer...I know that would be a lot of high-priced talent on one team, but Franzen isn't exactly going to go for peanuts either....Holland can find the money.

We need to sign him so I can get his damn jersey already....he's quickly become my new favorite player.

Edited November 12, 2008 by Packer487

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Trying to say Hossa isn't worth it because the "injury bug" that can hit anyone at any time is ridiculous. Hossa is damn near close to averaging 80 games a year, at 78, which smashes your "injury bug" argument. No further explanation needed.

You really need to stop being so quick to hit the reply button because my comment about the injury bug is more than valid. You not thinking in terms of the entire team...you're thinking in terms of Hossa. Yes, before last season Hossa has been healthy as an ox over the course of his career, but I'm not just talking Hossa...I'm talking about the *entire* Red Wings team. Say your boy is healthy the rest of his career and doesn't miss a game. What happens if Z's back flares up and Datsyuk breaks an ankle. All of a sudden with all those players that *you* said this team could be without would've been invaluable.

Heeeeerrrrrreeeeee we go, experience. I assume you also want Howard to rot in the GRap as well? The only way you get experience...iiiisssssssssssss???!?!?!?!!?!?!?!? Iiiissssssss??!?!?! Oh, they gotta play. They won't get experience rotting in GRap like Howard has done. *edit* And if there ever was a perfect time for them to get experience it would be with guys like Lidstrom, Datysuk, Hossa and Hank who can carry most of the workload.

Where do you come up with these insinuations? Never once did I say I want Howard to rot in GR...I want Howard to *earn* a spot. As for guys gaining experience, aside from Lidstrom its not as if any kid in GR won't have plenty of time to gain experience with everyone on that list aside from Lidstrom. Again, you're perfect world of keeping Hossa fails to address *team* injury woes.

Furthermore, grow up....you sound like a child with the first part of this paragraph.

I made no mention to how he was a perennial 100 point scorer. I DID, however, say in the Wings system he would be a perennial 100 point scorer. He's never had Pavel Datysuk dishing the puck to him. You need to stop treating guys like Flip and Hudler like they are freaking all-stars. They are disposable if that means keeping Marian Hossa. I'm sure at the trade deadline you were in the we can't get rid of Flip for Hossa because Flip is way too valuable to the team. But I'm done trying to convince you Hossa > Hudler and Flip. Even though, I'd guess, anyone not on this site would pick 10 times out of 10.

:rotflmao:

When have I ever treated guys like Flip and Hudler like they are "freaking all-stars". Dallas, you've been around this site a long time, and you of all people should know I've never done anything close to that. Flip and Hudler are disposable, but its not just them...its Franzen as well, which you failed to mention again. Those are 2 solid players with the third having the potential to truly break out and be a big up-front power forward. Again, Hossa is > Hudler and Flip...but its not just them, its Franzen as well and depth starting to be reduced to go with it.

As for the trade deadline, I absolutely would've pulled the Hossa for Filppula trigger given where the Wings were and the opportunity they had heading into the postseason. However, that doesn't change the fact that it isn't smart hockey GM'ing to dump a ton of *solid* depth (not garbage depth) to grab what could of been a rental. Hindsight shows Kenny once again made the right move, which is why he's the best GM in hockey.

But you go ahead and continue to blow sun up Hossa's ass and talk about how he's all the Red Wings could ever need. I'll tell you what, I'll take a balanced team over Hossa and a bunch scrubs any day.