Franzen or Hossa?

[DraperFan MN 0]

During the second intermission of the game versus the Hawks, Holland just said "I think we can keep two of them comfortably..." when speaking of Zetterberg, Hossa, and Franzen.

With Zetterberg being signed a foregone conclusion, the let debate begin. Hossa or Franzen?

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Franzen and Hudler vs Hossa seems more accurate. In which case the former seems to be the wisest option.

[Hiei 192]

I WANT FRANZ.

Besides, you just can't replace THE MULE like that, can you?!?!? Look me in the eye, Mr. I. CAN YOU!?!?!?!?

Mr I's response: AAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!

[Konnan511 1,736]

Franzen and Hudler and Sammy vs Hossa seems more accurate. In which case the former seems to be the wisest option.

Fixed...I think

[DraperFan MN 0]

I WANT FRANZ.

Besides, you just can't replace THE MULE like that, can you?!?!? Look me in the eye, Mr. I. CAN YOU!?!?!?!?

Mr I's response: AAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!

I have to agree. I love Hossa on this team, I really do, but damnit, for the long haul and just looking at the player he is and how much better he is going to get (it is hard to imagine, but I don't think he hit the ceiling yet) I don't think we can turn away the Johan.

[TheOwl 77]

Sammy is old, Hudler is young. These guys probably will take 2-3 million a year each.

Anyways, Franzen is a beast. Him over Hossa any day. Hossa been looking mediocre for a 7.5 million dollar player the last dozen games. If Datsyuk, undeniably the best forward will take 6.4 million a season, these other guys should take the same or less.

[Z and D for the C 712]

Anyways, Franzen is a beast. Him over Hossa any day. Hossa been looking mediocre for a 7.5 million dollar player the last dozen games. If Datsyuk, undeniably the best forward will take 6.4 million a season, these other guys should take the same or less.

And Hossa isn't a beast?!? Hossa has been much better than Franzen (neither have been that amazing the last 5-10 games, but Hossa is always playing/forehcking hard, not so sure about Franzen). So unless you mean for the money, Hossa is much better than franzen.

Edited December 31, 2008 by Z and D for the C

[Booster313 138]

This isn't a new topic but

Hossa > Franzen

Hudler is restricted so he will be back for sure...or we'll get a draft pick in return. Sammuelson can easily be replaced by someone in GR or he can resign for a lower price.

[DraperFan MN 0]

This isn't a new topic but

Hossa > Franzen

Hudler is restricted so he will be back for sure...or we'll get a draft pick in return. Sammuelson can easily be replaced by someone in GR or he can resign for a lower price.

I agree, as we have speculated for a while now, but this is the first time I remember Kenny actually putting the organizations face on it.

I'm not sure why Sammy and Huds entered the topic conversation, as I didn't ask questions about those two.

So why do you think Hossa > Franzen?

[BuckeyeWingsfan80 209]

While I think overall on a skill vs. skill basis, Hossa is indeed the better player.

However the NHL is not a vaccum and while having HOssa this year is great, Franzen is the guy who should be resigned. With Homer getting older, Franzen is RIGHT THERE as his heir apparent in front of the net on the power play.

Hossa, while almost a surefire HOFer and hopefully Stanley Cup champ this year, isn't worth ruining the cap space for the foreseeable future given what is at GR right now.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

I guess you also missed the part where Holland said "you can't build a team with too many high-end players."

And its absolutely ridiculous to lose Hudler and Franzen in favor of Hossa. Ask Ottawa and Tampa what happens when you go with a trio of first liners while sacrificing depth.

[Booster313 138]

I agree, as we have speculated for a while now, but this is the first time I remember Kenny actually putting the organizations face on it.

I'm not sure why Sammy and Huds entered the topic conversation, as I didn't ask questions about those two.

So why do you think Hossa > Franzen?

Because we don't know what Franzen will become, he could be a top 10 Forward in the league, or he could be a product of the enviroment he plays on and have his hot streaks. We already know what Hossa brings and anytime you have the opportunity to lock up a player like him long term you do it.

I guess term would be a deciding factor as well...say you can lock in Hossa for 2 years or Franzen for 6 well then I guess you have to go with Franzen but if we are talking long term deals for both I'd be willing to pay a premium to keep Hossa.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

I agree, as we have speculated for a while now, but this is the first time I remember Kenny actually putting the organizations face on it.

I'm not sure why Sammy and Huds entered the topic conversation, as I didn't ask questions about those two.

So why do you think Hossa > Franzen?

Because re-signing Hossa directly affects re-signing Hudler, and possibly Sammy, but I see him leaving anyways.

If you want to have a cute little discussion about which is the better player, theres no point. Hossa wins that discussion handily. But its easy to see that 7.5 is a reasonable estimate for re-signing Hossa.

Ironically, 3M for Hudler, and 4.5 for Franzen are reasonable estimates respectively as well. Guess what that equates to? Hossa's salary.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

This isn't a new topic but

Hossa > Franzen

Hudler is restricted so he will be back for sure...or we'll get a draft pick in return. Sammuelson can easily be replaced by someone in GR or he can resign for a lower price.

If the Wings lose Hudler to an offer sheet it would have to be 4 million + (since anything less is a no brainer to match). At 4 million + we'd get a 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

And Sammy WILL get a raise. He's extremely under paid in this NHL. If he signs for less it's only because Holland is a wizard.

[TheOwl 77]

And Hossa isn't a beast?!? Hossa has been much better than Franzen (neither have been that amazing the last 5-10 games, but Hossa is always playing/forehcking hard, not so sure about Franzen). So unless you mean for the money, Hossa is much better than franzen.

Seeing that Franzen has played 5 less games and has the SAME amount of goals has Hossa, and Hossa is making 7x more money. Franzen is THE beast. He'll also likely cost the wings millions less. A 7.4 million forechecker isn't exactly a good deal. Hossa hasn't looked good in weeks because he ain't playing with Datysuk. Franzen also had more goals last seasons play-offs. Franzen has proven he can get it done on any line with any players. Hossa needs great players around him to succeed.

As someone below mentioned, Franzen and Hudler or Hossa. It's a no-brainer.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Whichever one signs rich enough to get Sammy off the team!

I'd have to say Franzen, and I do love Hossa, but we need the size and physical play.

[RWK23 0]

Franzen. I love Hossa, but Hossa is going to command a higher salary and is going to tie us down more than Franzen will. As YoungGuns pointed out, building a team around a handful of first liners with little to no depth is never a good idea.

[Z and D for the C 712]

Seeing that Franzen has played 5 less games and has the SAME amount of goals has Hossa, and Hossa is making 7x more money. Franzen is THE beast. He'll also likely cost the wings millions less. A 7.4 million forechecker isn't exactly a good deal. Hossa hasn't looked good in weeks because he ain't playing with Datysuk. Franzen also had more goals last seasons play-offs. Franzen has proven he can get it done on any line with any players. Hossa needs great players around him to succeed.

As someone below mentioned, Franzen and Hudler or Hossa. It's a no-brainer.

Franzen is a better player than Hossa but he's going to make millions less? Yeah, that's really makes a lot of sense.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Franzen. I love Hossa, but Hossa is going to command a higher salary and is going to tie us down more than Franzen will. As YoungGuns pointed out, building a team around a handful of first liners with little to no depth is never a good idea.

Well said, my thoughts exactly. Hossa is just a rental, a great one, but he's still a rental and won't be back next season.

[Datsyerberger 279]

Well, Hudler IS going to get offer sheets if he's not signed. In that case, Wings get picks.. and with the way Hudler's been playing, potentially several good picks. So, in one way, you're looking at Hossa and a 1st rounder (maybe more?) vs Franzen and Hudler (and maybe Sammy as well, if those two go relatively cheap, though I expect he's gonna get a pay raise somewhere with the numbers he's had.)

Another thing to look at, is, well, rare as guys like Franzen and Hudler are, big guns like Hossa come around even less often. And by keeping one big gun, you leave 1 extra roster space open. That can go one of two ways. Either you're already pushing the cap and you need to find extra cap space to fill that 1 roster spot, which works against keeping Hossa. Or you've enough extra cap room to wiggle around after signing Hossa, and then have an extra spot in which you can send up one of the young guns permanently (Helm, for example), an opportunity you might not have keeping both Hudler and Franzen.

Ultimately, there's still over half a season of hockey to play, not to mention the playoffs. That's a lot of time to see where these players positions on the team are going to further develop. Performance, especially in the playoffs, and the willingness of each of the respective parties here to take a pay cut are all going to be deciding factors, and I don't think there's any clear cut solution at the moment.

Nostalgia-wise, part of me wants to keep Franzen and Hudler because they're part of the 08 championship (also also quite fine players at the moment.) On the other hand, I also really like Hossa. Most importantly, though, I don't think we go wrong either way.. there will be some sadness at the loss of any of them, but a wealth of talent is one asskicking situation to be in (as opposed to, uh, whatever situation you call what some other teams are in)

[Guest mindfly]

Franzen, but if Hossa took like *dreaming* 3-4million a year it would be awesome but of course it would never happen

[shannyfan1414 0]

My heart says Mule but my brain keeps telling me to wait and see.

Hossa is a great player and so much fun to watch on the ice. You just never know what he is going to do next. Mule is just a great power forward who is also fun to watch but for different reasons. He can score and play a great physical game. Not to flashy but he gets the job done.

I just don't know but i can see Mule being the better player for the long haul.

[egroen 384]

If Hossa will sign for under $5 million he's a keeper!

[b.shanafan14 733]

Right now it comes down to money vs. production. Franzen currently is tied with Hossa for team lead in goals, but he will command A LOT less than Hossa. I am not saying Franzen is as good as Hossa, he isn't, but he and Hudler for the price of Hossa with the way the two of them have played this year is hard to argue. I wish they all could stay and they wish they all could stay too, but they all also deserve to get paid. Damn you salary cap, what does it even matter anymore with revenue sharing and some teams still opting to hug the floor. Its not like owners aren't willing to pay, say hypothetically $10mil a year for a Sundin.

[Vincanni 1]

I'm thinking Franzen since he should come cheaper and is more of what we need serving as a better power forward.

Also home grown talent > Free agent.