Zetterberg denies report of rejecting 10yr, $75 million deal.

[Ms_Hockey 0]

My God... please don't give this man a 10 year contract.

I'm not dumping on Z. I think he is an outstanding player, but the more I watch this season unfold, the more it seems like Z depended on Datsyuk a little more than I originally thought. This is not to say that Z isn't a great player. But it looks more and more as if Z needs Datsyuk alot more than Datsyuk needs Z.

No worries. This has already been proven false.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Yes and we are all talking in a hypothetical sense. Most people have said if, if being the key word. It's good for debates.

It seems the last paragraph of my previous post overshadowed the initial part (my doing) which I didn't intend for. That being said, you and I know full well it just takes a few to start with the trashing the moment something like this comes up and it goes from a normal discussion to a debate that is in no way relevant to the OP's post. That's what I was trying to get at with that statement, but the initial reply to ben_usmc was the point of my post.

There doesn't need to be evidence, it's a statement that if he is asking for that much regardless to playing hardball or not let him walk. It really has nothing to do with the article as much as it does the players worth to me on the team. Just like screw the Mule if he asks for 6 million, doesn't mean he is, but if he does let him walk. I like Z a lot but I like the team much more. He is an entreupenur anyway and marrying a loaded chick so he has plenty of money.

See Above

As someone who pointed out; he may look like a hobo with the beard. He still isn't playing for sandwichs. Although I'm going to turn that into a sign Z plays for sandwichs

[pjgj13 30]

Instead of reading 6 pages of posts I just want to post that over at freep.com there is an article that Z says he hasn't turned down an offer like this.

[uk_redwing 495]

Instead of reading 6 pages of posts I just want to post that over at freep.com there is an article that Z says he hasn't turned down an offer like this.

You're no fun

[steveyzerman 0]

This absolutely breaks my heart.

That's exactly what I wanted to give him. Looks like me & Kenny are like this: *crosses fingers*

Zetterberg's just having a rough time with this assload of money he's going to get from us. He has a lot on his mind & he's squeezing the stick a bit too hard.

Please, Hank. I love you.

- Me

Edited January 15, 2009 by steveyzerman

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Knew something was up when that wasn't being reported anywhere else.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

The fact that Zetterberg came out denied this - when he says himself that he normally wouldn't comment on a thing like this - is a very good indicator. Obviously Hank saw that it was such a good offer, that even hypothetically turning it down would do damage to his reputation. Thus, he commented on it.

My guess is that not only did that offer not come up, but nothing close to that offer has come up.

[Rice 42]

Here's a quote from Elliotte Friedman, the author of the original blog post:

Hello, Wings fans.

Kind of surprised that one line is receiving so much attention, because it wasn’t really intended as a focal point in the story. It was kind of a throwaway.

Being an avid Kukla’s Korner reader, however, I should have expected it would give Paul a coronary.

Here’s what I can tell you:

I heard about that offer very early in the season. Obviously, I can’t say where it came from. However, I will say the source is someone I trust. (Believe me, you hear a lot of stuff in this league, so you have to be careful.) I can also tell you that the organization was asked about it, although politely declined to comment.

The reason I wrote “apparently rejected” is that I’m not sure the Red Wings/Zetterberg conversations have reached a stage where formal papers have been drawn up. The two sides have talked back-and-forth about what it will take, and the key here is that $7.5 million per season sounds like it might not be enough.

In the Ken Campbell article quoted here, the number is $8.25. Ken is very good at what he does and I’ve heard from others that this is the kind of number in Zetterberg’s ballpark.

I’d heard that Detroit was willing to make the deal longer so the total salary was larger, but really doesn’t want to go over eight per season, for the reasons outlined in my blog.

What it comes down to is that Zetterberg has a choice. He could definitely get $8.25 million, maybe nine, on the open market. But is he really willing to do that, and leave a near-perfect situation?

Thanks for reading.

EF

[Guest mindfly]

False alarm... but i would like to see a 6year deal maximum... i dont like these uber long-term deals

[ben_usmc 253]

Here's a quote from Elliotte Friedman, the author of the original blog post:

he could have save a lot of time by retracting his statement and telling his readers that his source needs to be punched in the sack.

Although I'm arguing against a huge price for Z, I doubt he gets much over Pasha anyway for the simple fact that he said he knows he needs to leave money on the table in order for the team to stay competitive.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Is he really that big of an idiot that he thought one line about Zetterberg rejecting a contract offer would be "kind of a throw away."

seems like the translation is "I just kind of made some stuff up and didn't really think people would actually notice or care that I made an unsubstantiated rumor sound like fact."

[Guest mindfly]

Zetterberg should be honest with himself and not earn more than pavel, even if he signed 2 years ago when cap was lower... zettergberg isnt better than pavel and shouldnt earn more.

[Chelios57 31]

Feww. That's all that needs to be said.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Now I am sorry I even posted this.

To be clear, I wasn't criticizing you. The thread title has been changed, but I think you even had rumor or something like that in the thread.

My point was mainly that even if you had "unsubstantiated rumor" in flashing lights at the top of the thread, after 5 posts people would be bitching about how they can't believe Zetterberg would do such a thing and accept it as fact.

[dat's sick 1,002]

Zetterberg should be honest with himself and not earn more than pavel, even if he signed 2 years ago when cap was lower... zettergberg isnt better than pavel and shouldnt earn more.

I wonder if you would have said the same at the end of the playoffs last year?

I agree that Pavel is the greater talent, but right now Pav is on a crazy hot streak while Hank is on a cold one.

Usually I'd say they're pretty close in terms of usefulness for the team, and their point production over the last couple of years point to that as well.

Hank deserves at least what Datsyuk is making now, maybe more just to make up for how underpaid he's been.

[Broken 16 381]

Short of Datsyuk and Lidstrom, I really don't care who walks. That includes Z and Hossa. They can all go to 'greener pastures' for all I care. The Wings have proven time and time again that their scouting, drafting and player development standards are second to none. The only unique talents on this team, in my opinion, are Lidstrom and Datsyuk. The rest can be replaced, including Zetterberg.

[HenrikRules40 14]

I will vomit blood if this is true. I just can't seem to believe it though. It goes against everything he's ever said.

[HenrikRules40 14]

Zetterberg should be honest with himself and not earn more than pavel, even if he signed 2 years ago when cap was lower... zettergberg isnt better than pavel and shouldnt earn more.

Completely subjective. Look, I can do the same thing:

Zetterberg should be honest with himself and hold out until he earns more than Pavel...even if he signed two years ago. Zetterberg is better than Pavel and should earn more.

[Guest Murph]

New Member, 1st post.

First let me start off by saying, I'm glad I found this site, I can't wait to talk Hockey with other Wings' fans.

I think Hank is a better fit in the Wings' roster, His playmaking ability it hard to beat, beyond that he is (along with Pavel) one of the most defensive forwards in the game. I like Hossa, but his demeanor is almost too reminiscent of Sergei Fedorov. You never know which Hossa is going to show up for the game. I'm not hating on #81, but lets call it as it is, he's a gun for hire.

I'd rather see Henrik Zetterberg stay on for at least another 5 years, I see him peaking in the next season or two. Besides that, he comes to play every single night.

With the Hudler/Franzen situation, I say keep Hudler for sure, and with The Mule, try to work something out. If not, dump him for a solid guy on D.

Be gentle...

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

The fact that Zetterberg came out denied this - when he says himself that he normally wouldn't comment on a thing like this - is a very good indicator. Obviously Hank saw that it was such a good offer, that even hypothetically turning it down would do damage to his reputation. Thus, he commented on it.

My guess is that not only did that offer not come up, but nothing close to that offer has come up.

QFT

[Third Man In 2,091]

This isn't directed to anyone in particular, but addressing a subthread here: I'm always amazed at the willingness of some to overreact and throw a Red Wing under the bus. When Datsyuk was negotiating his last contract and Hank was on a tear and playing like the best player in the world, some people here were quick to question how much Datsyuk was worth or if he should be signed at all. Now that the situation's reversed, and Hank's production is just a bit off so far this year (39pts and 41 games--seriously, Hank, wtf?) some people hear one rumor and are ready to cut their losses with him. Isn't long term performance worth anything?

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

This is kind of off topic, but I still think they should have some exception in the CBA only a percentage of a player's salary counts against the cap if he was drafted by that team. It'll help franchises retain players, which helps build an identity for the team and is better for the fans.

Can you imagine if Detroit could get a discount on all the talent they've drafted?

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Short of Datsyuk and Lidstrom, I really don't care who walks. That includes Z and Hossa. They can all go to 'greener pastures' for all I care. The Wings have proven time and time again that their scouting, drafting and player development standards are second to none. The only unique talents on this team, in my opinion, are Lidstrom and Datsyuk. The rest can be replaced, including Zetterberg.

This utterly ridiculous given the level of play Z exudes on both sides of the ice. This is by no means a shot on Pav because the guy is simply incredible in so many areas of the game, but there's a reason Z goes out with Lilja and Lids on the 5-on-3 PK. While Dats certainly has more how-the-f***-did-he-do-that moves than Z and probably even creates space a little better than Z, Hank is still the better defender. For all we've been told it also seems he's continuing to groomed for the captaincy and the guy steps up as much as anyone when it counts (playoffs, late game scoring ability).

Z is not as replaceable as you seem to think he his.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

This is kind of off topic, but I still think they should have some exception in the CBA only a percentage of a player's salary counts against the cap if he was drafted by that team. It'll help franchises retain players, which helps build an identity for the team and is better for the fans.

Can you imagine if Detroit could get a discount on all the talent they've drafted?

The Wings have already beaten the odds by staying just as competitive as they were before the Cap era, and you want to give Kenny more ammunition? Damn you're greedy, HS.

That idea would be great for anyone that's a Wings fan.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

The Wings have already beaten the odds by staying just as competitive as they were before the Cap era, and you want to give Kenny more ammunition? Damn you're greedy, HS.

That idea would be great for anyone that's a Wings fan.

obviously it helps the Wings just a wee bit.

But I really do think it would also be good for the league because it promotes home grown talent, which keeps players in a franchise. Hockey is entertainment after all, so having personalities to follow is a big part of it for fans.

Edited January 15, 2009 by haroldsnepsts