Zetterberg's Contract

[Nogood 0]

Why do you think Z made it a point to publicly state that he didn't turn down a reported $75 million deal that was offered?

People said the exact same thing about Dats' 7 year deal. Did that turn out to be idiotic? The point in signing Z to a long-term deal is it'll help alleviate some of the cap hit.

Talk about melodramatic.

These long contracts allow you to get players for cheaper than what you could in the short term. While 10 years is quite a scary amount of time, its not as if Z's only had one decent season over the course of his career. As for Z's production, there's no doubt that his offensive production has been down this season, but there's also no evidence that it'll stay down. Just like you seem to like using that against someone, the same can twisted right back at you. The only difference is that Z has a track record that states the opposite of what you're claiming.

Its simple, Holland or some other person in the Wings front office leaked that Z turned down $75 million over ten years. They're in the process of negotiating and its another tool to help in negotiations. Whether or not its true is irrelevant. Z HAD to deny it or the fans would have turned on him in a second, just as they did the day the report was issued. How can he not deny it, even if his intentions were to sign for less?

Relatively speaking, for $7.5 million a season, Zetterberg has only had one decent season. $7.5 mill a year isn't PPG money, its superstar money. Z's best season was last year and more than the best season we'll ever see from him unless hes reunited with Datsyuk..

Players don't go on 40 game slumps, Z has been exposed for what he is. A great two-way player, possible Selke winner who can score 80 points. Which is fine but its not worth that much per season.

Z will be in his late 30s when his contract is up and its possible that Datsyuk may not even be on this team.

Give Z a three year deal, 24 million dollar deal. Locking great players up is fine but we can't lockup our entire roster in long contracts with NTC. A shorter contract gives Z the incentive to perform.

[Nogood 0]

Funny that you seem to think the majority of us are delusional and you're the only one with a grasp on reality. How convenient for you.

Also, you rip mlive for what they've posted yet you've shown no concrete evidence or sources to back up your claims. Hmm....

It has nothing to do with mlive, I could have used any hockey news site. The fact that any of you take a news article to heart just shows the blind faith in this team.

I'll go with what ive seen from Ken Holland interviews and his hesitance to even act as if contract negotiations are even close.

Simple questions:

- Would Zetterberg ever come out and say that he wants XXXX amount per season?

- Would Zetterberg confirm or just "No comment" the reports of him turning down $80 million?

The media is a tool in contract negotiations, public opinion of the fans is something that the organization focuses on. If they can force Z's hand by getting the media to say that he turned down said contract, than he'll do it.

But of course, its all crazy. It would never happen, Z is going to sign for $6.7 mill, Franzen will sign for $3 mill and everyone will live happily ever after.

Or....

We could just look at the last player who won the Smythe in his contract season..

[Opie 308]

We could just look at the last player who won the Smythe in his contract season..

Quick question for you then...

Who won the Conn Smythe this year, seeing as this is indeed his contract year? Are you predicting a Z for Conn Smythe again or do you have a time machine?

OR..

Are you just flaming the board and being a troll?

[Nogood 0]

Quick question for you then...

Who won the Conn Smythe this year, seeing as this is indeed his contract year? Are you predicting a Z for Conn Smythe again or do you have a time machine?

OR..

Are you just flaming the board and being a troll?

Brad Richards is the best comparison to the Zetterberg situation we'll ever see. Second best forward on team, goes on a tear in the playoffs and wins a Smythe. After, said forward is highest paid player on the team, while still playing second fiddle.

Oh and Wings fans, just like Tampa fans are more than willing to throw the bank at the player to keep them in their uniform.

Edited January 22, 2009 by Nogood

[lets go pavel 2]

Brad Richards is the best comparison to the Zetterberg situation we'll ever see. Second best forward on team, goes on a tear in the playoffs and wins a Smythe. After, said forward is highest paid player on the team, while still playing second fiddle.

Oh and Wings fans, just like Tampa fans are more than willing to throw the bank at the player to keep them in their uniform.

Why are you here? What team are you a fan of? Did you get beat up by Wings fans when you were little? You don't seem to have a point, other than to say we're all stupid for thinking Z might sign for around 7 per, and also stupid for being willing to "throw the bank" at him, which I haven't heard anyone say but you.

[ashenhigh 9]

Brad Richards is the best comparison to the Zetterberg situation we'll ever see. Second best forward on team, goes on a tear in the playoffs and wins a Smythe. After, said forward is highest paid player on the team, while still playing second fiddle.

Oh and Wings fans, just like Tampa fans are more than willing to throw the bank at the player to keep them in their uniform.

I cant believe you are comparing us to lightening fans..... wow.

Also, you joined this forum today? Sounds like a troll to me.

No wing fan wants to throw 7.8 at Z just because he had ONE great playoff. Hes a solid player that preforms at ppg rate is our future captain, he is well deserving for 7 mil.

Edited January 22, 2009 by ashenhigh

[Opie 308]

Brad Richards is the best comparison to the Zetterberg situation we'll ever see. Second best forward on team, goes on a tear in the playoffs and wins a Smythe. After, said forward is highest paid player on the team, while still playing second fiddle.

Oh and Wings fans, just like Tampa fans are more than willing to throw the bank at the player to keep them in their uniform.

Yeah but do Brad and Hank have the same priorities/personality?

Maybe Richards thought that TB isn't exactly the Wings and don't exactly make the post season every season. And he thought might as well get paid.,

Or maybe Z is loyal to the org and wants to throw them a bone to help keep the team competitive, some one recently did that, for some team, who was that. Top UFA signed with a cup winner for about 3 mil less than other teams offers, damn I wish I could remember his name.

Sofa, Marian Sofa I think or something like that.

[Nogood 0]

I cant believe you are comparing us to lightening fans..... wow.

Also, you joined this forum today? Sounds like a troll to me.

No wing fan wants to throw 7.8 at Z just because he had ONE great playoff. Hes a solid player that preforms at ppg rate is our future captain, he is well deserving for 7 mil.

Zetterberg is an good two way, 30 goal guy without Datsyuk. Its not a coincidence that his best season came while playing with Pavel.

Z will sign for more than seven per sesaon and thats the problem, hes not worth that much to THIS team. On the other hand, there are plenty of teams that will pay him just like Ovechkin, Malkin and Crosby.

Lose:

Z and Hossa

Keep:

Flip, Sammy, Hudler, Franzen, Leino, Conklin, etc.

I prefer team depth over a one line team up against the cap.

Lets not get started on the "Future captain" argument. That has no bearing in contract negotiations and lets not act as if this team would fail miserably with Datsyuk having the "C".

[Nogood 0]

Yeah but do Brad and Hank have the same priorities/personality?

Maybe Richards thought that TB isn't exactly the Wings and don't exactly make the post season every season. And he thought might as well get paid.,

Or maybe Z is loyal to the org and wants to throw them a bone to help keep the team competitive, some one recently did that, for some team, who was that. Top UFA signed with a cup winner for about 3 mil less than other teams offers, damn I wish I could remember his name.

Sofa, Marian Sofa I think or something like that.

Hossa signed a one year deal.. it was a calculated risk in order to win the cup. Now if he took $7 mill for a few seasons, you would have a point.

Tampa was a contender when they won the cup. They weren't a Cinderella team. Richards was also viewed as Captain material, because leading up to that Lecavalier had been striped of the C and wasn't performing up to expectations.

Ive yet to see anything that leads me to believe that Richards was just cashing in or that Zetterberg is "loyal". Its just an assumption that Zetterberg is loyal.

PS: Hossa said he would re-sign with Pittsburgh and said that he liked playing there.. Oh my god, an athlete lied!!!?

[Opie 308]

PS: Hossa said he would re-sign with Pittsburgh and said that he liked playing there.. Oh my god, an athlete lied!!!?

OMG you lied!!

Go to the Pens boards even posters on that board will tell you he said Pit was one of his choices and it came down to them and others, he chose the best fit.

He never said the words I am staying, and if he did I beg of you find it for me and I will retract all of my posts on the subject and change the texts of all of them to read:

Nogood is a god and knows everything about hockey while I know nothing!!!

I don't want some blogger or reporter who "Thinks" he will stay, I want to see Hossa quoted as saying:

"I am staying with Pit after this season"

Not I could, or it would be nice, or I would like to, definitive quote where he says the above!

Edited January 22, 2009 by Opie

[ashenhigh 9]

Hossa signed a one year deal.. it was a calculated risk in order to win the cup. Now if he took $7 mill for a few seasons, you would have a point.

Tampa was a contender when they won the cup. They weren't a Cinderella team. Richards was also viewed as Captain material, because leading up to that Lecavalier had been striped of the C and wasn't performing up to expectations.

Ive yet to see anything that leads me to believe that Richards was just cashing in or that Zetterberg is "loyal". Its just an assumption that Zetterberg is loyal.

PS: Hossa said he would re-sign with Pittsburgh and said that he liked playing there.. Oh my god, an athlete lied!!!?

He has said time and time again he wants to play his whole career in Detroit. You can cite many different articles for proof as well.

Zetterberg is an good two way, 30 goal guy without Datsyuk. Its not a coincidence that his best season came while playing with Pavel.

He has played a bunch of seasons with Pasha..... its not like last year was the first time they played together.

[Konnan511 1,736]

And why is the NHL the only, at least i think the only, league that doesn't offer a signing bonus to their players?

Couldn't you give a guy a big signing bonus and then have him sign a small long term contract and the player still gets his money? I would think that Mr. I could pull this off.

You can give a player a signing bonus but it counts towards the cap. Which is why Brunnstrums cap hit isn't the rookie minimum. His salary is rookie minimum, but his signing bonus is counting against his cap.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Its simple, Holland or some other person in the Wings front office leaked that Z turned down $75 million over ten years. They're in the process of negotiating and its another tool to help in negotiations. Whether or not its true is irrelevant. Z HAD to deny it or the fans would have turned on him in a second, just as they did the day the report was issued. How can he not deny it, even if his intentions were to sign for less?

Says who?....The moron that buried that claim in the middle of his blog and then took it back as if he really didn't think it would be "newsworthy"?

Z HAD to deny it or the fans would have turned on him in a second, just as they did the day the report was issued.

The fans? You mean a few of the over-reactive members of LGW? Please.

How can he not deny it, even if his intentions were to sign for less?

Why would he deny it if he was shooting for more?

Relatively speaking, for $7.5 million a season, Zetterberg has only had one decent season. $7.5 mill a year isn't PPG money, its superstar money. Z's best season was last year and more than the best season we'll ever see from him unless hes reunited with Datsyuk..

Players don't go on 40 game slumps, Z has been exposed for what he is. A great two-way player, possible Selke winner who can score 80 points. Which is fine but its not worth that much per season.

Z will be in his late 30s when his contract is up and its possible that Datsyuk may not even be on this team.

Give Z a three year deal, 24 million dollar deal. Locking great players up is fine but we can't lockup our entire roster in long contracts with NTC. A shorter contract gives Z the incentive to perform.

A Selke winner who can score 80 points is nothing to you, but you feel he's worth $8 per for 3 years? That makes sense. A shorter contract also says, you're not as important to our long-term plans.

[Nogood 0]

OMG you lied!!

Go to the Pens boards even posters on that board will tell you he said Pit was one of his choices and it came down to them and others, he chose the best fit.

He never said the words I am staying, and if he did I beg of you find it for me and I will retract all of my posts on the subject and change the texts of all of them to read:

Nogood is a god and knows everything about hockey while I know nothing!!!

I don't want some blogger or reporter who "Thinks" he will stay, I want to see Hossa quoted as saying:

"I am staying with Pit after this season"

Not I could, or it would be nice, or I would like to, definitive quote where he says the above!

Shero came out in the media, pissed that Hossa virbally commited to re-signing with the team. And it has nothing to do with god complex, its simple actually. You take everything in the media to heart, you act like Z won't consider going to another team and you act as if the Wings owe him everything.

There are plenty of cheaper options out there, having two #1 centers is a privalege we can't afford. Having Datsyuk and Flip as our two centers is fine too me and that saves nearly $5 million off the cap, money that can be used to sign Hudler and Franzen.

Holmstrom-Datsyuk-Franzen

Leino-Flip-Hudler

Yes, we lose Z but we gain depth. Or we could have:

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom

Leino-Flip-Cleary

?-?-?

Maltby-Draper-Kopecky

Depth has allowed the Red Wings to be contenders for a decade. We're in the cap world and losing that depth to keep one player is insane.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

It has nothing to do with mlive, I could have used any hockey news site. The fact that any of you take a news article to heart just shows the blind faith in this team.

I'll go with what ive seen from Ken Holland interviews and his hesitance to even act as if contract negotiations are even close.

Simple questions:

- Would Zetterberg ever come out and say that he wants XXXX amount per season?

- Would Zetterberg confirm or just "No comment" the reports of him turning down $80 million?

The media is a tool in contract negotiations, public opinion of the fans is something that the organization focuses on. If they can force Z's hand by getting the media to say that he turned down said contract, than he'll do it.

But of course, its all crazy. It would never happen, Z is going to sign for $6.7 mill, Franzen will sign for $3 mill and everyone will live happily ever after.

Or....

We could just look at the last player who won the Smythe in his contract season..

Once again, you've got all the answers and the masses of this site have no clue. How convenient for you.

[dragonballgtz 273]

I do not like a 10 yer deal...I would give him 6 years @ 7.5 a year and thats it.

[Nogood 0]

He has said time and time again he wants to play his whole career in Detroit. You can cite many different articles for proof as well.

He has played a bunch of seasons with Pasha..... its not like last year was the first time they played together.

Money talks...

Datsyuk and Zetterberg, post lockout played a season and a half together. During that season and a half, Zetterberg's stock rose to where it is at today. When not playing with Datsyuk, he had a season like he is having now.

With Datsyuk, Zetterberg is:

- A 40 goal scorer

- A selke nominee

- A 90+ point player

Without Datsyuk, Zetterberg is:

- A 30 goal scorer

- A point per game player who doesn't use his linemmates well.

Datsyuk, with or without Z is:

- A selke winner

- A 100 point player

- A 30+ goal scorer, more like 40 this season.

This isn't a "Slump" and it couldn't be more obvious.

[Nogood 0]

Says who?....The moron that buried that claim in the middle of his blog and then took it back as if he really didn't think it would be "newsworthy"?

Says the "Sources" in various articles claiming that 7 million @ ten years is in the "ball park" of what Zetterberg is looking for.

[Z and D for the C 712]

Z won't be taking Datsyuk or Lidstrom money. Franzen will get Malone money. Hossa already turned down $90 million to play on this team and he wanted to get traded here last season. Its obvious which player wants to be on this team the most.

Gonna have to agree with this.

[lets go pavel 2]

You take everything in the media to heart, you act like Z won't consider going to another team and you act as if the Wings owe him everything.

There are plenty of cheaper options out there, having two #1 centers is a privalege we can't afford. Having Datsyuk and Flip as our two centers is fine too me and that saves nearly $5 million off the cap, money that can be used to sign Hudler and Franzen.

Holmstrom-Datsyuk-Franzen

Leino-Flip-Hudler

Yes, we lose Z but we gain depth. Or we could have:

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom

Leino-Flip-Cleary

?-?-?

Maltby-Draper-Kopecky

Depth has allowed the Red Wings to be contenders for a decade. We're in the cap world and losing that depth to keep one player is insane.

So where's the depth in your scenario? You have Hudler and Franzen instead of Z, that's one extra guy, and who's to say we couldn't keep Z and Hudler? And how much are you planning on paying Franzen, anyway?

[lets go pavel 2]

With Datsyuk, Zetterberg is:

- A 40 goal scorer

- A selke nominee

- A 90+ point player

Without Datsyuk, Zetterberg is:

- A 30 goal scorer

- A point per game player who doesn't use his linemmates well.

How is Z no longer a Selke nominee because he isn't playing with Datsyuk?

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Says the "Sources" in various articles claiming that 7 million @ ten years is in the "ball park" of what Zetterberg is looking for.

Weren't you the one just claiming, "thats called positioning"? What proof do you have that those statements are any more accurate than any of the others you've discredited in this thread?

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Zetterberg is an good two way, 30 goal guy without Datsyuk. Its not a coincidence that his best season came while playing with Pavel.

Z will sign for more than seven per sesaon and thats the problem, hes not worth that much to THIS team. On the other hand, there are plenty of teams that will pay him just like Ovechkin, Malkin and Crosby.

Lose:

Z and Hossa

Keep:

Flip, Sammy, Hudler, Franzen, Leino, Conklin, etc.

I prefer team depth over a one line team up against the cap.

Lets not get started on the "Future captain" argument. That has no bearing in contract negotiations and lets not act as if this team would fail miserably with Datsyuk having the "C".

The Red Wings can still have plenty of depth without losing both Z and Hossa. You want to keep a handful of third line, maybe borderline second line players (besides Franzen) and lose two guys that are two of the most complete forwards in the league? Leino hasn't played one game in the NHL and you are willing to let Z and/or Hossa leave because Leino can somehow replace that production?

The Red Wings can, should and will keep Z and still have a realistic chance of keeping Franzen and Hudler as well. Zetterberg isn't just another "good" two-way player. He is one of the elite forwards in the NHL with an incredible work ethic and real appreciation of the Red Wings organization. Not to mention, Z is a proven playoff performer.

How would the Red Wings be a one line team with re-signing Z? Even at the worst, let's say the Red Wings lose Hossa and Sammy or Hudler up front next summer. I would rather have Hudler than Filppula or Sammy, but if Holland can keep Z, Franzen and one of Sammy or Hudler, the Red Wings are in great shape still. We're still looking at the same team that just won a championship, having to replace a solid depth player with the likes of Helm, Abdelkader or Leino. Other teams in the league would kill for that kind of depth at forward.

Comparing the Red Wings to the Lightning is laughable.

Edited January 22, 2009 by GoWings1905

[Z and D for the C 712]

Hossa will take datsyuk money to stay with the team, not sure if Z will.

[Nogood 0]

How is Z no longer a Selke nominee because he isn't playing with Datsyuk?

Z last season:

75 games, 43 goals, 93 points, +30

Z this season(Projected):

80 games, 30 goals, 75 points

He was third place last season in Selke voting, behind Madden and Datsyuk. Datsyuk won by a large margain. This season, Mike Richards is having a Datsyuk like season. So its safe to assume, with a twenty point drop in production that Z won't be considered.