Hossa's agent weighs in on Zetterberg deal

[DatsMyWings13 4]

If one of these guys leaves for the big payday, all Holland has to say is two words.

Martin LaPointe.

Hossa will still be a star no matter where he goes, but will Franzen?

I seriously think there will be one or more name players who will not be here next year. Trade deadline stuff. Cap space clearing, that kind of thing. Just a hunch.

Plus if we clear off McCarty, Chelios, etc. would that get us some more room to get it done? Obviously yes, but will it be enough?

I miss Lapointe he was one of my favorites and i don't blame him for taking the large pay day. He knew that he wasn't going to be offered that type of money twice.

[Earthhuman 8]

Hossa will still be a star no matter where he goes, but will Franzen?

Hopefully he learns something from Sean Avery. Avery was languishing in LA, New York rescued him, he left for money, and now he's doing what? How many goals this season, besides I don't think he's even playing anymore.

[Guest Shoreline]

We won a cup without Hossa, we can do it again. Bring up some young talent, let them flourish. Keep the defense fresh and put some more physical bodies there. This team is still amongst the elite with a chance to win every season. Can't really expect more.

[Mike 0]

The Wings are lucky to have this sort of problem. A lot of teams in the NHL would be dying to have the kind of talent the Wings have. Whoever the Wings sign, we know for sure that they are an excellent player.

[egroen 384]

Hopefully he learns something from Sean Avery. Avery was languishing in LA, New York rescued him, he left for money, and now he's doing what? How many goals this season, besides I don't think he's even playing anymore.

LOL... I'm actually picturing Holland sitting down at a table in front of Hossa:

"Marian, let me tell you a story about a young man I think you might be able to identify with. Sean Avery.... "

Edited January 28, 2009 by egroen

[Guest Shoreline]

The Wings are lucky to have this sort of problem. A lot of teams in the NHL would be dying to have the kind of talent the Wings have. Whoever the Wings sign, we know for sure that they are an excellent player.

Except in cases like Uwe Krupp and Derian Hatcher.

[Never_Retire_Steve 35]

I agree that not keeping Hossa may be the best thing for this franchise as we can bring in a few young guys and give them a chance to flourish

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Except in cases like Uwe Krupp and Derian Hatcher.

At the risk of opening up a can of worms, I'll defend both of those deals. The players were big, mean, solid D-men; the kind that the Wings have been elusively chasing since Konstantinov's injury. They both got hurt (one in more dubious fashion than the other) but that's got nothing to do with Kenny signing them to a deal.

Although the Hatcher thing probably worked out for the Wings in the end, since the game changed and sort of left him in the dust (although I've got no idea how he's doing now in Philly). But again, hindsight and all that.

[redwing_sparty 0]

they should all take massive paycuts just to say f*** you to bettman

[LeftWinger 5,153]

...if Signing Hossa and Franzen means losing Hudler, Kopecky, Sammy and possibly Filpulla via a trade then do it! I am not sure the compensation rules but if Hudler signs for $4 million somewhere I am sure the compensation would be worth it! Trade Filpulla for a mid level draft pick maybe 2nd or 3rd rounder, lose Chelios, Sammy, McCarty and Kopecky via UFA and then bring up Eriksson, Lieno, Helm and Abdelkader to replace them. And then resign Downey for the same money and give him the McCarty role...

Chelios for Eriksson

Sammy for Leino

Kopecky for Helm

Hudler for Abdelkader

McCarty for Downey

...not sure if the numbers will work, but it all sounds good to me!!!

Hossa Dats Homer

Franzen Zetts Cleary

Leino Abdelkader Helm

Maltby Draper Meech

Downey

Rafi Lids

Stuart Kronner

Lilja Eriksson

Lebda

Osgood

Conklin (re-signed)

...in a perfect world!

[egroen 384]

At the risk of opening up a can of worms, I'll defend both of those deals. The players were big, mean, solid D-men; the kind that the Wings have been elusively chasing since Konstantinov's injury. They both got hurt (one in more dubious fashion than the other) but that's got nothing to do with Kenny signing them to a deal.

Although the Hatcher thing probably worked out for the Wings in the end, since the game changed and sort of left him in the dust (although I've got no idea how he's doing now in Philly). But again, hindsight and all that.

It was also during the clutch & grab era, when those guys were much more effective.

[lets go pavel 2]

LOL... I'm actually picturing Holland sitting down at a table in front of Hossa:

"Marian, let me tell you a story about a young man I think you might be able to identify with. Sean Avery.... "

It's a slippery slope, Marian ...

[dallas27 7]

...not sure if the numbers will work, but it all sounds good to me!!!

...in a perfect world!

Second post down

That's 1.4 million under what the cap is now, add another forward if you would like.

I don't get the argument of bringing up that much "unproven NHL talent," they have to learn someday. Seems to me playing with that line-up would be a perfect time to learn.

Either way, Mr. Holland has to deal Flip. Doing so pretty much guarantees Hossa or Franzen and Hudler, take your pick. The Wings don't need a 3 million dollar defensive forward if it means one of those two options.

[lets go pavel 2]

Either way, Mr. Holland has to deal Flip. Doing so pretty much guarantees Hossa or Franzen and Hudler, take your pick. The Wings don't need a 3 million dollar defensive forward if it means one of those two options.

I understand what you're saying, and it's certainly an option, but we didn't sign him for $3million a year to be a defensive forward, that's just the role he's been stuck in this year, largely due to signing Hossa. His upside is better than that.

[esteef 2,679]

LOL... I'm actually picturing Holland sitting down at a table in front of Hossa:

"Marian, let me tell you a story about a young man I think you might be able to identify with. Sean Avery.... "

I just fell out of my chair!

[dallas27 7]

I understand what you're saying, and it's certainly an option, but we didn't sign him for $3million a year to be a defensive forward, that's just the role he's been stuck in this year, largely due to signing Hossa. His upside is better than that.

His upside is going to be 50 points tops imo, I just don't see him as a 70 point game breaker type of player. Even when he had opportunities to skate with Hossa or any of the top two lines this year he has looked lost. He could prove me wrong, I would gladly eat my crow. But why should I have that chance when you could have Hudler (who is only 2 years older and may end up with 70 points) and Franzen (a big body who may end up with 40 goals) or Hossa, one of the premier two way players in the NHL and quite possibly the best player on the ice when he is on his game? I'd be happy with either one.

[lets go pavel 2]

His upside is going to be 50 points tops imo, I just don't see him as a 70 point game breaker type of player. Even when he had opportunities to skate with Hossa or any of the top two lines this year he has looked lost. He could prove me wrong, I would gladly eat my crow. But why should I have that chance when you could have Hudler (who is only 2 years older and may end up with 70 points) and Franzen (a big body who may end up with 40 goals) or Hossa, one of the premier two way players in the NHL and quite possibly the best player on the ice when he is on his game? I'd be happy with either one.

I agree, I think 50 pts is probably about right for Flip, and $3M is about right for that. I wouldn't be upset if moving him meant keeping Hossa, though I do think he may be more valuable to the team in the long run than Hudler - not points-wise, but maybe in all-around contributions.

[LeftWinger 5,153]

Second post down

That's 1.4 million under what the cap is now, add another forward if you would like.

I don't get the argument of bringing up that much "unproven NHL talent," they have to learn someday. Seems to me playing with that line-up would be a perfect time to learn.

Either way, Mr. Holland has to deal Flip. Doing so pretty much guarantees Hossa or Franzen and Hudler, take your pick. The Wings don't need a 3 million dollar defensive forward if it means one of those two options.

...woa! Honestly I didn't even read your post and came up with that lineup! Our only difference is Conklin and Howard and Hudler being let go!

..I agree with the unproven talent issue, Helm is definately proven. And How proven was Kronwall until last season? Bring up Ericcson, Leino, Helm and Abdelkader. They say Ericcson is ready, Leino has world class experience so Abdelkader will be really the only kid with very little experience. Helm speaks for himself.

...like I said, if trading Filpulla, letting Huds go (and receiving multiple pics in exchange for both) not signing Kopecky, Sammy and Chelios & McCarty means we can keep both Hossa AND Franzen! This is a no brainer...

Wow, alredy excited for next season! LOL!

Edited January 29, 2009 by LeftWinger

[lets go pavel 2]

...like I said, if trading Filpulla, letting Huds go (and receiving multiple pics in exchange for both) not signing Kopecky, Sammy and Chelios & McCarty means we can keep both Hossa AND Franzen! This is a no brainer...

Not a chance ... other than Flip, eliminating most of those guys clears very little cap room becuase they don't make much this year, and you still have to replace them with someone.

[jenova0 0]

Keep Hossa, Franzen & Hudler. Move Filppula, even for pretty much nothing. I am very disappointed for Filppula this season.

[lets go pavel 2]

Keep Hossa, Franzen & Hudler. Move Filppula, even for pretty much nothing. I am very disappointed for Filppula this season.

Flip is playing on the 3rd line ... no it's not the season we all envisioned, but it's also not the spot on te depth chart we envisioned. Regardless, getting rid of Flip doesn't clear anywhere near enough room for Hossa, Franzen, and Huddles.

[HadThomasVokounOnFortSt 878]

This is hard, and I just think Hossa is gone.

[Winged_Wheeler 3]

Trading Filppula will come back and haunt the Wings. There's a reason why he was re-signed for a decent amount of years. Remember when everyone said Zetterberg will NEVER be a star player? Give Filppula a chance he's still developing as a player. Sign Hossa long term and let Franzen see what people are going to offer him, but if he's smart he'll remember why he scored all those goals. He was playing with the right players. The players that play the European style of hockey is the reason why he's doing so good. Remember what Ken Holland said, "I'll probably only be able to sign 1 more guy BEFORE July".

Edited January 29, 2009 by Winged_Wheeler

[savaking72 0]

I'd get Franzen first.. and I know people are going to disagree with me left and right here.

Franzen has already made a name for himself with the team. He's already made a niche for himself. He knows his roll. He knows the players. He knows their strengths and weaknesses. And he fits in perfectly with the team.

Now, I'm not trying to say that Hossa doesn't.. but he's not near the level Franzen is. I'd hate to go for Hossa first with the hope that he will some day mesh with the team the way that Franzen and others do - and then have him leave after the next season. Of course, I'm not saying this WILL happen.. but the Wings organization is set up as a very tight-knit family. Some of these guys have been with each other their entire careers. Hossa is a great goal scorer, but there's other aspects to look at when deciding who to put first.

I agree with you. Franzen can play on any line, and still score. He is such a big body, and with his hands he can pretty much make anything happen. I hate saying it, but the more Hudler and Sammy play. The better they are. This year I haven't yelled at Sammy near as much as I was last year. I would keep things they way they are, and get rid of Hossa.

[Never_Retire_Steve 35]

I usually find the offseason very boring, however, I will be very interested to see what our projected lineup will be next year.