Mule close to signing

[ben_usmc 253]

Just in on 971 Franzen says they are close to a deal, it will be long term and supposed to be in the neighborhood of 4 million. But they aren't quite sure how it will hit the cap, they are debating on that now.

[finalfilppula 2]

mlive reports the same

[40#1Fan 0]

Red Wings' Johan Franzen says deal might be close

Update from Thursday's morning skate: Wings forward Johan Franzen indicated that he might be getting close to signing a long-term contract extension. The club made a formal contract offer earlier this week and is waiting for a response.

"We're still talking. We're getting closer,'' Franzen said. "They're working hard at it.''

Franzen indicated a strong desire to take less money to stay with the Wings rather than seek the most lucrative contract on the open market on July 1. If he re-signs, it'll probably be in the neighborhood of $4 million a season.

Because of tagging rules in the CBA, the Wings only have the salary cap space to sign Franzen or Marian Hossa before the end of the regular season. Hossa indicated he wasn't close to a deal, but he was still hopeful something could be worked out either before the end of the season or after the playoffs.

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20...zen_says_d.html

[Guest mindfly]

How does it work with contract signings and having agents etc, does franzen say like "i want 4million!!" to his agent then agent says the exact same to GM, then GM says, NO, then agent go to franzen and say "he said no" and back and forth til they reached agreement? is the agent more than just a messenger?

[lets go pavel 2]

Poor Hossa. I really feel bad for the guy, he obviously wants to stay and we want to keep him, but it seems to be becoming more and more apparent that it just isn't going to work financially.

(Of course, I can't feel too bad for a guy who's going to have to "settle" for more money elsewhere )

[ben_usmc 253]

We need to trade (yes I know a few have NTC) a combo of Kronner/Stu/Cleary/Meech/Lebda/Draper/Sammy convince Ozzy/DMac/Maltby all to retire. Then we can sign Mule/Hossa/ and bring in Doug Weight for cheap . Bring up some youth Leino/Helm/Abby etc.

[Echolalia 2,961]

With the whole salary cap conflict the Wings are facing, I admit I was worried about the future of our team being consistently one of the best for years to come. Regardless of whether we sign Franzen or Hossa (or both, somehow), kids like Leino and Ericcson, who easily have the potential to replace some of our higher tier players, in combination with Holland, who knows how to manipulate salaries like noone's business really settled any doubts.

I say welcome back Franzen, you're sure to be a big component of another Stanley Cup within the next five years.

[ManLuv4Clears 7]

Okay, I'll be the first to admit, I prefer a Franzenless Red Wings team over a Hossaless team even though the financial impact would be worse. There's just something magical about Hossa when he steps on the ice. I also fear if Franzen keeps getting in scrums he shouldn't be involved in he's going to run the risk of another concussion and end up like Lils.

[DatsMyWings13 4]

Hopefully it will be official very soon. I'm happy to hear a deal is within reach!

[xBrave_Heartx 0]

I dont know how i feel.

I like Franzen, he's a big body, who can use it sometimes.. But he's soooooooo friggin soft. I honestly dont care if we dont re-sign Hossa.

[Opie 308]

With the whole salary cap conflict the Wings are facing, I admit I was worried about the future of our team being consistently one of the best for years to come. Regardless of whether we sign Franzen or Hossa (or both, somehow), kids like Leino and Ericcson, who easily have the potential to replace some of our higher tier players, in combination with Holland, who knows how to manipulate salaries like noone's business really settled any doubts.

I say welcome back Franzen, you're sure to be a big component of another Stanley Cup within the next five years.

What he said!!

[40#1Fan 0]

April 2, Detroit Free Press: "We're still talking," Franzen said today. "And getting closer, too."

Franzen, 29, said he's willing to accept less money to remain with the Wings, rather than break the bank as an unrestricted free agent and end up playing on a losing team.

"The hockey is way more important than that," Franzen said after the morning skate. "I couldn't imagine playing on a team where we're losing all the time. ... Otherwise you're going to have a tough career losing all the time. I don't want to end up with that."

One big factor for Franzen is the bond he has with teammates; the Wings have seven other Swedes on the roster.

The Wings could end up structuring Franzen's contract like they did with Henrik Zetterberg, giving him a long-term deal with less money in the last couple seasons to bring down the cap number.

The Detroit News's Ted Kulfan also confirms:

April 2, Detroit News: Wings GM Ken Holland was unavailable for comment Thursday, but it's always been his policy to try to wrap up contract negotiations before the playoffs.

The free agent signing period begins July 1. Franzen's salary this season is just under $1 million.

Franzen said he might be willing to take less to stay in Detroit than what he could get in the open market.

"If you're going to stay, you know you're going to make a little less, but that's the price you have to pay to be on a winning team," Franzen said. "Many of my closest friends are on this team and I want to stick around and play with them.

"Hockey is way more important (than landing a bigger contract elsewhere). I couldn't imagine playing on a team that's losing all the time. I want to find a team that's a good team and will win. Otherwise, it'll be a tough career losing all the time. I don't want to end up with that."

[Shaman 713]

If they structure it like Z's with an average cap hit below 4 (3.8 or so) they might be able to keep both Hossa and Mule..... I hope...

[StevieY9802 6]

I would take Hossa over Franzen probably but one is better than none if they only sign Franzen. Hossa just creates offense by himself. the plus side is if they only sign Franzen they have more money to work with to fill holes this summer.

[Dimaline312000 51]

Well this sucks. No offense but I'd take Hossa over Franzen anyday.

[StevieY9802 6]

Well this sucks. No offense but I'd take Hossa over Franzen anyday.

While I would take Hossa first too this by no means sucks if it happens.

[Dimaline312000 51]

While I would take Hossa first too this by no means sucks if it happens.

I'd rather have neither if I didn't have Hossa. I like Franzy and I think he's a great player but I'd have to say Hossa is a much better player all around. I'd rather see us bring up players from Grand Rapids if we can't have Hossa or both.

Edited April 2, 2009 by Dimaline312000

[Guest mindfly]

I'd rather have neither if I didn't have Hossa. I like Franzy and I think he's a great player but I'd have to say Hossa is a much better player all around. I'd rather see us bring up players from Grand Rapids if we can't have Hossa or both.

What if the cap goes down to the late 40's in 2012-13, you want as few big long term contracts as possible in this uncertain economy

Edited April 2, 2009 by mindfly

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

convince Ozzy/DMac/Maltby all to retire.

All of those guys signed deals when they were over 35, so the cap hit would remain even if they retired. I think Mac's on a one year, two-way deal anyways.

[Dimaline312000 51]

What if the cap goes down to the late 40's in 2012-13, you want as few big long term contracts as possible in this uncertain economy

I would think that by that time the Wings would have a few retirements and that would free up cap space for the other long term contracts.

[TheOwl 77]

Well this sucks. No offense but I'd take Hossa over Franzen anyday.

Detroit will always have offensive, no matter who you put with Datsyuk and Zetterberg, the other guy will be a 20 goal, 50 points a season guy. It would make absolutely zero sense to sign Hossa at 6 million a season. How much better is Hossa offensively? He has 6 more goals then the Mule, a dozen more points. Detroit would be screwed if they had 3 forwards at 6 million. If they can get Franzen at 3.5-4 million, they'll have 6 million or so for the rest of the roster, and perhaps a 3 million/yr goalie. And the days of people thinking we don't need a mid-range goalie are dead.

Not only the fact that if you sign Hossa, we basically lose Hudler, Leino, Sammy and Conklin to free-agency. Hossa at 6, means 4 million left over to fill 4 spots. No way could you keep any of those 4 who all deserve at least 2 million a season. All those guys have worked very hard, won the cup last year. It wouldn't be very fair to let them all leave to sign a 6 million dollar guy, who only scores 20 more points a season. Hossa's points can easily be replaced. But maxing up the cap with too many high end contracts is exactly what killed Ottawa, and almost killed Pittsburgh. Leaving some cap space open is a great idea.

But really, if Holland wanted to, he could trade Kronwall, replace him with Ericcson, who we would all agree should be a top 6 D-man, and convince Hossa to take around 5 million.

Hossa is a mult-millionaire. If he really wanted to stay with the Wings, he could take 4 million a season. Don't feel sorry at all. He's rich. It's his choice to stay, and Franzen signing should not affect him, unless he's making a pure financial decision. 4 million a season for 8 years with the Wings? Why wouldn't he take it? That's 32 million dollars. What's so unfair about that?

[Seraph 240]

Too me it sounds like Holland has given up on Hoss. It would make much more sense to get Hossa signed, and give Franzen, the one who seems way more eager to stay, a contract with that's left over. Because you know he'll be willing to stay with whatever trades, shuffling needs to be done. He'll wait. I feel Hossa will have too many people throwing themselves at him this summer.

[toby91_ca 620]

If they structure it like Z's with an average cap hit below 4 (3.8 or so) they might be able to keep both Hossa and Mule..... I hope...

They wouldn't be able to unless they move other players.

[StevieY9802 6]

I'd rather have neither if I didn't have Hossa. I like Franzy and I think he's a great player but I'd have to say Hossa is a much better player all around. I'd rather see us bring up players from Grand Rapids if we can't have Hossa or both.

I'm sorry but that makes no sense. So if you couldn't have both you would say no to a guy who is a 30+ goal scorer for guys who haven't proven it yet? Why? You say to bring up guys from GR but keeping both would hinder you from bringing up guys. So why not keep one if you can and then bring up the guys rather than keeping both and watching a bunch stay down there? Saying you want both or nothing is like saying if someone had $2000 on the table and said you can have half of it but saying no thanks if I can't have all of it.

[Wingsallwin 0]

I think people are underestimating Franzen's skill and talent. This guy has more goals than Hank this season and do not forget we drafted him. I do not know how much Hossa does and Franzen does in the coming playoff but I actually love both players. As some people here say the team has to show and keep the loyalty toward every player, then it should be dealt to Franzen too.

I am in favor of Hossa because he is an All-Star and been great for so many years while Franzen has been very good as a late boomer. The age can be the difference but as I know, that is only one year old difference. In my head right now, I think Holland looks the future of this team's goalie and Ericsson with Leino.

We now approximately have 10 million cap left for the next season. As people say there should be a home discount for players in the Red Wings, Hossa is worth of 6 million and Franzen is 4 million player. It sounds like 2 million is not a big cap difference but what I am saying is that is not true.

Hudler will be FA too this coming off season and also does Leino. Hudler is a good skilled player and still young, same with Leino. For the further future, I think we have to keep them both, Ericsson has one more year left on his contract as the Red Wings by my memory. Then if we sign Hossa, we have 4 million left. Yea, we can sign with both Hudler and Leino but who is going to be our goaltending?

Holland must know Osgood will not be back to his form during the contract period left for him, 2 more years after this season. Then, as both Howard and Larsson need more time to be the starter whether in AHL or NHL, we need someone to be on the net. Sounds like if Lethonen tries to leave the Thrashers, Holland can make a deal even though he is RFA. Another choice can be Harding and Conklin.

I keep repeating this but I surely love both Hossa and Franzen. To compare these two players, Hossa is better but do not forget we still have to sign with our young players and get a good goalie.