Last Game In A Wings Uniform For Some?

[titanium2 867]

Hossa was easily Pittsburgh's best player in the postseason last year. Especially in the finals.

That's meaningless now and should be for the contract talks. Besides, was it really that great of a post-season? He was third in points for the playoffs but he was also in the east, which has a bunch of teams that unlike the Pens, don't invest that much into defense. His first playoffs in the West has exposed him and I have no doubt that he can improve the more he plays against a 'western conference style' if there is such a thing but is that "work in progress" 30-year old status really worth a contract of 6 million+? At this point that former "best player" status appears like a statistical outlier compared to his past post-season performances that earned him a "playoff choker" label.

i don't think the playoffs are gonna really effect holland's decision. he scored 40 goals in the regular season and was a great fit with dats. plus it gives the wings the chance to split datsyuk and zetterberg, or whatever combination they wanna throw out there. it just gives them options. it's gonna be tough making decisions this off season and i'm glad i'm not the one who has to do it

But the Wings are all about winning in the playoffs. Hossa will command a contract that implies he will produce in the regular season and playoffs; a class that includes Lidstrom, Rafalski, Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Franzen. Based on his two-way play over these 100+ games, Hossa has shown that he is not worth more than any of those guys.

Some might say he doesn't get injured as much as Franzen and that's why he deserves such and such a contract or whatever but it's really no secret as to how he stays so healthy. He doesn't go into the hard areas as much as the others and relies on his excellent perimeter talent to inflate his stats. He has one of the best shots in the league, but only when he has time and space. Too many of those 40 regular season goals he racked up left me thinking, "No way he gets a goal like that in the playoffs." And he hasn't. He's an all-star in the regular season but when the playoffs begin it seems like he turns into a third-line energy player who can give you great defense and barely even streaky goal scoring. It's has felt like night and day. How is that not supposed to factor into negotiation tactics?

He's a great fit in the locker but only a decent fit on the ice, which is unfortunate because it's usually the other way around, which makes it difficult to think of him as not a Red Wing. For a cap hit above Franzen's contract, Hossa is simply fool's gold in a Red Wings jersey.

[RusDRW 155]

That's meaningless now and should be for the contract talks. Besides, was it really that great of a post-season? He was third in points for the playoffs but he was also in the east, which has a bunch of teams that unlike the Pens, don't invest that much into defense. His first playoffs in the West has exposed him and I have no doubt that he can improve the more he plays against a 'western conference style' if there is such a thing but is that "work in progress" 30-year old status really worth a contract of 6 million+? At this point that former "best player" status appears like a statistical outlier compared to his past post-season performances that earned him a "playoff choker" label.

But the Wings are all about winning in the playoffs. Hossa will command a contract that implies he will produce in the regular season and playoffs; a class that includes Lidstrom, Rafalski, Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Franzen. Based on his two-way play over these 100+ games, Hossa has shown that he is not worth more than any of those guys.

Some might say he doesn't get injured as much as Franzen and that's why he deserves such and such a contract or whatever but it's really no secret as to how he stays so healthy. He doesn't go into the hard areas as much as the others and relies on his excellent perimeter talent to inflate his stats. He has one of the best shots in the league, but only when he has time and space. Too many of those 40 regular season goals he racked up left me thinking, "No way he gets a goal like that in the playoffs." And he hasn't. He's an all-star in the regular season but when the playoffs begin it seems like he turns into a third-line energy player who can give you great defense and barely even streaky goal scoring. It's has felt like night and day. How is that not supposed to factor into negotiation tactics?

He's a great fit in the locker but only a decent fit on the ice, which is unfortunate because it's usually the other way around, which makes it difficult to think of him as not a Red Wing. For a cap hit above Franzen's contract, Hossa is simply fool's gold in a Red Wings jersey.

excellent post. that is pretty much summarize my feelings thoughs Hossa,

[Chunkylover 26]

Not to completely break from what appears to be consensus, but I don't think Hossa looks lost, I think he's trying to do too much. He's got a reputation for being a big-time goal-scorer and defenders know that and challenge him aggressively. He has shown he can score and set up other players. He knows how important this opportunity is and I'm certain he feels every bit of pressure that the collective Red Wings fan base is mentally forcing on him. I think, if he's guilty of anything it's that he's trying to do too much, not that he's trying to coast.

[Z and D for the C 712]

Hossa isn't lost, his style of play is not worthless in the playoffs, he doesn't stay away from "hard areas".

He is injured. There is something that isn't big enough to keep him from playing, but big enough to keep him from scoring.

[VM1138 1,921]

Whoever does end up leaving (and I'm betting at least three do) let's hope they leave as Champions!

[SFwingsfan 23]

My guess is pretty similar:

Conklin

Kopecky

Sammy

Holmstrom

Chelios

Lilja

Hudler

Hossa

Draper

Maltby

The following people on the above list are under contract and are most likely not going anywhere. They might get benched or retire but they are probably here for the duration:

Kirk Maltby has one year left at $750k.

Kris Draper has two years left at $1.65mil, $1.250mil

Andreas Lilja has one year left at $1.250mil

Holmstrom has one year left at $2.250mil

[Duck Guy 86]

homer cant leave cuz i wont let him.

[Wingsfan72 198]

Whoever does end up leaving (and I'm betting at least three do) let's hope they leave as Champions!

here here

[Booster313 138]

OP

Thank you for this thread, the last two days I have been thinking we have to win, we have to win. But thanks to you I am looking at this game a little different. It may sound corny but this is the last time one of the best Wings teams ever assembled will be on the ice together. Don't worry about Saturday, just go out there and enjoy playing guys and I will enjoy watching. One of the things that makes the Red Wings such a great team is that if you want to play here you have to be part of the family. There are no room for egos in this locker room.

Thank you to the Ilitch family, Kenny Holland, Steve Yzerman, Mike Babcock, the rest of the Wings staff and all the players. No matter what happens it was a great season and you gave us in Detroit something to believe in.

Now go out there and win!

Edited June 12, 2009 by Booster313

[Aussie_Wing 354]

I think Hossa and Kopy are gone.

-Hossa... well, it's obvious. Perfect fit in the locker room but a rather average fit on the ice.

-Kopy has a cheap contract but that's seemingly the only positive. The Wings thought they drafted a guy who could be a power forward, but that didn't work. Kopy then changed his game and tried to be a grinder, but that's not really working all that well either. But maybe they're pleased with progress, I don't know.

I think there's also a strong possibility that Huds will be gone too mainly because the Wings like depth and Huds will command enough worth two 3rd/4th line players.

I'm not ready for Holmstrom to leave yet. He's never been a good skater but around the net he still has the best positioning and nose for the puck. Well... That is, when he's healthy and on top of his game. I still think Cleary has a few things to learn from him.

For better or for worse, Maltby is not going leave. He said it himself that he will play out his contract.

He'll be back. Had a good regular season, showed improvement from 2007/08 and the Wings like him as a 3rd/4th liner.

[VM1138 1,921]

Hossa is a perfect fit for this team. It always amazes me how easily people forget. We wouldn't be where we are without Hossa and Dats carryign this team in the regular season. He's having a rough playoffs but he's still performing for us. He's not a liability in any sense and he's still trying to make things happen.

He's not lost, he's tryign to do too much and might be injured. How easily we forget how amazing he was for us during the regular season. And who cares if he's streaky? So is everyone else.

[TheOctopusKid 19]

I think we have deviated from the original intent of this thread - so to return to the original statement.

Thank you to EVERYONE - this has been an absolutely special season and would not have been possible without the determination of the Detroit Red Wings players to be the very best at what they do, the intelligence and poise of the coaching staff who schemed and led those players, the patience and resolve of the front office to adhere to a philosophy and to collect the individuals responsible for this year, to Mike and Marian Illitch for their generosity as they have always placed the needs of a team and a city over the need to increase profits, and finally to my fellow Fan - it is have been awesome to share all these experiences with other individuals who are as passionate and dedicated to the Winged Wheel as I am. Thank you for a great 2009 season!

No matter what the outcome - this has been a great year and I am proud to cheer the Detroit Red Wings!

Now lets go win that Cup!

[robat 13]

Jiri

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Hossa is a perfect fit for this team. It always amazes me how easily people forget. We wouldn't be where we are without Hossa and Dats carryign this team in the regular season. He's having a rough playoffs but he's still performing for us. He's not a liability in any sense and he's still trying to make things happen.

He's not lost, he's tryign to do too much and might be injured. How easily we forget how amazing he was for us during the regular season. And who cares if he's streaky? So is everyone else.

How is he still performing?

Who cares if he's trying to make things happen if they're not happening?

So trying to do too much is a legitimate excuse? He's not a rookie.

I care if he's streaky if he can't perform when it matters most. Hasn't scored a goal in 7 games.

[cfthunderbird 0]

I think Samuelson and Hudler are gone for sure. At least for Hudler if he signs elsewhere Detroit has the option to match, if not we get some draft picks. Chelios will not be back, if he still wants to play, he'll have to go somewhere else. If the Wings win, I can see Draper retiring on top, it looks like in interviews these playoffs, that he is starting to get frustrated with all the injuries he has been getting this year.

[swiss_fan 3]

But the Wings are all about winning in the playoffs. Hossa will command a contract that implies he will produce in the regular season and playoffs; a class that includes Lidstrom, Rafalski, Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Franzen. Based on his two-way play over these 100+ games, Hossa has shown that he is not worth more than any of those guys.

Some might say he doesn't get injured as much as Franzen and that's why he deserves such and such a contract or whatever but it's really no secret as to how he stays so healthy. He doesn't go into the hard areas as much as the others and relies on his excellent perimeter talent to inflate his stats. He has one of the best shots in the league, but only when he has time and space. Too many of those 40 regular season goals he racked up left me thinking, "No way he gets a goal like that in the playoffs." And he hasn't. He's an all-star in the regular season but when the playoffs begin it seems like he turns into a third-line energy player who can give you great defense and barely even streaky goal scoring. It's has felt like night and day. How is that not supposed to factor into negotiation tactics?

He's a great fit in the locker but only a decent fit on the ice, which is unfortunate because it's usually the other way around, which makes it difficult to think of him as not a Red Wing. For a cap hit above Franzen's contract, Hossa is simply fool's gold in a Red Wings jersey.

Agreed.

Besides that, I see now Hudler staying. With the (poor) playoff he had, he will not receive an offer from another team worth a 1st and a 3rd, so the wings will be able to match an offer worth a secound rounder, which would be a downgrade to Hudler. We could see Holmstrom retiring but i don t see Maltby anywhere else.. Kopecky will stay, and we ll sign a free agent.