redwing19

If the salary cap stays the same for next year the Wings have 14.958 million to replace the 8 expiring contracts. (Z, Hossa, Franzen, Sammy, Hudler, Chelios, Kopecky, & Conklin)


Here are 2 scenarios for keeping Hossa OR keeping Franzen and Hudler without trading away Filppula or other bigger contracts.


Scenario 1:  NO HOSSA OR SAMMY (In millions): Franzen & Hudler would also have to take a home team discount:

6.08 - Zetterberg

1.8 - Hudler

0.6  - Helm

0.875 - Leino  (RFA – not signed yet)

3.4  -  Franzen

0.716 – Howard or other backup goalie

0.525 - Kopecky

0.9 -  Ericsson  (Lebda and Meech on the bench, Chelios retires to bench coach)

-------

14.896 mil = TOTAL






Scenario 2:  NO HUDLER OR FRANZEN:

6.08 - Z

6.0 – Hossa  (similar creative deal like Z's)

0.6 - Helm

0.875 - Leino

1.2 - Sammy (if he comes back for same salary)

0.716 – Howard or other backup

0.525 – Kopecky

______

15.996 mil = TOTAL  (salary cap would have to increase by about $1 mil)

Can’t afford 8 defencemen (If Ericsson will be with Wings Lilja will have to be traded, Chelios retires.   Ericsson is .30 less than Lilja)   Only Meech on the bench.


So based on which way the Wings choose to go I don't think they will be signing any more players until they know what the salary cap will be.    There is NO way the Wings can sign both Hossa and Franzen unless they trade away some big contracts like Filppula and someone else.

The NHL is missing out on a golden opportunity.

Instead of the short stupid one's obsession with Cindy, why is the NHL not pumping Ovechkin as the savior of this sport?

Consider:

1) People get more excited about goals than assists.  No offense to the great passers, but people don't sing about Gretzky's 160+ in a season.  It's a great accomplishment.  But, the refrain is always "92 won't be touched" or "he's not close to the pace to shatter Gretzky's 92, but he'll end up in the high 50's or 60's.

Ovechkin scores goals.  More importantly, Ovechkin scores goals-- and loves it.  

Crosby's goal totals:  39-36-24-17* (as of 1/25)
Ovechkin's goal totals: 52-46-65-31* (as of 1/25)

2) Ovechkin is a better offensive talent.  Crosby tore it up in the Q.  Woopee.  In the NHL, he's an elite talent, but not the best offensive force in the game.  He is not even the best talent on his team (Malkin).  Ovechkin, on the other hand, was not joined by an all-star talent in Washington until Semin broke out.  

3) Ovechkin is a showman.  He can sell the game in two languages; his ability to win a crowd is amazing.  Crosby is a milktoast, canned response pansy.  You know what happens when someone interviews Ovechkin?  I watch.  I usually end up laughing a few times.  You know what happens when someone interviews Crosby?  I pause it after questions and can predict his response, verbatim.

4) Country of origin is no longer a major concern.  The NHL used to be a North American league, and that's why Crosby is being pushed.  Newsflash:  The NHL has players from major powers (Canada, US, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, Slovakia) and is growing in non-traditional talent (players from Austria, Switzerland, France, Slovenia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Ukraine, to name some).  Ovechkin is a guy that we can trot out around the world and sell the NHL as a truly international product.  Crosby is boring in every language.

5) Ovechkin likes chicks.  Crosby....doubtful.  (Just kidding....maybe)