The Hockey News: Special Features: Analysis: Rich get richer as Wings sign top UFA Hossa

Analysis: Rich get richer as Wings sign top UFA Hossa

Marian Hossa helped the Penguins reach the Stanley Cup final after coming over from Atlanta at the trade deadline. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Adam Proteau
2008-07-02 12:53:31

Okay, this is starting to get a little unfair.

The one-year, $7.4 million deal Marian Hossa signed Wednesday with the Stanley Cup champion Red Wings gives that team such an advantage (at least, on paper), the NHL ought to spot Detroit’s playoff opponents a game’s lead in each series next spring.

Now, if Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg and Nicklas Lidstrom and Johan Franzen and Valtteri Filppula and Niklas Kronwall don’t burn you, there’s another fire source where that came from.

Now, the Red Wings’ power play – which was already the third-best in the league this season – will be even more dangerous.

Now, Detroit’s 5-on-5 goals for/against ratio – which was already miles better (1.41) than the NHL’s second-best team (Anaheim’s was 1.17) – will be that much more outstanding.

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Best of all, the single-year term of the deal puts the Wings in the driver’s seat this time next summer. If Hossa fits well with the team, he’ll get an extension from GM Ken Holland; if he doesn’t work out as planned, Holland has his money to sink into either an extension for Zetterberg or a different, top-line UFA.

In any case, the Hossa signing makes the Wings the prohibitive favorite to not only win another championship, but also the first repeat champion since – you guessed it –Detroit did so from 1997-98.

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COMMENTS (125)

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Felix MacLean Posted
(2009-04-30 06:32:35)

Not much has been made about the possible sociocultural issues that play into the Wings' success. My guess is that the Swedes, coming from a society that is more economically and socially stable than either the U.S.'s or Canada's, are more willing to sacrifice a bit, economically, to play for a winner.

Steverino Posted
(2009-04-30 06:32:18)

I don't think any of you really understand why Brendan Shanahan left Detroit. Certainly, it wasn't about loyalty and it wasn't about money. Brendan Shanahan is smart and he's classy. He understands the new NHL and he understood the style of play that Mike Babcock wanted to reinforce in a team that was already partially tooled to do it. That style of play can be summarized in one word......SPEED. Have you seen Brendan Shanahan skate recently? You never could say that he plays a speed game, but especially near the end of his career; and he even said as he moved on that he looked at the new team and saw its direction and just didn't figure he'd fit in as well anymore. He was absolutely right. Great player.

C.A.S. Posted
(2009-04-30 06:32:14)

Shanny left on his own for the same amount the Wings offered him. He wanted a change of scenery. Yzerman stayed around until he retired. Datsyuk signed a contract right before last year's playoffs for 7 years for a ton of money. However, Zetterberg came in to the league one year after Datsyuk, so his deal is not up until after next year. And under the CBA rules, he can't sign a new contract until only a year is left under his contract (which would be this July 1st...you know....two days ago). Same thing with Franzen, he's still on his entry level deals. So of course he's not making big money. He just had a break out two months at the end of the year. I guarantee you that 6 months ago you did not think Franzen was underpaid based on his production at that point of his career. But he and Zetterberg will make their money when their contracts expire at the end of the coming season. But you're right, how dare Ken Holland not have negotiated an entire new contract for Zetterberg and Franzen in the last TWO DAYS. Do you have ANY idea how the salary cap and NHL salaries work, flame-fan-annoyed?????? The Wings are unbelievably loyal to the people that want to be loyal to them. Look at Chelios.....he'll be back again even though at this point he is nowhere near as effective as he used to be.

Costas Posted
(2009-04-30 06:32:14)

C.A.S. you never said it any better, Shanny left on his own is right he was offered a contract verbally and he told holland im going to test the water like some nhl players do right. And they bring back big Mac after him having personal problems .... thats after the fact of what probert had brought along for them .... yea they took probert back after his situation also. Zetterberg,Franzen,Hudler are not going anywhere next year mark my words on that.

WingNut Posted
(2009-04-30 06:31:58)

2 years ago, everyone around the league was saying how bad of chokers the "young" Red Wings (Datsyuk, Zetterberg, et al) were. I read how these guys were not worth their paychecks. Moving forward 24 months, they are now Stanley Cup Champions and now we have folks (FlameFan) saying the Wings under pay them? There day will come, but for now, being the unselfish players they are, they are honoring their contracts. Success brings jealousy, and that is exactly what we have by fans of many teams. They were upset when the check book was open and we were the Yankees of the NHL. Now they are upset because players are willing to make sacrifices to play here. There are 29 GM's scratching their heads today wondering what they need to do to be like Ken Holland. Respect and integrity are good for starters, but you also need to be a part f an organization that set out to win. That is why players WANT to play in Detroit. We know this because we know the flip side here in D-town very well with the Lions. The players all signed their contracts, and they are living up to them. They are not being held hostage to play for Holland and the Wings. In fact, from seeing their smiling faces at our Parade, they seem very happy to be here. Their

452ConsecutiveSellouts Posted
(2009-04-30 06:31:46)

FactChecker, let us know when the Pens record 452 consecutive home sellouts. The reality is that the economy here in Detroit ended the streak, not a lack of love for hockey.

Jay B Posted
(2009-04-30 06:31:44)

Anthony, I find it amusing that you reference the Carolina Hurricanes, and then slam Detroit. The owner of the Hurricanes is Peter Karmanos, who not only lives in Detroit, but would have moved the then Hartford Whalers (who ultimately became the 'Canes) to Detroit had the league and Ilitch not blocked him back in 1996: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CEEDE1E39F934A25757C0A960958260 Congrats at being the donkey in this thread!

Jon K Posted
(2009-04-30 06:31:43)

Barry, Spot on, but you left out Osgood. To bad Lapointe left when he did. Flamesfan, Shanny left on his own accord, the Wings would have kept him.

Barry Posted
(2009-04-30 06:31:42)

The players like to play in Detroit because they are treated with respect by the city, the organization, the fans, and, their teammates. The Wing players have great character and they know they have to perform, or, they don't play, which they respect. They, also, love the puck control system, which is light years ahead of the old antiquated dump in system, still employed by most of the teams, especially the East. Maybe you whiners should think about that. They would rather play Red Wing brand of hockey, for less money, than play what is offered by other teams. As a fan, it is much more fun to watch, especially in person.

Jon K Posted
(2009-04-30 06:31:42)

Bhaf, You forget the Wings know how to draft. Screw the age difference between Crosby/Malking and Hank/Pav, the Wings will be just fine. Forturnatley we didn't have to absolutely blow to get that many number 1 picks to get Fleury, Crosby, and Malkin LOL. Good luck drafting.

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