Maurice A. Tate (Posted 2008-07-29 20:07:42)
Jordan, the NHLPA does not control salary scales. They can bark and snarl at it, and try to put pressure on a player to go "market value", but they can't control, nor do they have any authority to even attempt to control, any salary a player chooses to accept from the team he decides to play for. If they could, they wouldn't have blocked Lidstroms current salary, even given the timeframe it was signed. They wouldn't "allow" the Wings to use Lidstroms salary as their "cap", and Chelios could not have refused to test the free agency market two years ago. For that matter, they wouldn't have allowed Hossa to sign the current one year contract with the Wings........

Jordan (Posted 2008-07-14 10:37:19)
I dont know, Atlanta may give Detroit a good run for their money. I mean, Don Waddell, what does Holland have on him? ;) Joking aside, it doesnt put a lie to my statement, people do want to be paid as much as possible, it's independent of the situation to an extent. Will they take less because of a situation? Yes, but if that situation would say pay Lidstrom $4mm instead of $7mm, would he still do it? There is a limit. Money is always a factor, and even in a good situation, you want as much as possible, even if you are willing to take less. Is this making sense? Not sure if I'm being clear on that or not so if not I'll try and elaborate more. As for the Wings taking less, if you look at it how far off market value are they taking? Is it really that far off expectations? $6.7 was a pretty good sum when Datsyuk signed his new deal, and $7.1 is still a lot of money, even though Lidstrom is worth every penny. As long as it doesnt deflate the market the NHLPA wont mind, especially when players openly proclaim the home town discount. If next year (pure hypothetical here) Zetterberg and Lidstrom (pretend he is a UFA) took $5mm each. Wont something seem wrong when two of the best players at their respective positions arent making that much more than say Ryan Malone and Ron Hainsey? Teams would use those contracts and say to the Malone's and Hainsey's "why should we pay you that much when these perenial all stars arent making much more?" That drives down the market value and that's when the NHLPA wouldnt be happy. It's not when they make a million less, it's when they start making a few million or more less. I have no doubt Zetterberg would take Datsyuk money like other Wings fans say, but when he would get $8-9mm on the open market (which I think you will agree the open market is what agents base their demands on) i dont think they would let him because it could adversely affect player salaries.

Jordan (Posted 2008-07-14 07:49:58)
Billwinkle- I have to say, I'm surprised that when I asked you a serious question you responded by with insults. Did you say directly they were the best at everything? No, but you were definitely insuating it with your tone of your previous post, which if you didnt notice you said "the best in the league" multiple times. And no, I didnt miss your point there are other factors, it's quite obvious that was the case when Hossa signed with Detroit in the first place. Everyone acknowledges there are often other factors when players sign somewhere. As to your question why they let sign players below market value, the length of the year doesnt really matter. The market value is just the annual salary, which changes every year because of inflation. Some players want to sign a deal thats one or two years, some want as long as possible. But where they share their similarity is that they all want to be paid as much as possible, and that is what the union is seeking, just like every other union. Yeah Lidstrom may only be signing one or two year deals for below market value, but he is also 35 and teams are reluctant to give out long term deals to players that age or older, and he is the second highest paid dman, sixth highest paid player in the league, so it's not like he is that far below market value. Finally, I never said Detroit wasnt the best. It's a bit ironic you tell me to learn to read yet don't read it yourself. How am I supposed to put up or shut up on a claim I never made?

Jordan (Posted 2008-07-13 23:17:14)
Why is it Wings fans are acting kind of haughty about their organization? Billwinkle, and I'm asking you honestly, not sarcastically, do you really think the "above NHL standard" is uncommon for teams? Or that other teams dont do the father-son trips? The things you listed arent things I have heard just the Wings doing. I dont deny the Wings are a good organization, it's known they are very well run, but come on, best at everything? And while there are things other than money that will affect Hossa's decision, do remember 1) the Wings, like everyone else are limited by the cap, and 2) the NHLPA isnt going to let Hossa sign for a paltry sum, so if the Wings want to keep him, they will have to pay up. Can the Wings sign Hossa? Yes. Can they do it without losing some significant player(s) (i.e. Franzen) and hurting their depth? Nope. And I really dont see Holland signing Hossa and hurting his long term depth.

Felix MacLean (Posted 2008-07-11 22:29:55)
My guess is that the Wings will be able to keep Zetterberg, Franzen, and the other UFAs, but not Hossa. If they do win next year -- and, no matter how good the team is on paper, the odds of a repeat nowadays simply aren't that good -- he'll have won a Cup and will command a salary that puts the Wings over the salary cap. If they don't, the Wings will probably use his salary to shore up whatever part of their game faltered. But I still think the Penguins are a bonafide contender next year. My guess is, if they're really going to miss anyone from last year's squad, it will be Malone. Teams have a tendency to lose some chemistry with tough secondary scorers out of the lineup.

Jordan (Posted 2008-07-11 12:56:07)
Jordan Wishes- it's irrelevant really who is the best player in the league. The fact is Crosby is widely regarded as such after winning the Art Ross and Hart as a teenager, and thus the point i was getting at: his new contract set the bar. Regardless, you completely missed the point of the post, which has nothing to do with whether or not Crosby is the best. This isnt a Wings vs Pens, Crosby vs Zetterberg or any discussion of that nature. It's about whether or not the Wings could realistically sign Hossa, and as a result that means estimating realistically what Zetterberg would be signing. The bar is being measured by contracts like Crosby's, Lecavalier's and Ovechkin's despite if you think Zetterberg or Datsyuk are better than him or not.

Jordan (Posted 2008-07-11 11:37:56)
JT- there is a another city where that happens, you may know them pretty well as it's the team your Red Wings beat for the Stanley Cup: the Pittsburgh Penguins. Crosby and Malkin both took less to stay, but both publicly stated repeatedly they wanted to take less to help the team, and both signed contracts an entire year before their current deals were finished. If they wanted they could have waited until the off season, let a team throw a $10mm plus a year 15 year offer sheet to them and take it instead. Marc Andre Fleury took less to stay, as did Brooks Orpikthis year. Last year Petr Sykora told his agent he didnt care how much he made as long as he played for the Pens. So you wanted another team besides Detroit that instills that kind of concept? I have given it to in the Penguins. While it is a rare case indeed, it is not ONLY Detroit.

james dwyer (Posted 2008-07-11 02:35:34)
Yes, we've got the right kind of problems in Detroit -- good problems! For fans of other franchises, it's perhaps the good karma to follow some of the bad that we've had. This team has lost two top four defensemen over the last decade: Let's remember Vladimir Konstantinov, the best hip-checker of his generation lost to a tragic car accident, and then Jiri Fischer, to a life-threatening heart-condition. As it stands now, I can hardly wait for October! Bring on the 08-09 season, and let's see how Detroit handles the pressure to repeat...again! Thank you, Kenny Holland!

JT from the "D" (Posted 2008-07-10 15:35:46)
I still think Zetts will sign for the same, or very close to the 6.7 of Datsyuk...No one makes more than Nick, that is a rule...but Nick takes less, so the team can be competitive year in and year out...the same as Yzerman did, who was Nicks role model, and now Nick is the role model for Z. You really think Z would hurt the teams chances of signing a guy so he can get an extra mil? No way...This is a team concept, and some sacrifice is expected...from the management and the players themselves. Winning is far more fun than getting a few more bucks..not to mention playing with 8-9 countrymen. These guy are driven by winning...not the ego of the highest possible dollar I can get. Besides...even at 7 a year Zetterberg is getting a 5 million dollar raise over his last contract and was already a millionaire before he came to play for the Wings...He had\has huge endorsements and a high end clothing line in Sweden..."Zata Collection". I may be wrong..and we will see how it plays out...There are many intangibles associated with playing for the Red Wings...what other professional sports team (NHL or otherwise) has mutiple guys (superstars) signing for less than they could get elsewhere for the betterment of the team? ONLY Detroit..and there is a reason.

Steve (Posted 2008-07-10 13:00:08)
I second everything Jordan says. It's difficult, but not inconceivable that Holland signs all of Hossa, Zetterberg and Franzen to long-term deals without sacrificing his Fillpulas and his Hudlers. Jordan's numbers also look a lot more realistic than those of other Wing fans (as I said before, if either Zetterberg or Hossa sign for the Dead Bones Discount at $6.7 million, I'll eat my keyboard). "If" there's a "discount" to be had with Zetterberg, it'll be at around the $8 mil Jordan suggests. Probably in the same ballpark for Hossa, though less because Hossa's the type that gives discounts and more because Hossa knows that $8 million's about the most he can command while playing for any contender, anywhere. Based on the pay of comparable players, Franzen will be somewhere in the vicinity of 5, give or take a mil, depending on this season's performance. I'd like to add that if Holland can find a way to sign these three, squeaking just under the 09-10 cap max, it might well be very wise to do so, since Lidstrom's contract will come off after that season (at 40, with four rings and umpteen Norris trophies, I expect he'll retire) and the payroll will be less crowded for seasons beyond 09-10. Since there's no replacement for Lidstrom (not among prospects, not among established players, not anywhere) loading up on the best 85 point-per-year back-checkers in the NHL is a pretty good plan B.

Josh (Posted 2008-07-10 00:47:47)
Hossa won't stay..they got Zetts/Franzen to sign...Hossa wants to play with Detroit, win a cup and have a good year so he can have a huge payday come the next offseason. Hossa also won't sign for less than 7.4 when his contract expires because he would have to, the Wings told Lidstrom he would be the highest paid player on the team.

Kristopher (Posted 2008-07-09 21:43:50)
Oh wait, I was wrong... Fedorov signed a 40 mil, 5 year contract. It was significantly less. All the more insulting...

kent b pickles (Posted 2008-07-09 17:44:47)
I love watching hockey nation melt down over the Hossa signing. You Pens fans and the rest of the NHL can puff your chests as much as you want, but in Detroit, we win and you watch. Holland and the entire staff have out worked every one else and therefore have the upper hand. All of the players know about the community that the Wings and Detroit offer. Things none of you would know about unless you spent some time here. Yes things are tough in the blue collar world, but that just brings us closer, that just makes us stand by our brothers in tighter rank. We've been kicked for years, and still come out on top. Bring it. A true Detroiter and a Loyal Wings fan

JASON (Posted 2008-07-09 12:54:32)
To Trueflex, Yes i know the only people who can make blanket statements are you Redwings fans because again you guys know more about hockey than anyone else...Just Like Zetterber and Hossa will both sign next year in Detroit for 6.7..And by the way go take alot at Hossa's playoff stats with Ottawa and Atlanta enough said no Sid there..But of Course he is in Detroit now so all is well...He is a great player no doubt but with Sid getting all the attention he flourished in the playoffs in 2008..That is all i am saying...And by the way why didnt Detroit win like 9 cups in 11 years if they are the greatest front office in professional sports...They didnt win 4 in a row like the Islanders or 5 in a row like Montreal yet all the rest of us non Redwing fans have to deal with all the ridiculous rhetoric from all full of yourselves Redwings fans, ok you won the cup and the Giants won the super bowl in 2008 who cares..Get over yourselves.You people make me sick....

Colleen Baker (Posted 2008-07-09 12:24:25)
It maybe that Holland, being as intelligent as he is, has given himself an option if Z's back flares up again. Say all you want about Hossa, but the man is durable. Them same can't be said for Z. If push comes to shove and Hossa has his typical season, while Z has his, missing 12 - 20 games, it may not be a question of signing them both at all.

Steve (Posted 2008-07-09 00:32:01)
Glad you brought up Lidstrom, since he well-illustrates your tendency to revise history. Lidstrom did not take a $5 million discount in his prime, like you are suggesting Zetterberg and Hossa will. In fact, he took nothing that even remotely resembled a "discount." His $7.8 million post-lockout salary was the player cap maximum. Before his salary was reduced by the lockout, he was making $10 million: good for second in the league behind Jagr, first among defensemen. This is not to say he wasn't worth the money (he earned his pay better than Jaromir), but highest-paid player at one's position cannot be considered a "discount" in any conceivable employ. As for his current, $7.5 million salary, he certainly could have asked for more, but there's a difference between what a 30 year-old player trying to set himself up for life will require and what a 38 year-old player who has already set himself up for life will accept. In Lidstrom's case, the former was the second-richest contract in the league, and the latter was $7.5 mil, which is less than he could command, but is not exactly the monumental "discount" you make it out to be (see Brodeur, Martin for a player who's really making less than he could). Zetterberg, unlike Lidstrom, has, for three years, been an elite forward who has been paid like a second-class forward. His contract is up next year, at age 28(29?). It's time for Zetterberg to set himself up for life, as Lidstrom did at the same age. If "Z" is to give a discount, he will work down from Ovechkin, not up from Datsyuk. As for Hossa, one doesn't employ Rich Winter as an agent if one wants to take a paycut on one's next contract (even at this year's "discount," he's still getting a raise over last year). Ask John Muckler about the time Marian Hossa came out of the lockout demanding more money than every comparable player at his position (including Ilya Kovalchuk and Rick Nash, who were coming off Richard Trophy seasons). After this coming year's attempted cup run, you can expect Hossa to max out, whether it's in Detroit or elsewhere. Lastly, you should study the dynamics between cartels and unions before trying to lecture someone on market forces.

Jean Beliveau (Posted 2008-07-08 21:22:17)
Dear Mr. Campbell, I truly appreciate your knowledge of the hockey world. However, that is to say you do not have to write such article with a sarcastic, see even more narcissistic tone. For the record, since the lock-out, if you can name only one team that has been to the Stanley Cup finals two years in a row, I'd be stunned! As for your comment regarding Sundin's desire to play for a real winning team with pressure to perform, Sundin has made it clear from the get-go that if he is to come back to the NHL, it would be in the Eastern Conference, where the traveling isn't as difficult as it is in the Western Conference. I 'm a firm believer that Sundin did more than perform admirably well with a less than stellar surrounding cast during his tenure in Toronto. Which now brings the idea of performing most possibly in Montreal for the 100th anniversary of the Canadiens... Yeah, baby, yeah!

Dead Bones Brook (Posted 2008-07-08 18:52:14)
Steve, so you're saying that Lids discount at 7.45 is only a 1.1 million? Lids is far below what he is worth and was just making 7.8 million before this new contract. Z and Hossa can stay below 8 million easily if Lids can do it. Next year isnt going to be vastly different from this one in which he signed the contract. What history are you talking about? 6.7 isnt enough to sign a UFA like Campbell would make sense considering other teams could field their offers and of course he wanted the most money in the best spot. This however is not the case with these two, Z and Hossa, so they can in fact stay below 8 million easily. Dats contract is now a discount considering he could make around a Lids deal. Salaries are inflated simply because other teams are willing to throw so much at players now because they are desperate or trying to reach the cap floor. You shouldn't figure this into account when trying to determine a players worth plus taking a hometown discount.

Innis (Posted 2008-07-08 18:14:41)
You've clearly got Sundin backwards. He wants some challenge to win a Cup. He wants to help lead a team to a Cup. Riding along on a two-peat with the stocked up Wings isn't his way to polish off his NHL career? Red Wings are favourites without him. Where's his legacy in winning a Cup with that?

JT from the "D" (Posted 2008-07-08 17:09:03)
You guys that say Z and Franzen will demand more money are forgetting about the Swedish "family" here in Detroit...they live close together, thier kids play together they are a family here in Detroit, and they like that. That is a huge factor in whther or not they stay, (which they will) for less money...money is NOT everything to these types of players ..besides..once you crest 2-3 mil...an extra 1 or 2 is not going to drive you away from a place that feels like home, and a system that you love to play in...with owners and rabid fans that show you respect. That is why year after year, they are right there...and why once Hossa gets a "taste" of Detroit hockey..he WILL take the discount to stay. 7.5mil to win..or 8-9 to lose...Meh, These guys love to win..and he showed in in his signing..winning is MORE important than the long term $$$. You should commend him....not denegrate him.

AMR (Posted 2008-07-08 15:59:30)
First of all, Zetterberg will sign a deal in the range of Datsyuk and Lidstrom, he will make $8 million. To the guy that said Franzen will get $4.5 to $5.5, sure if he signs elsewhere, he will acceot $3.5 here in Detroit. Lidstrom will re-sign for $8 million of next year and he will own the top salary. I can see Hossa getting just around the same as Datsyuk and Zetterberg, if not exactly the same, for a long term contract. Holland is a genius and knows how to run a business, I hope we never lose him, but I would hope that when Bettman is fired (I mean retires) that Holland is considered for his position since he is undeniably, the smartest man in the NHL.

Dave Owens (Posted 2008-07-08 15:17:45)
Hossa is coming back to the Pens to play in the new arena after his stint w/ the Wings..

Aaron (Posted 2008-07-08 14:48:40)
There's a few things that are critical to resigning Hossa. One, the Cap, must be increased by a substatial amount ---at least 7 mil to cover all or most of Hossa's contract. Franzen is the other key. Franzen put a lot of goals in the net towards the end of the season and in the play-offs, but the way he put them in the net is important too. Franzen appears not to just be an average player that benefits from playing on a good line, but he looks to be turning into a play maker, and if he can score 30-40 goals next season, he will be able to command between 4.5-5.5 million on average, and there may be a team or two willing to pay more ---we will have to wait and see on this, but it's important to note how he scores his goals. He was dominant at times, if this continues he will command more money. If the Cap does not increase, which it should, and Franzen turns out to be a top tier power foward, Holland will not be able to sign both. I'm pretty sure next year Zetterberg will be highest paid player on the team, and he will sign a new contract before free agency ---expect at least 8 mil to go for Zet if not 8.5. Hossa will have to take less ---a senority and hometown discount.

Brian P (Posted 2008-07-08 14:20:11)
I think Zetterberg will probably break that "Lidstrom cap" next season and sign for more than $7.4 mil, but it probably won't be by that much. I'd let Hossa walk after this season, personally, unless he's a great fit and willing to take around $7 mil a year in a long-term deal. They just don't need Hossa that bad, and the smart money says that one of Gaborik, Havlat, the Sedin twins, Koivu, Kovalev, (all UFA next summer) or somebody else will take less money than they could get elsewhere to play for this franchise if the Wings call, just like Hossa did this summer. And don't forget those persistent rumours about Ryan Miller leaving Buffalo for Detroit as a free agent next summer, they're going to need salary cap space for that...

MJM (Posted 2008-07-08 14:05:05)
Bottom Line - players want to win the Stanley Cup and after winning one it makes the desire to win again even sweeter. Detroit has consistantly been a CUP contender year after year and that is why players like Hossa sign with Detroit for less money. That being said anyone who knows the Ilitch family, Ken Holland & the front office staff knows why players love playing in Detroit and it's not because the view of Canada from the Joe is so spectacular! Players in Detroit and their families are treated like family and with respect. The red Wings organization truely knows what TEAM spirit is all about and that is a primary reason for the team's success. That is why Zatterberg, Lidstrom, Datysuk and other players who could command more on the open market have stayed and will stay in Detroit. Just ask Marty Lapointe.

Bus36 (Posted 2008-07-08 13:28:20)
Do you actually think that Zetterberg and Hossa are going to take 7.4 million per to resign next year? I definitely don't see Franzen taking $3 million per season to stay with Detriot. I've heard of hometown discounts but I'm sure he'll receive at a minimum $7 million a year if he hits the market, but I don't see him leaving $4 million at the table for a hometown discount. It will be a decision for Holland to make, Hossa or Franzen.

Steve (Posted 2008-07-08 13:05:24)
If either Zetterberg or Hossa take $6.7 million for their next contract (which was 1 million below cap max when Datsyuk signed it, but is now $5 million below), I'll eat my keyboard.

Giv'er (Posted 2008-07-08 11:57:49)
So veteran guys like Draper and Maltby are interchangeable? Bull. One of the biggest reasons why the Wings won the cup was due to the fact that these guys kept playing great hockey. They're some of the best checking forwards in the game. You'd be an idiot to "interchange" them. I wouldn't keep Hossa simply because they don't need him, and the defensive aspects of the game are more important than the offensive, which is all that hossa brings. They have first tier all stars. They have secondary scoring. Hossa's just an add on, adding more offensive upside to whats already one of the highest scoring teams in the league. And shame on you for insulting Mats Sundin. He's been under such media scrutiny and pressure to win that Hossa would fall apart and cry in his coach's arms in front of the army of media freaks that Sundin's put up with in Toronto. I'm not knocking Hossa, or anything like that, I'm just saying Sundin's had to put up with the bull in Toronto for most of his career. It's ridiculous.

JCM (Posted 2008-07-08 11:30:21)
Don't knock Federov, haven't you ever been dumped by the love of your life? He was totally beside himself, depressed and unfocused staying in Detroit. When Kornikova left him, he said "everywhere I go in Detroit I see her". That's a broken heart, brother. Federov had to go somewhere he could be himself again and that wasn't going to happen in Detroit. Detroit happily sent him down the road in the hope that he would be happy. He's still family to us in Detroit and he's happy in D.C. and that's all that matters, more than hockey, more than money, more than anything.

Jason Thomas (Posted 2008-07-08 10:52:56)
Totally agree with ya Tommy about Fedorov. No one could blame him for taking the money and runnin' but if he had stayed here, he would have put up better numbers and won more cups.

Brian Kemp (Posted 2008-07-08 10:34:18)
I doubt Federov regrets leaving the Wings. He did make something like 40 or 50 million dollars, and had already won 3 cups, 2 Selkes and a Hart. It's not like he went somewhere to prove himself. He left to get out of Stevie's huge shadow. As far as Hossa goes, I wouldn't be real surprised to see him stay, or go. I would be surprised to see Holland break the bank and screw the Wings to keep him here. Zetterberg will be resigned, as will Filpula and Franzen. And they will sign for less because winning is fun. Zetterberg will make Datsyuk money, even though he could be making Crosby money, because these guys were brought up with guys like Stevie and Shanny taking less to help the team win. It's the culture of the franchise, and that's why they are so successful. That, and the front office is loaded with genius types.

Jerome (Posted 2008-07-08 10:01:12)
That the Wings have players with the right attitudes owe in great part to Scotty Bowman. When he started coaching in Detroit, he jettisoned players who wouldn't buy into his concept of the team and brought in the players who would. He had no qualms about getting rid of fan-favorites and high-profile players with past greatness (Dino Ciccarelli, Paul Coffey) or benching superstars if they didn't meet his expectations (Brendan Shanahan, Sergei Fedorov). When Scotty retired, he suggested Barry Smith as his successor rather than Dave Lewis, but that ended up being a stumble, since Lewis was too much of the players' friend rather than the boss. Since Scotty is still an adviser to the Wings, that influence still carries over and it's to the Wings' benefit that Mike Babcock bought into that program as well. That level of control and trust is apparently what MLSE couldn't get through their thick skulls in order to land Bowman. The Red Wings management operates as a committee, but Ken Holland is the trigger man, and he's smart enough to really listen to people who know what they're talking about, whether they're senior advisers (Bowman, Devellano), junior executives (Jim Nill, Steve Yzerman), or even "just" the scouts and player development reps (Jiri Fischer was given a job in the Red Wings management group to work in player development, under Yzerman).

Wayne in Chicago (Posted 2008-07-08 07:31:08)
RE: Tom Wigger....... Sounds like the same "Oh No! what are we going to do in 5 years" that so many worried about in the 90's. Just relax and enjoy. The Detroit franchise is solid and should be for a long time.

K.D. (Posted 2008-07-07 22:31:44)
First off, I'm Leaf fan. Secondly, I appreciate any of the original six. The Red Wings have something going on here that fans should sit back and appreciate. This is a finely tuned hockey club that could redefine dynasty. This dynasty would consist of players that play for the love of the game and not the almighty dollar. Red wing management has assembled a group of players that go to battle each night for themselves and their team and their team mates. In this era of egos and selfishness, it is refreshing to see hard work and dedication win out. The present day Red Wings will be remembered for a long time.

Hockey Savant (Posted 2008-07-07 21:59:47)
The best thing about a salary cap is that there are two parts of having a winning franchise. They are 1. the product you put on the ice and 2. the talent you have in the front office for assembling and maintaining part 1 within the confines of the cap. Holland has proven that he is able to do more than "buy a Cup." I am far from a RedWings fan and as a Pens fan still feel the sting of the lost series and losing Hossa, but I give respect where it is due. The disgusting thing is that as good as the Wings are, they got better with Hossa and if he likes it there could remain that good for a while. Color the rest of the fans green with envy because things look bright in the Motor City.

Tom Wigger (Posted 2008-07-07 21:05:17)
I really don't see them being able to re-sign Hossa... UNLESS the cap goes up significantly. I think it is more important to keep players like Franzen and Filppula around. These are the core guys that help win Cups. Its rare that top heavy teams win Cups. But... another thing on the horizon is Draper and Maltby retiring. Draper is still effective especially on faceoffs, but Maltby doesn't get much ice time with Babcock. Once those two retire they will have Helm and Abdelkader take their place at a significant amount of money less than Drapes and Malts. Also do we really know how long Nick Lidstrom plans on playing??? He has two years on his contract, and he might retire after that. Sure he can play til he is 50, but will he want to. The only thing out there for him to do is win two or three more Norris' to tie or overtake Orr for all time record of Norris'. Of course this is possible... however, unlikely.

Skeezix (Posted 2008-07-07 20:28:53)
Eh, well, we're used to people hating on Detroit. It's ok, though, because it's all just the punk fans of loser teams crying in public again.

jono (Posted 2008-07-07 20:10:46)
theres no way hossa is going 2 take a discount next year foo he's going 2 have a really good year and test the market and make 8-10 mill theres no way they can sign hank and hossa too mega rich deals because zetterberg is 1 if not the best 2 way forward out there and i don't see hossa going for chum change

steve (Posted 2008-07-07 19:52:04)
A guy (?) named Thor really shouldn't make comments about a great, 300 year-old city, Detroit. Someone meaner than me will put the ol' Detroit lean on ya.

Bill Brown (Posted 2008-07-07 19:28:18)
Harry M., you've got to be kidding? It's not unfair to evaluate Sundin's lack of desire to have a go at the Cup when it was hanging out there ready to pluck. And you believe it's Ken that "makes the Leafs players not good?" That assessment should be at the feet of the players and no one else. If a player's worth is determined by a sports writer, get rid of that player in a hurry! And one more thing, Detroit would never have signed Finger for $3.5M!!

Michael Jourdan (Posted 2008-07-07 19:05:47)
It's a good position to be in. To still be under the cap and have all that talent. The bigger issue for Holland is what does he do with all the players he has under contract. It looks like McCarty and Downey will be offered 2 way deals. Chelios wants to come back but isn't under contract. With Hossa either on the 1st or second line, what happens with Jiri Hudler and michael Samulsen. Quincey and Meetch are out of options and Erickson is ready to be an every day defenceman. Holland won't just give players away, looks like more roster changes. There are no guarantees that Zeterberg will resign though most here figure he'll sign for a deal comperable to the one Datsuk signed. At least it's nice to know players want to come here.

Harry Martin (Posted 2008-07-07 18:26:20)
Ken why did you have to take a shot at Sundin? It's obvious he isn't in it for money. He's honestly not sure if he wants to play. Why else would he give up 20 million over two years? So why don't you get off the Sundin and the leafs back? It's people like you that make the leafs players not good. You never give them a break. What if Detriot had signed Finger for 3.5? It would be well Holland must have seen something. You need to learn to lay off.

Vince (Posted 2008-07-07 17:31:59)
I love Ken Holland. He always finds ways to bring guys to Detroit and keep this team competitive, even when people said we would fall apart. Ken Holland is great at what he does along with all the people in the Red Wing office. The Red Wings will continue to do great things with them running the show. I hope to see more Stanley cups here in Hockeytown. Go Wings!