Hossa to the Red Wings!!!

[Big Tall]

I edited out my mistake on Stuart, but again with the cap going up they didn't have to make much room for a 7.4 mil contract.

Edit:

Take a look at this: http://salaries.hockeyanalysis.com/teams/detroit.php

Obviously it hasn't been updated with the recent signings, but the Wings had only 40 mil committed for the 08-09 season heading into July 1st.

 

[suitman19]

Hasek made nothing this year.
Stuart was only a signing since February.
Osgood was under a $1M.
Zetterberg, Franzen and Filppula are all dirt cheap until 08/09.
Chelios was under $1M.
Lilja was $1M.
After Lidstrom - Rafalski was the most $$ at around $6M.
Then Kronwall at $2.5.


Basically the biggest part is the Wings do not depend on spending $3.5 - $7.5M per year on a goalie that can't win you a cup on his own. Think of it - they had Hasek and Osgood this year for under $2M . That leaves a lot of $$$ for 4 very good D-men and 3-4 others that can plug holes fir the defense.

As I said before - a masterful job of putting together a team within the constraints of the salary cap. And providing an atmosphere that players rave about playing in ... to other players in the league.

2008/09 will be different, but I can almost assure you that the next captain of the Wings will sign a contract similar to Datsyuk's and be a Wing for life. Zetterberg has already said in print - that he has no desire to leave this team. Scary thought for the future!!

bruce

 

[SMELLTHEVICTORY]

Just As A Fan Not Getting Into The Cap.. I Love It.. But Man This Is Going To Make For Some Ugly Patches.. If They Are Even Going To Be Wings Jerseys..

 

[pathshot]

Wow, that leaves the Pens a good chunk of change to spend. Could Naslund be coming back to the 'burgh?

We know Shero isn't going to stand pat. Thankfully, Malkin is now under extension (which makes him tradeable in the future).

Our remaining UFAs are: Kris Beech, David Gove, Milan Kraft, Georges Laraque, Ross Lupaschuk, Alain Nasreddine, Brooks Orpik, Michal Sivek, and Jeff Taffe.

I really only see Brooks Orpik getting any specific consideration here. Jeff Taffe would be nice to keep as a fourth line anchor, though. Kris Beech might be asked to return.

They need to pick up two top-six forwards, a checking forward and a solid stay-at-home defenseman who can hit. I really want that last one to still be Orpik. Guys who might be able to fill in the rest could include Kristian Huselius, Jason Williams, Michael Peca, or even *sigh* Pavol Demitra. I would also love to see Shero throw an offer sheet at Valtteri Filppula.

Markus Naslund is very high on the wish list. I hope Detroit is done with their spree.....

-Michael

 

[tealfan]

On a side note, I enjoyed that article that Ken Holland did in The Hockey News. It was called "How We Did it". Maybe other teams should be pinning that up on their bulletin boards...lol.

 

[suitman19]

"I would also love to see Shero throw an offer sheet at Valtteri Filppula."

No offers until next year for the Finn!!!
And I can assure you that he will not make it to July 1, 2009 if Holland is sitll around.
He thinks that Filppula is on par with Zetterberg at similar stages of their careers (3 years difference.

Not sure about that - but like Zetty, Filppula is learning a strong 2-way game.
His scoring needs improving - but that will come. Hossa was a free (to the Wings) player for the coming year. That is why he is one and done. No way the Wings have the cap room next year for him. But Franzen Filppula Zetty Datsyuk Cleary Helm Ritola (sp?) are a pretty good nucleus for the future in Detroit.

Heck - even Jim Nil (asst GM) would rather stay, then leave as he has been asked to for so long as GM somewhere else (cough: Toronto).

bruce