Marian Hossa Signs In Detroit

by Jonathan Willis on Jul 2, 2008 11:07 AM MDT

Ken Holland is a super-genius, and the rest of the Hockey World knows it and caters to him accordingly. There is no other explanation for Marian Hossa's decision to leave money and term on the table (beyond Rich Winter's dislike for big commisions that in anyway connect him to Kevin Lowe) and sign a 1-year, 7.4-million dollar contract with the Red Wings.

This was the best free agent signing of the period, a brilliant move only possible for the Detroit Red Wings. Nobody else, including the Penguins, could have induced Hossa to ink such a contract. Hossa wants the Stanley Cup next year, and presumably feels he can get his retirement payday at that time. Detroit now has an almost unbeatable group of forwards, with four total players among the best at their positions. I'm stunned.

As for the Oilers, this could be a the best possible outcome, given that Katz has sent his message and their is no doubt the team is willing to spend. It could be a bad outcome too, if Lowe takes the money he had earmarked for Hossa and offers it to Kristian Huselius.

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wow, please not Huselius. Jagr for short term would be alright.
and of course, kudos to Holland. again.

by Kish on Jul 2, 2008 11:17 AM MDT reply actions

While it might lead Lowe to sign someone who's a bad fit, I think that's still better than the alternative.

by Doogie2K on Jul 2, 2008 11:28 AM MDT reply actions

Or as someone at LT's said, he could be taking the one year deal so his stats get ultra inflated playing with Henrik and Pavel and then signs an absolutely insane contract.

by Kyle on Jul 2, 2008 11:52 AM MDT reply actions

As much as I like the IDEA of Hossa, I'm glad the Oil won't have to shuffle all the deck chairs to make the salaries work. (this year not too bad but we still need to hold onto Horc, Gagner, Cogs, Grebs, and now Cole in the near future.

Jonathan - what do you think of Naslund if he could be had for a decent salary? After the last couple days I'm not sure what a decent salary is.... but what if you could get a 3-4 year at 4 mill per?

by DOOGIE81 on Jul 2, 2008 12:24 PM MDT reply actions

Jonathan - what do you think of Naslund if he could be had for a decent salary? After the last couple days I'm not sure what a decent salary is.... but what if you could get a 3-4 year at 4 mill per?

I think Naslund could be a really nice fit on the soft minutes line, especially with Gagner setting him up. Plus, he likes playing in the shadow of a good sized forward, so he might be really suited to playing with Penner or Cole. The only thing is that I'm pretty sure signing Naslund displaces Robert Nilsson, unless Cole's playing third line.

Jagr for short term would be alright.

And possible too, I think - I seem to recall Jagr being a big fan of Hemsky.

by Jonathan Willis on Jul 2, 2008 1:10 PM MDT reply actions

Yep. I think Jagr paired with Hemsky is an exciting gamble.

by tcho on Jul 2, 2008 1:56 PM MDT reply actions

wasn't there a comment from Jagr a couple years ago prior to an international tourney where he requested Hemsky on his line?

This team seems like it could do some damage with individual pieces, but I am having a hard time seeing the pieces working as a whole.

-Do you break up the Kid Line? Do we put Cole on an outscorer line like LT sugests? What are the chances Cole want's to resign if he's playing 2b - 3rd line duty?

by DOOGIE81 on Jul 2, 2008 2:20 PM MDT reply actions

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