15 replies to this topic

[burke6687]

TSN is reporting that Hossa has agreed to a 1 year $7.4 million deal with the Red Wings. Im really suprised by this, Pittsburgh was offering very similar on a long term deal and Im sure a number of teams were probably offering more money annually and long term. I guess he must feel Detroit is his best chance for a Cup after a taste of the playoffs last year.

Damn you Red Wings Wasnt bad enough you beat my team now you have to steal Hossa away to!!!!!!

[YzerFan19]

I go out to lunch and insanity happens.

This was the move I least expected. Ken Holland kicks all kinds of ass.

[burke6687]

I go out to lunch and insanity happens.

This was the move I least expected. Ken Holland kicks all kinds of ass.

Im beginning to think Ken Holland might just be the smoothest talker on the planet. How else could he get a guy to turn down 40-60 Million from a number of teams to take his one year offer?

I hate the leafs but if I was MLSE I would pay whatever it cost to get this guy as my GM. Holland comes out of no where to snag Hossa and Toronto starts its new and improved management system by overpaying for Hagman and Fingers. If Holland get Sundin to take a 1 year 1 million dollar deal now Im going to freak out. Theres no one out there for the Pens to replace Hossa with, I hope we can keep Orpik.

[drwmike33]

This is insane.

We have no need for picking up Sundin now. If we do, though, we're just not going to lose. This is a bloody dream team right now.

Wow.

[drwmike33]

HA!

The Penguins are losing their team! Next we'll see Crosby asking to sign with us!

[choyer]

I think I just had a heart attack! the combinations of lines are now endless

[Britishwingsfan]

This is mad. Where's he going to fit in, 2nd line? Or is he going to take Holmstrom's place on the 1st line? Surely not?
And I'm sure I read somewhere yesterday that Holland wasn't going to go for any of the big players....

[SYfanSD]

This one is almost as good as when we signed Brett Hull and the Dominator.

[YzerFan19]

I'm still kind of shocked about this. Wow.

I have no illusions about being able to re-sign Hossa next summer and if I'm Edmonton or Pittsburgh I throw a big offer sheet at Filppula just to f*ck with the Wings but for one year this could be very, very nice.

And of course, as soon as I hear what number he'll wear I'll post it. He asked Adam Hall to switch in Pittsburgh but I don't think he'll do that to Kirk Maltby here.

[choyer]

I'd rather see Maltby wear 18 than Marian. Hopefully Hossa can put his ego aside and switch to 81 or something. Possibly 17 if Drake decides to hang 'em up.

[RideTheRedWave]

This deal was a shocker!! I remember rumors of him coming to detroit last year and now its true. I'm wondering where he would play, I think second line would be best fit. He could be on line one or two. This does give Babcock some more flexibility to the line situation. The thing is will somebody be dragged back to another line or off the team? Helm sent to GR? Are Mac and Drake done? This acquisition doesn't mean auto-championship because I'm not sure he would fit in because Babcock runs a defensive oriented scheme, 2 way players. I really think it will work for the better because he proved to be one of the best players for pittsburgh last postseason in the finals, AWESOME!

If Drake is done then I think we need to keep mccarty that is if he doesn't retire or something. McCarty will be in better shape this time around but I have a feeling he won't be a wing next season. Although Anything can happen as he proved this year.

As for Conklin, I think he will be the best backup in the league behind ozzie. The problem I see happening with these acquisitions is the loss of unity that these champs gained knowing there are more players to take up their jobs. I believe holland did say that the backup job is up for grabs at training camp though (although I can't see conklin being sent to grand rapids).

Who are free agents for the wings? I hope we don't lose Filpulla, he fits the team, 2 way player.

[choyer]

Filppula is a restricted free agent, and as long as nobody pulls a Kevin Lowe he isn't going anywhere. I predict that Drake will retire and Downey won't be back. McCarty will most likely sign a 1-year contract. I think the top two lines should be as followed:

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom
Cleary-Filppula/Franzen-Hossa

Of course Hossa is easily exchangeable within the top 2 lines, and the 2nd line usually changes frequently anyways, but if I were to guess a lineup that is what it would be.

[YzerFan19]

Filppula is a restricted free agent, and as long as nobody pulls a Kevin Lowe he isn't going anywhere.

Which can't be counted on, since the Wings are kind of stuck right now and there are some p*ssed off teams out there.

I think the top two lines should be as followed:

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom
Cleary-Filppula/Franzen-Hossa

I'd go with Filppula-Franzen-Hossa for that second line, Cleary with Draper and Samuelsson on the third line.

The Wings are already taking about splitting up the Flying Circus, though, so in that case I might do Datsyuk between Holmstrom and Hossa with Zetterberg centering Filppula and Franzen.

[choyer]

Wow, just thinking about those lines is crazy. If they do split up the lines like you said then I think it will work for the best. Datsyuk can pull amazing plays out of his ass and setup hossa while holmstrom is doing his job in front of the net, and zetterberg has enough playmaking ability in him to make franzen and filppula significantly increase their stat totals. The only problem is that both Hossa and Holmstrom are Right Wings. Do you think there will be a problem with one of them having to line up on the left of center?

[YzerFan19]

The only problem is that both Hossa and Holmstrom are Right Wings. Do you think there will be a problem with one of them having to line up on the left of center?

IIRC, Holmstrom has played LW. Not certain about that.

[YzerFan19]

George Malik confirms that Marian Hossa will wear #81 in Detroit. Also, there will be no press conference since he's back in Slovakia and they don't see a need to fly him back just to put on a sweater.

No word on whether Ty Conklin will take #35 from Jimmy Howard or go with the available #29 he wore for awhile in Edmonton.