Posted by 
Now that Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland has locked up Henrik Zetterberg for the rest of his hockey career he has zeroed in and set his sights on resigning two more of Detroit’s key players: Johan Franzen and Marian Hossa.
Holland has talked to both players’ agents and hopes to strike some kind of deal with at least one of them by the end of the season, but in order to do that the Wings will likely have to free up a little salary cap space by offloading someone else. Mikael Samuelsson, Tomas Kopecky and goaltender Ty Conklin will be unrestricted free agents at the end of this season, while Jiri Hudler will be a restricted free agent when the season comes to a close.
“We want to keep Marian and Johan; we’re looking to find the best hockey deals,” Holland said. “What I’m trying to do is get to a point where we have to make a decision and the player has to make a decision.”
Franzen, who would command somewhere in the neighborhood of $4 million a season, has hinted around that he would like to remain a Red Wing and not test the free agent market.
Hossa, who turned his back on more money last summer to sign with Detroit for one year at $7.45 million, will be a little harder to secure. He has made it clear that he’d love to stay in Detroit but at the same time he isn’t interested in another one-year contract.
“I definitely want to settle down in a long-term deal, too,” Hossa said. “Now Henrik is done and we’ll see what happens. It’s a great organization. There’s a great group of guys that definitely feel comfortable. It’s like a big family in here. Everyone is used to winning and they want to be part of it.”
While it would be nice to see both players return Holland will probably go with the one he can get at the best bargain price, but as we’ve seen numerous times before if there is anyone who can finagle a deal that will keep both players in Detroit on a long-term basis it’s him.
Only time will tell.
Some Other Articles That You May Enjoy:
Franzen’s Highlight Reel Goal Only Shining Star In 5-4 Loss to Blues
Wings Franzen Out At Least 3 More Games With Sore Hand
Detroit GM “Not Optimistic” About Keeping Hossa
Wings Notebook: Re-Sign Hossa, Dump Franzen
Datsyuk, Lidstrom Suspended For Not Taking Part In ASG
Osgood Ready For Start Tonight Against L.A.
We hope you enjoyed this post. As always, leaving a comment below is both appreciated and encouraged. Thanks!
I actually went ahead and did the math on this one yesterday. It’s nearly mathematically impossible for the Red Wings to push the issue with Hossa unless he is signing for 4m/year. It’s possible if the Wings move pieces to get Hossa but it’s not very likely. At this point it may be either Franzen plus or Hossa. Don’t expect both back in Detroit. It’s a similar situation to RJ Umberger and Jeff Carter in Philadelphia back at the draft last season.
Truth be told I don’t believe the Wings will keep Hossa considering the depth they already have. Detroit is notorious for developing young talent and they feel secure in that ability.
They did win a cup without Hossa after all.
Personally I think they sign Hossa and let Franzen and Sammy go. That is possible and they can still sign Hudler.