Red Wings Odds and Ends

George Malik provided us with an up to date link tonight on where things stand for the Wings just two nights before the start of free agency.

Earlier this evening, TSN's Bob McKenzie reported that the Red Wings have upped their offer to Marian Hossa...

June 29, TSN: With less than 48 hours until the NHL free agency period begins, the first big question is how many of the marquee free agents will even get to the open market. ... Marian Hossa has to decide whether he will accept Detroit's non-negotiable offer of an annual cap hit of less than $5 million..

-George Sipple of the Free Press is still reporting that the Wings are offering $4 million, and McKenzie never mentioned a specific number so it is probably right in between $4 and $5 million a year.

The Free Press's George Sipple, however, reports that the Red Wings continue to offer him a deal at or around the $4 million mark, and if he doesn't sign, they expect him to walk on Wednesday at noon:

June 29, Detroit Free Press: "I'm willing to move a player or two if the cap number makes sense for us," Holland said Monday night. "Other teams can offer a lot more money. We've made our decisions. I'm very comfortable with the core of our team. We've put our best foot forward with Marian. They know it. Marian and (agent) Ritch Winter have to look at all their options."

If the Wings just sign restricted free agents Jiri Hudler and Ville Leino, they can still field a competitive team. Signing them gives the team 12 forwards. Eight defensemen are locked up, and Chris Osgood and Jimmy Howard are in net.

Holland said he wanted to see how Andreas Lilja, who missed the playoffs with a concussion, looks in training camp before making a decision on his defensive corps.

"I want to make sure Lilja's healthy," he said. "We're going to trade one defenseman. We're going to do nothing till we get to camp."

-Of course, if we sign Hossa for even $4 million, we would not have any money for Leino or Hudler so we would have to move a player or two like Holland suggested. What is interesting, though, is Holland's assertion that a defenseman will be traded. I always thought they would go with 12 natural forwards and use Meech as a #8 defenseman and #13 forward but that does not appear to be the case.

-Khan also chimes in with a general preview of free agency. No new information really provided.