Well, it is official: Mikael Samuelsson has signed a 3 year deal at $2.5 per year with the Vancouver Canucks. I can't blame him for leaving and based on our contract offer to him, I am not sure if the Wings are too upset by this, either. Once Hossa left we could have had either Jiri Hudler or Sammy. Both players probably could be had for between $2-2.5 million. Despite the fact that they could trade Hudler and get back a prospect or draft pick for him, they still valued Hudler over Sammy. The 7 year age difference probably had something to do with that, and Hudler's importance on the power play.
The interesting debate now becomes: who takes Sammy's spot on the point of the second power play unit? In the playoffs, that responsibility was given to Brad Stuart when Rafalski was injured. However, Babcock loves Jonathon Ericcsson and I think his reported 100 MPH shot from the point is something that will be hard to pass up. He and Kronwall on the back end of the second PP with their skill and shots would probably make up one of the best second-units in the game. Many fans were anxiously awaiting the day that Samuelsson was taken off the power play unit. That day has now come. But, still, for all of his faults, he was still a very good role player at a $1.2 million cap hit who played on all four lines during his 4-year stay here, and was at least decent on the PP. He also hit 20 goals with us and was an integral part of 3 trips to the conference finals, two trips to the Stanley Cup finals and a Stanley Cup victory. Hats off to you, Sammy.
The Detroit Red Wings got a query or two this weekend from other teams looking to acquire the rights to pending unrestricted free-agent forward Marian Hossa.
"Yeah, I have been approached about acquiring his rights," Wings GM Ken Holland told ESPN.com on Saturday as the NHL draft wrapped up.
But for now, the answer is no as Holland keeps trying to re-sign the star winger.
"But obviously if it appears that we can't get anything done in the next 48 hours, then … you'd rather get something than nothing," Holland said. "So right now, I'm just in a holding pattern."
So, it is basically up to Hossa. In an earlier post, I explained the Wings cap situation. In short, its not pretty. Assuming Howard and Helm are on the roster, we have $3.3 million to spend and we still need to fill at least 3 forward spots. With Lilja's potential long-term injury placing him on LTIR, we might be able to have ad additional $1.2 million to spend. That would leave us at $4.5 million. Hossa has to decide if he wants to accept a lot less than market value to stay here at about $4 million per year. In order to do that, the contract probably has to be 10 years+. It is entirely up to Hossa, really. I doubt Holland is going to budge from his contract offer. We simply cannot b/c of our lack of cap space.
But, it is interesting that we might be able to trade his negotiating rights. If we can get a draft pick or prospect or two for Hossa, then that is all the better for the future of our organization. It certainly adds a unique twist to the contract negotiations.
When reached via e-mail Saturday, Winter declined to discuss the Hossa situation. Meanwhile, Winter also represents Wings forward Tomas Kopecky, also slated for UFA status come Wednesday.
"I talked to Rich Winter on Kopecky and it appears he's going to hit the open market," Holland said. "I made an offer, but he's hoping to do a lot better than what we offered."
-This is surprising. I had just assumed Kopecky would be back at $500,000 to $600,000 a year Not a big loss, and it does open up the possibility of us acquiring a veteran 4th line player.
Another pending UFA is veteran forward Mikael Samuelsson and there's still hope on that front.
"I talked to Samuelsson's agent a couple of days ago and we're going to talk again by Monday," Holland said. "We'd like to keep Sammy. But again, it's all about the cap."
Like Hossa and Kopecky, its up to Sammy. We are probably offering $2 million a year. He could get nearly $3 million a year on the open market. If Sammy does sign with us at that cost, it also opens up the possibility that we might be able to fit Hudler and Leino under the cap, as well.
It's your move Hossa, Kopecky and Sammuelson. Take it or leave it.
UPDATE: Khan updates us on the situation. Holland is "not optimistic." This is basically what we already knew. Except, Holland said he would not offer Conklin a contract and that Jimmy Howard will be the backup to Chris Osgood next season. He also has made qualifying offers to Leino and Hudler, but since they are restricted free agents there is less of a hurry to re-sign them. And, again, I am surprised about Kopecky testing the market. I had thought the odds were very good that he was going to return.
"Believing Hossa won't get done in Detroit if he won't accept a "Franzen style deal" Red Wings have less than $4 million left"
Nothing too surprising, really. The Wings have $2.4 million left in cap space and 3 forward spots to fill. There is simply no money to sign Hossa unless several contracts are moved. I would argue that Maltby, Draper's and Homer's contracts are almost dead weight to our roster, and freeing us of those deals would clear up close to $4.5 million in cap space. The trouble is, I can't think of a GM who would want to help the Wings and take those contracts off our hands (not to mention that Draper has a NTC and can block any trade). So, unless Hossa takes an incredible pay cut, he will not be a Wing next season. Essentially, it came down to Franzen vs. Hossa. Franzen signed first and for about $2 million less than Hossa is probably looking at. Should Kenny have waited it out, signed Hossa and let Franzen walk instead? It will be a debate that will continue on for years.
Also...
"Hearing Red Wings did make an offer to Mikael Samuelsson that didn't get it done."
If he wants more than 2-2.25 million, then you have to let him walk. If he will settle for that, then we should listen and try to get a deal signed. Personally, I've always wanted Sammy to re-sign and I've always thought that he would not. His last contract of only $1.2 million was his best contract, yet. And, since he is approaching his mid 30's, this will be his last chance at a deal. He already has a ring. He knows the Wings cannot give him market value because of our poor cap situation. I think he takes a higher offer from a lower-tier team looking for a veteran top 6 forward (maybe Atlanta?). This way, he gets his money and his ice time. Makes sense to me.
With that said, I doubt the negotiations are over with. We are still a week away from July 1st, and I don't see Sammy as one of the guys to be picked up right away on the first day of free agency. This one still has a few twists and turns left in it.
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