Hossa to the Wings

They're going to be incredible next year.
 
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08184/894245-100.stm

WOW.

I wanted Hossa immediately after the Finals ended, but I never imagined it could actually happen.

This is AWESOME.

Holland is the MAN!  WOW------
 
 

"I don't want our team to expect to win. I want our team to deserve to win."

Rich Rodriguez

Think he'll be on a line with Datsyuk and Zetterberg? I can't even imagine the damage they'd do. Hossa was probably our best forward through most of the playoffs and he was by far the best defensive forward we had. Add him in with the Wing's collection of standout forwards who are great on D and it's simply going to be unbelieveable.

Holland is outstanding.  I will not be suprised one bit if he snags Ryan Miller next offseason.  Hossa is going to be huge for the Wings.  The Wings now have 2 first lines.  Please, someone come and try and stop them!!!!!
 
Whoops, came back to reality for a second here.  I just remembered all the offseason moves the Tigers made and then how they've been doing this year.  I'll just be happy but reserved for right now with what the Wings are doing.
 
 

WOW another Stanley Cup Run!

My, my, my.  And the rich get richer.  Wow.  And he took less money than he would have got from Pittsburgh and Edmonton.  Guess he wants a cup.  He came to the right place for one of those.  Good back checker, good scorer, has a knack for disappearing for chunks of games at a time but jeez, just stick him with Datsyuk and Zetterberg, who are BOTH better than Crosby, and this guy should score 35 goals relatively easy.  Ice time will be his wake up call  but if he can deal with that he'll be fine.  Yep, Wings are set for next year.  No doubt about that.

"I have marked down losses for Wisconsin, Michigan State, Penn State, and Ohio State. And then there could be others such as Illinois".-BigHouseFootball March 08

Wow I cant believe it either.. What a complete liar... I did like Hossa but hey when he says that he wants to stay in pittsburgh and get a long term contract I guess he was completely full of crap because that is what we gave him.. you know what you can have him.. cuz after next year he is gonna leave you guys to... and I hope he doesnt plan on coming back here after that...

ORIGINAL: bluecrazyinsteeltown

Wow I cant believe it either.. What a complete liar... I did like Hossa but hey when he says that he wants to stay in pittsburgh and get a long term contract I guess he was completely full of crap because that is what we gave him.. you know what you can have him.. cuz after next year he is gonna leave you guys to... and I hope he doesnt plan on coming back here after that...

You sound like a West Virginia fan.

Just like RR leaving WVU for Michigan, Hossa saw an opportunity to advance in the ranks, and he took it. Everybody knew Hossa was a rental when the Penguins traded for him, just like everyone knows he's going to spend one year in Detroit and then go elsewhere for his big pay day.

Yep, I'll take him for a year.  After that I couldn't care less where he goes.  That's the nature of the biz.

"I have marked down losses for Wisconsin, Michigan State, Penn State, and Ohio State. And then there could be others such as Illinois".-BigHouseFootball March 08

I love you Ken Holland.

So, lines?

Z-Dats-Homer
Mule-Flip-Hossa
Cleary-Draper-Sammy
Maltby-Helm-Hudler

Am I forgetting anyone? Leino is also going to get a shot at making the team during training camp.

I'll just say no to Mac, too slow, not as strong anymore, took waaaay too many penalties in the playoffs.

"Jim Tressel's DNA is linked to the Devil at some point, I'm sure of it."
-Doug Karsch "The Big Show"

You forgot Kopecky who was hurt in the playoffs but has a lot of upside-like 6-3 205!

Anybody getting sick and tired of the BS that comes out of the local rags in Pittsburgh, Edmonton, Toronto, etc?  They all blame Hossa for signing with the Wings i.e, he's taking the easy way out, who would want to live in Detroit (that gem from Kevin Lowe in Edmonton, as if THAT'S the place to live), he's a one year rental, where's the loyalty to Pittsburgh (although Pen fans certainly didn't question his loyalty to Atlanta), he must see something in Detroit others don't (that beauty from Pittsburgh) and on and on.  The guy takes LESS money (almost 2M less than Edmonton offered) and yet he gets blasted.  But if he takes the money from someone else he'd be a sell-out, a typical greedy athlete with no heart, etc etc.  And this idea of being a one-year rental is moronic.  Like that's a new concept.  But you can count on this: if he plays the way he can Holland will find a way to keep him long-term.  No doubt about it.  For the Pittsburgh writer who said he must see something in Detroit that other's don't: Umm..yeah..that would be a Stanley Cup.  Something you'll never see in your lifetime, pal.  These idiots really need to get over it.

"I have marked down losses for Wisconsin, Michigan State, Penn State, and Ohio State. And then there could be others such as Illinois".-BigHouseFootball March 08

It is funny how jealous these guys seem to be.  Hossa seems to be damned if you do, damned if you don't from all these writers.  We'll see if they kick the jealousy up a notch when Hossa starts winning with his 'rent a team'

Anybody getting sick and tired of the BS that comes out of the local rags in Pittsburgh, Edmonton, Toronto, etc? 

 
There's a lot of pent up resentment of the Red Wings out there.  Lots of hockey fans resented how the Red Wings could outspend most of the league during the 90's.  They thought that the salary cap would give other teams a chance.
 
But the Red Wings are doing just fine.  They always had good scouting and they've proven that they'll be successful under the salary cap just like they were before.
 
 

Phil Callihan
Editor-in-Chief
UMGoBlue.COM

I have a feeling Babcock is going to have many many line combinations written down on napkins this summer before training camp begins. 
 
The Wings 1st and 2nd (maybe even 3rd) lines next season would be any other teams 1st PP unit. 

Hossa will get plenty of ice time.... we just need everyone to stay healthy. Outside of Franzen getting banged up a little bit in the playoffs and missing a few games, one of the biggest reasons for success was staying healthy. Teams will have a hard time keeping up with our 4 lines if we're fully loaded with healthy scratches during the season and playoffs.

ORIGINAL: TK23Blue

Anybody getting sick and tired of the BS that comes out of the local rags in Pittsburgh, Edmonton, Toronto, etc?  They all blame Hossa for signing with the Wings i.e, he's taking the easy way out, who would want to live in Detroit (that gem from Kevin Lowe in Edmonton, as if THAT'S the place to live), he's a one year rental, where's the loyalty to Pittsburgh (although Pen fans certainly didn't question his loyalty to Atlanta), he must see something in Detroit others don't (that beauty from Pittsburgh) and on and on.  The guy takes LESS money (almost 2M less than Edmonton offered) and yet he gets blasted.  But if he takes the money from someone else he'd be a sell-out, a typical greedy athlete with no heart, etc etc.  And this idea of being a one-year rental is moronic.  Like that's a new concept.  But you can count on this: if he plays the way he can Holland will find a way to keep him long-term.  No doubt about it.  For the Pittsburgh writer who said he must see something in Detroit that other's don't: Umm..yeah..that would be a Stanley Cup.  Something you'll never see in your lifetime, pal.  These idiots really need to get over it.

I like how Kevin Lowe all of a sudden grew a sack. I guess being Brian Burke's dog for the past year got to him and not he's just throwing venom everywhere. Never mind the fact that he completely ruined Edmonton after they went to the Final (although Chris Pronger nailing that news anchor didn't help either).

ORIGINAL: TK23Blue

Anybody getting sick and tired of the BS that comes out of the local rags in Pittsburgh, Edmonton, Toronto, etc?  They all blame Hossa for signing with the Wings i.e, he's taking the easy way out, who would want to live in Detroit (that gem from Kevin Lowe in Edmonton, as if THAT'S the place to live), he's a one year rental, where's the loyalty to Pittsburgh (although Pen fans certainly didn't question his loyalty to Atlanta), he must see something in Detroit others don't (that beauty from Pittsburgh) and on and on.  The guy takes LESS money (almost 2M less than Edmonton offered) and yet he gets blasted.  But if he takes the money from someone else he'd be a sell-out, a typical greedy athlete with no heart, etc etc.  And this idea of being a one-year rental is moronic.  Like that's a new concept.  But you can count on this: if he plays the way he can Holland will find a way to keep him long-term.  No doubt about it.  For the Pittsburgh writer who said he must see something in Detroit that other's don't: Umm..yeah..that would be a Stanley Cup.  Something you'll never see in your lifetime, pal.  These idiots really need to get over it.

 
WOW well some of the things your saying are somewhat true but alot arent.. For one us pittsburghers wouldnt say anything about atlanta becasue he was traded so Hossa didnt have a choice in the matter... 2nd..Pittsburgh will see a Stanley Cup in his lifetime because they arent that far off and if you cant see that then thats crazy...I know that you guys on here are all detroit fans which I completely understand but outside of your little town everyone says that Crosby and Malkin maybe argueably two of the best players in hockey... I know you guys have datsyuk and whoever else thats great... but people in pittsburgh were upset (not anymore) that Hossa runs his mouth about wanting a long term deal for finacial stability and a team that can win the cup.. Well I know Detroit won this year but well you beat Pittsburgh.. Pittsburgh was 2 games away from winning it so lets be honest and true Pittsburgh does have a great shot at winning the cup..maybe not this year or next but remember Crosby who is what 22 Malkin 22, Staal 20, Fluery 21 and all but staal are signed for the next 6 years so things are looking bright for Pittsburgh...   so believe me we are over Hossa... GOOD BYE and when your rent a player is a free agent one thing is for sure he wont be back in Pittsburgh anytime soon and for the rent a player comment becuase if you dont win a cup Hossa may want to go somewhere else next year or he may see the writing on the wall that Detroit can afford to keep him with his high salary beacuse of the salary cap issue becuase detroit doesnt have any of their star players signed to long term deals... yes Detroit has a good team lined up for next year but remember you maybe one injury away from not winning the cup and nothing is guarenteed... So for Hossa hope you stay healthy

ORIGINAL: bluecrazyinsteeltown

ORIGINAL: TK23Blue

Anybody getting sick and tired of the BS that comes out of the local rags in Pittsburgh, Edmonton, Toronto, etc?  They all blame Hossa for signing with the Wings i.e, he's taking the easy way out, who would want to live in Detroit (that gem from Kevin Lowe in Edmonton, as if THAT'S the place to live), he's a one year rental, where's the loyalty to Pittsburgh (although Pen fans certainly didn't question his loyalty to Atlanta), he must see something in Detroit others don't (that beauty from Pittsburgh) and on and on.  The guy takes LESS money (almost 2M less than Edmonton offered) and yet he gets blasted.  But if he takes the money from someone else he'd be a sell-out, a typical greedy athlete with no heart, etc etc.  And this idea of being a one-year rental is moronic.  Like that's a new concept.  But you can count on this: if he plays the way he can Holland will find a way to keep him long-term.  No doubt about it.  For the Pittsburgh writer who said he must see something in Detroit that other's don't: Umm..yeah..that would be a Stanley Cup.  Something you'll never see in your lifetime, pal.  These idiots really need to get over it.

WOW well some of the things your saying are somewhat true but alot arent.. For one us pittsburghers wouldnt say anything about atlanta becasue he was traded so Hossa didnt have a choice in the matter... 2nd..Pittsburgh will see a Stanley Cup in his lifetime because they arent that far off and if you cant see that then thats crazy...I know that you guys on here are all detroit fans which I completely understand but outside of your little town everyone says that Crosby and Malkin maybe argueably two of the best players in hockey... I know you guys have datsyuk and whoever else thats great... but people in pittsburgh were upset (not anymore) that Hossa runs his mouth about wanting a long term deal for finacial stability and a team that can win the cup.. Well I know Detroit won this year but well you beat Pittsburgh.. Pittsburgh was 2 games away from winning it so lets be honest and true Pittsburgh does have a great shot at winning the cup..maybe not this year or next but remember Crosby who is what 22 Malkin 22, Staal 20, Fluery 21 and all but staal are signed for the next 6 years so things are looking bright for Pittsburgh...   so believe me we are over Hossa... GOOD BYE and when your rent a player is a free agent one thing is for sure he wont be back in Pittsburgh anytime soon and for the rent a player comment becuase if you dont win a cup Hossa may want to go somewhere else next year or he may see the writing on the wall that Detroit can afford to keep him with his high salary beacuse of the salary cap issue becuase detroit doesnt have any of their star players signed to long term deals... yes Detroit has a good team lined up for next year but remember you maybe one injury away from not winning the cup and nothing is guarenteed... So for Hossa hope you stay healthy

The Red Wings have a history of convincing players to take paycuts so they can stay together. Being the best organization in sports (along with the Spurs and Patriots) will tend to cause that.

I know that you guys on here are all detroit fans which I completely understand but outside of your little town everyone says that Crosby and Malkin maybe argueably two of the best players in hockey

 
Our "little town"?  What's that supposed to mean?
 
Nobody here has dissed Crosby's skill- maybe his toughness
 

yes Detroit has a good team lined up for next year but remember you maybe one injury away from not winning the cup and nothing is guarenteed... So for Hossa hope you stay healthy

 
Yeah, if Crosby goes down you guys are in trouble.  If Hossa goes down we're just same team that won the cup this season.
 
The future may look bright for Pittsburgh.  But not as bright as the shine of the Cup we have right now.
 
 

Phil Callihan
Editor-in-Chief
UMGoBlue.COM

ORIGINAL: Philc

I know that you guys on here are all detroit fans which I completely understand but outside of your little town everyone says that Crosby and Malkin maybe argueably two of the best players in hockey

Our "little town"?  What's that supposed to mean?

Nobody here has dissed Crosby's skill- maybe his toughness

yes Detroit has a good team lined up for next year but remember you maybe one injury away from not winning the cup and nothing is guarenteed... So for Hossa hope you stay healthy

Yeah, if Crosby goes down you guys are in trouble.  If Hossa goes down we're just same team that won the cup this season.

The future may look bright for Pittsburgh.  But not as bright as the shine of the Cup we have right now.

 
Your little town wasnt meant to be ignorant or mean. 
 
 
About Crosby going down??? He missed half of this season with a high ankle sprain and thats when Malkin took over.... We would and will be just fine if he went down....

The future may look bright for Pittsburgh.  But not as bright as the shine of the Cup we have right now.

 
 
HAHAHAHAHA!  I like that one Phil! 

ORIGINAL: bluecrazyinsteeltown

WOW well some of the things your saying are somewhat true but alot arent.. For one us pittsburghers wouldnt say anything about atlanta becasue he was traded so Hossa didnt have a choice in the matter... 2nd..Pittsburgh will see a Stanley Cup in his lifetime because they arent that far off and if you cant see that then thats crazy...I know that you guys on here are all detroit fans which I completely understand but outside of your little town everyone says that Crosby and Malkin maybe argueably two of the best players in hockey... I know you guys have datsyuk and whoever else thats great... but people in pittsburgh were upset (not anymore) that Hossa runs his mouth about wanting a long term deal for finacial stability and a team that can win the cup.. Well I know Detroit won this year but well you beat Pittsburgh.. Pittsburgh was 2 games away from winning it so lets be honest and true Pittsburgh does have a great shot at winning the cup..maybe not this year or next but remember Crosby who is what 22 Malkin 22, Staal 20, Fluery 21 and all but staal are signed for the next 6 years so things are looking bright for Pittsburgh...   so believe me we are over Hossa... GOOD BYE and when your rent a player is a free agent one thing is for sure he wont be back in Pittsburgh anytime soon and for the rent a player comment becuase if you dont win a cup Hossa may want to go somewhere else next year or he may see the writing on the wall that Detroit can afford to keep him with his high salary beacuse of the salary cap issue becuase detroit doesnt have any of their star players signed to long term deals... yes Detroit has a good team lined up for next year but remember you maybe one injury away from not winning the cup and nothing is guarenteed... So for Hossa hope you stay healthy

This is why I hate Pens fans, they are mostly new and think they are god's gift to the NHL. There are so many holes in this quote it looks like swiss cheese. First, nothing is guarnteed in the NHL, so saying Pittsburg will win a Cup in his lifetime is not a guartantee. And frankly, you can have "Cindy" Crosby and Malkin-who was MIA in the finals, I will take Datsyuk and Zetterburg over them every day and twice in the playoffs. And you might want to get your own players ages down, Crosby is 20, Malkin is 21, and Fluery is 23.

As far as I'm concerned Hossa can play here one year, win a cup, and move on to another team, both parties will get what they want out of the deal-The Cup. It is also clear you have no idea about the best GM in the NHL Ken Holland. When the cap was put in place GMs and owners all sat back and smiled because Detroit was done, they wouldn't be able to win in the new cap world. Well, Kenny proved them wrong and this is just one example in a long line. Remember that cap will continue to increase every year, so at the end of next season the cap should be roughly around 62 Million. That might just be enough to re-sign Zetterburg, Franzen, AND Hossa. Now, they would have to take less than what they could get elsewhere, but Hossa has already shown he will do that and there is something about this organization that players will take less to stay here...maybe it's those 4 Stanley Cups.

The Red Wings got better this off season, and the Pens got worse. Sorry, losing Hossa, Malone, Roberts, Ruutuu, and replacing them with Satan and Foldenko does not make the Pens better, they down graded while the rich got a whole lot richer.

"Jim Tressel's DNA is linked to the Devil at some point, I'm sure of it."
-Doug Karsch "The Big Show"

About Crosby going down??? He missed half of this season with a high ankle sprain and thats when Malkin took over.... We would and will be just fine if he went down....

 
I think Hossa picked up some of the slack  

Phil Callihan
Editor-in-Chief
UMGoBlue.COM

With all of the players that Pittsburgh has been losing it may be tough for them to be as good as they were this past season.

ORIGINAL: bluecrazyinsteeltown

ORIGINAL: TK23Blue

Anybody getting sick and tired of the BS that comes out of the local rags in Pittsburgh, Edmonton, Toronto, etc?  They all blame Hossa for signing with the Wings i.e, he's taking the easy way out, who would want to live in Detroit (that gem from Kevin Lowe in Edmonton, as if THAT'S the place to live), he's a one year rental, where's the loyalty to Pittsburgh (although Pen fans certainly didn't question his loyalty to Atlanta), he must see something in Detroit others don't (that beauty from Pittsburgh) and on and on.  The guy takes LESS money (almost 2M less than Edmonton offered) and yet he gets blasted.  But if he takes the money from someone else he'd be a sell-out, a typical greedy athlete with no heart, etc etc.  And this idea of being a one-year rental is moronic.  Like that's a new concept.  But you can count on this: if he plays the way he can Holland will find a way to keep him long-term.  No doubt about it.  For the Pittsburgh writer who said he must see something in Detroit that other's don't: Umm..yeah..that would be a Stanley Cup.  Something you'll never see in your lifetime, pal.  These idiots really need to get over it.

WOW well some of the things your saying are somewhat true but alot arent.. For one us pittsburghers wouldnt say anything about atlanta becasue he was traded so Hossa didnt have a choice in the matter... 2nd..Pittsburgh will see a Stanley Cup in his lifetime because they arent that far off and if you cant see that then thats crazy...I know that you guys on here are all detroit fans which I completely understand but outside of your little town everyone says that Crosby and Malkin maybe argueably two of the best players in hockey... I know you guys have datsyuk and whoever else thats great... but people in pittsburgh were upset (not anymore) that Hossa runs his mouth about wanting a long term deal for finacial stability and a team that can win the cup.. Well I know Detroit won this year but well you beat Pittsburgh.. Pittsburgh was 2 games away from winning it so lets be honest and true Pittsburgh does have a great shot at winning the cup..maybe not this year or next but remember Crosby who is what 22 Malkin 22, Staal 20, Fluery 21 and all but staal are signed for the next 6 years so things are looking bright for Pittsburgh...   so believe me we are over Hossa... GOOD BYE and when your rent a player is a free agent one thing is for sure he wont be back in Pittsburgh anytime soon and for the rent a player comment becuase if you dont win a cup Hossa may want to go somewhere else next year or he may see the writing on the wall that Detroit can afford to keep him with his high salary beacuse of the salary cap issue becuase detroit doesnt have any of their star players signed to long term deals... yes Detroit has a good team lined up for next year but remember you maybe one injury away from not winning the cup and nothing is guarenteed... So for Hossa hope you stay healthy

 
I can't comment on what the fans of Pittsburgh are thinking.  But when one of your writers says "Hossa must see something in Detroit others don't", that IS worth commenting on because it's a moronic statement and smacks of jealousy.
 
Datsyuk and "whoever else".  That would be Zetterberg, Conn Smythe winner, 27 points in the playoffs while completely shutting down the opponents top players.
 
I'm not disagreeing that Crosby and Malkin are great players and they're very young still (although I'll take my 2 guys anyday), but you need more than 2 players to win a cup.  Neither of these guys is effective in his own end (I don't think Malkin knows what his own end looks like) and you need depth to make it through a playoff grind.  And you're right about injuries but that's the case with every team.  However, take Zetterberg out of my line up and then take Crosby out of yours.  Who would have the better chance of still getting to the finals?  We lost our leading goal scorer (Franzen) for several games and you wouldn't have even known it.  That's what happens when you roll 4 lines.
 
Let's face it-Hossa would have stayed if he thought Pittsburgh had a legitimate chance next year.  He would have had a long-term-more-money deal but he left anyway.  Pittsburgh needs to hang onto Crosby & Malkin (which I think they can) but they MUST surround these guys with more than Staal and Fleury.  The salary cap will increase again next year allowing Detroit to sign Zetterberg and Franzen and if Hossa plays well, Holland will find a way to get him signed long term. 
 
Regardless of Hossa, it's near-impossible to repeat as Stanley Cup champs, as history has shown.  Nothing is a lock for Detroit, not by a long shot, and every year produces a new upstart who goes red-hot just in time for the playoffs, as Pittsburgh showed this year.  But over the long haul it's tough to dispute what Detroit puts on the ice year in and year out.  No other team in the NHL comes close.  Maybe THAT'S what guys 'see in Detroit that others don't'.

"I have marked down losses for Wisconsin, Michigan State, Penn State, and Ohio State. And then there could be others such as Illinois".-BigHouseFootball March 08

ORIGINAL: Philc

About Crosby going down??? He missed half of this season with a high ankle sprain and thats when Malkin took over.... We would and will be just fine if he went down....

I think Hossa picked up some of the slack  

 
Hossa wasnt with the team when Crosby went down....

"About Crosby going down??? He missed half of this season with a high ankle sprain and thats when Malkin took over.... We would and will be just fine if he went down.... "
 
 
Actually doing the stretch that he missed the games they went 12-11.

Bluecrazyinsteeltown- We love you like the UofM brother you are so don't take any of this personal.  We're pretty rabid about the Red Wings and I'm the biggest homer on the face of the planet when it comes to hockey.  But it's our beloved football team that brought us together in the first place and we've got your back on that one.  No worries there my man. :)

"I have marked down losses for Wisconsin, Michigan State, Penn State, and Ohio State. And then there could be others such as Illinois".-BigHouseFootball March 08