Hossa signing as refreshing as it is exciting
-By Mike Moore-
It’s been less than a month since the Red Wings claimed hockey’s biggest prize, bringing the Stanley Cup back home for the fourth time in 11 years.
Well, it seems the Wings keep winning, even in the offseason.
It was announced Wednesday that Detroit claimed hockey’s biggest offseason prize, 29-year-old free agent Marian Hossa.
Long thought to be out of the Wings’ radar because of what he would demand on the open market, Hossa signed a one-year deal worth $7.4 million to join the Cup champs. In years past, pre lockout, signings like this were expected, to say the least. But now, with the salary cap in place, the days of GM Ken Holland placing a call and owner Mike Illitch opening the check book for whoever he wanted were supposed to be over.
What happened Wednesday, though, was as refreshing a move as it was exciting and surprising. As mere mortals, we often dream of the day athletes play for the love of the game as opposed to the insane paydays every other Friday. As mere mortals, we are often shaken back to reality.
Hossa’s signing, however, restored that hope, even if we have to look past present-day absurdity of earning more than $7 million for one year of hockey.
Reports stated Hossa had received multi-year offers from a number of teams, ranging anywhere from $80 to $100 million in guaranteed money. But it turned out Detroit had the richest offer of any, the chance to play for a champion.
“When I looked at it, I wanted to have the best chance to win the Stanley Cup, and I felt Detroit is that team,” Hossa reportedly said in a conference call. “I knew I could get more (money) somewhere else. But of all the teams I could choose from, at the top there were two teams [Detroit and Pittsburgh], and at the end of the day I had to make a decision, and I felt best about Detroit.”
Reports said Holland was at a gas station when he received a call from Hossa’s agent, Ritch Winter, inquiring about the possibility of a one-year deal. (Imagine spending $7.4 million at a gas station these days, without even filling up). Holland, in a quote to the Detroit News, was as surprised as anyone.
“(Winter) asked what did I think, could we make this thing happen on a one-year deal?,” Holland told the paper. “I mean, you hear the rumors out there of what’s being offered to Marian, and certainly I was caught way off-guard. Shocked, obviously, is my initial reaction.”
Hossa is certainly taking a gamble in his bid to win a cup. Chances are good he and the Wings could lock up a long-term deal before next summer, but there’s always that chance of injury, that chance that more than $70 million in guaranteed money could be lost.
“It wasn’t easy, I’m telling you,” Hossa said. “We were shaking our heads saying, ‘What are we doing?’ But I think we made the right decision.”
Time will tell on that. But in reality, Hossa’s signing simply highlights what has become a pretty unique trend in Hockeytown, a trend created by a pretty unique atmosphere of expectation and success.
Earlier in the week the Wings resigned trade-deadline acquisition Brad Stuart to a four-year, $15 million deal, despite the fact Stuart probably could have earned more than $4 million per season on the open market. (Meanwhile the Blackhawks signed defenseman Brian Campbell to a $57 million deal.) Others have done likewise. Dan Cleary, who resigned with the Wings during the season, Kris Draper and even Pavel Datsyuk, all avoided free agency and took less to remain in here and chances are good Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen will do likewise this season
Ironic, maybe, but on the same day Hossa signed with Detroit, the NBA’s Baron Davis opted out of a contract with Golden State, that would have paid him $17 million this year, and signed with the Clippers for more than $56 million over five years. Security, beyond this season, was undoubtedly a factor.
That, cashing in while possible, has become the expected and accepted standard in pro sports today. Every once in a while, though, it’s nice to see the standard of winning still counts for something, still has a value dollar signs can’t touch.
You can reach Mike Moore at mjm12@albion.edu
