Hossa turns down Pens offer to test free agency?

Question

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_573988.html?source=rss&feed=8

Could the Pens be in trouble now that they are losing Malone and Hossa (Hossa says the Pens are still are his top choice)?

The Pens are in some need of a couple of wingers. Any decent ones who are free agents?

Answer 1

The rampant rumor mill has him wanting to hear from the Red Wings (they have a nice peice of change available for a major free agent signing) before he makes a decision. I think it still comes down to championship caliber teams with him over the money but it is very wise on his part to at least hear out other teams. It could give him a sense of his potential future value, he could easily enough sign a 1 or 2 year deal with a top team hoping to win a Cup and then cashing in. He is young enough (29) to take that gamble. It may be that he wont sign longterm hoping for another big bump in the cap, a TV deal may be in the works that drives the cap up another 10 mill after next season making the 8-9 mill per year for 5 years a real possibility. Figuring out the cap is big in todays agents minds, wouldnt want to sign a guy longterm and find him "underpaid" after 2 or 3 years. That may make his choice between Pittsburgh and Detroit very interesting, would he do a 2 year 12-13 mill deal? If he does that in Detroit Lidstrom will be 40 and retired likely, a big chunk of salary cap suddenly clears.....the decisions one must make. Such is the way of todays salary cap world, teams are often stuck between paying their superstars (see Pittsburgh) and keeping a winning group around.

Answer 2

It's funny because he said he would accept less money to play for a good team,

how fast did that change?

I don't think we are in trouble as of yet.

Answer 3

Well... if someone like LA offers him 8mil... then he can go back to the PENS and ask for more. Smart move on his part. He may receive an offer from a Stanley Cup contender and go there also. He doesnt know what his options are until he sees the offers. Again, a wise career move on his part!

Answer 4

good hope he goes to leafs. also i hope malkin signs with the russian league. i heard they offered malkin $15mill a season. then pens will suck like they did B4 crosby was drafted

Answer 5

I could smell Hossa doing this from a mile away.

Answer 6

Well if Hoass leaves, we will have a lot of money to ensure that we can sign some of our young players to long-term deals.

Answer 7

I'm surprised because the Pens offered him 50 mil for 5 years. That's 7.2 a year to play with Crosby and Malkin.

You know they can't give him more than Crosby who is making 8.7 a year. Hossa could really make his mark in the NHL playing with those guys. I also heard that Malone turned down 3 mil a year. I like Ryan Malone a lot but I think that he's worth 3 mil and not much more. He is a great fit for Pittsburgh and his playoffs were good but not great. He hasn't scored enough pts. in the NHL to demand 4.5 mil. Just my thoughts.

Answer 8

idkk the penguins are still a good team. but who knows whats going to happen.

Answer 9

i hope hossa goes to la/phoenix

and malkin goes to russia

and malone goes to coloumbus

how great would that be

Answer 10

wow. Pitts in real big trouble if Malkin chooses Russia.

Answer 11

i am not surprised, since i think its all about the money for a player like him

Gonchar- hossa said he would take a little pay cut to stay with a contending team, 1. 2 million is not what i would call a "little pay cut"

Answer 12

I'm actually surprised by this, even though he was a deadline trade.

Answer 13

Everyone knew Hossa wasn't gonna stay since he was acquired at the deadline.  The Penguins that their money is better spent on Malkin then it is on Hossa.  If, further down the road, Malkin can't take being second to Crosby the Penguins can trade him for a MUCH better player than Hossa will ever be.

Answer 14

Hossa had a good run but he wants the "last one" in terms of big paychecks, probably L.A or Florida it's a shame for a hard working player to pack it in.

Malone is looking for the "big one", the Rangers always come to mind, however Malone will likely head west to a mid range team looking to make a jump

I wouldn't be surprised if Malkin head home, after watching him mail-it in in the finals seems pretty realistic