NHL: 2008 - 2009 season is upon us

[smokey the elder]

Also, Patrik Elias set the Devils' record for points. Congrats, Marty and Patrik! I saw Elias' assist on the short handed goal, but missed the 3rd period.

[sparks19]

Also, Patrik Elias set the Devils' record for points. Congrats, Marty and Patrik! I saw Elias' assist on the short handed goal, but missed the 3rd period.

Oh yeah forgot about that. Kind of cool that they did it on the same night but poor patrik got lost in all the commotion.

LOL did anyone think even the officials were trying to help marty get the win lol... there were so many times that they just turned a blind eye to things. Like when Khabibulin had the puck covered for almost 10 seconds with THREE devils surrounding him and the official didn't blow the whistle... that was such BS lol.

BUT he earned it there is no doubt about that.

[Grace]

Looks like he's fixing to stay a Wing

From the Detroit Free Press -

March 23, 2009

Hossa says he'll take less money to stay in Detroit

BY HELENE ST. JAMES
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

CALGARY, Alberta -- While Marian Hossa's focus is on playing hockey, he is, behind the scenes, talking to his agent about what it'll take to continue playing hockey for a long time with the Red Wings.

Hossa's agent, Edmonton-based Ritch Winter, and Wings general manager Ken Holland are holding contract talks with an eye on turning Hossa's one-year deal into a long-term relationship.

"To tell you the truth, I want to sign somewhere and retire there," Hossa said Sunday. "I don't want to move around any more. I'm 30. I don't know how long I'm going to play, but I am looking for long-term deal.

"To be able to stay as a Red Wing, I am prepared to take less money, but a fair deal, so both sides are happy. That's what I'm looking for. I know if I go somewhere else, I could have more, but I'm willing to take less to stay here. Hopefully things work out."

Hossa takes a team-leading 36 goals into tonight's game at the Saddledome against the Flames. Tomas Holmstrom (knee) skated Sunday and said he would decide today if he's ready to play. Chris Osgood will get a fifth straight start in goal.

The Wings are 45-13-8 with Hossa in the lineup. He signed with them last summer because he saw them as the best chance to win a Stanley Cup.

"I could be somewhere else, you know, but I came here because I like everything and I want to be a part of it," Hossa said. "And that's why I want to still be a Red Wing and stay here."

Hossa is making $7.4 million, but the Wings will push the fact that star forward Henrik Zetterberg just agreed to a 12-year deal with an annual cap number of $6 million. Zetterberg left millions on the table to remain surrounded by talent.

"That was something we talked about when we worked the deal out," Zetterberg said. "It's not if you can live on 6 (million) or 8 million; I'd say it's more that you have a lower limit that you think you deserve, and we found that, and then they were great to give me the long term."

In addition to trying to keep Hossa, the Wings also want to retain forward Johan Franzen, who's making less than $1 million. With next season's salary cap not expected to grow much beyond this season's $56.7 million, the Wings have around $9 million in cap space left, though they'll move some lower-end players this summer.

Veterans on the team are confident Holland will pull off another coup.

"He'll figure it out somehow," Osgood said. "He always does the right thing. There's not a single guy around that doesn't think that he'll figure out a way to keep them. We always seem to be able to lure good players here who want to stay here, because it's no fun regardless of what you're making to be on a bad team. There's no substitute for winning."

[smokey the elder]

What's with the 3 game losing streak, New Jersey? Getting Marty some goals would be nice. They've scored like 1-2 goals in each of the last 3 games.

[sparks19]

Alright... I'm fed up. I have had enough. WHEN is someone finally going to throw down and kick Sean Avery's a$$? Seriously? this guy is everything that hockey shouldn't be. He's not a team player... he's has ZERO sportsmanship. he's a spoiled pansy brat. He takes cheap shots at players and then he runs away when they want to throw down with him.

Anyone see what he did to Tim Thomas? Whistle blew and Tim Thomas was just kneeling on the ice... Avery came skating up behind him and purposely hit him in the back of the head with his stick. not hard enough to actually cause injury or anything but that is WAY besides the point. It was BS...absolute BS. and he doesn't this stuff all the time.

I think even the refs are starting to get fed up. Guys are starting to go after him and the refs are really taking their time stepping in (good for them on this one). Guys have been trying to have a face to face man to man fight with him when he does this stuff and he runs away, turns his back and tries to avoid it at all costs.

At this point... I hope the players take it upon themselves to end his BS if the league isn't going to do anything about it. he is a disgrace to the game and humanity IMO. he's a cheap shot artist and can't back it up... or is too scared to back it up

OK lol I think I made my point. I just cannot have any respect for someone who doesn't have any respect for the GAME they are getting PAID to play. he should have a job emptying porta potties... that's what he deserves to be doing