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In the end, Marian Hossa didn't go to the highest bidder, but joined the NHL team with which he has the best chance to win a Stanley Cup — the defending champion Detroit Red Wings.
Hossa signed a one-year contract, worth $7.4 million. In doing so, Hossa left a small fortune on the table, including an offer from the Edmonton Oilers that reportedly would have paid him in excess of $8 million per season.
Hossa opted for the Red Wings for one simple reason — the chance to win a championship — and he thought the Red Wings were consistently competitive, year after year.
For the Red Wings, the attraction is that Hossa — apart from adding to their scoring - can provide the necessary hunger that a team coming off a championship generally needs in order to repeat.
Pittsburgh Penguins' Marian Hossa celebrates after scoring the first goal against the Detroit Red Wings during first period of Game 4 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals on May 31 in Pittsburgh. (Frank Gunn/CP)
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Hossa's contract fits nicely into Detroit's payroll this season, because they are well under the salary cap. Next year, the Red Wings run into problems, because both Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen will be unrestricted free agents.
Hossa reportedly turned down as much as $80 million over a nine-year period from the Edmonton Oilers, the highest bidder for his services. In the end, Hossa said the Penguins and Red Wings were the two finalists in his mind.
"It wasn't easy, I'm telling you," said Hossa. "But I know myself I make the right decision. I truly hope so. But it wasn't easy — to throw so much money away for one year to try to win it, but that's how I decided. Hopefully, we'll see at the end of next year how I decided, if I decided good or not. To tell you the truth, it wasn't an easy decision, but it's my decision and I truly believe it was the right decision."
General manager Ken Holland indicated that he would try to get Hossa signed to a longer-term contract next season, if the salary-cap rises and if the Red Wings' players continue to leave a few dollars on the table, so that he can keep the team together. Holland noted that in the new CBA, theoretically he should be "dismantling" the club by now because of salary demands, but thus far, hasn't been required to do so.
"I hope this is the first year of many years," said Holland. "It gives me the opportunity, in the next six or 12 months … to hopefully find a way of keeping everybody together."
Hossa's agent, Ritch Winter, is from Edmonton. How did Winter respond to the decision to leave all those drugstore dollars on the table?
"Sometimes, we were talking and shaking our heads at what we were doing, but I think this is the right decision," said Hossa. "I just want to play for a team I think can win the Stanley Cup. I know it's just one year, but I think we've got a really good chance."
Hossa was impressed with the Red Wings, playing against them in the Stanley Cup final.
"Obviously, they're a great organization, with a great history, a great past. Going to an Original Six team, I've never done that before. Also my friend, Tomas Kopecky, is there. I was in contact with him during the year. We talked about them.
"Obviously, I know the style of the team, the players. They've got a great blue line. Nobody's got a blue line like Detroit — and great two-way forwards. When you look at the team, all forwards all playing two-way style — and an attractive offensive style. That (suits) my style. That's why I decided (to go) that way."
