Red Wings RELOAD in July
In Play! Magazine
by Michael Niziolek
The Red Wings were happy to stick with their Championship roster this off-season, but an unexpected call from the league's top free agent changed their plans.
After surveying the competition this off-season, Marian Hossa felt he would have the best chance of fulfilling his dream of winning a Stanley Cup with one team – Detroit. The forward had his agent call Red Wing's General Manager Ken Holland and let him know he wanted to be a Wing, the one-year, $7.45 million contract that followed came together quickly.
Hossa turned down big money to re-sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins before becoming an unrestricted free agent, and then reportedly turned down a long-term deal with the Edmonton Oilers at $9 million a year.
In 10 seasons Hossa has played in 701 career games, scored 299 goals, with 349 assists and a plus-85 rating. Detroit fans still have his Stanley Cup performance fresh in their mind; Hossa had four assists and three goals in six games against the Red Wings. He finished the playoffs with 12 goals (team leader) and 14 assists (second on team) for the Penguins.
Pittsburgh traded for Hossa right before the trade deadline from Atlanta for three young players and a draft pick. Detroit hopes that Hossa will have the kind of impact he gave the Penguins for them next year.
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http://www.bluetoad.com/publisher/jackrosenberg/Michigan_In_Play_magazine/issue28/magazine.php?page=37
