Hossa optimistic about staying in Detroit
For second straight year, star could be NHL's top unrestricted free agent
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In past contract negotiations, general managers had to convince Marian Hossa that their franchise was the right place for Hossa to sign long term.
The Atlanta Thrashers couldn't do it, despite opening their books to the talented Slovakian forward last season.
The Pittsburgh Penguins couldn't do it despite offering an opportunity to play beside Sidney Crosby for the next seven years.
Now in Detroit, Hossa has found the city where he wants to retire and a team that wants to keep him. But the current economic state of hockey and an uncertain salary cap has complicated negotiations between the Detroit Red Wings and Hossa, who is scheduled to be hockey's top unrestricted free agent on July 1.
"I trust my agent and (Detroit GM) Ken (Holland) are going to work something out," an optimistic Hossa told Sporting News.
Hossa sounded at ease when talking about the contract negotiations on Friday and his agent is optimistic. In an e-mail to Sporting News, Hossa agent Ritch Winter wrote both sides continue to work on a deal that balances the Red Wings cash flow and pays Hossa a salary in line with comparable players.
That's no easy task in today's market, especially considering the limited flexibility the Red Wings have because of the salary cap.
"It takes time to work through these things," Winter wrote in an e-mail. "The discussions are more complex under the current system. Both parties favor a deal versus not — that is the plan. Time will tell. I am optimistic."
While the Hossa camp is optimistic, Holland sounds cautious. He told Booth Newspapers this week that he will postpone talks until after the playoffs if something doesn't get done by the first week of April.
Hossa told Sporting News that he'd rather have an extension reached now rather than waiting until the offseason. That means the two sides have about a week to get it done.
"It would be nicer if I can maybe get something done before the end of the season," Hossa said. "But I'm not really rushing it."
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