Chelioksen jatko sitten toteutui. Ken Holland näyttäisi onneksi olevan asian ytimessä, koska ilmoitti että Chelioksen rooli ei tule olemaan kolmosparia suurempi ja sopimus on alle miljoonan arvoinen, ilmeisesti 850 000. Kyllä se sitkeä äijä on, täyttää tammikuussa 44 vuotta.
Franzenin sopimus on arvoltaan 650 000, joissakin lähteissä nämä palkat oli sekoitettu Chelioksen kanssa väärinpäin.
Datsyukista Holland oli maininnut samassa radiohaastattelussa, että ainoa asia mistä enää neuvotellaan, on sopimuksen kesto. Detroit haluaa estää miehen hakeutumisen vapaaksi agentiksi kahden vuoden kuluttua, ja siksi haluavat vähintään 3-vuotisen sopimuksen.
Maalivahtiosastolle on tarjolla 2-3 ehdokasta, joista yksi on Chris Osgood. Kallista maalivahtia ei olla hankkimassa, jos ilmeisesti Legace+joku muu systeemillä lähdetään menemään.
Tässä koko haastattelu:
Holland: "My phone keeps ringing, unforunately we dont have as much money to spend as we've liked too. We have our core in place.. Its going to be an exciting year, teams in the west have really improved themselves. Its going to be real dogfight to try and make the playoffs."
"Matthieu wanted to come back, it was a matter of finding a contract/salary that we both felt good about. They wanted to see a market get established, most defenseman signed in the range of 3- 5 million. I felt good about a two-year term, I like the flexibilty. Matthieu played great for us since we acquired him. I think with the rule changes players with skill like Matthieu will benefit.. I think you gotta have speed, defenseman need to join the rush. Its gonna be more of an open game. He played very very well with the old rules, he competes hard and hes got good skill. He's not a big man but he played 22-23 minutes a game with Nicklas Lidstrom. Kronwall will be in the top 4, hes ready to play more minutes. Jiri Fischer has gained experience in other leages... I'm not the coach but my thoughts are Chelios will be in the third year. Chelios' deal is less than a million dollars. He has a lot to add if we dont overuse him. 15-18 minutes a game over the course of the season."
"Our scouts really like Franzen, we feel he can play on the fourth line. He's got good size, hes responsible defensively, at this stage I dont see him adding a lot offensively. It may take a year or two, eventually he may be able to add a little bit of offense. He played on the checking line in the world championships. Thats his role in the SEL--A two way centerman. Hes coming in on an entry level salary. You need players that are cheap, fresh, and hungry."
"The one area that we're looking at to improve is size and strength. We feel good about our skill level. Jason Williams is probably ready to play regular, and I'm hoping Franzen is too. I'm hoping to sign some guys with size."
"Well, obviously in our team up front we need to sign Williams, Datsyuk, and Zetterberg. Once we get those guys signed, we've got 11 forwards under contract and need to at least have a couple more so we at least have 13."
"Most negotiations are difficult now. Once players come out of entry-level system they only have about 4 years to go until theyre a UFA. Thats whats going on with Pavel Datsyuk, hes unrestricted in 2 years. We'd like to keep him as a red wing. We've been having some brief conversations with Henrik, weve gotta remain optimistic were going to figure something out."
"Theres 2 or 3 other candidates besides Osgood. Chris is the one that I know the best, but there are other candidates. I am talking to other people. It's trying to find someone that fits in with what were looking to spend."
"I'm holding back enough money in my mind to give those guys (dats and hank) a long term contract. I dont see us getting in the market for a real top-end expensive goalie. Theres 3 or 4 guys I'd be comfortable with."
"Theres no real set deadline for signing pavel and hank. We're staying in touch and being creative. We are looking at other players around the league, other RFA's, younger RFA's."
"We'll look at all options, the signings and the trades... If theres a move out there that we think we can acquire someone either through free agency or a trade we'll look at it. We'll try to make our team as strong as possible." --On Thornton
"I guess it depends on how long you think of dynasty. I dont think 4-5 cups in a row is possible anymore. Youve gotta do a good job in the draft. Teams will be able to keep 2-3 of their best players, but it will be impossible to keep 6-7-8 of your best players. You have to make your decision with what players to keep."
"Season ticket renewals are gonna go out early next week. Tomorrow or Monday we'll talk about the ticket prices."
"I love what I do, the phone goes all day long. Its been exciting, its fun to be back in business. Its going to be an exciting season for the fans. We've got some players who are ready to step up and take a bigger role in our team."
"It's a complete new NHL. Its probalby exciting for fans of all 30 teams. Now most teams are in the game. Both conferences are wide open, and it makes it exciting for the fans."
EDIT:
Korjataan vielä tuo Franzenin palkka, joka on 650 000.
http://www.freep.com/sports/redwings/wings5e_20050805.htm
Datsyuk olisi vaatimassa 4 miljoonaa ja Zetterberg 2,5 miljoonaa. Ehkä tuosta puolikkaat pois molemmilta tulevat olemaan toteutuvat palkkasummat.
Per Ledin todennäköisesti tulee nelosketjuun Franzenin kaveriksi ja Osgood näyttäisi erittäin todennäköiseltä maalivahdilta.
Näin se sitten ehkä menee:
Shanahan - Datsyuk - UFA?? (Holland etsii kookasta hyökkääjää)
Zetterberg - Lang - Holmström
Maltby - Draper - Yzerman
Ledin - Franzen - Williams
(Mowers)
Lidström - Kronwall
Fischer - Schneider
UFA?? - Chelios (fyysinen ja kookas pakki haussa)
(Rivers)
Osgood??
Legace