1-vuotista sopparia Bertuzzille tarjottiin, 3 miljoonaa ja bonuksilla mahdollisuus 4 miljoonaan. Ei kelvannut. Holland meinaa nyt jäädä odottamaan marketin rauhoittumista, ei edes Kozlovia ole tulossa, koska Wings ei pysty maksamaan hänestä neljää miljoonaa.
http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/
Red Wings general Manager Ken Holland says that, Bertuzzi's defection to Anaheim included, he's ready to sit back and enjoy the show as the remaining unrestricted free agents are plucked off the market:
July 3, Detroit Free Press: With Bertuzzi gone, the Wings' immediate priority is to get Dominik Hasek re-signed; the sides are close and the deal should close this week.
As for finding a top-six forward to take Bertuzzi's place, the Wings want to let the 2-day-old free agency market cool off and then see what can be had at a reasonable price for one year or at the most, two.
"We'll take our time now, wait awhile this summer," Holland said. "I think we've got a good team. We'll survey the land."
July 3, Windsor Star:
"Another (defenceman) isn't our priority," Holland said. "We're not looking for anybody significant. If we're going to do something on D, maybe it's a month from now." ... "We've spent $40 million without Hasek and Hudler," Holland said.
"I'm in no rush (to sign anyone). I'll look for the right player at the right price. It depends on the money."
--------------------------------------------
It was a case of, "Goodbye, Detroit" to, "Hello, Anaheim" for Todd Bertuzzi--two sentences:
July 3, Detroit Free Press: "I want to thank the Detroit Red Wings; they're a classy organization," Bertuzzi said. "On that note, right after it became apparent nothing was going to get done with Detroit, I talked (to) my agent and asked if he could call the Ducks and see if there was any interest whatsoever. It's pretty special when you can get the defending Stanley Cup champions to find room to fit you in. I'm going from class to class."
So much for the, "It's a privilege to be here" and, "I'd like to finish my career here" statements.
The Wings had offered Bertuzzi, acquired at the trade deadline in February to boost their playoff hopes, a one-year deal in the low $3-million range and worth nearly $4 million with bonuses.
"I would have loved to have Bert stay here," general manger Ken Holland said, "but it's the cap world. We weren't prepared to offer a two-year deal."
Holland said the team has to keep an eye on retaining its own elite players. That list starts with re-signing five-time Norris Trophy winner Nicklas Lidstrom, who has one year left on his deal. Henrik Zetterberg's contract is up at the end of the 2008-09 season, but the Wings can start negotiating with him next summer. He'll most assuredly cost at least the annual $6.7 million Pavel Datsyuk is making.
