Update (2:21 PM): Ansar Khan provides a corrective to the Aftonbladet numbers: it’s a $3.9 million a season cap hit (so, $42.9 million total). He also reports that it has a no-trade clause for the first five or six years. - Matt
Update (2:15 PM): Gabriel in the comments at A2Y points to this Aftonbladet article, which claims the deal is for 370 million kroner, or about $44 million. That would translate to a $4 million a year cap hit. If that number isn’t correct, it is probably close, so it looks like there may be some room to try for Hossa after all. Say $6 million or so. - Matt
Here’s the confirmation I was looking for. The Free Press has it from the team: Johan Franzen has signed an 11-year contract. No word on the financial terms yet so we don’t know the cap number, but you can bet it’ll be weighted at the front, like Zetterberg’s contract, so that the number is low.
I admit to having mixed feelings about this. There’s no doubt that Johan is one of the best power forwards around today, but I still have doubts about his longevity. Even compared to Henrik Zetterberg and his back trouble, Franzen’s tendency toward injury seems high. That said, if he can find a way to stay healthy much like Nik Kronwall has, this deal could pay off big time.
Once we know the numbers on the deal, it’ll be easier to determine Marian Hossa’s likely status, though the definitive answer on that won’t come until the cap ceiling is announced after the playoffs.
Update (2:07 PM): The Franzen signing has been confirmed, though for 11 years, not 9 or 10. - Matt
Update (12:51 PM): Ansar Khan is the first of the Detroit media to chime in, but all he has is TSN’s information. He has not received confirmation from the team. - Matt
TSN is reporting that the Wings and Johan Franzen have agreed to contract extension, which their sources say is for 9 to 10 years. TSN’s sources provide no further details. Note that this doesn’t mean a contract is signed.
If this is true, it’s definitely great news. However, the Detroit media outlets aren’t reporting anything yet, so it’s probably worth taking this with a grain of salt until they do.
That’s what the latest from the big three media outlets indicates (Freep, News, mLive). Bill has more.
Helene St. James and Ansar Khan have the latest on the contract talks. Basically, there’s not much progress and in another week and a half or so, talks will be on hold until after the playoffs.
St. James again makes the incorrect claim that Franzen makes less than $1 million (Update: Garth correctly points out that she’s referring to Franzen’s cap hit of roughtly $942,000) and writes of Ville Leino like he’s a lock to be back with the team despite being an RFA. Khan’s piece is better reporting.
Helene St. James has the latest on the Hossa talks in today’s edition. A somewhat encouraging read, though I found Marian’s comments on his hope to settle in one place for the rest of his career a little vague. Something like “I’d like to play here for the rest of my career” would have been nice to read.
Bill’s take is a bit more positive.
Also, there’s a factual error: “… forward Johan Franzen, who’s making less than $1 million.” Actually, he makes $1.15 million this season.
With today’s 4-0 win over Columbus, the Wings became the first team to officially secure a playoff spot. I only got back from the Griffins’ loss in time to see this beauty:
It sounds like it was a pretty solid effort all around. Here’s hoping it’s the start of something good.
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