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Zetterberg testing Red Wings' limits

January 16, 2009 01:55 AM | Posted by   Elliotte Friedman  

Well, that was an interesting day.

The blog about the difficulties of trading/acquiring Vincent Lecavalier was completely overshadowed by one comment concerning Henrik Zetterberg.

Honestly, I didn’t think it was newsworthy, because I’d heard it and looked into it three months ago.

Zetterberg’s contract has been so thoroughly discussed since then, especially on Hockey Night In Canada’s Hotstove, that I didn’t think those details would surprise anyone. Check out what regular panellist Pierre LeBrun wrote in his ESPN.com blog on November 8:

“Both camps have made counteroffers and we're talking long-term deal, anywhere from seven to 10 years in length. Agent Marc Levine and GM Ken Holland met two weeks ago and then spoke again this past Wednesday... I think the sweet spot is anywhere from $7 million to $8 million US a season.”

Anyway, my work is my responsibility. I wrote it, and if it’s wrong, it’s on me and no one else.

As for Zetterberg and the Red Wings, some notes. The last time I talked to Ken Holland about this was opening night, when Detroit hosted Toronto. At that time, Holland was optimistic the Zetterberg deal would eventually get done and was adamant that the centre would not be dealt under any circumstances.

“Even if Henrik is not signed by the deadline, I will not trade him,” Holland said. “We will keep him until July 1 and see where it goes.”

There is no reason to believe he feels any different today.

Holland also feels very strongly about defencemen. Like the Boston Bruins with Ray Bourque, the preference is that no one on the roster makes more than Nicklas Lidstrom, although Marian Hossa is currently tied. Just before Game 1 of last year’s final, Holland gave a group of reporters some really interesting insight into his roster-building philosophy.

No doubt, Zetterberg recognizes he is criminally underpaid (by NHL standards) and wants to make up for it. Holland certainly understands that, and will grant a sizeable raise. The question is now as it remains then: How high does Zetterberg want to go?

If he wanted to hit the open market, he’s one of the few players who would get a huge deal, even as the economy falters and teams recognize that the salary cap won’t be going up for the foreseeable future. He’s similar to Lecavalier – there aren’t a ton of teams who can afford him, but those who can will make a serious effort.

The highest average salary in the NHL belongs to Alexander Ovechkin, at almost $9.54 million. Sidney Crosby is next, at $8.7 million. Not sure Zetterberg passes either of those two – but Brad Richards’ third-place total of $7.8 million is definitely achievable.

That’s very, very tempting, and I don’t fault anyone for taking the money. This could be the last big contract of his life.

The good news for Detroit fans is that there is room for flexibility – on both sides. If $8 million per season is what Zetterberg really desires, he might actually get it, but for a shorter term. If he wants a longer term, he may have to sacrifice the dollars.

Holland has said before that to help navigate the salary cap world, he read a book entitled The Blueprint: How the New England Patriots Beat the System to Create the NFL’s Last Superpower.

The very first chapter details some of the Patriots’ key philosophies and on Pg. 7 comes this one:
“If you want to win in the NFL, there is zero room for sentimentality. Good character or no, contracts are awarded based on the possibility of future performance, not past performances. As a result, under [Bill] Belichick and [Scott] Pioli, popular players have been shipped out without hesitation...You can’t afford to have emotion color your analysis of a player, especially at the bargaining table, where a bad contract can hamstring a franchise for a generation.”

As an example, the author, Christopher Price, details the release of Lawyer Milloy.

Milloy and Belichick were very close, but, unable to reach a new salary agreement, Belichick released the defensive back one year after the first Super Bowl championship. It was business over a personal relationship.

With Zetterberg and the Red Wings, it’s clear that both sides would like to make this work. But we’ve seen similar situations in all sports where it doesn’t.

Holland has a limit. Will Zetterberg accept it?

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