Urban Warfare 0 Report post Posted June 24, 2003 Superstar goaltender Dominik Hasek, who retired after winning the Stanley Cup in 2002 with Detroit, is contemplating a return to the NHL. "Dominik has been in contact with the Red Wings several times over the past several weeks, and they've had serious discussions about the possibility of him coming back," Hasek's agent Rich Winter told TSN Monday night. "I think he's leaning towards coming back, but he hasn't made a final decision." But another source familiar with the talks was more definitive about the situation, saying it was "a virtual certainty" that the 38 year old goaltender would be back in the NHL next season. Detroit holds an option on Hasek for next season worth $8 million. If the Red Wings do not exercise the option, their former goaltender would become an unrestricted free agent, able to sign with any team- including a Red Wing rival like Colorado, which just lost goaltender Patrick Roy to retirement. Detroit signed unrestricted free agent goaltender Curtis Joseph last summer, giving him a 3 year, $24 million contract. The deal also included a no-trade clause. "It's Kenny's worst nightmare," said one NHL General Manager, referring to Detroit G.M. Ken Holland. "What do you do with Hasek when you've got Curtis Joseph under contract for the next two years? You can't have $17 million worth of goaltending. Plus, Hasek hasn't played in a year and a half." Red Wing officials contacted by TSN declined to comment on the story, but an NHL G.M. said that the issue was very much on Detroit's mind during the entry draft in Nashville. "It's a real problem," said the executive, who asked not to be named. "It will stir up a huge hornet's nest in Detroit, because when people there think of Hasek, they think of him winning the Stanley Cup. When they think of Joseph, they think of him losing to Anaheim in the first round. It's not fair, but that's the way fans think." The Red Wings would have several alternatives if Hasek decided to come back. They could decline to pick up the option and hope he doesn't wind up with an arch rival, which would be a major risk given the interest of a team like Colorado. A more likely scenario would involve the Red Wings picking up the option and then attempting to trade Hasek to a team of their choosing. In that case, the Red Wings would likely have to pay a good deal of Hasek's salary. Even if they only paid half, it would be $4 million they hadn't planned on spending next season. Could Hasek be back with Detroit next year? It's possible the Red Wings could ask Joseph to waive his no-trade clause, but that would be a major about-face for a team that just signed him to a lucrative contract last summer. Other options, like having Hasek and Joseph share the goaltending duties, or paying Hasek $8 million to sit in the Czech Republic, seem highly unlikely at this point. TSN.ca Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MaxPower27 Report post Posted June 24, 2003 Man. I hate Hasek, so I don't really want to see him back. But, any move that fucks up the Red Wings makes me happy. I'm torn. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Urban Warfare 0 Report post Posted June 24, 2003 If hasek does indeed comeback, this ruins all if any chance of curtis joseph ever winning a cup, unless he is willing to back-up hasek, which i cant see happening. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MaxPower27 Report post Posted June 24, 2003 I wouldn't mind seeing him in Colorado, as I hate them too, but I'd kill to see this again: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest redbaron51 Report post Posted June 24, 2003 Rangers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Urban Warfare 0 Report post Posted June 24, 2003 Thats a good possobility, seeing as they will probably give him anything he wants. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest starvenger Report post Posted June 24, 2003 When they think of Joseph, they think of him losing to Anaheim in the first round. It's not fair, but that's the way fans think." Given the way that Detroit fans feel about Chris Osgood (who WON a Cup with them) Joseph is guaranteed infamy there anyways, so what does Detroit have to lose with him on the bench? Besides losing arguably the best backup goalie in the NHL (Legace), that is. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest nl5xsk1 Report post Posted June 24, 2003 After the incident when he assaulted that guy in the Czech Republic, why would a team even want Hasek back? Yes, he's a great goalie, but he's old and hasn't faced NHL-calibre play in over a year. And other than maybe Philly there's not many teams that are only a goalie away from being a real Cup contender. (maybe St. Louis but I can't see the Wings trading to someone in the Western Conference). Although I'd love to see Hasek wearing a Flyers sweater next season, and one week into the season flipping out on a player and assaulting him with his stick. Can we say one year suspension, a la McSorley? Maybe we can double our fun and it will be against the Rangers, and either Barnaby or Lindros will be the recipient of the beatdown. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest starvenger Report post Posted June 24, 2003 Although I'd love to see Hasek wearing a Flyers sweater next season, and one week into the season flipping out on a player and assaulting him with his stick. Can we say one year suspension, a la McSorley? Maybe we can double our fun and it will be against the Rangers, and either Barnaby or Lindros will be the recipient of the beatdown. A Philly goalie flipping out and assaulting a player? Eh, been there, done that... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Eagan469 Report post Posted June 24, 2003 I could see Gollisano putting up tons of cash to bring him back to Buffalo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest nl5xsk1 Report post Posted June 24, 2003 The Sabres would be better served paying a few players the amount of money it will take to do a Hasek reprise in Buffalo. Rather than spend $8 million (less if the Wings are willing to eat some salary) on a goalie that will just lead them from the cellar to the "not making the playoffs" level is a poor investment. Use that to pay 3 players $2.5 million each, and then you at least have 2 more scorers and a top 3 or 4 defenseman instead. I just re-read what I wrote and my sentences have no rhyme or reason ... but the message is there so I'm not going to bother to re-write it all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest redbaron51 Report post Posted June 24, 2003 Hasek as a goalie coach would be pretty swank, but playing... thats in the air, because no one would pay big bucks for him, if most teams are dumping salary Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted June 24, 2003 Can't anyone just stay retired? Either keep your promise, or don't officially announce your retirment. Just say your not playing anymore, and be done with it. Sorry, but athletes retiring and than unretiring has always bothered me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest nl5xsk1 Report post Posted June 24, 2003 Can't anyone just stay retired? Either keep your promise, or don't officially announce your retirment. Just say your not playing anymore, and be done with it. Sorry, but athletes retiring and than unretiring has always bothered me. Two words: Raymond Bourque. Allegedly has been approached by several teams and has declined any offers to return, even just in limited duty. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Urban Warfare 0 Report post Posted June 24, 2003 Ken Holland, GM of the Red Wings has confirmed that he has talked with hasek. Look for a joseph trade to either colorado or possibly philly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MaxPower27 Report post Posted June 24, 2003 Can't anyone just stay retired? Either keep your promise, or don't officially announce your retirment. Just say your not playing anymore, and be done with it. Sorry, but athletes retiring and than unretiring has always bothered me. Gretzky... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest the pinjockey Report post Posted June 25, 2003 Seriously, Bobby Clarke must have some pictures of God with a goat or something. Giving that piece of shit a chance to redeem himself like this. I swear to god, if Clarke does not go after the leftovers I will not go to another game as long as he is in power. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted June 25, 2003 What does Haskek have left? He's 38 years old. Certainly the year long break helped him heal, but he's past his prime. Joseph might be blamed for being in net, when the Red Wings got swept in the first round, but how much of that was is fault, and much had to do with hot goalie for the opponent. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest gthureson Report post Posted June 25, 2003 Can't anyone just stay retired? Either keep your promise, or don't officially announce your retirment. Just say your not playing anymore, and be done with it. Sorry, but athletes retiring and than unretiring has always bothered me. Gretzky... Well, Wayne is breaking his promise to never play in an old timers game by suiting up for the big outdoor game at Commonwealth. I'll forgive him that, though. It'll end up being the highest rated old-timers game ever. On a related note, I wonder if Patrick Roy will end up being in net for the Montreal alumni.... As far as Hasek goes, he's a 38 year old reflex goaltender who has been out of the game for a year. While he could still likely be placed in the top ten netminders in the league (out of respect more than anything. No one really knows what the year off has done to his skills), he was on the decline his last 2 or 3 years in the NHL. Playing for anybody but a team that has a rock solid defensive system will expose him to not being a superman anymore. He'll definately be very rough through the first quarter of the season, until he is used to NHL shooters again, and likely be solid down the stretch, but I don't think he can carry a team all by himself anymore. Definately not worth it for a team with a decent young goaltender to make a move for him. Which leaves St. Louis and Philly as the only two team I can think of who would make serious runs for Hasek. Rangers have Blackburn and Dunham, they should stick with them and cut Richter loose. Of course, its possible that Vancouver could make a play for him to try and win the Cup while the core is still in their prime. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest nl5xsk1 Report post Posted June 25, 2003 If Holland trades either Hasek or CuJo to a Western Conference team, he's as dumb as Clarke. Why make one of your direct competitors better? It just makes more sense to deal him to an Eastern Conference team (Philly? NYR?) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MaxPower27 Report post Posted June 25, 2003 Can't anyone just stay retired? Either keep your promise, or don't officially announce your retirment. Just say your not playing anymore, and be done with it. Sorry, but athletes retiring and than unretiring has always bothered me. Gretzky... Well, Wayne is breaking his promise to never play in an old timers game by suiting up for the big outdoor game at Commonwealth. I'll forgive him that, though. It'll end up being the highest rated old-timers game ever. On a related note, I wonder if Patrick Roy will end up being in net for the Montreal alumni.... Do old timers games count though? I mean, I was getting ripped by a guy at work because Mario came back, but I could still stick by Gretzky knowing that his time was up, and that it was time to retire. Is Roy even going to play? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest gthureson Report post Posted June 25, 2003 I don't know if Roy has mended enough fences with the Montreal organization for them to even ask. I would highly doubt it. Old timer games don't count against a retirement. The purpose of them is to just go out and have some fun. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest gthureson Report post Posted June 25, 2003 If Holland trades either Hasek or CuJo to a Western Conference team, he's as dumb as Clarke. Why make one of your direct competitors better? It just makes more sense to deal him to an Eastern Conference team (Philly? NYR?) Detroit is in a tough spot. They hold Hasek's option. If they exercise it, he is their property, but then they are on the hook for $8 million when they are already trying to figure out how to re-sign everybody. CuJo has a no-trade, and Hasek wouldn't fetch much on the market, really. He's 38, you've only got him for a year. A pick and a prospect, maybe. Maybe just a prospect. That, and the market this year is one of tightened purse strings. Not too many teams want to take on either contract. Detroit may be forced to not excercise the option and let him go where he may, just so they aren't stuck trying to move a goaltender. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Lightning Flik Report post Posted June 25, 2003 Add a no stoppage that probably will happen after this season, and I only see the Rangers and the Flyers having the best opportunity to land either goalie (even though it IS apparent that the Wings want Hasek). Even then, it's slim to none. I can't see Joseph or Hasek getting traded. And I hate all the retirement but I'll come back in a year or so crap. Like the sports world has become an image of the WWE. I mean, it's stupid to bring back some of the older stars just because they did it for you once. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
