The idea of the NHL salary cap preventing the rich from getting richer took a slapshot to the face as Marian Hossa joined the Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings. He signed a one year deal worth $7.45 million last week. Detroit was nowhere near the top bidder, but they have more to offer than money. And I guess, it's a bit refreshing to see an athlete take less money in order to play for a better team. Unlike some people...
But there's still an element of greed to it. Hossa is only "stuck" at $7.45M for one season. After which, he can still cash in, or move on to the next top Cup contender. The low salary also gives Detroit flexibility to retain stars like Henrik Zetterberg.
Another top free agent, Jaromir Jagr, signed a deal worth about $7M per season. But he signed with Avangard Omsk, in Russia's Continental Hockey League. That $7M is tax free, so in essence he's getting paid more than Hossa. Considering Jagr is 36, and the NY Rangers didn't even try to retain him, I wouldn't consider this a defection. He played for Omsk during the lockout, and he's always expressed an interest in ending his career in Europe.
This all leaves Maple Leaf legend Mats Sundin as the top free agent forward on the market. But he's 37 years old and might retire. The Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks are the teams most interested in the old Swede.
-The Commodore
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