Hasek signs with Wings
The Detroit Free Press is reporting that Dominik Hasek is returning to Detroit for one more year. Update: Apparently Holland was on AM 1270 and WXYT where he said that Hasek’s salary is $750,000 + incentives that only kick in after the first round of the playoffs.
GM Ken Holland will be holding a conference call to talk to reporters at 1pm. He will also be available to reporters at 3pm in the Wings dressing room. I’ll be very interested in hearing Holland’s reasoning for signing Hasek instead of obtaining a goaltender via trade either now or before the deadline.
I’m not too happy with this signing.
1) Hasek’s groin. In his past two NHL seasons, he has screwed his team over come February or later leaving the team with the back up goaltender. He played really well for Ottawa last season but then got injured and couldn’t play when it counted the most.
2) He is locker room poison. The mess he caused us in the 2003-2004 season between Cujo, Ozzie, and himself was a disaster. For all we know, we could still have a good goalie in Cujo if it wasn’t for Dom. Fortunately, there shouldn’t be a 3 goaltender scenario this season but I bet some Wings players still have a bad taste in their mouth over that situation. [Update: I should say that I don’t know if he is locker room poison. It seemed like his return caused a load of problems but Holland is the one who signed him. I wasn’t there in the locker room to know how Hasek’s return effected the team, but hopefully everyone will be professional and we’ll have no incidents in the upcoming season.]
BUT, and that’s a big but, if Hasek can actually stay healthy for the first time since winning the Cup in 2002, us Wings fans could be pretty happy come playoff time. I just don’t have much optimism for Hasek staying healthy. Maybe we should let Ozzie play for the first half of the season and then pop Hasek in. Oh well, Kenny has already signed him so I might as well try to think positive.
Update:
There are plenty of reactions to this signing and IwoCPO at Abel to Yzerman has links to it all. Here in Detroit, we always have goaltender drama and this next season will be no different.
A TSN article has these quotes in regards to staying healthy:
“At this point it feels great,” said Hasek. “I think there are small little things I want to improve, like losing two to four pounds will be helpful. Take great care every day before practice, after practice and I believe I can stay healthy.
“I don’t care if I play 40, 50 games or how many games I play. All my focus is on the season but to be in the best shape for the playoffs.”
Chris at Hockey Country takes a look at the signing from the perspective of an Ottawa Senators’ fan. As you know, Dom played for Ottawa last season so Chris is pretty knowledgeable on the topic. He ended his post with this comment:
I wonder if Vegas is taking bets on how many games the Dominator logs before the groin/abductor/whatever else they wanna call it to spin the truth acts up again. I know how I’ll be betting.
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7 Responses to “Hasek signs with Wings”
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July 31st, 2006 at 2:55 pm
[…] More from Khan(!). Also, Christy’s not happy. […]
July 31st, 2006 at 3:29 pm
The thing I loved most about Steve Yzerman was his impeccable class & determination- a rarity in professional sports. To hear that the Wings have re-signed Hasek is sickeningly disappointing. Speaking for myself, I’d rather lose with class & dignity than win with a quiter & nutcase.
BTW, Christy, the new website looks great!
July 31st, 2006 at 4:05 pm
Re: the aptly enumerated number 2).
Hasek is not locker room poison. Who caused the mess? Hasek wanting to return? Or Holland hiring two #1 goalies? Plus, Osgood wasn’t even around for that.
August 1st, 2006 at 10:30 pm
Duponceau - Thanks for the comment and the compliment on BtJ’s new look! It is sad to think that the likelihood of a “Steve Yzerman” type franchise player may never happen again for any NHL team is hard to think about. But I must say that I don’t think Hasek is a nutcase, well at least compared to Psycho Eddie! It could be worse!
Pat - Thanks for your comment! You are very right - I wasn’t there in the locker room so I shouldn’t say that he was poison. I don’t really know. All I know is that his return caused a lot of goalie drama at least among the media and fans. Yes, Holland hired two great goalies and decided to let Hasek back so we can’t blame that mess on just Hasek. And I’m sure Cujo had some part in it as well. I just don’t think it’d be the greatest thing to happen to that locker room.
But you never know, he may give his teammates a lot of confidence. Plus, his teammates should be professional enough to not let past history get in the way. Thanks again for your thoughts!
August 22nd, 2006 at 4:33 pm
[…] - Goaltender Dominik Hasek returns for his third stint in Detroit for $750,000 plus incentives that won’t kick in until after the first round of the playoffs. […]
December 31st, 2006 at 4:15 pm
[…] Goaltender Dominik Hasek returns for his third stint in Detroit for $750,000 plus incentives that won’t kick in until after the first round of the playoffs. […]
January 25th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
[…] Hasek, 41, is back. Deal believed to be for $500,000 plus incentives. (Update, 7:03 PM, Matt: Christy reports it’s $750,000 plus incentives kicking in after first round of playoffs) This is completely shocking. Confidence in the Wings and Ken Holland = zero. […]