Unrestricted free agent Marian Hossa seemingly bought into that philosophy on Wednesday when he signed a one-year contract, thus increasing the Red Wings’ chances of repeating as Stanley Cup champions next spring.
“Obviously, we’re thrilled,” Holland told DetroitRedWings.com. “He’s a premiere power forward. Heading into the off-season, he was on our wish list, but to think in reality that we would get a shot at him given our commitments heading into the ’08-09 season -- we really wanted to keep a lot of our team together -- but in the end Marian made it happen by agreeing to come on a one-year deal.”
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Hossa, 29, helped the Pittsburgh Penguins reach the 2008 Stanley Cup finals, where they eventually lost to the Red Wings in six games. He had three goals and four assists in the Cup finals.
It’s believed that the Edmonton Oilers were also suitors in the Hossa sweepstakes, with a reported offer of as much as $9 million for the Czechoslovakian star. He indicated that he did not have discussions with the Pens about a one-year deal.
Still the decision to turndown a bigger pay day elsewhere was difficult, Hossa said, but after 10 seasons in the league, his priorities have changed.
“I wanted the best chance to win the Stanley Cup and I feel like Detroit is the team,” Hossa said during a teleconference Wednesday afternoon. “I know I could get more money somewhere else, but the thing that I was looking for for myself was to win the Stanley Cup.
“It wasn’t easy to throw that much money away, but I know I made the right decision. I truly believe that I made the right decision.”
It’s extremely difficult, especially in the new cap world, to win back-to-back Stanley Cups. The last team to do so was Detroit in 1997 and ’98. But Holland believes Hossa’s desire and hunger to win can be a driving force, similar to what the team witnessed with veteran forward Dallas Drake.
“I really think that Dallas Drake was a major factor in us winning the Stanley Cup,” Holland said. “Obviously, with his play on the ice, but for Dallas, he made a lot of sacrifices to want to come here to give himself an opportunity. When we got close, I thought a lot of our players played for Dallas.
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