Error processing SSI fileZetterberg skates back to Wings
Four-year contract leaves Holland with about $5.5 million to attract more forwards.
Henrik Zetterberg, who led the Swedish Elite League with 50 points, is $10.6 million richer.
Lost cause?
Should the Red Wings wait to see if Pavel Datsyuk can be lured away from his Russian team, or use the money to sign someone else now?
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DETROIT -- Pavel Datsyuk is gone, but the Red Wings still have Henrik Zetterberg.
After a summer of haggling, the Wings finally signed Zetterberg, a restricted free agent, to a four-year contract worth $10.6 million. They also also have the security of locking up Zetterberg, 24, a year past when he can become an unrestricted free agent (age 27).
Zetterberg receives a significant raise from the $625,000 he made last season. He also gets a long-term contract.
"We feel Hank will be a good player for a long time here," general manager Ken Holland said. "He's an important part of our team."
Zetterberg, who had 15 goals and 28 assists in 61 games during the 2003-04 season, is scheduled to arrive in Detroit this weekend. The team travels to Traverse City for training camp Sunday.
Playing for Timra in the Swedish Elite League during the NHL lockout last winter, Zetterberg led the league in scoring with 50 points (19 goals, 31 assists) in 50 games.
He also was one of Sweden's best players during the World Championships.
"I saw a few of his games over in Sweden while I was there scouting," Holland said, "and he did play very well.
"He's the type of player who works hard every day at practice. He's a pro. He's responsible at both ends of the ice. I don't know if Hank will be a big-time scorer, but he's going to be a point producer in this league."
The Zetterberg signing leaves the Wings with approximately $5.5 million under the $39 million salary cap. Holland would like to sign three more forwards to fill the roster.
The Wings would love for Datsyuk to fill one of those forward spots, although that possibility appears slim.
The latest twist in this story came Wednesday. The Moscow Dynamo, of the Russian Superleague, matched Avangard Omsk's contract offer to Datsyuk, securing him for the coming season.
Datsyuk's agent, Gary Greenstin, contacted Holland with the latest development. Greenstin told Holland that Datsyuk's deal in Russia has a no-trade clause. But, in the same conversation, he reiterated Datsyuk's desire to play for the Wings.
Because Russia isn't part of the International Ice Hockey Federation, there is no formal plan to transfer players between the NHL and Russia. Hockey contracts in Russia are not as rock-solid as in the NHL, which makes it conceivable that Datsyuk could still find his way back to Detroit.
Datsyuk can play in Europe until Oct. 5, the start of the NHL season. Any player who stays in Europe beyond that date must clear waivers to return to the NHL, and that wouldn't happen.
"We're going under the assumption that Pavel will not be with us this season," Holland said. "But I'll continue to keep in touch with Gary Greenstin and stay on top of any developments."
Ice chips
The Wings will invite Rem Murray, a former Michigan State and Edmonton forward, to training camp on a tryout basis.
Murray was an effective checker with the Oilers until a neck injury ended his career. He will attempt a comeback.
... Many Wings continued conditioning at Joe Louis Arena on Wednesday, and most will continue to work out before the team heads to Traverse City on Saturday.
You can reach Ted Kulfan at (313) 223-4606 or ted.kulfan@detnews.com.
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