Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said that the club will head to salary arbitration with forward Jiri Hudler July 30 in Toronto.

View Large

Jiri Hudler #26 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates after scoring a third period goal past goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during game four of the 2008 NHL Stanley Cup Finals at Mellon Arena on May 31, 2008 in Pittsburgh.

Photograph by : Getty

ARTICLE TOOLS

• Printer friendly
• E-mail

Font:

• *
• *
• *
• *

Hudler's agent, Petr Svoboda, told Holland the 25-year-old left wing intends on playing in Russia next season.

"They have no intention of negotiating a settlement, they want the case heard before an arbitrator," Holland said.

The NHL apparently will not be able to prevent Hudler from playing for Moscow Dynamo.

Hudler signed a two-year, US$10-million deal with the Kontinental Hockey League club July 8.

The NHL has tried to void the deal, claiming Hudler is obligated to the Wings because he filed for salary arbitration July 5.

The salary arbitration hearing will determine Hudler's contract if and when he returns to the NHL.

The Wings, whose last offer to Hudler was for five years at $15 million, will ask for a two-year deal. The arbitrator can side with the Wings or Hudler, or award any amount in between.

Holland said it's highly unlikely the Wings exercise their "walk away" option and lose Hudler's NHL rights.

Holland said he is now turning his attention to the free-agent market for a forward or two.

The club is $1.6 million under the salary cap but would have more space if it elects to keep young forward Justin Abdelkader in Grand Rapids and opts to trade a defenceman.

Holland said he would like to sign two low-priced forwards, preferably one who is capable of scoring 15-18 goals.

He also said if he can't get a player he likes at the right price he would be comfortable not signing anybody and having some cap space for a mid-season or trade deadline move.

HOSSA HURT

Wings general manager Ken Holland said Marian Hossa did not injure his shoulder during the playoffs as indicated in a story in the Chicago Daily Herald.

Holland said Hossa had a slightly torn rotator cuff when the Wings signed him July 2, 2008, but it wasn't anything significant.

"He was hurt before he got to us,'' Holland said.

"Our doctors looked at him and we had conversations about whether to have surgery. Our doctors recommended he should have something done at some point but it's something he can play with.''

According to the Daily Herald, Hossa is contemplating surgery, which would idle him for the start of the season.

Hossa signed a 12-year, US$62.8- million contract with the Blackhawks July 1.

WINGS SIGNINGS

The Red Wings re-signed forwards Evan McGrath and Ry-an Oulahen to one-year contracts.

McGrath, 23, spent the last three seasons with Grand Rapids (AHL), posting a career-high 47 points in 68 games this past season.

He was Detroit's fourth-round pick (128th overall) in the 2004 entry draft.

Oulahen, 24, had a career-high 31 points in 73 games during his fourth season with Grand Rapids.

He was drafted by the Wings in the fifth round (164th overall) in 2003.