An Unlikely Return
So I caught whispers of a rumor that Jan Mursak may be changing his number next season. In fact, it may be for the same reason that Johan Franzen changed his number from 39 to 93 after his rookie season in 2005-2006.The return of Dominik Hasek.
I wouldn't post such a ridiculous notion unless there was a news source to back it up. The Dominator, according to the Midland Free Press, is eyeing either Detroit or Stevie-Y's team for a possible return next season.
Make the jump for more.
The 47 year old netminder - whose personality and antics can be as odd as his goaltending stlye - has been out of the NHL since the Red Wings hoisted the Cup back in Pittsburgh in 2008.Apparently, Dom has met with both Detroit and Tampa Bay.
"Of course, my agent, Ritch Winter, knows about what I want. But I don't want to comment on that any further. Nothing changed in my plans. But right now, I don't have anything in front of me. So I'm waiting. I think in June the decision will be made." --Dominik Hasek
We are all familiar with Mr. Ritch Winter - who is the agent of Marian Hossa and orchestrated his flight to the Chicago Blackhawks...I wonder how the relationship is between Mr. Winter and our own Kenny Holland.
A lot of decisions are going to have to be made in June and July. But when Chris posted his article on Goalies We Could Use, it's not surprising that he omitted Hasek on his list. Hasek last played for Moscow in the KHL in 2010-2011, where he posted a 23-18-3 record while recording seven shutouts, a 2.45 GAA and a .915 save percentage.Is he the answer to our back-up goaltending issue? I would think that the majority of you would give us a resounding "NO!".
...but still, it's an intriguing notion...wouldn't you agree?
It would bring the age of the wings roster up lol, and you know that all the critics will say that they are too old, but thats been said for the last 10 years. I guess im just a fan of Hasek and still believe he can provide something for a team.
I think this would work out. Wings have Mcdonald but as we saw last season that our backups too can get hurt when our starter is hurt. If they signed Hasek this would be good for Grand Rapids and Detriot. He can still play, but not as a starter and he can help out the young guys in the AHL, even Mzerk wants him to play. I think this would be a good cheap option for the wings. Look at his numbers in the KHL they are good and are solid numbers for a backup. Who cares how old someone is, there are cerian people that can keep playing and why tell them to stop if they can do it. I would imagine that he would have to earn the spot so who cares, if he earns it let him play. He will be cheap money and to have three options for the goaler position is premium.
@Twig @klo Sorry I didnt mean that he would play in the AHL, yeah I agree there would be no way he would accept that. I meant that at least in training camp, he would push the younger guys for the spot. I am sure that at some point during the season one of the younger goaltenders will come up at least for practices and such. I do see it being a small risk but it very well could help out the situation. He did lead the KHL in shutouts just two years ago and I do know that the KHL is much different than the NHL but its still pro hockey.
I am all in favor of this and hope he does come back to play for the Wings. He is better than Conklin (please tell me im wrong, you know its true) and the Dominator would be just fine as a backup to Howard to play game here and there. Hasek is one of those unique athletes who can play well beyond their prime. Is he a NHL starter? Hell no. But he wouldnt have to be. Just needs to be good enough to make the saves we need to win when Howard is out. I imagine he wantes to play for us, we wouldnt have to pay him much, fans would buy tickets to see him play again, its a win-win.
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@Buckeye_Wings_Fan Is he better than Conklin? I don't know. I haven't heard anything about how great he was in the KHL. The guy's been out of the NHL for three seasons, is there any reason to expect that he's still an NHL-level talent at 47? The last time he played for Detroit he went 2-2, had a GAA of almost 3 and a sub .900 save percentage before being pulled after 4 playoff games.And even if he is better than Conklin, is that the criteria? Because there are about 50 goalies in the NHL right now who fit that.
Yes, he is better than Conklin. A squirrel with goalie pads on would be better than Conklin, haha. And youre right about the other 50 goalies in the NHL that are better than him right now. I hope we get one of them
there is no way he breaks into the NHL at 48. He was a god in his prime but that was 20 years ago. If he signs with a team he will have to start in the AHL and work back up. I have a hard time believing he can stand up to an NHL season.
He dominated in 2002 which was 10 years ago and same could be said for 08 so not 20 years and it's not like he's stayed away from high level hockey.
But no. He is done, and should know when enough is enough. If he came back it would only be in semi-joke form.
@Reddy while he was really good on the Wings, it could be argued that he was past his prime. 2002 was the end of his prime. after that he went from god to extremely freaking good mortal.
@Reddy @JOHNxJOHN I don't think you can say he dominated in 08, he was replaced in the first round of the playoffs.
Would be interesting, but I really hope it doesn't happen.
On a completely unrelated note, have the Wings dropped Miller and gone to Bud Light?
If Dom does make it back to the NHL, won't this be his second or third time coming out of retirement? Normally I would laugh off rumors like this, but with this teams willingness to bring back goalies from the past, let me be the first to say "Welcome back Dominick... again again!"
It's not even intriguing. It's just sad. I know that the only thing these player know is hockey and it must be very hard to retire from something you love in your 40's when the rest of the world (assuming you're doing something you love) retire in your 60's but damn! You gotta know when to hang it up. Each time he tries to come back I lose more and more respect for him and his legacy. It's one thing for a role player like a Draper to play past his time but when you have someone of Hasek's ilk, it's no good.
@marti783 Yeah, I really feel Chelios played past his time and his image suffered for it. That being said I would love to have Hasek as a goalie coach/consultant.
@thebiglachovsky @marti783 I dunno, I was never really convinced by his random floppy style, it worked for him but I don't think it could be coached. It's not so much a technique as personal intuition. B-fly style has surpassed it I would say.
