29-year-old forward Marian Hossa from Slovakia agreed to sign an one-year 7,4 mil. Dollar contract with a team he lost in these year's Stanley Cup finals to.
  

 After many offers he got as an unrestricted free agent from July 1st , Hossa decided to move to a strong candidate for winning the Stanley Cup, the Detroit Red Wings. There were numerous rumours about Hossa joining many NHL teams among others Vancouver Canucs, Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, Boston and surely some others, but there was also an opportunity to stay in Pittsburgh, which reportedly offered a more than 7 mil. Dollar contract for more years. It is clear that Hossa does not want to earn the biggest money, instead he wants to have a chance to play for a team in which he might get to the finals again with a more succesful ending. Despite considered as the best Penguins postseason player by many NHL specialists, Hossa could gain around 9 mil. Dollars a year, he decided to lower his requirements knowing that with some more years left in his career there is a chance to get the money, but for him it is the right time to win it all.

"I talked to Marian's agent (Ritch Winter) on Tuesday and expressed that we had an interest and made a long-term offer that we thought would fit into our cap with the team moving forward," Red Wings'General Manager Ken Holland said. "Early this morning, (Winter) called while I was at a gas station and asked what my thoughts were on a one-year deal. I was initially shocked, but obviously wanted to find a way to have Marian on our team. He likes our defense and its ability to move the puck. Given that we had the cap space for a one-year deal, we began figuring out a way to make it happen." ( nhl.com )

"Basically, what this comes down to is Marian's commitment to sacrifice money to come here because he feels we give him the best chance to win the Stanley Cup," Holland said. "It shows how important winning is to him and his desire to play with good players. Marian made this day happen. He's a premier power forward who wanted to make this marriage happen and we're thrilled to have worked out a one-year contract." ( nhl.com )

"Marian is a premier player in this League," Holland said. "We wanted to add another forward who could fit into our top six, and now we have a forward that could fit into our top three. He's strong down low in the offensive zone, is capable of hanging on to the puck and has a tremendous work ethic. He kills penalties and will back check and play defense. This was certainly a deal we couldn't pass up." ( nhl.com )

"When we (Hossa and Winter) realized the offers we were turning down, we did shake our heads, but I feel I have a good chance to win a Stanley Cup in Detroit and I would do anything to make that happen," Hossa said. "It wasn't easy, but I feel I made the right decision. It wasn't easy to throw the money away, but I guess we'll know this time next year if I made the right choice. And this was my decision." ( nhl.com )

"Marian and Sid (Crosby) were the two best forwards on Pittsburgh in the Stanley Cup Final," Holland admitted. "Marian was a guy we had to pay special attention to because of his strength and great scoring ability. I never imagined we'd have an opportunity to sign a player with this much impact, but adding a Marian Hossa will certainly be a motivation for the rest of our team, much like Dallas Drake was for us this past season." ( nhl.com )

"Of all the NHL teams, I always had Pittsburgh and Detroit in mind since they were the two teams I really liked," Hossa said. "At the end of day, I felt strongly about Detroit. I had a great time in Pittsburgh and they have great players, coaches and fans and that made this a tough decision. I do feel I have a better chance to win the cup with Detroit."

Marian Hossa, recently the best Slovakian player and one of the best forwards in the NHL will enter his 11th season. He was drafted in 1997 by the Ottawa Senators in the first round as the 12th pick. A year later he joined the Senators after playing a year at their farm and finished second behind Chris Drury for a best rookie award, the Calder Trophy. Right after signing a more year multi-million contract with the Senators in August 2005, he was traded with defenceman Greg de Vries to the Atlanta Trashers in exchange for Dany Heatley. There he had his best season with 92 points ( 39 goals ), surpassing his previous career-high by ten points. A year later, Hossa produced even more ending at his career best 100 points ( 43 goals ), helping his team to win the Southeast Division title, but failing to win a match in the first round of the playoffs against the New York Rangers, as Hossa was like the rest of the team invisible. He was marked as a non-playoff man who could not produce when it is needed at most. He silenced his critics during these year's Penguins' marvelous playoff run when he finished second best in production ( 26 points ) behind Pens' captain Crosby and as the best in scoring with 12 goals. He collected most points among all players in this year's Conference finals with nine points and Cup final with seven ( three goals and four assists ). Good luck Marian and bring it home!