DETROIT -- Marian Hossa chose to join the Detroit Red Wings at a discount.
He hopes hoisting the Stanley Cup will make it worth the sacrifice.
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Hossa signed a one-year contract with Detroit on Wednesday, and a person in the NHL told the Associated Press the deal is worth $7.45 million.
He had rebuffed a chance to re-sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins, who were reportedly offering $7 million a season as part of five-year contract after they lost the Stanley Cup Finals to Detroit last month.
"It was a really tough decision for me to make," Hossa said. "When I compared the two teams, I felt like I would have a little better of a chance to win the Cup in Detroit."
The high-scoring winger was one of the key players who helped Pittsburgh advance to the Stanley Cup Finals, which they lost to Detroit in six games.
With Hossa headed for Detroit, the most highly coveted forwards left on the free-agent market are Jaromir Jagr and Mats Sundin. Sundin isn't close to signing with anyone, and said Wednesday he needs more time to decide where, or if, he wants to play next season.
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| The Red Wings will be Marian Hossa's fourth NHL team. (AP) |
"We're thrilled to be able to add Marian," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said. "He's a premier power forward in the game, capable of scoring 30, 40, 50 goals."
Hossa scored a career-high 45 goals for the Senators during the 2002-03 season and had a career-best 100 points two seasons ago in Atlanta.
He was dealt to Pittsburgh from Atlanta at last season's trade deadline with an expiring contract. The Thrashers acquired him from the Senators before the 2005-06 season in the deal that sent Dany Heatley to Ottawa.
Detroit and Hossa hope the one-year contract is a win-win deal. The Red Wings will count on him to help them win it all again as he plays for a team that will be favored to hoist its fifth Stanley Cup since 1997 and 12th overall.
"I could get more money somewhere else, but I was looking for the best chance to win the Stanley Cup," Hossa said.
Bengal Bruce 
