Big-ticket free agent Hossa signs with big-ticket Red Wings

The short-term deal gives the Red Wings salary-cap space to extend contracts, improving their chances later this summer of keeping Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen off the free-agent market in 2009.

Holland said he offered a multiyear contract to Hossa on Tuesday, the first day of free agency, at a salary-cap friendly number that fit into the team's plans to retain Zetterberg and Franzen beyond next season.

The deal, though, didn't compare favorably to what other teams were willing to give Hossa.

"There were significant offers and opportunities out there for Marian," Holland said. "I thought it was going to be difficult to make Marian a Red Wing."

But as Holland drove to work Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena, Hossa's agent, Ritch Winter, said his client was willing to accept a one-year contract.

"Without Marian wanting to be a Red Wing, this day never happens," he said.

Holland wants this to be the first of many years Hossa plays for the Red Wings, who will try to give him a long-term deal after ensuring Zetterberg and Franzen are under contract after next season.

"The hope is we can keep everybody," Holland said. "I've got some time now to see if I can put it all together."

Hossa should fit in well with the Red Wings because he is a talented forward who also excels as a backchecker when opponents have the puck. He shed his reputation as a playoff underachiever by leading the Penguins with 12 goals, and his 26 points were a point short of matching Sidney Crosby's team-leading total.

The 29-year-old native of the Czech Republic was drafted 12th overall in 1997 by Ottawa.