Here's the questions I couldn't get to in the last Q&A we did. There were a lot of similar questions regarding Marian Hossa and Johan Franzen, which player the Red Wings are more likely to sign and the chances that they could retain both.

Chad: Do you think the Wings will try to sign Hossa for less than (Pavel) Datsyuk per year, and do you think Hossa would take that offer? If he wouldn't, do you then think the Wings will go with Franzen?

Khan: They would like to get Hossa signed for an average of $6 million a season. I believe his agent is seeking a deal that averages between Henrik Zetterberg ($6.08 million) and Datsyuk ($6.7 million). Every little bit they can save will help towards signing other players. Maybe they'll compromise at slightly more than $6 million. But both sides are working hard to get a deal done. Hossa wants very much to remain here, the team wants him badly. I would be extremely surprised at this point if Hossa didn't re-sign.

Downing: Who will the Wings re-sign first, Franzen or Hossa?

Khan: They can only sign one before the end of the season due to some complicated tagging rule in the CBA, and general manager Ken Holland has said he'll ink whoever agrees first to the number he has in mind for each player. This is how I think the situation might unfold: Franzen will sign first, for around $4 million a season. It's just my opinion, but I think they'll come to a verbal agreement with Hossa on money and term before the end of the season and sign him on July 1. I think management and the players want to settle this situation before the end of the regular season so it's not hanging over anybody's head in the playoffs.

Evanz: How do you see things shaping up now that Zetterberg is locked up with the UFAs and RFAs?

Khan: If they re-sign both Hossa and Franzen they won't be able to retain Jiri Hudler and Mikael Samuelsson, as far as I can tell. They would at least be able to get something for Hudler, who's a restricted free agent, through trade or compensation from an offer sheet signed with another team. They still would be able to re-sign Tomas Kopecky -- and I think they will -- because he would be inexpensive.

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2009/02/qa_red_wings_marian_hossa_both.html