REPORT: Henrik Zetterberg Isn’t Going Anywhere

Here’s some good offseason news: Henrik Zetterberg is coming back for another year!

While everyone’s heads are turned towards the draft, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press called Zetterberg in Sweden to get an update on his health and his plans for next season.

At the end of the season, Zetterberg was a little vague about his status for next season. At 38-years-old, he’ll be entering the 10th year of his 12 year contract in October. He’s been through many ups and downs over the years, including a debilitating back injury in 2014 that required surgery on a herniated disc. While Z hasn’t missed a regular season game in the last three seasons, he’s played just under 20 minutes per game on average every year. It’s shocking that his back hasn’t given out again considering he’s had to hoist the whole team on there, especially during 2016-17’s nearly 70-point campaign. The team relies upon him immensely.

While I never really thought Zetterberg was at flight risk for next season, I am beginning to have my doubts about him finishing out his contract. His cap hit is $6.083-million, but his actual salary drops to $3.35-million this season (down from $7-million last season) and again to $1-million for the final two years. Is it worth it for him to put his body through the grind of a full NHL season for a million bucks? He’s the only one who can answer that question.

Zetterberg loves the Red Wings organization and is a big part of keeping the highly touted “winning culture” alive. He’s a great mentor to young guys and teaches them how to be more complete players. If he doesn’t finish out his contract on the ice, it wouldn’t surprise me if he hung around as a development coach for those final years.

But we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. For now, let’s focus on the present and enjoy watching Zetterberg make magic while the team burns around him every night.