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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Knightfall" data-source="post: 2980034" data-attributes="member: 2012">Hasek returns for third stint with WingsCanadian Press7/31/2006 1:40:16 PMDominik Hasek was sure his career was over once he heard the Ottawa Senators had signed Martin Gerber to a three-year contract."I was talking to my wife and I said, `That's it you know, that's it,"' Hasek recalled Monday after signing on for a third stint with the Detroit Red Wings. "When I got the phone call from the Red Wings - you couldn't believe how surprised I was and how excited I was."That excitement culminated in a one-year, incentive-laden deal from the Red Wings, who finally settled their goaltending situation.The Red Wings are gambling that the 41-year-old Czech with a history of injury problems can be their No. 1 goalie when the season starts in October, with 33-year-old Chris Osgood serving as his backup.They parted ways earlier this summer with Manny Legace, who was 37-8-3 last season with a 2.19 goals-against average but took some heat for his role in a first-round playoff loss to Edmonton.Hasek was 28-10-4 for the Ottawa Senators last season and his GAA of 2.09 and .925 save percentage were both second in the NHL. But the six-time Vezina Trophy winner suffered a groin injury during the 2006 Olympics and didn't play the rest of the season, including the playoffs.He's been looking for work since the Sens cut ties with him by signing Gerber on July 1."I thought up to the Olympic break last year in Ottawa that he was playing as well as any goalie in the National Hockey League," Wings general manager Ken Holland said on a conference call. "I think at first when I called Dom he was a little bit surprised. Dom said he needed a bit of time to talk to his family and see how they felt and sort out whether he wanted to come back and play."While the Red Wings explored their options on the trade market, spoke to three teams about a goalie and took a close look at Ed Belfour, who recently signed with Florida, Hasek decided he wanted to come back."I knew right away this was a wonderful opportunity," said Hasek. "It took me a while to get back to Ken because I had to discuss everything with the family. It wasn't so simple, my kids are 16 and 11. But at the end of the day, I couldn't lose this opportunity to play for the Red Wings one more year and do anything to win the Cup."The Red Wings built some protection into the contract, as all his incentives are playoff-based. Both sides know they'll have to carefully manage his groin problems, which while under control now, can flare up at any moment.Holland said the deal leaves the Red Wings $4-5 million under the $44-million salary cap and that he would like to add another forward before the season starts. That would still leave room to add a goalie before the trade deadline, if needed."At this point it feels great," said Hasek. "I think there are small little things I want to improve, like losing 2-4 pounds will be helpful. Take great care every day before practice, after practice and I believe I can stay healthy."I don't care if I play 40, 50 games or how many games I play. All my focus is on the season but to be in the best shape for the playoffs."Hasek first joined the Red Wings when they acquired him in a July 2001 trade with the Buffalo Sabres. He led the Red Wings to a Stanley Cup in 2002 before retiring later that summer.After a year off, Hasek came out of retirement and rejoined the Wings in 2003-04 but played in just 14 games before a groin injury ended his season. The experience left a bad taste in everyone's mouth."I was really disappointed in 2004 and for me it's a new chance," said Hasek. "However I don't look back. I don't look at what happened in 2002 and what happened in 2004. All my focus is on the next season."He signed a $1.5 million deal with the Senators once the lockout ended but a strong season soured because of his injury at the Olympics. That forced the inexperienced Ray Emery into the starter's role and the Senators, widely considered Stanley Cup contenders, were second round losers.The 14-year NHL veteran began his career with the Chicago Blackhawks in 1990-91 and spent two seasons there before getting dealt to the Sabres prior to the start of the 1992-93 season.Despite his unorthodox style, he developed into the NHL's top goaltender during his nine-year stay in Buffalo, where he won his six Vezinas.Hasek has a career record of 324-206-82 in 638 games. He ranks 18th all-time in wins and his 68 shutouts rank 12th all-time.</blockquote>

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