No place but Detroit for Holmstrom

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Those hoping that the lack of a new contract for Detroit Red Wings veteran Tomas Holmstrom meant he might somehow become a free agent acquisition for the Bruins have had their hopes dashed.

Some Swedish publications presented the notion as fact that Holmstrom might be available on the open market as an unrestricted free agent. But the multiple Stanley Cup champ told the Detroit News on Wednesday that it will be Detroit or nowhere for the gritty Swedish power forward.

"The report on HockeyExpressen.se is not true at all," said the 39-year-old Holmstrom. "It's playing in Detroit, or nowhere else.

"I appreciate Kenny Holland giving me this time to think about things. I'm training, I'm working out. But a lot of it depends on my health, my knees.

The 15-year NHL veteran said hell meet with Detroit GM Ken Holland in the next week or two to make a final decision on whether it will be one more season with the Red Wings. Holmstrom has played over 1,000 games and scored nearly 250 goals since breaking in with the Winged Wheels, but managed only 11 goals and 24 points along with a minus-9 in 74 games last year.

Holmstrom has surpassed 20 goals and 40 points only once in the last four seasons, and it appears Father Time is finally setting in on an incredibly dependable, consistent performer.

So, while hes clearly a veteran with undisputed net-front presence, grit and Stanley Cup experience, perhaps hes not the greatest for the Bruins needs even if he did want to play outside of Hockeytown. Free agent players like Jason Arnott, Mike Knuble, and Daniel Winnik are still out on the market looking for landing spots once everything settles this summer.

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