DETROIT -- Every NHL team would covet a big, strong forward with a deft scoring touch who is tough to contain in the offensive zone and is committed to playing well in his own end.

The Detroit Red Wings are reaping the benefits of having two of these premier power forwards: Marian Hossa and Johan Franzen.

They must maximize Hossa and Franzen's one season together, however, because the league's salary cap, in all likelihood, will prevent the Red Wings from retaining one of them.The Red Wings' goal is to re-sign two of the three star players in the final year of their contract -- Henrik Zetterberg, Franzen and Hossa. Zetterberg is their top priority, and it's fairly certain he will ink a long-term deal, for seven years or more. The only question is whether he will cost slightly more or less than the $7.45 million salary captain Nicklas Lidstrom earns.

General manager Ken Holland said he has had preliminary discussions with Franzen's agent, but nothing substantive. Unlike Zetterberg and Hossa, it will take some time before Franzen's market value is established, since he didn't emerge as an offensive force until last March, finishing the regular season and playoffs with an amazing run of 28 goals in 32 games.

What Franzen has done this season shows he is not a one-year wonder. He scored the winning goal in each of the last two games, in Florida and Tampa Bay. He has three goals in three games since returning from a five-game absence due to a sprained knee and has eight goals in 11 games overall.

Getting Franzen locked up will not be easy. The Red Wings went through a difficult negotiation process with him and his agent in the summer of 2006, when he was a third-line, checking forward with seemingly modest offensive potential. Franzen could cost the club between $4- and $5 million a year, and he surely would get more on the open market.

Re-signing Hossa would require a series of events. The Red Wings would have to deem Franzen's asking price more than they want to pay. Hossa would have to give them a discount in the neighborhood of his current $7.45 million salary. And even then they would need to shed some salary to make room for Hossa, whom the club cannot begin contract talks with until after Jan. 1, since he's on a one-year deal.

Whom do they choose? The decision probably will be made for them, once they learn each player's asking price and determine who is a better value for the money.

Hossa is the more complete player with a proven track record. He's big, strong and fast, has a tremendous shot and passes well. He's committed to defense and has been an ideal fit in the dressing room.

Hossa has emerged as an early season Hart Trophy candidate as league MVP. He has had four consecutive two-point games (four goals, four assists) and has points in 14 of 16 games. He leads the club with 23 points and is tied with Zetterberg for the club lead with 10 goals.

Of course, he also would cost more to keep. And considering he took a hefty discount to come here in July, it might be difficult getting him to slash his price again.

Franzen wouldn't be a bad consolation prize. He, too, is a solid two-way player, just not as fast, not as good a passer, and he doesn't have as dangerous a shot as Hossa. But Franzen goes hard to the net and creates problems with his size.

The salary cap is not expected to increase much from $56.7 million. Some anticipate it will increase to $58-$59 million. And many believe it could decrease in 2010-11.

The Red Wings have 17 players signed for next season at approximately $43.4 million, including Darren Helm, Jimmy Howard and Jonathan Ericsson, who are in Grand Rapids. Penciling in Zetterberg for $7.6 million brings their payroll to $51 million for two goaltenders, eight defensemen and just eight forwards.

That leaves $7-$8 million to spend on five forwards. Jiri Hudler, Mikael Samuelsson, Tomas Kopecky and Ville Leino also are in the final year of their contracts.

Holland realizes some of these players won't be back.

The financial aspect favors keeping Franzen over Hossa, but either would be a significant loss.