Marian Hossa Flies to the Blackhawks

For a second straight year the Chicago Blackhawks have made the biggest impact on day one of the free agent frenzy period. A key reason why Chicago made the playoffs last spring for the first time since 2002 is due in large part to free agents such as high scoring all- star defenceman Brian Campbell, (52 points) goalie Cristobal Huet (2.53 GAA) and a few summers back another goalie in Nikolai Khabibulin (25-8 record). On Wednesday Chicago who finished fourth in the Western Conference with 104 points showed their desperate hunger for taking that next step towards winning when they signed former Detroit Red Wings star forward Marian Hossa to a whopping 12 year pact worth 62.8 million. It brakes down to 59.3 million for the first eight years and 3.5 in the final four years. What makes this contract so risky is the fact that Hossa is no youngster at 30 years old and he is coming off a dismal performance in the Stanley Cup finals when his Detroit Red Wings lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Still Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon is excited about landing Hossa who will blend well with talented youngsters such as Patrick Kane and captain Jonathan Toews. Chicago also signed former Red Wings four- year veteran Tomas Kopecky to a two- year pact worth 1.2 million a season. This 27 year-old is a physical player who was ranked second on the Wings last year with 109 hits.  “To add Marian, an elite and world-class player, and Tomas, a Stanley Cup Champion, to our exciting young core reinforces our commitment to try to win the Stanley Cup,” Tallon said. Hossa who is a 12 -year veteran has spent time with the Ottawa Senators, Atlanta Thrashers, Pittsburgh Penguins and the Red Wings. In his only season in Detroit Hossa scored 40 goals, 71 points and was an impressive +27. Even though 12 years is a little to long for a 30 year old, he will definitely help Chicago become an elite team in the short term.