Dear Marian Hossa,
You really are an enigma, aren’t you? I don’t mean this with any disrespect, but what sort of advice are you getting from people? It just doesn’t make any sense.
Last year you signed in Detroit, citing a chance to win the Stanley Cup. You went all the way to the Stanley Cup Final…again…and lost…again. I know you were sort of villified for the whole thing, but you have to admit: you got pretty darn close. In fact, to go the Stanley Cup Final two years in a row on separate teams is just pretty darn impressive.
For 'Hawks sake, Hossa. Listen to Stayclassy.net
From what I gather, the Detroit Red Wings offered you a pretty good contract, long-term, to stay in Detroit and try to win a Stanley Cup. I believe Ken Holland and Co. really liked what you brought to the table. You are an excellent talent in the NHL, and you rounded out a very deep lineup in Detroit. They saw that, and they tried to get you to stay.
But instead, and I know that you know this, you signed in Chicago for a contract that will see you play into your 40s. What were you thinking? I know Chicago has a pretty good team with some young talent, but so did Pittsburgh, and you definitely turned them down. You also ran your former teammate Martin Havlat out of town and into the Minnesota Wild. That probably wasn’t very nice of you.
I guess you just confuse me. I thought I made it pretty clear that your best option would be to resign in Ottawa for, oh I don’t know, a four year contract and see where it goes. If it didn’t work out, then you could test the free agent market again, with still enough time in your career to win a Cup. But talk about putting all your eggs in one basket.
In all honesty, do you really think that in 12 years Chicago could be a good team? You know the league is sort of cyclical right? Smart drafting makes for a good young team, but the salary cap means they can’t afford players and they get bad again, only to start drafting high picks again. There’s only a few teams in the league that have consistently made the playoffs…and you just left one of them.
I hope this one works out better for you. I really do feel somewhat bad for you. It must have really sucked to lose the Stanley Cup to the team that you rejected the off-season before. That’s like going to your ex-girlfriend’s wedding or something after she originally wanted to marry you. You probably don’t deserve the fate you received at the hands of the hockey gods, but like I said the first time, you can’t mess with karma.
Bottom line Mr. Hossa. Good luck. I respect your ability as a player. I think you are very fun to watch on the ice. And I know that Chicago will be happy to have you. I just hope you made the right call this time. 12 years from now, I hope I don’t have to write another letter.
Sincerely,
Tambland
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Very good commentary on Hossa.
I would have loved for him to stay in Detroit. I love the fact that you bring up a four year contract. To me that makes the most sense or even 7 years. I think these 11 – 12 year contracts are way too long. I have mentioned it before when the Red Wings signed Franzen to a 11 year deal. I understand Zetterberg didn’t want to do contract talks again in his career but you don’t know what the team will be like in 10 – 12 years.
I really can’t believe the length of these contracts, even from a players’ perspective. Who knows where a team is going to be, even four years down the road. Look at the Heatley situation. He already wants out. Who or what is to say Hossa won’t want out.
Bottom line. To go from signing a one year contract to a 12-year contract?? Who are you? And who do you think you are? I just hope he might have possibly made the right decision here.
Thanks for the comments and the read!