ESPN is reporting that the Hawks signed former Red Wing Forward Marion Hossa to a 12 yar deal worth on average 5.2 million a year.  Have no idea how a 12 year deal is good or if this is a good signing.  I know he is a good player now, but not sure about 12 years from now.

Hossa is good, he has appeared in the last 2 cup finals, on the losing side each time.

But 12 years?

Must have given up on negotiations with Havlat.

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/icing/2009/07/report-blackhawks-sign-marian-hossa.html

I think it’s a great move.  Hossa in, Havlat out.  As players, I think they’re both great, it’s hard to pick one over the other.  But Hossa is much more durable than Havlat and as a result, he’s had a better career up to now.

I wouldn’t worry about the 12 years, it’s just a trick to spread the cost over the life of the contract to keep the cap hit down.  He’s not going to play 12 years.

Havlat wanted a long term deal and, I’m guessing, the Hawks were reluctant to give one to someone with such an injury history as his.  So they offered less and he wanted to test the market to see if he could get more elsewhere.  The Hawks didn’t want to wait around for him to test the market and be caught with nothing, so Tallon aggressively signed Hossa to put an end to it.  Good move all around.

And they got Kopecky (I’m sure I spelled that wrong).

Wow!

12 yrs,
thats a long contract.

Ok I have a question for the hockey fans, are 8-10-12 year contracts relatively normal in hockey?  I remember the one goalie for NY got a 15 year deal a couple of years ago.  Seems excessive.

What about losing Khabibuilan(sp). Is the back up ready?

Basically they traded Havlat for Hossa.

SouthSideSlim - 02 July 2009 12:11 PM

Basically they traded Havlat for Hossa.

And it looks as though Havlat is going to whine like a little girl. Oh joy.

Just what we need more of in Chicago sports, another whiner. Wait...he gone!

Hawks sign john Madden. If memory serves, this guy is great on the PK.

TomD - 02 July 2009 03:33 PM

34payton - 02 July 2009 12:33 PM

Hawks sign john Madden. If memory serves, this guy is great on the PK.

So that’s why he retired from ESPN

Tom, I refrained from this joke. I must admit when I first saw the link, I got an image of Madden on skates. Not pretty, not pretty.

If Huet steps up, it should be an exciting season.  Is it too much to hope for another parade down LaSalle Street?