The Chicago Blackhawks were probably the busiest team when NHL free agency opened and made the biggest splash when they signed Marian Hossa to an incredible 12-year $62.8m deal.
Hossa will be on his third team in three seasons and the Blackhawks have to hope he brings the best of his game from Detroit to the table this coming season or they could have just paid a lot of money for not a lot of product.
And they also have to pray that he does not complete an unwanted hat-trick having been on the losing sides in both of the last two Stanley Cup finals series, first after being traded to Pittsburgh in 2008 and then after signing with the Red Wings, losing to his former club a couple of months ago.
Hossa has been called a renegade in recent years, and the Penguins found it particularly sweet when they took him down in their Stanley Cup success, but this time Hossa finds himself in a different role – an old guy on a really young team.
Chicago is counting on him for leadership, something he has not been known for in the past, but his main reason for taking the money in Chi-Town was just that…the chance to take the likes of Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews under his wing.
"Playing last year in Detroit against this team wasn't easy," Hossa said as he and former Red Wing teammate Tomas Kopecky were unveiled at the United Center. "But in looking for the future, this is a young team with lots of heart and power going forward. I think this is the right fit for me.
"They made an unbelievable impression on the League, especially with the young talent they have - young, electrifying players.”
He will also be playing under a new regime in Chicago, led now by General Manager Stan Bowman after Dale Tallon’s move into a hockey advisory role.
Bowman will be taking on a team that finished as a fourth seed in the Western Conference last season, now with eyes on dethroning their Central Division rivals from Detroit paced by one of their former favorites.
"Detroit is a very experienced team, but this Chicago team is very young, enthusiastic team with lots of energy. We're going slowly, step by step up the hill and we believe we can reach our goal." Hossa concluded.
By Andy Charles, Hocket betting analyst
