Firstly, I would not be a Hossa fangirl of the highest order if I didn't defend him at all costs! LOL
Secondly, NO ONE is missing the point of the buyout chatter. MY point several posts ago is that folks had better think long and fucking hard about which long-term contracts they'd have Stan run outta town and today's game was exactly what I said, "a taste" of why I'm incredulous about it. The notion behind Ton's article that starts the thread is clearly focused on the common sense fiscal realities of the new CBA and that if you swing at the bat on him you have to realize Hossa will be in his 40s when his contract ends and so it's risky esp. considering the concussion versus say the Keith contract. I personally think you can't factor the concussion at this juncture in determining who's invaluable to your squad. There are several key players who have concussion histories I live in career fear for on this team like Toews and The Biscuit and now Hossa's just another added to the list as far as I am concerned though naturally it's the Toews situation that can make you wake up sweating from night terrors. Career-ending concussions don't care if you're in your 20s or 30s.
My point is that I think that if his body feels good Hossa will play for years and because he's so fundamentally rock solid a player he should deliver for you---not always leading in team pts. necessarily but because his being a fucking BOSS won't just disappear all vapor-like. Fans bitch all season long about players who are terrible in this zone or that zone, who are turnover machines, who don't check, who don't hustle. who don't have "hands", who don't have hockey IQ, etc., etc. He's just like any player star or not in that of course Hossa will be invisible in games too and he can make turnovers and with he will go on the schneid a few times a season (not EPIC! ones though) but he tries to compensate by doing other things to contribute so I still maintain that since following him when he was with OTT that if his body is okay he will play well overall because he's a fundamentally great forward. Players can watch and learn from this man for years---as many Hawks have said they do on camera. Two-way play. Work ethic. Quiet leadership. Blah blah blah intangiblescakes! And based on what happened after the last lockout who's to say what the cap will be after the 2013-14 season? Based on this week of training camps and this weekends season openers fans sure aren't going to make the NHL "pay" with their pocketbooks.
Many fans think Hossa is not the one you take the risk with with after the two-season buyout grace period? Fine. But there might be a very few of us who actually do think you swing the bat for him and it's fine to have that opinion too. Though I love having The Biscuit locked up long-term I personally would give serious consideration to the Keith contract because for all his physical gifts I still think a fast PMD can be had down the road. If not Keith then I'd serve up the new Sharp contract which I was pretty steamed had a NTC in the first place because yes, I do think an aging Hossa still will provide more all around as a forward then even The Most Handsome Goal Scorer That Ever Goal Scored!
