[A] Player Evaluation: Marian Hossa

[Ton]

Hossa led the Blackhawks with 77 points last year, which was a career-year for him in Chicago (thanks to good health all season). His relentless puck pursuit allows him to be one of the best two-way forwards in the game along with his soft hands and nifty play-making ability. That said, it will be hard to evaluate where he is today after suffering a head blow delivered by Raffi Torres which effectively ended Hossa's playoff run and ultimately the Blackhawks season.



The most recent reports of Hossa's status came just over 20 days ago where he stated that [font=Helvetica, Arial]he had resumed high-intensity off-ice training several weeks ago prior to that and has experienced no ill effects. [/font][font=Helvetica, Arial]At that time, Hossa had not begun to skate yet but he seemed sure that he was on the right course.[/font]



[font=Helvetica, Arial]Here's the thing -- let's just say Hossa is on the right course, everything is going smoothly, and he is going to return on-time to start the season... assuming there is a season to be played. There are several factors that still are in play: Will he remain healthy and can he be the same player he was pre-injury?[/font]



[font=Helvetica, Arial]Those are two questions we will never know until Hossa actually hits the ice.[/font]



[font=Helvetica, Arial]Coming off the threatening injury he sustained in the playoffs may not bode well for a 33 year old winger that is beginning to enter the twilight of his career. For one, I'd find it hard to believe that Hossa will repeat his 2011-12 performance this upcoming season simply due to the fact that this is something that can be hard to shake over a long period of time. Luckily for Hossa he has had no pressure to overwork himself given the fact that he has had a lot of time to rest in the off-season, but sometimes that may not be enough.[/font]



[font=Helvetica, Arial]If healthy, Hossa will slot up the right-wing side on the top two lines. He'll see a lot of time on the power-play, most-likely on the wing but Quenneville has also tested his one-timing ability on the point. He could very well lead the forwards in short-handed ice-time, if not, he'll be 2nd only to Jonathan Toews. Although he is not as versatile in terms of position compared to someone like Patrick Sharp or Patrick Kane, his value could very well exceed either of them when it comes to playing in crucial situations.[/font]



Unfortunately, too many questions surround his head to rely on Hossa to be the go-to player this season, which is a shame when he has an elite skill set to go along with what could be damaged goods. Expect little, but hope for the best.



PREDICTION: 59 GAMES | 19 GOALS | 30 ASSISTS | 49 POINTS | PLUS-13



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[Chief Walking Stick]

Only 19 goals for Hossa? Cmon.



He's only scored under 25 goals once in the last 12 years. That was the 09' season with the Hawks where he scored 24 goals in 57 games.



Only 48 points for Hossa? Cmon.



He hasn't scored under 50 points in the last 12 years.

 

[Ton]

Yes, I went with an unpopular angle but I can't see Hossa staying healthy for a full season.



Where do you expect him to be this season?

 

[Central Standard]

28 goals, 55 points

 

[LordKOTL]

^^ Sounds about right. Mid-to-high 20's in goals sounds about right. Will also depend on his linemates. Might have some trouble early on protecting the puck but it should hash itself out.

 

[MassHavoc]

I fear that, intentional or not, other teams will be very physical with him this year testing his head. And I feel like a strength of his game has always been being strong with the puck and physical enough to hold off defenders, It will be interesting to see the impact of his concussion on his confidence and how other people play him. Especially dirty ass players. You saw with Crosy when he comes back other teams try to test out the injury, it's natural for any team to go at opposing player weakness and while the head is off limits... or so they say, there are ways around that. Every player will say that they don't want to injure another player and they don't like when injuries happen, but they don't like to lose more.

 

[tvltre]

The largest variable not mentioned is his Centerman. He had Kaner center him at the beginning of last year which of course he came out like gang busters. 5g and 10pts for October, 4g 10a in Nov and 8g, 9a in Dec. However, lines changed over the holidays and Hossa's numbers dropped. He cannot be the only guy on the 2nd line. He is not a Marty(Jesus) Havlat. And Hossa is better using the open ice to get in position than muscling guys off the puck along the boards.



Since the Hawks Management again has stalled at bringing in a #2 center, Hossa's contribution is already being hindered since he will be taxed again to do more than humanly possible.



Hossa is a beast. but getting older and needs some help.



Thank you Stan!

 

[Tater]

The largest variable not mentioned is his Centerman. He had Kaner center him at the beginning of last year which of course he came out like gang busters. 5g and 10pts for October, 4g 10a in Nov and 8g, 9a in Dec. However, lines changed over the holidays and Hossa's numbers dropped. He cannot be the only guy on the 2nd line. He is not a Marty(Jesus) Havlat. And Hossa is better using the open ice to get in position than muscling guys off the puck along the boards.



Since the Hawks Management again has stalled at bringing in a #2 center, Hossa's contribution is already being hindered since he will be taxed again to do more than humanly possible.



Hossa is a beast. but getting older and needs some help.



Thank you Stan!

Sweet post. COULD NOT have said it better myself.

Great post sir.

 

[supraman]

Tater for you and books I say we trade him for Sgt. Sopel

 

[bookjones]

Tater for you and books I say we trade him for Sgt. Sopel

This deal is contingent upon you throwing in a bag of pucks---I have expensive tastes and drive a hard bargain.

 

[supraman]

This deal is contingent upon you throwing in a bag of pucks---I have expensive tastes and drive a hard bargain.

Used pucks. Hossa isn't worth Sopel and new pucks

 

[R K]

The largest variable not mentioned is his Centerman. He had Kaner center him at the beginning of last year which of course he came out like gang busters. 5g and 10pts for October, 4g 10a in Nov and 8g, 9a in Dec. However, lines changed over the holidays and Hossa's numbers dropped. He cannot be the only guy on the 2nd line. He is not a Marty(Jesus) Havlat. And Hossa is better using the open ice to get in position than muscling guys off the puck along the boards.



Since the Hawks Management again has stalled at bringing in a #2 center, Hossa's contribution is already being hindered since he will be taxed again to do more than humanly possible.



Hossa is a beast. but getting older and needs some help.



Thank you Stan!

Haven't been any available the last two off seasons so can't blame them for that. Other than that I agree.

 

[Ton]

I think what most have to understand is that we don't really know how Hossa will bounce back from that injury or if he will play a full season.



If Hossa comes back with a clean slate of health, I would expect him to be around a PPG with 70+ games played. But the way everything has played out, the guy is 33, suffered a severe concussion, and with those factors in mind I just want to be prepared and lower my expectations.



Considering all that has happened, I would be happy if Hossa played around 50-60 games and produced 45-55 points next year. I wouldn't be surprised if he exceeded that, but I also wouldn't be surprised if he didn't. We'll never know until he hits the ice. At this point, I am believing that he may see his struggles throughout the 82 games and may need some more time to get his head right.

 

[bookjones]

Used pucks. Hossa isn't worth Sopel and new pucks

F U then. This deal is now more no-go than Bobby Ryan to CHI or Evander Kane to CHI.

 

[Tater]

Tater for you and books I say we trade him for Sgt. Sopel

 

[Pez68]

33 is not that old, really.

 

[the canadian dream]

He's not old by NHL standards anymore but his downtrend is starting to draw nearer. He has lots of game left in him though for sure. I always worry about guys coming off post concussion. It has to be hard to get back into your game sometimes with the worry in the back of your head (no pun intended).



I don't think I have ever been able to fully put my finger on Hossa. I have no idea why that is either. He's explosive to me. Will be silent and look like hes going to have a shit game then will explode for 3 points in a row. LOVE his PK abilities esp with Toews. Not sure if there is a better combo on the PK than these two. I like that he gets aggressive and takes risks on the PK also.



I have always wanted to see Hossa throw the gloves down and fight someone just for shits and giggles. He's a big boy (I think he doesn't know how big he actually is) and there is some pent up frustration in there somewhere. I have actually never met the guy but he strikes me as a pretty quiet nice guy. Maybe that's why I can't put my finger on him. He doesn't seem to be a media whore or a lime lighter.