1) That's the response we got when we reminded Chicago Black hawk fans that their (once-?) super star under achieving Slovak forward has an additional 6 seasons AFTER this one with his 5.25 cap hit. Thus far he has a whopping 2 goals and 7 points in 15 games. Now to be fair few Hawks are tearing up the score sheet, and Hossa has probably paid for his deal with his post season heroics, helping Chicago greatly to win 2 Cups in his 5+ seasons. However, we live in a 'what have you done for me lately?, world and no team can thrive having one of its offensive leaders score (protracted over 82 games)7 goals/25 points!
2) It is always difficult to tell what is a slump and what might be age-related decline. In this case its way too early to tell, but at 36, with lots of miles on him, it wouldn't be premature to make that part of the discussion. Especially if this 'slump' continues. Thankfully for the Hawks he is one of the few who doesn't have a no movement clause and with the front loaded deal paying him 7.9 mil this year but only 1 mil the last 4 years of his 12 year contract he might be movable for a team looking to add salary cap without salary!
3) It will be interesting to see how the next few months play out here. One Eastern scout says that his team would be very interested in adding Hossa despite the current slump as long as the asking price wasn't too ridiculous. It would be unusual for a Cup contending team to off load salary before the playoffs, but it may be a wise choice with the Towes/Kane contracts coming on line next season for the Hawks to make some space available to fill the roster and maybe get something decent in return for Marion.
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