missing_value | Plenty Of Options Available With Hossa

Latest Blog Entries

Blueland Links

Categories

• Welcome
• Casino Night
• Highlights
• Celebrities
• Morning Skate
• Hurricanes
• Game Thoughts
• Prospects
• Fan Correspondent
• Kovalchuk
• Tkachuk
• Pictures
• Around the NHL
• General Hockey
• Trivia
• General Thrashers
• Hedberg
• Off the Ice
• Hossa
• Playoff Watch
• Game Preview
• Sim
• Injury Update
• Video
• Contests
• Lehtonen
• Playoffs
• Special Events
• Fans
• Playoff Beards
• New York
• On the Road
• Mellanby
• Audio
• World Championship
• Player Movement
• Chicago Wolves
• Prospect Features
• NHL Draft
• Training Camp
• Zach Bogosian
• All-Star Game

Search:

Blueland Blog

<< Prev | Main | Next >>

Plenty Of Options Available With Hossa

Posted by: Ben Wright on February 14, 2008 at 5:20PM EST

An article about Marian Hossa was posted on the AJC site a little while ago and it sparked an understandable amount of concern.

In the article Marian Hossa suggests that the odds of him signing a contract extension before the trade deadline probably aren't very good. That's fair, given that the deadline is less than two weeks away.

What fans shouldn't assume is that Hossa will walk away on July 1 if he isn't signed by the trade deadline.

If the Thrashers don't trade Marian Hossa between now and Feb. 26 he's still under contract for the remainder of this season and the team retains exclusive negotiating rights with Hossa up until July 1. A lot could happen between now and then. For example, Don Waddell could work his magic and pick up some key pieces at the deadline like he did last year. If those pieces improve the team to the point where Marian Hossa thinks the Thrashers will be a good fit for him moving forward he could forego free agency and sign an extension any time between now and July 1. For that matter he could even re-sign after July 1 if he liked the direction the team was headed after the first few days of free agency.

No options have been ruled out and the only option that's looking less likely is re-signing Hossa before the deadline. As Craig hints at in his blog, everything else is still on the table.

(13) Comments

Posted by: Stan on February 15, 2008 10:38AM EST

No Hossa, No Don it should be just that simple. The worst GM in the league other than cheap ownership how can he keep his job. When a star player like Hossa skips town it will be hard to attract another star player. DW can not draft, coach, or attract talent what is he here for.

Posted by: Michael on February 15, 2008 11:43AM EST

Although he made bad moves last year (see Tkachuk and Zhitnik), it is not the fault of DW that Hossa is leaving. The Atlanta Spirit Group has tied the hands of DW because they don't give him any money. He is putting together a patchwork team with the small amount of money given to him and this is the main reason that Hossa will not return. He does not see the organization going in the right direction and he will leave for an organization that is dedicated to winning. At this time, the Atlanta Spirit Group is only dedicated to trying to survive!

Posted by: Brett on February 15, 2008 11:56AM EST

Goodbye Mr. Hossa. There is no way he resigns with us. That should be clear by now!!! He is offering mere lip service.

Posted by: Big Bill on February 15, 2008 12:35PM EST

Michael, it IS DW's fault. Before this season, Hossa and Kovy both asked DW to get a #1 Center. DW brought back Todd White. Nuff said.

As far as the $$ goes, that is DW's fault too. He overpays the veteran players he brings in here. (Holik,White,Rucchin,etc.)

His drafting is far from acceptable.

Posted by: Le1 on February 15, 2008 1:44PM EST

Waddel needs to go. Every team has the same amount of money since the salary cap was put in place. I do beleive the GM has a big part in managing that money towards his team. Waddel should have been let go a long time ago. I hate to see Hossa leave Atlanta but we as fans need to accept it because it is going to happen.

Posted by: Jay on February 15, 2008 2:33PM EST

You need to realize signing free agents is a two way street: the team AND the player have to agree. I'm sure Don tried to get the best player possible who would actually come to Atlanta. It's not like we're one of the top tier hockey markets in the NHL.

Posted by: Michael on February 15, 2008 3:38PM EST

Big Bill and Le1-
We can spend up to the cap, but the owners are not allowing him to spend up to the cap like other teams in the league. This is the reason that we have Todd White and Steve Rucchin. He is getting the best player available with limited funds and the exact reason that Hossa is not returning. M Hossa knows that the Atanta Spirit Group is not investing in the team and he is leaving to play for an organization that invests in the team. DW has his hands tied by the ASG and every player in the league is aware of this situation. You will not see Mark Recchi in blue next year either.

Posted by: Terry on February 15, 2008 3:41PM EST

Come on Ben tired of hearing if he thinks its a good fit or not. He does not won't to be here!!!! Or if he did he would have signed by now or said something different like what B.Campbell of Buffalo has been saying all along
"if I don't sign before the deadline I will in the offseason" not lets see what happens or all the other bull crap he keeps saying. Please TRADE NOW!!!!!

Posted by: Steve on February 15, 2008 4:47PM EST

Well if top players won't come to Atlanta and the Thrashers can not build by the draft (5 players on the team after 8 years of high draft picks) how is DW going to rebuild this team and who is to blame. With all of the good draft picks wasted and the money being spent stupidly (over 10 million being spent at center with out a 1st or 2nd line center of NHL caliber and a back up goal tender who is the worst in the league of goalies who have started more than 18 games) I can not see what this team is supposed to be made for other than keeping DW in a job.
Big Bill is right and it is time for a change or hockey in Atanta will be a memory.
ASG wants more money from us so put out a better product starting with a GM and then a coach who is not a yes man.

Posted by: Dustin on February 16, 2008 5:19PM EST

I was just thinking about possible trades and came up with this one:

Hossa and White to San Jose for Marleau and Bernier.

What do you think? We would get a great #1 center in Marleau. Plus, we would get a young talent in Bernier.

Posted by: 11 on February 17, 2008 9:44AM EST

Ottawa would love to have hossa back.
hoss and a pick fer spezza

Posted by: Anonymous on February 17, 2008 3:58PM EST

Hate the thought of getting spezza the san jose trade would actually kind of rock

Posted by: sickofKNIGHTS! on February 17, 2008 11:06PM EST

Listen to you idiots! The owners have no ones hands tied as far as money goes and if he doesn't want to play here, no matter what, he won't. Don wants him to stay but if it's not in the best interest of both Hossa and the team, he's gone. The owners like him AND HAVE THE MONEY! It's the nature of the business...