Lots of action already today in the first few hours of free agency, and I'm sure I'll post a recap later tonight, but perhaps the biggest signing so far, at least in my opinion, is Marian Hossa to the Chicago Blackhawks. I'm envisioning a line of Hossa, Kane and Toews and I'm glad the Blackhawks are in the West. Hossa was considered one of, if not the, most sought after forwards in free agency.
Hossa emerged from this past season as a bit of a goat as he left Pittsburgh to sign with the Red Wings for less money and what he viewed as a better chance at a Cup. Of course that turned to egg on his face when the Pens came back to beat the Red Wings in 7, and Hossa was left to watch from the sidelines again as his former teammates lifted the Cup. To add insult to injury Hossa virtually disappeared in the finals, after scoring only 6 goals in the entire playoffs. Now he is off to Chicago and one of the best up and coming young teams in the league.
TSN is reporting that it is a 12 year deal averaging out at $5.2 per season. The deal is incredibly front loaded, with Hossa taking in about $52.3 over the first 8 years and only $3.5 million over the final 4. Which I guess make sense as Hossa will be 38 yrs old as he heads into the last 4 years of the deal. Not sure where this leaves Chicago in regards to the cap, but they've definitely been spending freely over the last two years after over a decade as being percieved as one of the cheapest teams in the league.
The Blackhawks also signed one of Hossa's Detroit teammates today, inking defenseman Tomas K0pecky to a 2 year deal at $1.2 million per.
-m
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