Marian Hossa's career judgment is probably on the level of Dana Carvey leaving SNL for the movies right now, but let's give him the benefit of the doubt on this blockbuster deal with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Hossa signed today for $62.4 million over 12 years. That's a $5.2 million cap hit per season.
Hossa gets north of $5 million, which was something he wasn't going to get from the Detroit Red Wings. He gets the job security he surrendered for a second-place finish last season for the Stanley Cup. Sure, he left millions (and championship bling) on the table for his decisions last summer; but he came within a win of the Cup, and now he's going to play with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane for the next decade in an organization that's quickly been re-established as elite.
Yes, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith are all up for restricted free agency next summer. The Blackhawks have some magic to work. Maybe they can keep giving Brian Campbell dirty looks until he leaves for the KHL. (Not to say Campbell's signing was a mistake; but the amount, right now, is certainly regrettable.)
The "chuckling" in the headline is coming from teams looking at the Blackhawks' salary structure. Rob Rossi's reaction from a random Penguins player could be the norm. Fans are calling Hossa greedy, too.
Chicago's decision here can be debated; ask Tampa about a top-heavy salary structure under the cap. Even if, as Darren Dreger reported, the Hossa deal is "heavily front loaded" with $53 million for the first seven years. Sure would be shame if he lost his will to play after seven years, huh?
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Hossa's decision can't be debated, unless you're a bitter Detroit fan or a still-bitter Pittsburgh Penguins fan. It's a good spot for him.
Although does this guy have a fetish for uncomfortable situations or what?
A few other signing thoughts ...
• Ty Conklin to the St. Louis Blues for two years and $2.6 million. Start planning the parade. For the conference championship, of course. [TSN]
• Florida Panthers goalie Craig Anderson heads to the Colorado Avalanche for a two-year, $3.6 million deal. Smart move by the Avalanche, assuming the guy who could stop anywhere from 35-50 shots a night can do it with a tougher workload. When Peter Budaj is your other option, it's a gamble worth taking for that level cap hit. Of the goalies available, tough to criticize this one.
• Blackhawks D-man Matt Walker, 4-years and $6.8 million for the Tampa Bay Lightning, via TSN. Another smart decision for the Bolts on their blue-line. What a difference a year makes, huh?
• David Booth was an essential move for the Florida Panthers, and he signed a six-year, $25.5 million deal with a $4.25 million cap hit annually. The deal makes him the highest paid forward on the team.
• The New Jersey Devils keep Andy Greene as an RFA on a two-year deal.
• Finally, Colton Orr getting a 4-year contract in any League is a little comical But at $1 million per year from the Toronto Maple Leafs, it's a nice deal for a less-insane Hollweg. Any player that can ignite this sort of thing would appear to be on Brian Burke's Valentine list:
