So the news just came down the wire – Marian Hossa has left a potential cup winning team in Pittsburgh to play for their newest rival in the Stanley Cup winning Detroit Red Wings for a one-year, $7.4 million dollar deal.
Way to sell your soul.
I have a few issues with this signing, so let me air my grievances. The Pens gave up a substantial amount of assets to acquire Hossa at the deadline. Clearly they believed they could lock Hossa up in the off season. Any rightfully so, this is the team with the brightest future in the league, is well managed in Ray Shero, and destined for dynasty status for at least the next 6 to 7 years. Who WOULDN’T want to play here?
To my knowledge, the Pens were offering the same amount of money, potentially on a longer contract. Althought for the reported $7.4-million he signed for on a one-year deal, I’d be 100% positive the Pens would have signed, without a question.
This guy makes Alexei Yashin look like a saint if you ask me. I was always a fan of Hossa, but I now turn my back. Pittsburgh took him for a ride to the Finals, put him on a line with Crosby and afforded him the opportunity to salvage a horrendus season and keep his “superstar” status… THIS is how you repay them?
So why leave? Your guess is as good as mine. It’s probably just greed. You see Detroit win a cup, you figure you can get on that train for one more season, then ask for a ridiculous amount of money the next season.
If I had one wish, it would be for the Penguins to face the Red Wings in the final next season and give them Hossa what he deserves. Everyone will be a little older, a little wiser… but Hossa will still be the no-class ass clown he always was.
