Hossa Signs With Red Wings: Traitor!

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.

NHL Playoffs – Second Round, Round Up (Pun Intended)

So I didn’t really get a chance to post my second round predictions, but truthfully, after a strong first round of predictions, I’m not fairing so well thus far.

I predicted the New York Rangers over my beloved Pittsburgh Penguins in 7 games, Sharks over the Stars in 6, Flyers of Montreal in 6 and the Red Wings over Colorado in 5.

So very likely I’ll go 50/50 on the teams, however after the Sharks battled back last night (with some help from the refs), perhaps they could overcome the near impossible 3 game come back with a little momentum.

Some would argue that the Red Wings have yet to play any seriously challenging team, however if the man-handling that was this last series with Colorado is an indication, the Wings are cup bound.  (Yes, the Wings were my favourites going into the playoffs this year… not much of a bold pick I suppose)

As much as I’d like to Montreal make a come back, how can you deny Philly’s potent offense and tight checking?  In the interest of full disclosure, I have Brier, Prospal, Carter and Umberger in my pool, so deep down, I hope they move on. (Here is a link to our NHL Playoff Pool. Yes, that’s me in first!)

Finally, my Penguins.  What to say, what to say?  As a rabid Pens fan growing up, you would think i’d be elated to see them push this far (and with such force!).  Of course I am… stupid.

But really, coming into the playoffs, I just wasn’t convinced this team was as good as everyone else made them out to be.  Call me stupid perhaps, but I just thought maybe they needed another year, maybe they needed to be strong, maybe they needed to gain some playoff experience.

I was obiouvly proven wrong, and for once, I’m very glad to be!  The Pens seem to be a team possesed.  Frankly, I think it’s on Flurey now to make this happen and get them to the finals.  Perhaps hindsight is 20/20 (it obviously is), but the way they’re playing, I can’t see Philly or Montreal even putting up a fight.

Regardless, this playoffs has been shaping up to be quite an eventful affair with the climax beginning to show it’s colours.

Here’s hoping those colours are black and gold.