Chicago Blackhawks expect Marian Hossa to be out 4 months

Chad, I commend you for sticking up for Havlat. When healthy Havlat is a great player. But he will never have his sweater retired and probably never get into the Hall of Fame. Havlat was NOT a leader in the Hawks dressing room. He was very quiet, and didn't take charge. Martin LaPointe while maybe not as great of a skater, or half as gifted as a scorer was a leader in the locker room. And LaPointe did almost rip Havlats head off a few years ago. Havlat was not giving 100% on the ice, several players made comments about that.

And BFM is right, last year I was one of the few that talked about how great Havlat is. Everyone wanted that guy traded, and would have taken a draft pick for him. Now since he had a good year the talk is totally different. Personally I would take Hossa any day over Havlat. Hossa is a better player and does not get injured like Havlat. And believe me Havlat will get hurt again. No one even knows how he will be after the concussion he got against Detroit.

Give it a year or 2 and you will see Kane, and Toews putting up numbers like Marty. I thought the Hawks would have been crazy to offer Marty a long term contract when he played 1 full season.

So when Hossa gets on the ice and is having a killer season how many people that are complaining about his injury are going to be on here saying what a great signing. And what about when Havlat gets hurt again. As long as the team is winning, and we win a Cup, I don't really care what issue they may of had. Hossa will heal quick and kick some rear

Scott wrote:

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Can we confirm that McD wanted Hossa? Yes. For several weeks prior to the signings, Tallon talked often about how much he wanted to resign Havlat and that he would do whatever it took to keep him. Havlat also said how much he wanted to stay.
Then when the day came, the Hawks signed Hossa to 12 years after offering Havlat, the teams top player, only a one-year, take it or leave it insult of an deal.
Both Havlat and his agent said that the decision was McD's, and there's no reason for them to have lied about this. Havlat signed with Minneapolis and his agent has one of the best reputations in hockey and reps about 30 of the top players in the league, and many, many others around the world. They both went on the record to let people know what happened. It was about integrity, not whining, for they had nothing to gain for themselves and asked for nothing from anyone else. Just wanted people to know the truth... the truth about McD.
Clearly McD was calling the shots with Hossa and with Tallon himself, who McD was quick to fire. The Hawks HAD to keep Tallon on the payroll, because he's under contract for another year. Hello to the team's new "advisor".
I miss the Hawks that with Tallon and Havlat brought hockey back to Chicago. Let's see if McD's Hawks can do any better. Frankly, if they do, I think it will be in spite of McD, not because of him.

Scott-

I think we'll NEVER REALLY know the ends and outs of what transpired behind the scenes.
I DO think Tallon may have "promised" Havlat a deal, while Mc donough may had his sights on Hossa.

As much as I've enjoyed Havlat's contribution to the Hawks, I think his injury problems were working against him.
I also don't have a problem with having to wait for Hossa to heal. The Hawks got a "keeper" in Hossa. And the backroom politics concerning Hossa, Havlat and the sc-rewed-up draft documents played a BIG part in Tallon's demotion and Havlat going to Minny.

"Dr. Terry, one of his specialties is shoulders, and he said he'll miss 19 to 20 games. It could be longer, of course. You have to depend on his advice. That's what he's telling us."

Me thinks its time to find another team doctor..

Its about honour.

Weasels at the top filter down and ... valiant effort young hawsk...maybe next year....again. and again...

Shoulda went Healty...think you could trade hossa for heatly again...ha!!

Great White North Fan wrote:

I think Havlat was looking for a long term deal period, and as good as he played this year I wouldn't have given him anything longer than two years given his injury history. I don't think Havlat would have been content with two years, and so I think his leaving was inevitable when it became clear to management that he wasn't going to take anything less than a long term deal. Hossa is an excellent replacement for Havlat, even with this shoulder stuff going on. And I think the Hawks have lots of leadership, in the room and on the ice, plus they have a well respected guy like John Madden coming in. I don't see the reason for all the hand wringing going on. We all knew that one of the major effects of the salary cap was going to be a constant redistribution of talent around the league. Let's learn to live with it.

Agree with what you say. My concern is that the front office seems to be behind the curve, at least in what they're telling the fans.

I like the players they brought on board, and unlike others, I think Huet will play well in the #1 role.

Lots of folks forget how down everyone was on Khabbi and Havlat 12 months ago.

Jeff wrote:

First off I think Hossa's a great player! Once he's recovered he will be a great asset to the team period. The problem I have is how they got him. I think if we NEVER had Marty Havlat or another great player with a contract expiring this wouldn't be as big of a deal, but now it is. We can argue back and forth all day long but Havlat & Hossa are pretty equal talent wise (when healthy). So why let one of your best players go (that's healthy). Also a fan favorite & good with his teammates on and off the ice?? And dump him for a player that's injured no less.
I'll tell you why. Cause Havlat was Tallon's guy. He signed him and he wanted to resign him. This is McD's guy. Just as is Bowman & Quenville. He can hang his hat and say "I wanted these moves and their mine". Don't believe for a second "He's just the marketing guy" getting butts in seats. He's involved big time with the GM. I'm also willing to bet he influenced the signing of Huet last year too. Tallon's no dummy. Why would anybody with hockey smarts tie up $12 mil. in goalies?! Why? That's McD's guy it's also his MO. It was his MO with the CUBS too. During free agency, sign the biggest fish out their. Make a BIG SPLASH. I'm sure things will pan out and the Hawks won't turn into the CUBS. For now we need to calm down and put things into perspective. We've got games on TV and a team that's getting better and better. We actually have a team that can compete. We haven't been able to say that for sometime. Lets hope that doesn't change. GO HAWKS!!

Thanks for your words Jeff, I am a life long blackhawks fans I am 65 years old now imagine how long I have been with the hawks last playoffs I have travels to detroits many times to see the young hawks when they finally lost with Heut great saves.. I did not feel bad at all having confidence in the young team then I got excited when the hawks signed hossa GREAT DEAL then when I read the whole story with $62.8 millions for twelve years sorry sorry Rockey Wirtz you did not need to fired Dale he wanted to resigned Havlet BECAUSE he knew what he was doing Mr. McDonough did not know what he was doing or going to be like Dale Tallon ... PLEASE the young hawks were fine all they need is strong defesemen, I can not says much more I am so mad

Keith_Chicago wrote:

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Your right Keith. I think we need to keep it all into perspective. We may not be happy with certain things right not but it's been a while since the Hawks had a lineup with this much talent. Games on TV, opening the check book for players (albeit foolishly sometimes). Imagine if we had this mindset back in 90's w/ Roenick, Chelios, Belfour & Amonte? I think in 12 months if recent moves prove to be a bust Rocky will make the appropriate changes. Lets see how it all pans out.
I suspect a couple moves by October. Yes, they definitely need a top notch 'Stay at Home' defenseman and a tough guy. The only question mark after that is goal. Will Huet play like a real #1 by seasons end or will one of the kids step up? If they look good in goal we'll have all the ingredients for a deep run into the playoffs. And with one of the best squads we've seen in years.

<~~~ laughing red wings fan over here

you let havlat go for hossa..hahhahaha hossa cant score in the playoffs, and wont come close to torching detroit bc the wings know every detail about hossa---good luck chi city

Brett Hudson wrote:

<~~~ laughing red wings fan over here
you let havlat go for hossa..hahhahaha hossa cant score in the playoffs, and wont come close to torching detroit bc the wings know every detail about hossa---good luck chi city

Get your laughs in while you can. Your time is getting short.

Hossa sux...get a canadian player with heart...dan cleary is more valuable than hossa.

KirkBlackHawk wrote:

idiotic signing by non hockey "experts" seems to me. Campbell, Skille and second rounder would have got us Heatley who is 50 goal man and is NOT undergoing surgery.
I was all for the hossa signing until this. Does he still get pain for this...if so then he should be ashamed of himself.

And we would have Heatley until his next fit of pique. He is a remarkable player but his committment to a team leaves a bit to be desired.

paul wrote:

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And we would have Heatley until his next fit of pique. He is a remarkable player but his committment to a team leaves a bit to be desired.

Paul hey how are you doing? Hey do me a favor, email me when you have a few minutes. My address is timhockeyrules@yahoo.com

I think Heatly just got sick and tired of Ottawa being losers, he wants to win the cup!! Thats why he wants to leave ottawa because they are always in turmoil, let go their best players and he dont want to be a part of that. He would LOVE to come to chicago and score 60 goals and he would with kane and sharp.

KirkBlackHawk wrote:

I think Heatly just got sick and tired of Ottawa being losers, he wants to win the cup!! Thats why he wants to leave ottawa because they are always in turmoil, let go their best players and he dont want to be a part of that. He would LOVE to come to chicago and score 60 goals and he would with kane and sharp.

The guy has great skills and he has showed what he can do at the World Championships last year.Too bad the whole Ottawa thing turned into a mess. Heard a rumor that the situation there could be off ice problem as well as differences with his coach.He didn't go to Spezza's wedding last week, I guess he wanted to avoid a media zoo, which was respectful to Spezza abd Jennifer. Would I like to see him as a HAWK with Kane and Toews? YOU BET I WOULD but only if he would COMMIT TO THE INDIAN ahead of himself and any personal problems.
paul

Brett Hudson wrote:

<~~~ laughing red wings fan over here
you let havlat go for hossa..hahhahaha hossa cant score in the playoffs, and wont come close to torching detroit bc the wings know every detail about hossa---good luck chi city

Hossa is a GREAT player, but he's not the type that makes those around him better. I thought in Detroit, they should have put him on the third line. I bet he would have scored more points and Detroit could have worked on chemistry for their top two lines. Overall it's really dumb not to perform a physical. What if he has some other partial tears that haven't been found yet? It's not his job to tell Chicago and he may not be aware of them as he just completed a tough playoff run. Good luck Hossa just not when you play Detroit.

Thin the Herd, Great White North Fan, Jack Tupp, and any of the older posters from the last few years do me a favor. Send me an email, Several of us have a site where we only talk Hawks and Hockey and it is by invite only so please email me at timhockeyrules@yahoo.com. When you email me let me know what your trib name is ok.