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FlAttorney, Pittsburgh ABC, NBC ^ | June 15, 2009 | FlAttorney

[shove_it]

And the Traitor Trophy goes to Hossa ...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090701/sp_nm/us_nhl_signings_1

[airborne]

Chicago signs up for a 12 year Hossa curse!

[Ditto]

I wish the guy well. He was honest when he left Pittsburgh who offered him a lot of money to stay. He took a one-year deal with Detroit thinking he had his best chance for a Cup and by all odds going into the playoffs, should have gotten it. Very few would have predicted a Pens upset. Detroit is on hell of a team. Hossa passed up a lot of bucks last year for what he thought was his best opportunity to get his name on the cup, and I respect that.

Since that didn't work, I guess he's going for the cash now, and I can't blame him for that either. I'd say Chicago is a little desperate giving anyone a 12-year deal, but I'd have to look at the fine print in the contract too see what the deal really is for.

It sure looks to me that Detroit is the class of the West and the Penguins are the class of the East for the next several years. But you never know for sure. That's why they play the games.

[airborne]

I can’t figure why they gave him a 12 year deal, unless it has something to do with the salary cap.

Don’t recall too many 12 year contracts either. Especially for a 30 year old player.

[Ditto]

Don’t recall too many 12 year contracts either. Especially for a 30 year old player.

A lot of those guys can go into their 40s, but after the early 30s, it's usually a year-to-year deal. I'd bet ypu are right that it's a cap thing.

[airborne]

Chris Chelios is 47!

Bill Geurin (re-signed with the Penguins) is 38!

Adding Hossa certainly makes the Blackhawks a strong team this coming season. Someone to beat up on the Red Wings!

[Ditto]

Adding Hossa certainly makes the Blackhawks a strong team this coming season. Someone to beat up on the Red Wings!

No doubt about that. He's damn good. But 12 years??? There's a catch somewhere.

[airborne]

Word has it the salary cap will lower in 2 years. It’s probably structured to allow them to fit their budget under the cap and still let Hossa get his “bonus” money up front.