When the Penguins traded away a lot of promise to rent Marian Hossa for a few months, I thought it was a bad deal.
Yeah Christenson was only good on shootouts, but the way the NHL goes these days, that's not a good thing to give up. And Colby Armstrong may have only been a third liner -- but he was a good kid (and the star of perhaps the worst car commercial ever made -- so you have to love him for that...)
And then Hossa got hurt... and pretty much was invisible in the Ottowa series (not that the Pens needed him to beat that self-destructing dirigible of doom...)
In the New York series he finally made a few of the shots Sydney gift-wrapped for him. (Sidney would be leading the play-offs in scoring if his wingmen could just finish!) But even his game winner in New York isn't what turned me around.
What turned me around was the short-handed goal Friday night against the Flyers. Yes, Malkin was amazing in the sequence. But he was actually the second most amazing player on the ice for that goal.
Check the tape. When Malkin misses his shot, and gets smashed behind the net -- look who comes to his aid behind the Flyer's goal... that's Hossa.
Now, fast forward, and watch when the puck goes into the Pen's zone. Watch the Flyer get creamed off of the puck -- that check was HOSSA!
Holy #@$!#!
How did he get back there??? Did he teleport or something?
But more amazing was: NO ONE MENTIONED IT!
Everyone talks about Malkin getting hit, and about Gonchar's pass... no one mentioned the fact that somehow Hossa defied about 13 laws of physics and went from one end of the ice to the other faster than a speeding hockey puck.
And after the game, there was poor Hossa, answering a question about how amazing Malkin was on that play. He must have been thinking: "Yeah, the kid is amazing... but did ANYONE see what I did there?"
Well, Marian...some of us did...
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Comments (7)
I agree, I'm sold on Hossa. Yea, he takes alot of shots and seems to miss on too many finishes but his back checking is phenomenal. I can't count the number of times he comes out of nowhere, lifts the opposing player's stick is gone on a rush going the other way. Too bad we won't be able to keep him - especially since his stock is going to rise regardless of how much further the pens go. I'll be sorry if we lose malone too, but some players are going to be on another team next year. Bummer
mistatee | 05/11/08, 10:46 PM
Report Offensive CommentI've been championing his backchecking for a looooong time. He's the real all-around deal. Wish we could keep him. He gives 110% at all times.
Therrien Rocks | 05/12/08, 11:31 AM
Report Offensive CommentI think he is finally succeeding in the playoffs because he doesnt have the weight of the game on his shoulders. I really believe he will sign with the Pens for far less money than elsewhere. If he stays they can easily be in contention for atleast the next 5 seasons. He folds under pressure and with Sid and Geno he has zero pressure, and from his words,. "Pittsburgh fans appreciate my game...That is new for me, and I appreciate them." It seems he is making his transition to being a yinzer.
Juggo Ty | 05/12/08, 12:40 PM
Report Offensive CommentJuggo -- from your lips to God's ears... but I doubt it. The amount of money he will earn after a good playoff showing will be obscene, and there is no way the Pens will match.
If the Pens win the cup, Hossa will figure: "Well, I've got my name in the shrine of immortality... now its time to get paid."
MarkJoel66 | 05/12/08, 10:32 PM
Report Offensive CommentI'm glad you changed your mind about Hossa.....2 goals in Game 3.
Therrien Rocks | 05/14/08, 07:21 AM
Report Offensive CommentYeah... no kidding! Thank God I never wrote that post: "Hossa? ****?" after the trade :-)
The goal he scored last night was what Shero was dreaming of when he signed him -- that was a pure goal scorer's goal.
If he ever had a monkey on his back, it's gone now. He is scoring now at a better clip than he did in the regular season.
The bad news is that every goal he scores makes it less and less likely that we'll get to keep him. Too bad. He's a nice fit...
MarkJoel66 | 05/14/08, 12:50 PM
Report Offensive CommentI'll play an extra dollar on the PowerBall this weekend end and if I win...guess who will be staying in Pittsburgh! --:-)
Therrien Rocks | 05/15/08, 12:27 PM
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