from Tracey Myers of NHL.com,

Marian Hossa said he believes he could stay play at an NHL level, but the forward who had to stop playing hockey after the 2017 season because of a progressive skin disorder and side effects from medications used to treat it, is at peace with his decision.

"It was tough because I knew I still had a lot in my tank," Hossa said Thursday. "I felt like I still got two or three years in me, I could easily play at my level. But I said, I cannot work this way because in the future, it can stop me in different ways. So that was a tough decision, but I think it was the right decision."

Hossa will be in the stands to watch his former team, the Chicago Blackhawks, open the season against the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2019 NHL Global Series at O2 Arena on Friday (2 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN360, NBCSP, NBCSCH, NHL.TV).

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