Kukla's Korner Hockey
Late Night Hockey Thoughts- Marian Hossa May Be Forced To Retire
by Paul on 06/20/17 at 11:36 PM ET
Comments (11)
from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet,
According to several sources, there is a legitimate possibility Hossa has played his final NHL game. (He could not be reached for comment. Neither could his agent, Ritch Winter. The Blackhawks declined to comment.) Apparently, he suffers from a serious allergic reaction to the equipment he wears.
The sources who confirmed the allergy stressed not to make fun of it, with one saying, “It’s only funny to anyone who’s never had it.” Details are sketchy, because no one would give full information, but the medication necessary to combat the allergy is potent enough that doctors wanted his blood tested every few weeks to make sure there were no major side effects....
But it would not come without controversy. The Blackhawks signed him to a 12-year, $63.3-million deal in 2009, which carries an annual average value of $5.275 million. It is, however, a back-diving contract, a structure that was heavily penalized in the 2013 CBA.
Hossa is scheduled to be paid $1 million during each of the next four seasons, meaning almost 94 per cent of his contract is already paid. If he were to retire now, the Blackhawks would be hit with what are called “cap recapture” penalties — $3.675 million off their club’s cap number from next season until 2020-21. For a team already facing a crunch, that’s a massive blow.
Unless he doesn’t retire. He simply goes on long-term injured reserve....
more on Hossa and of course other topics too...
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: marian+hossa
Comments
I laughed, Maybe to much Fabreeze or Addidas odour.
If he retires Hawks get nailed even though Hossa gets $1m for 4 yrs, Might be the worst attempt at LTIR, but Good for Cap
Posted by WingedRider from Saskatoon, SK on 06/21/17 at 12:54 AM ET
Friedman is well connected, but this sounds like shenanigans by the Blackhawks…..
Posted by Down River Dan on 06/21/17 at 01:10 AM ET
Friedman is well connected, but this sounds like shenanigans by the Blackhawks…..
Posted by Down River Dan on 06/21/17 at 01:10 AM ET
Posted by Valek from Chicago on 06/21/17 at 01:18 AM ET
They can’t make some special gear for him? I can’t imagine that he is allergic to all fabrics or he couldn’t wear cloths.
Posted by Royal Grand Exalted PooBah from the basement of the Alamo on 06/21/17 at 02:00 AM ET
I’m not buying this. This sounds like an attempt at cap circumvention by the Blackhawks.
Posted by Alan from Atlanta on 06/21/17 at 02:27 AM ET
They can’t make some special gear for him? I can’t imagine that he is allergic to all fabrics or he couldn’t wear cloths.
Posted by Royal Grand Exalted PooBah from the basement of the Alamo on 06/21/17 at 02:00 AM ET
I’m sure they’ll say his contact with other players on the ice exacerbates the condition so every player in the league would have to have equipment he’s not allergic to. 
Posted by Valek from Chicago on 06/21/17 at 07:20 AM ET
Posted by Valek from Chicago on 06/21/17 at 07:20 AM ET
Good point. If he was covered by his jersey and equipment it wouldn’t be that much contact though. How did he even learn to play with equipment that had this effect. Must be just a recent allergy now that his contract is only really paying him 1 mil a year?
Posted by Royal Grand Exalted PooBah from the basement of the Alamo on 06/21/17 at 07:29 AM ET
Whatever the reason that is being given for Hossa’s possible retirement from the game, one can only hope that his illness is not life threatening. There are plenty of new medications that do more harm than good. Side effects can end up being fatal.
Apparently there are some thing that money cannot buy. Good health being one of them.
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from PA now in SC-made in Detroit on 06/21/17 at 09:04 AM ET
I can’t imagine that he is allergic to all fabrics or he couldn’t wear cloths.
Now you know why he’s never seen in public. 
Posted by calquake from Hoping for the best, preparing for the worst on 06/21/17 at 12:54 PM ET
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A serious allergic reaction to plastic and cotton?
LTIR Seriously? Talk about a case for cap circumvention and cap recapture….
Chicago it’s time to pay the piper.
Posted by d ca on 06/21/17 at 12:00 AM ET