Hossa, Kopecky to Hawks. Conklin to Blues.

by motownchollis on Jul 1, 2009 1:48 PM CDT in News Comment 31 comments

So long, Hoss! See you across the lake! (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

"Free agent frenzy" kicked off with a huge bang today, and no announcement was bigger than Marian Hossa's. Hoss agreed to a heavily front loaded, 12 year contract with the division rival Chicago Blackhawks, for an average of $5.2 million a season. He takes with him free agent center Tomas Kopecky, who signed a two year deal with 'Hawks, for an average of $1.2 million a season.

Additionally, free agent goaltender Ty Conklin signed a two year deal with another division rival: the St. Louis Blues. Conks will make an average of $1.3 million a season.

As for the Wings, we have yet to see any moves from Ken Holland and the front office, but that is as expected. Stay with WIM throughout the rest of the day, as we will be updating this post as news breaks.

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Bye Bye

Glad to see we did not resign Hossa. Saves some serious cap $$$. But, I would have liked to see him sign somewhere other than Chicago, preferably in the East. This will make Chicago even tougher next year. Just to bad we won’t be able to beat him in the finals, will just have to do it in the conference finals.

by BGWINGS on Jul 1, 2009 2:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hossa was good with us, but we can definitely survive without him. Chuckles to those who think Chicago holds the balance of power in the Central division now.

by Whoabot on Jul 1, 2009 2:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I don’t see how people can say that, especially now when they will be relying on Huet as their netminder. I don’t like their chances, unless they plan on outscoring opponents.

Even still, how are they going to sign Kane, Keith, and Toews next year and stay under the cap?

by westspec on Jul 1, 2009 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My thoughts exactly

by jryno on Jul 1, 2009 11:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes

chuckles

by surveyor on Jul 1, 2009 9:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow, the Hawks are pulling out all the stops and sure are spending cash like madmen, was sorry to see Ty Conklin not be retained, good luck to him as a Blue!
The Wings now should attempt to sign Martin Havlat!

by nighthawk55 on Jul 1, 2009 2:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Sign Havlat??? Really? The reason why Hossa left was not because he wanted to get away from the Wings, but because he wanted more money than they could afford. Havlat is no different.

"Oh, buy Sam a drink and get his dog one too!" - Mike Lange

by gorgalor on Jul 1, 2009 5:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well with Hossa gone, can we focus on resigning everybody?

We’ve been distracted by him for the last 2 weeks…

by ZWC11 on Jul 1, 2009 3:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

On Blackhawks TV right now

Blackhawks GM is on air right now on NHL.com doing a press conference about the signings of Hossa and Kopecky

http://www.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp

by JoePublic on Jul 1, 2009 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

TWO WEEKS????????

The whole Hossa thing DOMINATED the headlines during the final round, the round before that, and was mentioned at least 3 times per game in the preceeding rounds!
Totally distracted from the game’s excitement.
Drama. Ugh! For that reason alone, I’m glad he’s gone.

my buttons stick so: BEHOLD the MAJESTY of my effort!

by HockeeJunkee on Jul 1, 2009 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kane/Toews

Maybe now we can sign one of Chicago’s young players in a year or two when they run out of cap room?

by redscout88 on Jul 1, 2009 5:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

When they run out of cap room? The Wings are out of cap room now…

"Oh, buy Sam a drink and get his dog one too!" - Mike Lange

by gorgalor on Jul 1, 2009 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the Wings have about 7 mil to play with. Chicago did the Wings a HUGE favor signing Hossa.
As much as I hate the ‘Hawks, they are building a fine team over there. If their FO can work some miracles next year, they can be a powerhouse for the next decade. It’s good to see the Blackhawks be relevant again.

by JazzyBBP on Jul 1, 2009 6:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Hawks may not get the same goaltending as last year. I’m not sure if they have improved defensively.

by Jim P on Jul 5, 2009 10:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I gotta take back the 7 mil. My bad. Just read on Mirtles site the Wings only have around 3 mil to spend. I thought the Wings had more than that. Oops

by JazzyBBP on Jul 3, 2009 9:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I refuse to comment anymore on Hossa. I was not surprised about Kopecky (other than that he was signed to Chicago), but I was sad about Conklin. Maybe in another two years, Holland will realize letting him go was a stupid move and he’ll offer him another contract.

"Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them." - (Twelfth Night; Act II, Scene V).

by Hockeytown_ice on Jul 1, 2009 5:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yep, too bad for Conklin but Howard will get his chance, If Wings tank in goal next year look for Howard to be gone and the money left to get a free agent goalie for playoff run. Anybody, did the homework as to who may be available?

by Jim P on Jul 5, 2009 10:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

good.....

bye, hossa, the playoff slug. & as a firm beliver in karma, the curse he brought with him when he signed with the wings is gone…off to the ’hawks now. like the ’hawks have a chance next year anyway. nice to see holland with some wit, not withstanding the conks move. i predict we will have to trade for a goalie before the deadline next season. eh, maybe now abdy & helm will get some deserved ice time.
go wings!!

by puckyou2 on Jul 1, 2009 6:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Missa Chokessa Hossa? Hail Nossa.....Solongssa!

Agreed I’d love to see Helm and Abdy play some more…………and the hatred of da Slackhawks lives as the rivalry fires are kindling once again! Looking forward to this fall!! Letz Go Redwings!!

by miqaelee on Jul 1, 2009 7:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

With Hossa gone...

would it be a worth it to boo at him just like what the Pens did to him in the finals? We all knew that Kenny Holland would not be able to re-sign Hossa because of cap space. I so didn’t want Hossa to land in the Windy City…now we’re going to have to kick the Hawks’ butt even more.

So since Hossa’s gone, who is Holland most likely to sign? Samuels or Huds?…Or both?

by forever_rednwhite on Jul 1, 2009 7:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

btw....

the ‘hawks cap structuring will be put to the ultimate test, even with a front-heavy salary for hossa, anyone seriously think he’ll last 7 of the 12 years there?
bwaahahahahahaha, ask the team from tampa what happens when you laden the cap!
go wings!!

by puckyou2 on Jul 1, 2009 8:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

No, he is a playoff jinx. He can get you there but after reg season he checks out, just look at his playoff production.

by Jim P on Jul 5, 2009 11:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting comments

Looks like Hossa wore out his welcome with you guys as well. For the reasons listed above, the drama around him concerns me as well. All we can hope for is that what he needs is a fresh start. Believe me, he got slagged pretty unmercifully on our site as well and there was quite a bit of glee when he didn’t take the cup this year. Course there was a little more to that glee, but that probably doesn’t need to be explained. Listening to the assurance you all have that deep playoff runs are so automatic that you can afford to lose a 40 goal scorer without even thinking about it is kinda strange, I hope we can have some of that confidence some day. Havlet was a fan favorite and a great passer as well as goal scorer, he will be missed fore sure. I wasn’t too happy at first to hear about Hossa coming here, especially with his baggage. That said, he probably brings more to our equation than Havlet did, and it takes at least one scorer away from a team we will see several times next year. I have no predictions on how we will do against you guys, but to me, it doesn’t matter at all unless we need to go through you to get to the cup. See you in the fall.

by NKLHD on Jul 2, 2009 1:31 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

We don't hate the guy

Hossa’s an excellent player. His defensive play is great, he’s a great addition for the Blackhawks. Many Wings fans thought he was a top priority to resign. I’m not one of them.
As for deep playoff runs every year, I personnally don’t buy into it as being automatic. I was a Wings fan back in the 80s and remember what it was like to have a struggling team. The past 15 years have been great and a whole generation of Detroit hockey fans have been spoiled rotton, but all good things come to an end. Hopefully the Wings can hold on for a while, but when Lidstrom retires, there will be a major drop-off in this teams ability to compete year in and year out.
Have a great summer, dude, and I’ll be bugging SCH in the fall

by JazzyBBP on Jul 2, 2009 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Same to you

Enjoy the summer. You, norris and ahtrap have always been reasonable. See you in the fall as well

by NKLHD on Jul 2, 2009 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

kopecky gone…fine. kopecky was a good soldier who did his job well & was injured alot. I fully expect Abdelkader to fill that role. hHe’s gopt more potential than TK and hits better to boot. hossa gone…fine as well. sure, he’’s an amazing two-way talent who can certainly score, but he frigin disappeared for the majority of the playoffs evern when pavs was in the lineup. could turn out to be addition by subtraction.he obviously wanted the cash and opened his mouth by saying blaming the economy & salary cap for the reasons why the wings offer wasn’t good enough…remember, the hawks are his 4th team in 3 or 4 years. the hawks will soon find out what tampa felt like when keith, toews, & kane are up for FA in ‘10…ha, ha, ha. remember marian, he best predictor of the future is the past! see if holland can get sammy, huds & leino signed…i think it’ll happen now…as much as i hate it & the wings take care of their own, it may be time for maltby, drapes, homer to have lesser roles…homer just isn’t what he usd to be b/c of the beating he’s taken for years & drapes is really falling off. Go Wings!

by WINGSOFVT on Jul 2, 2009 8:07 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Homer needs to go...

But, of course the Wings would never let him go, or trade him. But, I agree I think that his production is going to slip from years past. Maltby and Draper too. I love all 3 and would have them on any other team, but this team is so talent laden, it’s sick. I’d like to see this team try to get a few years younger, so this run can continue long after Lidstrom and the lot are gone.

by jryno on Jul 2, 2009 9:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Homer takes a lot of abuse in front of the net and a lot of rubber. The league has got to rule on the net thing, it has reverted to the Billy Smith era in front of the net. Interference is what it’s called, the defense should not be able to lay a hand on him. If the league wants to behead players standing in front then homers stock will fall, however if he is allowed to stand there, he needs to not interfere with goalies and stay out of the box and continue to screen the goalie and duck the shot. Buy stock in him

by Jim P on Jul 5, 2009 11:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

just wanted to bring up...

while its easy at the moment to kick the Blackhawks there are a few things to consider:

1) Havlat versus Hossa: The Hawks finally got one spectacular year out of Havlat…other than that he has played more that 50/60 games twice in his career? I think the difficulty with Havlat was that fact the Hawks did not want to take the chance that this year was a fluke and went with Hossa.

2) Resigning Kane, Toews, and Keith will yes be more difficult…HOWEVER, remember the Hawks do have some baggage that they can shed in the upcoming months/trade deadline: Huet, Sopel, Byfuglien, Campbell. Huet is being shopped right now…getting rid of just two of these players would open up significant cap space.

Overall, the Hawks did not do wrong by signing Hossa. I don’t understand why people are so quick to throw him to the curb and call it a ‘curse.’ No one was complaining about his 40 goals this year and playoff performance for the Pens last year? The Hawks did the same thing the Wings did with Zetterberg and Franzen.

In fact, the Hawks, IMO, made the mistake in the vanity signings of Huet and Campbell. They overpaid for Campbell and Huet was signed a with Khabibulin having one year left on his contract!

by torpedo0126 on Jul 2, 2009 4:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs