I was being facetious...

I just don't the the Rangers bought him out because they were forced by the league to do so. They wanted out and used the opportunity to do so
- YuenglingJagr

the new CBA with cap re-capture changed the rules, that's why they offered teams the opportunity to use compliance buyouts

This is probably the 3rd time in 10 years I've responded to another teams' fan on the Hawks thread but you don't seem like a freak. Have you ever seen the list of players the Hawks have lost due to cap issues since their first cup, the issues you speak of as the reason for losing Drouin? If not the list is very easy to find.
- Mr Ricochet

Not saying you haven't lost more player (undoubtibly you have lost a ton more) im just salty about losing him. In reality all franchises run into that problem eventually it seems, however it seemed like it was hawks turn to "pay the piper" so to speak after years of Hossa being a reduced cap hit for his production because of that contract. Now that this has occured, that is no longer the case. Great strategy by the hawks to do this because at the time it was completely allowed.

Sad to see Hossa go out like this but probably for his personal benefit. My understanding is that his contract only pays $1M per year for the final years of his contract. Not worth taking a bunch of medication and risking health for.

Great, great player. HOF for sure. Not many players like him who can play a disciplined 2 way game and still score like he always has. The cap space definitely does not make up for what they are losing.

I wonder if they will trade his contract to a team trying to reach the cap floor since his actual salary is so small.

Whats bullpoop is passing a rule after the fact punishing teams for contracts that were within the rules and approved by the league after the fact. If your team isn't smart enough to read the rules and apply them appropriately perhaps you should go cry to them.
- Quicky72

Yea man!! And I always thought Hossa would retire/LTIR before his contract was up and if need be the Hawks, or anyone else, could destroy the league's "law" that what you did yesterday was legal but we made a new law today that makes it illegal so now we're gonna whack you for it.

This is bullpoop! I'm so sick of teams circumventing the cap by putting players on the LTIR when they should be retiring, with their salary counting towards the cap. These teams should have to deal with the cap problems. We all knew full well that the player was never going to finish out the conctract. They should be punished for signing these stupid deals that lead to more lockouts.
- Ihatebrianburke

You mean like Andrew Ference?

How accurate has Zawaski been lately? He called a surprise core player moving out a few weeks ago;a His source is in the know and Z deserves some love.

Not gonna call 100% pure bullpoop, but it is quite the coincidence that this allergy suddenly appears out of nowhere when his salary drops to "only" $1M per.
- jmatchett383

As a Hawks fan I can see that the timing can cause these thoughts. But, to me at least, the timing makes 100% sense. As has been stated in the articles about this allergic reaction, it has been going on for years. It is not the skin reaction causing this decision, but the reactions to the medications treating that skin condition. Those reactions have been ongoing and getting worse and it is the MDs telling him to NOT play. The simple fact this is coming from an MD makes LTIR possible. And yes, in my mind, the fact his salary is dropping to $1M, plays a part as well. I don't think he is willing to continue to face the reactions to the meds for the $1M payday and when you consider the longtime after hickey affects of those meds, I can't blame him at all.

The hawks would maximize the LTIR by being as close to Hossa AAV over the cap as possible before placing him on LTIR
- YuenglingJagr

Correct

How accurate has Zawaski been lately? He called a surprise core player moving out a few weeks ago;a His source is in the know and Z deserves some love.
- Bjm84

His source was that a core player would be TRADED.

WTF? Horrible news. Hoss was still a very good, productive player and earned ever nickel he made. So what they are cap compliant...they are a far worse team without him (as well as Freddie and TVR) as JJ said.

You just lost one of the games best, most consistent 200 foot players. Players like him don't grow on trees.

Not gonna call 100% pure bullpoop, but it is quite the coincidence that this allergy suddenly appears out of nowhere when his salary drops to "only" $1M per.
- jmatchett383

Morons like you make the 2010 Cup win even sweeter
Think before you post

Your comments are unfounded and wrong.

GTH

Vegas trades are going to start leaking out around 10am est when Vegas files them with the central registry
- Stan_Bowman

Looks that way. Hawks may be involved beyond Kruger too.

the new CBA with cap re-capture changed the rules, that's why they offered teams the opportunity to use compliance buyouts
- jimbo83

That was one of the reasons, although I think dropping the cap 4 million dollars was the biggest reason

Definitely worth investigating but progressive skin issues can increase in severity extremely fast and the medication can be very potent. I will miss watching Hossa play.

Morons like you make the 2010 Cup win even sweeter
Think before you post your comments are trash
- Colbyboy

Thanks for the insight and input. I'm glad that personal attacks are your main point in trying to have a reasonable discussion.

Looks that way. Hawks may be involved beyond Kruger too.
- John Jaeckel

I always thought there had to be more to this, excited to see what comes of this

Allergic to synthetic materials...latex, red dye? lol Hossa not wanting to play for only $1 million a year (or for a team that gets swept in the first round), realizes he can retire and play in Russia for a lot more money and perks.

This would be a classic Hossa move (money, cups, or bust) and really puts the screws to the Hawks who already with cap issues, have to replace a 26 goal scoring wing with only an extra $1 million for each of the next three years that Hossa's retirement will save them. Any high scoring snipers out there for $1 million? Let's hope the Hawks already have a plan in place with Vegas.
- NJPensfan

Really? Hossa about money?

If he has proven one thing in his HOF career, it is that he is not about money!

Hate to NOT see him on ice... he is one of my favorites no matter which sweater he wears... hope this illness does not prevent him from enjoying his retirement...

Unless they can point out the allergic reaction specifically, I'm not buying it. Doctors have and will do more shady things if paid accordingly and many times have no better scruples than lawyers. Hossa can still play obviously and can get paid outside the NHL handsomely compared to a $1 million a year stipend from the Hawks.
- NJPensfan

Call the AMA.... I'm sure they are anxious to appease you. Apparently, Hossa was blood tested every 2 weeks for this allergy the last few years so they were prepared for this type of skepticism.

While you're at it - see if you can join that FDA trial for the new drug treating sports envy.

So now who fits the bill as a "replacement".

On a side note, as a physician for nearly 20 years, I have seen the severe damage caused by medications to the human body. Please speak with your Doctors, Nurse Practitioners, or Physician's Assistants when taking any new med about the damage it may cause alone or when combined with other meds you may be taking.
- Tuke17

Thx Tuke, or just taking too much ibuprofen over a long period of time, as I learned this AM.

I am fairly certain your original post said nothing like this or you just failed miserable at making your point
- YuenglingJagr

I guess he should have spelled it out for you the first time.

This blog says that he is going on LTIR and not retiring. Does it have to be spelled out more for you? He isn't going to play in Russia
- YuenglingJagr

He's through playing. And that post is also incorrect because he has a $5M+ cap hit, the salary only is $1mil

it's too bad we can't go back in time and force the Blackhawks to make the Hossa contract an 8 year 58 million dollar deal for a cap hit of 7.25 mil a year instead of the 12 year 62 million dollar deal with a 5.2 mil cap hit that the league let the Hawks get away with all these years.

it's bullpoop
- jimbo83

We can.

Hop in.

For all the fans of other teams crying foul please read the situation. Hossa going to LTIR has not been caused by the allergy itself but rather the damage being done to his body by the medication used to treat the allergy.

If a visual aid is needed, google "Warfarin Induced Skin Necrosis". Granted this is not a medication used to treat allergies but it will give you an idea of what can possibly go wrong when a medication that is used by millions effects the body negatively.

I am 100% certain that Hossa's situation is not remotely close to what you will see in the images but even OTC Hydrocortisone can cause anaphylaxis.

To all of you people saying you "don't believe this", you need "proof"...PLEASE STOP! You all look like fools making this comment. Dr. Michael Terry is one of the most respected Doctors in the country - he's made a statement. I think I'll go with his professional opinion over some anonymous scribe on this blog.
- CaptainBlackhawk

I am not a doctor, but having suffered through an undiagnosed allergy (uticaria for those of you who care about technical terms) that appeared out of nowhere (and went away just as mysteriously), that required multiple blood and allergy tests to investigate, and all kinds of medications that really did nothing, if he has something that he has been fighting for years and gutting it out, that's pretty amazing. Allergies that the doctors cannot identify are miserable and the tests are uncomfortable.

Regardless, he is a special athlete who we should treat with respect and admiration for an amazing career. The rules surrounding his salary are not his problem. It's the league's and NHLPA's rules created that mess. Get over it trolls.

Let's celebrate Big Hoss and how much he has done for the franchise and us as fans. Rant over.

Thanks for the insight and input. I'm glad that personal attacks are your main point in trying to have a reasonable discussion.
- jmatchett383

GTH