pretty sure they came up with this idea the day they signed this ridiculous cap circumventing contract in the first place

adding 4 years of 1 million a year to the end of the deal never should have been allowed in the first place, but kudos to the Hawks for thinking of it
- jimbo83

Ha, ya think?

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...
- Nerko77

I don't think it's about money, directly. I think it's more about that he has enough money, and doesn't want to risk it for a few million more (which, after taxes and agent fees, is probably only about $1.5M total). So while I don't think it's all about the money, I think the money is an indirect factor.

GTH
- Colbyboy

Cool.

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

Does this mean he will live out his next 4 years on LTIR? Could you shed some light on how the rest of this will likely play out?

Oh (frank) you . How many #1-1 picks have the Oilers had the past 10 years ? Thats some real bullpoop. Clown.
- mrpaulish

These idiot dumb ass fans from other teams calling the Hawks out about Hossa's condition are forgetting something..

HES A GREAT (frank)ING HOCKEY PLAYER.

Why rejoice in losing that?

Morons.

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

If he wanted to make sense, yeah he should've

All that said, I have heard the rash/allergy thing is legit. He has also absorbed a ton of injuries the last few years: back, neck, knee, any of which could possibly medically qualify him for LTIR.

Does this mean he will live out his next 4 years on LTIR? Could you shed some light on how the rest of this will likely play out?
- headyhedman77

Yes...or they move him to a team that wants the hit (Pronger/Savard)

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

And apparently, the team was preparing this BS with a doctor/s and labs for some time...

Strategery.

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.
- Tuke17

I'm not debating this. My point of contention is that this has been an ongoing issue for years and that he finally decided to effectively retire because of it when his salary dropped significantly. I'm not saying it's not a legit issue, simply that the timing of when an ongoing issue has become serious is suspicious. I don't think that's an implausible scenario.

This blog says that, the EPSN/sportnet story hints at retirement. I find it more than coincidental that this allergy issue only comes up after all these years of playing, on the eve of an expansion draft, and as he's about to make only $1 million a season. He has the option to just retire no matter what the Hawks want, and if he does, he can make more money doing that if they shelf him with the LTIR out. If they LTIR him, can he go play in Russia for more than $1 million a year? I'm sure he'd like to, and if he does, he's no longer LTIR.
- NJPensfan

It is my educated guess he is going on LTIR. Nothing has been announced specifically either way to the best of my knowledge.

There must be a paper trail that documents all of this so I don't think the Hawks just came up with some creative excuse. Hossa will be missed cap space or no cap space.
- jhawk159

The rash/allergy is legit. Confirmed.

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.
- MacPatty

This would be the logical next step. Was wondering if the announcement coming today could mean that could happen sooner rather than later.

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

Sure thing.

Some OTC meds are just as dangerous if not more so if taken incorrectly.

And if the Hawks did something shady to avoid the recapture penalty then SO BE IT. It was wrong to retroactively punish them under the previous CB agreement anyway. The NHL is a clown show. However my team survives it is OK with me.

That said. Marian retiring?

And apparently, the team was preparing this BS with a doctor/s and labs for some time...

Strategery.
- tredbrta

Not at all. I'm not saying it's fabricated. I'm simply saying that a chronic issue suddenly becoming critical at the same time that his salary tales a nosedive seems very coincidental. Do you disagree?

WHY ?

Scott Powers‏ @ByScottPowers 31s31 seconds ago
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The #Blackhawks and defenseman Ville Pokka are working on a new deal
- mrpaulish

Matt, you know why. The . . . PLAN!!!!!!

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.
- Feds91Stammer

Call Robert Mueller. The doctor is probably Russian.

Call the AMA.... I'm sure they are anxious to appease you. Apparently, Hpssa 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.
- tredbrta

Actually, Tred, HIPPA laws basically mean that his medical condition are none of their damn business.

Yes...that is completely correct. They aren't the only team to think of it either. At least Pronger had an actual injury though

Better of just being happy they had Hossa at the AAV they did through the "dynasty" years than get upset about him not playing anymore
- YuenglingJagr

Lou Lamoriello is the King of Circumvention.

So to really PO fans around the league, the Hawks will probably sign Kovalchuk for a couple of years to replace Hoss and play with his pal Panarin.

With Hossa on LTIR, what is the actual cap penalty? Is it $1MM?

Ugh.. that doesn't even take into account his production level. Terrible, terrible news.

All that said, I have heard the rash/allergy thing is legit. He has also absorbed a ton of injuries the last few years: back, neck, knee, any of which could possibly medically qualify him for LTIR.
- John Jaeckel

HoF guy that will be missed. He had a great career and I think we could see his contract still get traded.

Be interesting how the league handles this. Blackhawks fans all assuming they'll be allowed to just LTIR Hossa and avoid the cap hit. But league could easily force them to face the cap recapture penalty and only LTIR his salary too.

Don't forget, Kovulchuk's contract with NJ was completely legal under the last CBA, and they still were heavily penalized for trying to sign it. The league can enforce the spirit of the CBA, not the letter of it. Unlikely in this case, but with Hossa dealing with this injury for years and only retiring when he was paid less, you never know.

Call Robert Mueller. The doctor is probably Russian.
- tredbrta

wut