The eulogies for the likely Hall of Fame career (and yeah, 500+ goals, 3 Cups and a career +240 pretty much means Hall of Fame) of Marian Hossa have been delivered all over the inter webs for the last couple of years.
"He's on the downward side of his career."
"Can't finish anymore."
"He's a third liner at this point."
There has been, however, a (ahem) "minority opinion" that as the singular hockey player on the planet to play the most games since 2008 or so (5 Cup Finals, 7 Conference Finals, 2 Olympics) that really all a marvelously conditioned, physically gifted athlete like Hossa needed was a full summer of rest (finally) to regain his form.
Thus far this season, and especially last night, the latter opinion has been validated. Look no further than the two goals Hossa potted last night, using his speed and power to beat quality defenders and a very good netminder.
It's a great development for one of the game's classiest players—and a guy who prepares and plays the right way from the time he rolls up to the rink to when he leaves.
And it's a great elopement for Hawk fans. That, and the resurgence of two other [players of whom the reports of their deaths have been greatly exaggerated: Brent Seabrook and Jonathan Toews.
It's not all rosy for the Hawks (just be glad I didn't say "Rozy') either. Yes, 7-3-1 is a nice start to the season, but the real test comes not against the Colorados and Calgarys—rather, the St. Louises (who have beaten the Hawks already), Dallases, San Joses, Pittsburghs, Washngtons and New Yorks. Not to mention legitimate upstarts like Edmonton.
The Hawk penalty kill continues to improve—in no small part because Toews and Hossa are on it. And Artem Anisimov is having a great start to he season–even improving on face-offs of late.
But the Hawks continue to start games slow against lesser opponents and they are way underwater in shots for the season—last night being no exception.
One more thing to be feel very good about: Corey Crawford continues to bail his team outright after night, and he did so again last night.
Tomorrow, the Hawks take the ice in Dallas and face a team that gave them fits last year. It's a bigger test. But it's also a long season.
One in which Chicago will need Marian Hossa to be more than just "a third liner."
I'll have a Dallas preview tomorrow.
JJ
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