Are we a better team going that route, though? I'm not sold on the idea that we're any more of a contender one way or the other, and that either way you're picking your poison and taking a step back from where we were. And right now we'd have another life time deal on the books, hoping he doesn't retire and hang us with a cap hit.
Absolutely.
The other deal that killed Hossa contract was the Cleary deal..
This isn't the precap world where you can reward guys by keeping them on the team for ever.
The cap requires difficult choices. It means dumping Cleary (or not resigning him in the first place). and giving these jobs of "middle class" guys to the rookies -- ready or not.
Chicago has used a lot of rookies in their lineup to keep their core together.
Who the hell is Andrew Shaw and Marcus Kruger?These guys aren't lottery guys. They aren't even first or second round picks.
Kruger was drafted in Round 5, the same year we drafted Ferraro and Tatar in the second round.
Kruger has already played in 160 games, including 3 different NHL playofffs.
How about Andrew Shaw? A 5'10 center Chicago drafted as an overager only two years ago from the OHL. He was nothing special in the OHL. He was nothing special in the AHL.
He was drafted in round 5 in 2011. Jurco was taken in round 2 that year.
Shaw has played 85 games and 26 playoff games. He's played in 2 NHL playoff series.
Chicago isn't some basement team taking flyers on rookies. They've won 2 cups now in 4 years - relying heavily on youth.
I think Cleary resigned in 2007-08.
For 2008-09 did we have prospects ready to step in and do the job for cheap?
How close were Helm and Abdelkader? Could Ritola or Mursak have played for us? Dick Axelsson?
Did it even matter if you had youth ready...you're upgrading on Cleary with Hossa
You sign Hossa the next year -- you've already made your 1-for-1 player switch and improved.