Hawks get Hossa

In what has to be a huge surprise, the Blackhawks signed start winger Marian Hossa to a 12 year, $62.8 million contract today.

The signing means that Martin Havlat will not be returning to the 'Hawks next season, but the addition of Hossa makes Havlat's departure much easier to swallow. From the sounds of it, the 'Hawks went for Hossa after negotiations with Havlat fell apart. And good for them, because Hossa is better than Havlat and will be a key cog to the success of the team in the coming years.

Supposedly the deal is "front heavy" with most of the money being paid in the first seven years of the deal. But therein is the issue with the signing. I trust Dale Tallon enough to not splurge so much that he doesn't have enough to re-sign some of the restricted free agents this year and players like Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Duncan Keith next year.

If they can keep Kane, Toews, Sharp, Seabrook, Keith, and Hossa together for a while, the 'Hawks will be among the league's elite for the next decade. If they can keep Kris Versteeg and the other young guys, they have a legit shot at the Cup next year.

One thing is for sure: the Blackhawks do not mess around anymore and are serious about contending for the Cup. Hopefully Marian Hossa made the correct decision this time, and can vindicate his career by helping to lead the 'Hawks to glory.