Do you really want Marian Hossa back again?

By ERIN NICKS


If you're a Senators fan, it's hard to forget the team's history,
particularly during the past decade.

Supporters are content to recall the happy moments, while critics love to
loudly relive the subpar events.

But one has to wonder if fans and media alike have forgotten some relevant
history pertaining to a former Ottawa player -- history that could haunt
them once more, if this player was brought back into the fold.

That player is Marian Hossa.

Sens fans are well aware of Hossa's star power and potential as a hot
commodity within the league, after all, the Senators benefited from his
services for six full seasons. Power forwards of his calibre don't grow on
trees, and any team looking to make noise down the regular season stretch
drive and beyond would surely demonstrate interest if Atlanta Thrashers GM
Don Waddell was willing to talk turkey.

But why would a playoff-obsessed team such as Ottawa wish to renew ties with
Hossa when they've witnessed his lack of post-season prowess first-hand?

During his tenure in the capital, Hossa's playoff record displays little
evidence of his typical regular-season flash-and-dash. The Slovak achieved
double-digit totals in only two playoff runs (the most notable was 2002-03,
with 16 points in 18 games -- five goals and 11 assists). All other
post-seasons he finished with a paltry four points or less, including
2003-04 -- his last season in a Sens jersey.

PLAYOFF NO-SHOW

Even worse, the 29-year-old's playoff woes appear to have migrated with him
to Georgia. Hossa played in four games during the 2006-07 playoffs, and
notched only one point for his Thrashers.

Recalling the lack of production during critical periods is one thing -- it
also helps to remember Hossa has never been touted as a physical player.

The level of grit within the Ottawa franchise has been debated for years,
and last year's post-season performance helped to partially alleviate those
concerns. But the issue of grit did rear its ugly head once more during the
final series against Anaheim.

Flashy forwards who don't play the body make for great highlight material,
but a player has to be willing to contribute more than that if he wants to
win the Stanley Cup.

Subpar playoff outings, a lack of physical presence... are there any other
problems Sens fans may have neglected in the midst of their longing?

How about the cost to the team itself?

If Hossa is made available at the trade deadline, Ottawa has little in the
way of collateral to pull the trigger on such a significant trade. Waddell
would likely be seeking multiple players under contract off the Senators'
current roster, in addition to prospects or draft picks -- all of which the
franchise can't afford to sacrifice at this time.

The main club would potentially be left with holes to fill, and while the
rebuilding process has begun in Binghamton, the restoration of young and
plentiful AHL talent is still in its infancy.

The Senators will need to retain the majority of their high draft picks in
the near future in order to replenish the talent pool.

Other teams can afford to make that sacrifice. Ottawa cannot -- especially
when it involves a player such as Hossa, who is on the brink of unrestricted
free agency.

Whether Hossa is made available to the NHL masses Feb. 26 remains to be
seen. He's a player of immense talent, and Sens observers are conscious of
that fact.

DON'T FORGET

But Ottawa fans shouldn't be so quick to forget about a player's
shortcomings -- particularly when the lapses were being committed in their
own rink.

Yes, remember what Marian Hossa did in Ottawa. And then, remember what he
didn't do at some of the most important moments in Senators history.

Are you really sure you want him back?

Kyle says...
> By ERIN NICKS
>
> If you're a Senators fan, it's hard to forget the team's history,
> particularly during the past decade.
>
> Supporters are content to recall the happy moments, while critics love to
> loudly relive the subpar events.
>
> But one has to wonder if fans and media alike have forgotten some relevant
> history pertaining to a former Ottawa player -- history that could haunt
> them once more, if this player was brought back into the fold.
>
> That player is Marian Hossa.
>
> Sens fans are well aware of Hossa's star power and potential as a hot
> commodity within the league, after all, the Senators benefited from his
> services for six full seasons. Power forwards of his calibre don't grow on
> trees, and any team looking to make noise down the regular season stretch
> drive and beyond would surely demonstrate interest if Atlanta Thrashers GM
> Don Waddell was willing to talk turkey.
>
> But why would a playoff-obsessed team such as Ottawa wish to renew ties with
> Hossa when they've witnessed his lack of post-season prowess first-hand?
>
> During his tenure in the capital, Hossa's playoff record displays little
> evidence of his typical regular-season flash-and-dash. The Slovak achieved
> double-digit totals in only two playoff runs (the most notable was 2002-03,
> with 16 points in 18 games -- five goals and 11 assists). All other
> post-seasons he finished with a paltry four points or less, including
> 2003-04 -- his last season in a Sens jersey.
>
> PLAYOFF NO-SHOW
>
> Even worse, the 29-year-old's playoff woes appear to have migrated with him
> to Georgia. Hossa played in four games during the 2006-07 playoffs, and
> notched only one point for his Thrashers.
>
> Recalling the lack of production during critical periods is one thing -- it
> also helps to remember Hossa has never been touted as a physical player.
>
> The level of grit within the Ottawa franchise has been debated for years,
> and last year's post-season performance helped to partially alleviate those
> concerns. But the issue of grit did rear its ugly head once more during the
> final series against Anaheim.
>
> Flashy forwards who don't play the body make for great highlight material,
> but a player has to be willing to contribute more than that if he wants to
> win the Stanley Cup.
>
> Subpar playoff outings, a lack of physical presence... are there any other
> problems Sens fans may have neglected in the midst of their longing?
>
> How about the cost to the team itself?
>
> If Hossa is made available at the trade deadline, Ottawa has little in the
> way of collateral to pull the trigger on such a significant trade. Waddell
> would likely be seeking multiple players under contract off the Senators'
> current roster, in addition to prospects or draft picks -- all of which the
> franchise can't afford to sacrifice at this time.
>
> The main club would potentially be left with holes to fill, and while the
> rebuilding process has begun in Binghamton, the restoration of young and
> plentiful AHL talent is still in its infancy.
>
> The Senators will need to retain the majority of their high draft picks in
> the near future in order to replenish the talent pool.
>
> Other teams can afford to make that sacrifice. Ottawa cannot -- especially
> when it involves a player such as Hossa, who is on the brink of unrestricted
> free agency.
>
> Whether Hossa is made available to the NHL masses Feb. 26 remains to be
> seen. He's a player of immense talent, and Sens observers are conscious of
> that fact.
>
> DON'T FORGET
>
> But Ottawa fans shouldn't be so quick to forget about a player's
> shortcomings -- particularly when the lapses were being committed in their
> own rink.
>
> Yes, remember what Marian Hossa did in Ottawa. And then, remember what he
> didn't do at some of the most important moments in Senators history.
>
> Are you really sure you want him back?

Interesting post Kyle. For me, Hossa was one of the most exciting
players the Sens ever had. However he was also one of the three culprits
that made up what I used to call the "Playoff Axis of Evil". They were:

1. Marion Hossa - great talent but way too soft for playoff hockey. One
big hit and he disappears. Heatley gets hit, gets up, and plays harder.
There's no comparison. Hossa, as great as he is, has never shown any
playoff grit. In my opinion, he adds nothing to a playoff lineup and I'm
glad he's gone.

2. Martin Havlat - incredible skill and amazing speed, but almost always
got man-handled into irrelevance in the playoffs - that is, if he wasn't
injured or sitting out a suspension. Great to watch in the regular
season, but, considering his history, adds nothing to a solid playoff
lineup. Amazing player, but fragile. Good riddance.

3. Zdano Chara - Big Z can be so entertaining to watch because of his
size, and I figure he's the most dangerous player in the league in a
fight. However we watched him in four consecutive playoff appearances
here, and for the most part, he looked like one of the biggest pilons on
ice. He has no "playoff gear" - it appears that there's no notch to step
up. He has great size and strength, but just average talent, average
speed, and average "smarts". Beats me how he got into the All Star
lineup, but that's just me. In a playoff lineup, his name definitely
fits... Big Z (as in Zero).

Smoke