Marian Hossa’s NHL may be over due to a skin condition, and naturally the rest of the hockey world was in a state of shock Wednesday morning as the news spread. First reported by Elliotte Friedman, then confirmed in an announcement by the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday, Hossa is indeed out for at least next season.
It’s a lot to handle, and the implications for the Blackhawks will be wide reaching over the next several years. Hossa is under contract through 2020-21, so the Hawks may need to try to leave him on LTIR for four years in order to avoid his cap recapture penalties.
There aren’t many people in hockey as respected and beloved as Hossa, who is one of the few NHL players that elicits positive responses from basically every fan base. He’s always been incredible to watch with his combination of strength and speed, and gained fans around the world for his joyous personality.
Unsurprisingly, the hockey world reacted in shock to the news, while recognizing how great Hossa has been.
Wishing Marian Hossa the best. Quality person and player. https://t.co/etyCwfy0J9
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 21, 2017
Out for the season. Quality guy. Hope they find a way to manage the condition. https://t.co/acoTZWoj04
— James Duthie (@tsnjamesduthie) June 21, 2017
Waking up seeing this Marian Hossa news really hurts. He’s a class act. He’s not supposed to go out like this. #Blackhawks
— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) June 21, 2017
If this is end of the road for Marian Hossa, what a ride it’s been. A true gentleman & a pro. One of the best to ever lace up with the Sens. https://t.co/2Pmw9aa6Ug
— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) June 21, 2017
I feel awful for Marian Hossa.
He is the nicest and classiest athlete I’ve ever covered during my sportswriting career. #Blackhawks— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) June 21, 2017
Marian Hossa…respect
— Mike North (@North2North) June 21, 2017
Marian Hossa is one of the classiest, nicest people in the game, and a Hall of Famer. This would be an awful way for him to have to go out.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) June 21, 2017
Marian Hossa retiring would suck. On of my favourites that I’ve ever watched.
— Andrew Berkshire (@AndrewBerkshire) June 21, 2017
If we don’t get to watch Marian Hossa play hockey anymore, that’s incredibly sad. That’s my takeaway from this. Hope he gets/stays healthy.
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) June 21, 2017
This sucks. Hossa is one of my favorite players … https://t.co/iweT2tLZkP
— Josh Cooper (@JoshuaCooper) June 21, 2017
Yes, I’m behind on this, but wishing Marian Hossa the best. He won’t play next season because of a progressive skin disorder https://t.co/WDisXuToIw
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) June 21, 2017
Thanks for your excellence, Marian Hossa https://t.co/oBsjbvZi1E
— Paul Sullivan (@PWSullivan) June 21, 2017
Cap speculation aside, I’m gutted that Marian Hossa appears to be done. One of my all time favourites and IMO, the best two-way winger ever.
— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) June 21, 2017
The Marian Hossa news sucks. Hoss had a HOF, 19-season career. But I still don’t think enough fans appreciate how good he is. #Blackhawks
— Stephen Nelson (@Stephen__Nelson) June 21, 2017
Marian Hossa is one of the greatest two-way forwards in hockey history and a tremendous person. His presence with the Hawks will be missed.
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) June 21, 2017
To sum it up … this sucks.