Hossa's 12-year deal with Blackhawks more than a tweak

Wow! Holy Hull!  If you will excuse me for saying so.

Not one given to much personal screaming and hollering, unless it involves my 401K, if you can't be raised off your seat by this turn of events, you don't have a pulse.

I guess Blackhawks president John McDonough wasn't kidding a couple weeks ago when he told us that he expected "less than an overhaul, more than a tweak" this offseason. He was understating his real goal--to knock Chicago fans on their ass more effectively than Dustin Byfuglien did an opponent at any point last season.

Signing high-energy winger Marian Hossa on Wednesday to a staggering 12-year contract worth $5.2 million a year was a further sign that McDonough, owner Rocky Wirtz and general manager Dale Tallon mean business on West Madison St.

Talk about raised expectations. Anything less than a Stanley Cup finals appearance next season will be a disappointment. That's how far the Hawks have traveled in such a short space of time.

The years of monkey business appear well behind us. As much praise as McDonough, Wirtz and Tallon already have garnered for quickly renovating this once-downtrodden organization, acquiring Hossa will bring renewed calls for this Holy Trinity to be elected to early sainthood.

Hossa didn't have a good championship round this year for Detroit, one reason the Red Wings allowed Pittsburgh to pull off a stunning comeback and a Stanley Cup steal. But Hossa was dynamic against the Blackhawks in the Western Conference finals and is one of the National Hockey League's most dynamic skaters and producers.

Talk about giddy-up-and-go. Hossa can go from here to there in the blink of an eye, one reason he has 719 points in 775 regular-season games over 11 seasons. United Center will have more jump than ever with him around.

The Hawks will be Hossa's third team in three years, but considering that he is coming off years with Pittsburgh and Detroit, he gives the club the kind of clubhouse experience that should bode well for a long time to come.

The Hawks are one of the NHL's elite once again. What an exhilarating feeling that is for the fans.

To replace Martin Havlat with Hossa is like trading in a Buick for a Porsche. Havlat's a steady offensive presence. Hossa is a stud.

Like a boy named Sue, Marian has had to fight for his good name all his life. But we all remember Marion Morrison, aka John Wayne.

Hossa will be the Hawks' Duke, firing from all angles. And it should be one tremendous ride to remember.