Marian "The Duke" Hossa is saddling up preparing for his debut with the Chicago Blackhawks. The sharp shooter needs a sidekick. Who better than Patrick Kane? The most accurate puck slinger on the Hawks deserves the opportunity to land the most wanted reward.
By splitting the duo of Kane and Jonathan Toews to open the season, Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville left himself a couple of options when pondering Hossa's future partner. He seperated the young All-Stars knowing he needed to achieve balance on his top two lines, but also with the purpose of adding Hossa come late-November. Did Coach Q already know with whom Hossa would skate, or was the plan to wait to see which line needed the boost? Either way, I predict Kane will find himself getting acquainted with Hossa in a couple of weeks.
By the numbers, Kane's had an average start to the season. The right winger has four goals and leads the team with 11 assists. Consider that his centerman, Dave Bolland, has been crippled with a bad back and Kane's numbers look a little better. Add in the fact that his other linemate, Dustin Byfuglien, has limited offensive capabilites and Kane's point-a-game production looks pretty darn good. How good would Kane's numbers be with Hossa on the other side of the offensive zone?
Kane has proven himself as one of the best circle-to-circle passers in the NHL. Unfortunately, Big Buff is not a consistent enought threat in the middle of the ice and is more comfortable either directly in front of the net or at the blueline. Plus, the converted defenseman still lacks the innate offensive instincts Kane requires from a linemate. Hossa is everything Byfuglien is not, and then some. Kane needs a finisher and Hossa has proven his worth scoring over 40 goals three times during an NHL season.
The Chicago Blackhawks' Marian Hossa will undergo surgery on his right shoulder on Friday. Hossa signed as a free agent with the Blackhawks on July 1 to a 12-year, $62.8 million contract.
"Marian's injury did not respond sufficiently to our non-operative treatment over the last three weeks so we have collectively decided today to go ahead with the surgery," Blackhawks General Manager Stan Bowman said in a press release. "Marian is a franchise player and we want what is best for him and the Blackhawks long-term. This was a mutual decision and one we feel very confident is the right one."
It is expected that Hossa will take up to four months to recover from the surgery. The former Red Wing, who totaled 40 goals and 71 points last season, will likely miss the first two months of the Hawks' regular season. Factoring in a return date of December 1, Hossa would miss the first 25 contests.
"Marian has a small right rotator cuff tear that he has been battling for a while and because he is not at 100 percent with non-operative treatment he is undergoing operative treatment tomorrow," Blackhawks Head Team Physician Dr. Michael Terry said. "With this type of tear we anticipate a four month post-operative recovery period, after which we expect his shoulder to be 100 percent. This is the best thing for Marian and his career long-term."
I see where some people aren't worried a bit to hear that Marian Hossa has a right rotator cuff tear. There have been yawns all around at how underwhelming it is. He should heal well before the 12-year contract runs out, they say with a sniff at my ignorance and my knee-jerk skepticism.
It's already been 48 years between Blackhawks championships. What's the hurry? He'll be fine after a minor setback that the miracle of modern medicine can easily repair, even perhaps through the no-muss, no-fuss alternative of rehab, which means that the tear has gone into hiding for the present time. It could always return when least expected, like an IRS audit.
We can even prescribe some medical marijuana for him if that helps. Michael Jackson's doctor isn't doing anything in between fighting the possible manslaughter charge. He's looking for a new sugar daddy to stock their medicine chest.
Why get all bent out of shape for $62.8 million? The guy's played hurt and played fine. He has 12 years to get this damned cuff fixed if now is not the proper time for the next Hawks superstar to have his sturdy body reconfigured. Just slightly. No problem in the least. More like plastic surgery.
