Chicago Blackhawks: Marian Hossa Is a Lock for Hall of Fame

CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 15: Marian Hossa #81 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrates with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning by a score of 2-0 in Game Six to win the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the United Center on June 15, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 15: Marian Hossa #81 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrates with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning by a score of 2-0 in Game Six to win the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the United Center on June 15, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Chicago Blackhawks’ legend, Marian Hossa, had a phenomenal career and should be considered a lock for the Hockey Hall of Fame.

What is there to say about Marian Hossa that hasn’t been said already? Hossa was a fantastic player on both ends of the ice and a great locker room guy.

The Chicago Blackhawks might not have won their 3 Stanley Cups in 6 seasons without him.

If you want proof of how much of an impact Marian Hossa had, look no further than the Blackhawks over the past two seasons.

After Hossa was forced to retire due to a skin disorder after the 2016-17 season ended, the team absolutely imploded. The Blackhawks went from perennial powerhouse to missing the playoffs in two consecutive seasons.

Marian Hossa’s Ridiculous Resume

When looking at his career as a whole, Hossa has a ridiculously good resume. Besides being part of the Blackhawks historic 6-year run, he was also part of some other dynamic squads including the late 90s-early 2000s Ottawa Senators, 2007-08 Pittsburgh Penguins, and 2008-09 Detroit Red Wings.

As far as playoffs go, Marian Hossa had arguably the most dominant run by any single player in NHL history.

Hossa played in the playoffs in 17 of his 19 NHL seasons, including 6 straight seasons from 1998-99 to 2003-2004 with the Senators and 11 straight seasons from 2006-07 to 2016-17 with the Atlanta Thrashers, Penguins, Red Wings, and Blackhawks. That’s absolutely insane!

Hossa would finish his stellar career with this impressive stat line:

  • 1309 games played
  • 525 goals
  • 609 assists
  • 1134 points
  • 245 ±
  • 85 game-winning goals
  • 7 hat tricks
  • 18:41 ATOI
  • 54.6 CF%
  • 55.7 oZS%
  • 3 Stanley Cups
  • 1x All-Star

What’s Next for Marian Hossa?

Well, first and foremost, I am expecting Marian Hossa to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. It’s a total no-brainer.

Next, I believe Hossa will accept a role in management with the Chicago Blackhawks. It has been long rumored to be the plan ever since he stepped away from hockey in 2017.

Recently, Blackhawks’ president, John McDonough, confirmed in an article with Scott Powers of The Athletic that the Blackhawks want Marian Hossa on their staff once his player contract expires after the 2020-21 NHL season.

There will never be another player who is as cerebral and effective as Hossa and he deserved to go out on better terms. His high hockey IQ will translate really well to his new role, which is still to be determined.

All of us here in Chicago, and probably other cities, truly miss seeing The Hoss out on the ice in a Blackhawks’ sweater.

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