Blackhawks’ Marian Hossa Calls It A Career And Will Take On A Role Within Organization

Blackhawks winger, Marian Hossa, announced his plans to retire and move back to Slovakia via an interview with a Slovakian publication called Novy Cas. A link to the English translated version of the exclusive interview piece can be found here. Hossa was one of the main reasons why the Chicago Blackhawks were as successful as they have been during the past 8 seasons, as the team collected 3 Stanley Cups in a 5 year span within those 8 seasons.

Where Has Hossa Been?

Hossa was placed on Long-term Injured Reserve (LTIR) during the 2017-18 season. He was forced to sit out the entire season due to developing a progressive skin disorder that formed from having allergic reactions to wearing hockey equipment. During the past year, Marian was seeking treatment from various doctors for his skin disorder. The doctors advised against him playing, since the medication and treatment that he was prescribed would prevent him from being his usual self out on the ice and it would also worsen his current condition.

Marian Hossa will not play hockey this coming season. Here's his statement. Sad, sad news. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/M8smK5CUs5

— Tracey Myers (@Tramyers_NHL) June 21, 2017

The Blackhawks really felt Hossa's absence this past season, as the team finished dead last in the Central Division with a pitiful 33-39-10 record that netted them the 8th pick in the 2018 NHL Draft.

Marian Hossa’s Career

As Chicago Blackhawks fans and most hockey fans know, Marian Hossa has been one of the most productive two-way players over the past 21 years and 18 seasons. Hossa was drafted 12th overall by the Ottawa Senators in 1997. As a member of the Western Hockey League's (WHL) Portland Winterhawks, Hossa won the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy for being the league's top rookie and also helped the Winterhawks win the Memorial Cup in 1998. The Chicago Blackhawks signed Hossa to a 12 year contract in 2009 that was worth $63,300,000 and the state of the organization was forever changed. In his storied NHL career, he played in 1,309 games and accumulated 1,134 points (525 goals, 609 assists) with a +/- rating of 245.

Hossa's Future Plans

Since Hossa will not be retiring until his current contract expires in 2021, he will either be placed on the LTIR once again this upcoming season, effective on the first day of the 2018-19 regular season, or the Blackhawks could also trade his contract to another team looking to meet the salary cap floor. Hossa is only owed $1 million per season for the remainder of his contract, so this could be very plausible. Hossa has been linked to taking on a new role with the team once his contract expires. He was reported to have met with Blackhawks' Chairman, Rocky Wirtz, and Blackhawks' President, John McDonough, to discuss taking a new role with the team after his contract expires. Hossa said,

"I can only do it after the expiration of the contract. I have already talked to the boss of the club, so it's real that after three years i will work in the Chicago organization."

This is great news for the entire Chicago Blackhawks organization. Marian Hossa has one of the best hockey minds in the world. Many players and members of the organization will be able to learn a lot from him, on and off the ice. Even though it truly is a terrible way to end a magnificent hockey career, Marian Hossa has, without a doubt, left his mark on the game of hockey and will surely be a future NHL Hall of Famer. Hossa will be dearly missed by many fans, including myself.