DavyMac

I blame Babcock for his inability to change things up until its too late. Who do you blame?

Its simple really, I compared Hossa and Samuelsson in terms of style. I said that he has no chemistry with Datsyuk or Zetterberg. I provided the example of Franzen having chemistry with both players and being paid much less and I also brought up the point that if you keep Hossa you're going to lose role players like Flip, Hudler and Samuelsson. Its pretty simple to follow. Hossa scored 6 more goals, ten more points than Franzen and was paid around five million dollars more. We have our big sniper and his name is Johan Franzen. Hossa is a one and done deal.

There isn't a player out there who knows the system better and has spent as much time on this team as Samuelsson who will also play for a million a season. Abdelkader will be in Grand Rapids next season and Leino will be on this team regardless of Samuelsson. Everytime needs the Sameulsson's, Hudler's and Lilja's. You gain nothing but a roster spot by letting players like that walk. Letting Hossa walk and you can afford to keep Conklin or sign another role player without losing one player from this team except Hossa.

Samuelsson $1.2 million Hossa $7.45 million Say it with me slowly... "Role Player". Learn that simple concept and get back to me. If it were up to some of you armchair quarterbacks Ovechkin would be on our fourth line.

Its going to happen... just wait for it.

50 games = 90% of the season? Holmstrom-Datsyuk-Franzen Was our best line all season. Datsyuk had the best season of his career? He tied last season and his defensive game suffered slightly having Hossa on his line. He scored 97 points in one less game(because of suspension). Don't act like he blew out his previous season totals. Datsyuk could have been on a line with Franzen all season and scored 97 points. Did I miss the part were Hossa has ever been nominated for a Hart?

And Datsyuk looked at his best on a line without Hossa... why are struggling with that fact? If you actually watched the games, instead of studying score sheets you would realize this. He played his best hockey with Franzen and Holmstrom. The only reason Datsyuk spent so much time with Hossa this season was because Hossa and Zetterberg together are absolutely brutal. And one would argue that if Datsyuk was paired with Zetterberg or Franzen for the final three games of the season he could have hit 100 points. You know, instead of struggling because of Marian Hossa being a ghost.

You started a Datsyuk vs Hossa debate... Datsyuk scored 97 points two seasons in a row playing under 20 minutes a game. Hossa scoring 79 or even 82 points looks less than impressive compared to that. Thats not even including the Selke Datsyuk has won and will probably win this season. Datsyuk vs Hossa isn't even comparable.

Datsyuk plays 3 minutes less per game than Crosby, Malkin or Ovechkin... he still nearly scored 100 points. Hossa is playing with two of the best passers in the league (Datsyuk and Zetterberg) and hes struggled offensively. Hes also tied with being the highest paid player on this team. There really isn't an excuse for it.

How many Selke trophies does Hossa have? 0 How many will he ever be nominated for? 0 How many Stanley Cups does Hossa have? 0 Of course if we're going about things purely on points, not taking in account defense or the fact that Hossa's 100 point season came while playing in the South East division, Datsyuk has outscored Hossa since the lockout.

Samuelsson will be here next season, hes too cheap to let go, unlike Hossa.... You guys do realize this isn't NHL2009 correct? Aware of the salary cap? Aware of the salary increases already given to Zetterberg and Franzen and the increase probably coming for Hudler? This isn't 2002, every line doesn't need to have an allstar forward on it. Oh wait, im the moron... I guess I am on the only person here who recalls this team winning a cup without Hossa... The fact is, you need guys like Samuelsson and Hudler to win. Its called team depth.

Sammy is one of our leading hitters... and hes a 20 goal scorer making a million dollars a season. Hossa had 40 goals making $7.5 million. Franzen had 34 goals making LESS than Samuelsson this season. Franzen was obviously underpaid but even taking his new raise into account hes still making around $4 million less per year than Hossa this season. Plus like I said above, he can actually play with both of our top two centers, unlike Hossa who needs weak linemates to play at the top of his game.

Datsyuk isn't "moving" like he usually does because hes not getting any good breakout passes from his linemates. Holmstrom is only a first line player if hes on a line with Datsyuk and another star forward. Hossa is busy setting up in the slot waiting for a pass to come to him through three guys. Datsyuk is effectively killing penalties 5 on 5 because hes constantly being double teamed because of Hossa floating around in the offensive zone. Babcock is nitorious for not changing lines up until the last possbile moment. If we're trailing in this game for the majority of the game he wont put D-Z-H together until the last minute. Why not double shift our best line every once in a while? The fact is, Hossa makes way too much to be playing on the third line. But hes a part of this team, like it or not. The only problem I have is certain people acting as if Datsyuk is choking or not showing up when its certainly not the case. Put a guy like Leino or Helm on his line in place of Hossa and the line will look better by default.

He makes six million more per season? They play a very similar style.... one is just more physically gifted. Hossa and Samuelsson don't use their linemates well if at all. They stand around waiting for the puck to come to them while their linemates do all of the heavy lifting. Hossa could score 30 goals on a line with Draper and Maltby, hes that kind of player. On the other hand we already have a great goalscorer (Franzen) who makes dramatically less than Hossa and plays well with Zetterberg AND Datsyuk because he knows how to use his linemates and gasp.... pass the puck.

Yes, thats exactly what I said. Deflect deflect deflect. He may be the nicest guy in the world, probably rescues baby kittens in his off time but that doesn't make up for the fact that he has ZERO chemistry with Datsyuk and Zetterberg. Each player has struggled with Hossa on their line.