ESPN's Scott Burnside's Instant Analysis

[HockeytownRules19 902]

"The deal makes eminent sense for the defending Stanley Cup champs, who now boast a fearsome forward contingent that includes some of the best two-way hockey players in the world, Hossa, Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. Zetterberg will be unrestricted at the end of the 2008-09 season and GM Ken Holland will have to open his wallet, so the one-year deal gives both Hossa and Holland room to move. Can anyone say "repeat?""

I Love It!

[akustyk 84]

how is Hossa "two-way" forward?

[Guest mindfly]

how is Hossa "two-way" forward?

Good offense, decent defense, PP and PK.

[akustyk 84]

Good offense, decent defense, PP and PK.

I guess I'm a little bit fazed by putting him in the same category as Dats and Hank.

those two set different standards of what defensive play is for forwards.

[Rice 42]

I guess I'm a little bit fazed by putting him in the same category as Dats and Hank.

those two set different standards of what defensive play is for forwards.

Hossa's up there defensively. Not quite as good as Hank and Pavel, IMO, but playing for the Wings could change that.

[toby91_ca 620]

Hossa is excellent defensively, no question about it.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

how is Hossa "two-way" forward?

TBH (and as others have mentioned), he's the very definition of a two-way forward. He's great on both sides of the ice, he's a great PK'er and will put the puck in the net plenty on the PP.

[BlakChamber 8]

Like Toby and NFM stated, Hossa is excellent in his own end. He sounds like the perfect type of player for the Wings system.

[Cicada 4]

Hossa is a superb two way forward. He even stripped Zetterberg once in the finals

[Wingsfan1988 0]

Hossa is a superb two way forward. He even stripped Zetterberg once in the finals

The Pens style was dump and !! Hope for the best which could easily not show how good Hossa is defensively. He was constantly trapped in offensive zone when the Wings moved the puck forward and then he would be scrambling to get back into the play. The funny thing is playing in the wings line-up I think his offensive abilities will shine...he might score 50+ goals.

His presence will automatically help the second line and now we will have two power play units that will put fear into every opposing coaches nightmares.

Go ahead Ruutu, Avery and Coery Perry..take a dumb slashing penalty....I dare ya!!

[betterREDthandead 58]

I guess I'm a little bit fazed by putting him in the same category as Dats and Hank.

those two set different standards of what defensive play is for forwards.

Put it this way, people who don't have Pavel and Hank on their team think Hossa is an excellent two-way forward. Kind of like how if you're Tampa and you don't already have Nick Lidstrom to compare to, you think Dan Boyle is a top-notch defenseman.

So he's pretty good and he'll definitely fit right in. Just not quite Selke stuff.

[akustyk 84]

OK, thanks for claryfing. I haven't seen Hossa play fancy defense in this playoffs

so I was just curious where does this opinion come from.

[RWK23 0]

My analysis of the Hossa deal:

It was good. lol...I mean, at this point, what else can you say? Wow.

[Dabura 12,232]

how is Hossa "two-way" forward?

Hossa is one of the top two-way forwards in the league.

[VM1138 1,921]

The only way a Wings fan can sum this deal us this:

!

Man, how pissed are other fans in the league today? They already thought it was unfair we have Dats and Z, but now Hossa added in the mix?

Edited July 2, 2008 by VM1138

[norrisnick 1]

It wouldn't be much of a stretch at all to say the Wings now have the top 3 two-way forwards in the league. Alfredsson would be right there too.

[Rivalred 630]

Alfredsson would be right there too.

Oh would I enjoy to see him here... *dreams*

But agreed...

The Wings could break Pavel, Hank, and Marcel into 3 lines - how effective would that be? I do not know...

[Jasper84 333]

Oh would I enjoy to see him here... *dreams*

But agreed...

The Wings could break Pavel, Hank, and Marcel into 3 lines - how effective would that be? I do not know...

I could have swore we signed Marian and not Marcel.

[Rivalred 630]

I could have swore we signed Marian and not Marcel.

Didn't you read this:

Reports that Detroit signed Marian Hossa are false, in fact Detroit signed Hossa, just the wrong one. A press conference will be held on Thursday July 3rd 2008 to announce the official signing of Marcel Hossa. The entire details are unclear, but what is known after a long night of drinking Red Wings General Manager caught off guard early Wednesday morning. Not fully awake - Holland heard the name "Hossa" and said it is a done deal. Pittsburgh fans are relieved to hear this news that their beloved Penguins team is still intact. NHL Commissioner released a statement stating the Detroit Red Wings voided their NHL contract and the Stanley Cup will be awarded to the Penguins on Monday July 7th 2008 when the Cup returns from Newfoundland... The NHL contacted Detroit player Dan Cleary who currently has the Cup and was not available for comment. There is speculation that Dan Cleary and the Cup on are on a boat in international waters to hide out in Venezuela. Stay tuned for further updates...

- Tis a joke...

Edited July 2, 2008 by Rivalred

[Jasper84 333]

I missed that joke, my bad.

[Rivalred 630]

I missed that joke, my bad.

No worries....

[mark the red 0]

In the play-offs, against Detroit, Hossa was the best defensive forward the Pens had.

Isn't curious how the Pens free agents are jumping ship, even with the Pens offering the same oyher teams are offering. Could it be a case of Crosbyitus.

[Nev 1,085]

Would you want to play for an overgrown baby like Therien?

Or a MAN like Mike Babcock?

[sixer 37]

Nice

[RockyMountainWingGal 108]

Put it this way, people who don't have Pavel and Hank on their team think Hossa is an excellent two-way forward. Kind of like how if you're Tampa Toronto and you don't already have Nick Lidstrom to compare to, you think Dan Boyle Jeff Finger is a top-notch defenseman.

Sorry I just couldn't resist! lol