Why Pens fans hate Hossa

[STK 0]

Hello Wings fans.

I am, as you can likely tell from the title of this thread, a huge Penguins fan. Have been my whole life.

First, congrats on your Cup. It was well deserved.

But I just want to come here to give you all a general explanation of why Marian has fallen from grace here so rapidly.

For a second, pretend you are a Pens fan (and I know, this must be hard for you).

Now, imagine losing the Stanley Cup Final, one of the greatest pains a fan can suffer.

Then, imagine losing a number of your players, Adam Hall, Ryan Malone, Gary Roberts, Jarkko Ruutu, and Ty Conklin all go elsewhere, with Conks heading to the same team that just crushed your dreams a few weeks earlier.

Imagine being misled to think, by Pens management and by Marian himself in an interview, that Hossa was very willing to stay in Pittsburgh, that he wanted to be here.

Imagine Hossa then leaving (and he owed us nothing I know), but not leaving to just any team, but leaving to a team that has already taken so much from us in such a short time.

Lastly, sit there and listen as Hossa states blatantly that the Wings are better than the Pens (though I don't disagree).

We had, at the time, a lot of bottled up anger that was still building, and we still do.

We took out on him, as we all feel that he misled us, and not so pleased with his words as he left.

He is an obvious scapegoat target.

Fortunately, since Hossa's left, we've recovered and signed other players who can try to offset his loss.

So we feel a bit better now.

But I just wanted to explain why we all dislike the guy so much.

We are not crybabies, whiners, losers like some of you have said. We just need(ed) an outlet, and he's it.

Thank you for reading this.

[Superman54 91]

Id probably feel the same way, so im not here to criticize. But when he was asked if he wants to stay with Pittsburgh, you can't fault him for saying yes. Imagine if his response was, "no, I don't enjoy playing with a superstar like Crosby and Malkin", just try and think the retaliation he would recieve. Its common to have a player say he wants something, but then go on in another direction, so im not suprised by that. I do feel sorry for you Pen fans, the last couple of weeks have been rather tough.

[puertoricanWingsfan 5]

First off, thanks for being classy. I appreciate the respect.

Second, I don't blame you for being angry. I definitely would be if I was in your shoes. Red Wings fans have the privilege of rooting for a dynasty, and some of us are spoiled by it.

As for Hossa, I can't blame you for being pissed at him. He's an incredible player, and losing someone like that always hurts, especially when you thought you had him locked up.

You still have a great squad, and you've resigned the player who I think is your MVP without a doubt: Fleury. As long as you've got that kid in net, you won't have to worry.

[Guest Shoreline]

Except Hossa being a late pickup by the Pens, it almost mirrors the Fedorov deal.

Both situations being hot topics around here, and to some repeated ad nauseam.

And when we rant about meaningless s***, you know it's summer and no hockey is on.

Edited July 6, 2008 by Shoreline

[b.shanafan14 733]

I completely understand, I didn't think too highly of Schneider when he went to the Ducks after that goon squad beat the Wings last season (same with Bertuzzi, but I always hated him and was more than grateful to see him leave). It stings a lot and I don't blame any Penguins fans for being bitter though it is true that he didn't owe the Penguins anything outside of what I've heard of him misleading, but that is par for the course in free agency, every where you go "you want to be", keeps your options open.

[Guest Shoreline]

I completely understand, I didn't think too highly of Schneider when he went to the Ducks after that goon squad beat the Wings last season (same with Bertuzzi, but I always hated him and was more than grateful to see him leave). It stings a lot and I don't blame any Penguins fans for being bitter though it is true that he didn't owe the Penguins anything outside of what I've heard of him misleading, but that is par for the course in free agency, every where you go "you want to be", keeps your options open.

I saw Schneider going to the Ducks like Robitaille going back to the Kings.

That's just his area. If it weren't the Ducks, it'd probably be back to LA.

[grsbmd 0]

It's a lot more like Sergei Fedorov going to the Ducks. And a lot of us still feel bitter about that.

[b.shanafan14 733]

I saw Schneider going to the Ducks like Robitaille going back to the Kings.

That's just his area. If it weren't the Ducks, it'd probably be back to LA.

Good point, but I was just trying to present similar circumstances, specifically going to the team that beat you. I wasn't too bitter after the Wings replaced him with Rafalski, and saw him as going home to LA, similarly Penguins fans should see Hossa leaving as no huge surprise. But it is a little salt in the wounds.

[BlakChamber 8]

I can see why the Pens fans are angry, but I'd have a hard time getting worked up about a guy who spent a total of 32 games in a Pittsburgh uniform. But that's just me.

[Guest Dump-N-Thump]

I'd hate hossa because you no longer have army anymore.. thats enough reason to hate him.

[T.Low 1,011]

It's a lot more like Sergei Fedorov going to the Ducks. And a lot of us still feel bitter about that.

Not the same. Fedorov was a long time Red Wing. The Wings and he both risked a lot so he could get here. Thye both enjoyed much success together. There was a big history.

Hossa was a rental in Pitt.

When interviewed no one says "I won't mind coming back to Pittsburgh if I can't get my dream of going to Detroit to come true".

I don't blame you guys for being bumbed out, but ya can't blame Hossa either. I didn't blame Bersnoozie or Schneider, but I do enjoy the fact that they both jumped ship and lost out on the Cup.

[akustyk 84]

I think many ppl here remember Fedorov leaving. or Bertuzzi. or Schneider.

and they know what does this mean to feel screwed. especially Fedorov

has been a painful case for Wings fans.

so I do understand Pens fans perspective but I think some of them are

overreacting. this is not a player who was a Pen for number of years.

and while there was talk of him staying with the team there was no

clear promises.

I think it will settle down after some time. I see your point but I don't

think this should lead to such hard feelings.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

I can see why the Pens fans are angry, but I'd have a hard time getting worked up about a guy who spent a total of 32 games in a Pittsburgh uniform. But that's just me.

It's the fact that it's Marian Hossa and no matter what the amount of games played, no team would want to lose him.

That's just what I think though.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

I can see why the Pens fans are angry, but I'd have a hard time getting worked up about a guy who spent a total of 32 games in a Pittsburgh uniform. But that's just me.

True.

But you gotta know that if the situations were reversed, Wings fans here would've been forming a death squad to take Hossa out.

There were people already calling Stuart greedy and bitching about him before he even left. It was just on the speculation and mere thought of him going back to L.A. Turns out he took a discount to stay here, so he can live.

[sjradio 0]

First of all welcome to LGW.com

Saying that Pittsburgh fans are whiners and crybabies is a generalization. But you have to admit there has been a more and more of it from a lot of fans, the media, and the staff of the Penguins throughout the finals.

A lot of Pittsburgh fans, media, and coaches, and staff aren't owning up to the fact that Pittsburgh was beaten by a better team.

I hear the "If we had shown up for games 1 and 2..." nonsense. All we've heard is that the Pens just didn't show up for this series. Now we hear that Hossa is a traitor and has no loyalty???

As for Hossa. He was a Penguin for a grand total of 4 months??? He was a rental player. Shero knew the risk in trying to get a rental player. Shero gave up three prospects for Dupuis and Hossa. Hossa showed interest in going to Detroit at the deadline. But the Wings wouldn't pay what Atlanta wanted. The Wings were happy with shoring up the defense (one of the Wings strong points). I'll admit there were a lot of fans here who were upset that we didn't get Hossa. If the cost of getting Hossa was too much then Shero shouldn't have made the deal. This shows the difference between Holland and Shero. Holland wasn't willing to mortgage the Wings future for Hossa. Hossa had a friend here in Tomas Kopecky. The Wings play the type of hockey that Hossa wanted. He also saw what was happening in Pittsburgh. He saw the Pens roster already being dismantled. Malone (the hometown boy) got dealt, what message does that send to potential free agents or players on the roster.

Why should Hossa have felt any loyalty to the Pens? He's a free agent, he is free to sign with whom he wants, how much he wants, and how long? His choice... Detroit. The Wings had everything he wanted. The Wings have the best shot at a cup next year... The team was intact, unlike the Pens. He didn't want to be "stuck" in a long term deal in one place. He is keeping his options open for next year's FA period. The Wings will make Franzen and Zetterberg their priority next summer. The Wings have a long history of players taking less money to play in Detroit. They look at it as a family. If he happens to get hurt next season, look at what the Wings have done with Fischer and Konstantinov. I don't think there is a team that has the level of loyalty as the Wings have.

In fact, Pittsburgh fans confuse me. Why is it that you boo Jaromir Jagr... he didn't exactly leave on his own terms, wasn't he dealt at the trade deadline to Washington. Didn't he want to stay??

Why do Pens fan not boo Mario Lemieux. He was more than ready to take the Pens to Kansas City? He basically held your fans and the city hostage with "I'll move them... I swear!!!! I'll do it..."

The world knows that the Penguins are "Crosby's" team, Malkin and Crosby essentially have the same contract. It's hard to lure other free agents if you have nothing left under the cap. There is always the chance that the salary cap could drop. (Not likely, but it could).

You not only have to think about the next season, but you have to look beyond that. Which is what Holland did. He said that he wasn't going to give anybody more money than Nick Lidstrom. He is on a 1 year contract. Pens fans think that he was stupid for not cashing in. Well if he does get hurt, there are insurance policies that players do buy that will take care of that. You don't think Hossa has thought of that? What's wrong with a player wanting to win instead of cash in??? Isn't that what sport is all about? Wasn't the desire to win a championship at any level the main reason that most people play sports???

Pittsburgh is just upset that he went to Detroit... a place he could have ended up at the deadline.

And now your radio guy "Stigerwald" has the class of a diseased rat to say that the JLA smells like garbage and the building is crap... yeah, Pittsburgh's arena is so nice that they are building a new one, after Mario forced their hand so they can cash in on Luxury suites, higher ticket revenues, more corporate dollars, PSL's. Sounds like Mario is more of a bad guy than Hossa is.

[BlakChamber 8]

True.

But you gotta know that if the situations were reversed, Wings fans here would've been forming a death squad to take Hossa out.

There were people already calling Stuart greedy and bitching about him before he even left. It was just on the speculation and mere thought of him going back to L.A. Turns out he took a discount to stay here, so he can live.

Spot on.

In fact, Pittsburgh fans confuse me. Why is it that you boo Jaromir Jagr... he didn't exactly leave on his own terms, wasn't he dealt at the trade deadline to Washington. Didn't he want to stay??

Why do Pens fan not boo Mario Lemieux. He was more than ready to take the Pens to Kansas City? He basically held your fans and the city hostage with "I'll move them... I swear!!!! I'll do it..."

To be fair, the other 29 fans could say the same about Detroit. Fedorov gets booed and Shanny doesn't.

[miller76 463]

Its very easy to take this type of thing personally as a fan. Like stated earlier the thing with Schneider, it wasn't that he was leaving but where he ended up. I was pissed at him. But we all need to remember the players are all competitors, and playin for the most coveted rophy in sports. And it's not always a plain and simple game. It's a business, it's how many people make their living. You start messing with my dreams and my paycheck were going to have a problem. So I see their ways of thinking. Sometimes I just wish I could will their decisions for them. lol.

[wingfanatic4alltime 32]

Great post to this day i still have bitterness towards fedorov about going to the duckies

[Echolalia 2,961]

Hopefully the team feels the same way and a rivalry builds up between these two teams.

[Guest nutz2u]

First of all welcome to LGW.com

Saying that Pittsburgh fans are whiners and crybabies is a generalization. But you have to admit there has been a more and more of it from a lot of fans, the media, and the staff of the Penguins throughout the finals.

A lot of Pittsburgh fans, media, and coaches, and staff aren't owning up to the fact that Pittsburgh was beaten by a better team.

I hear the "If we had shown up for games 1 and 2..." nonsense. All we've heard is that the Pens just didn't show up for this series. Now we hear that Hossa is a traitor and has no loyalty???

As for Hossa. He was a Penguin for a grand total of 4 months??? He was a rental player. Shero knew the risk in trying to get a rental player. Shero gave up three prospects for Dupuis and Hossa. Hossa showed interest in going to Detroit at the deadline. But the Wings wouldn't pay what Atlanta wanted. The Wings were happy with shoring up the defense (one of the Wings strong points). I'll admit there were a lot of fans here who were upset that we didn't get Hossa. If the cost of getting Hossa was too much then Shero shouldn't have made the deal. This shows the difference between Holland and Shero. Holland wasn't willing to mortgage the Wings future for Hossa. Hossa had a friend here in Tomas Kopecky. The Wings play the type of hockey that Hossa wanted. He also saw what was happening in Pittsburgh. He saw the Pens roster already being dismantled. Malone (the hometown boy) got dealt, what message does that send to potential free agents or players on the roster.

Why should Hossa have felt any loyalty to the Pens? He's a free agent, he is free to sign with whom he wants, how much he wants, and how long? His choice... Detroit. The Wings had everything he wanted. The Wings have the best shot at a cup next year... The team was intact, unlike the Pens. He didn't want to be "stuck" in a long term deal in one place. He is keeping his options open for next year's FA period. The Wings will make Franzen and Zetterberg their priority next summer. The Wings have a long history of players taking less money to play in Detroit. They look at it as a family. If he happens to get hurt next season, look at what the Wings have done with Fischer and Konstantinov. I don't think there is a team that has the level of loyalty as the Wings have.

In fact, Pittsburgh fans confuse me. Why is it that you boo Jaromir Jagr... he didn't exactly leave on his own terms, wasn't he dealt at the trade deadline to Washington. Didn't he want to stay??

Why do Pens fan not boo Mario Lemieux. He was more than ready to take the Pens to Kansas City? He basically held your fans and the city hostage with "I'll move them... I swear!!!! I'll do it..."

The world knows that the Penguins are "Crosby's" team, Malkin and Crosby essentially have the same contract. It's hard to lure other free agents if you have nothing left under the cap. There is always the chance that the salary cap could drop. (Not likely, but it could).

You not only have to think about the next season, but you have to look beyond that. Which is what Holland did. He said that he wasn't going to give anybody more money than Nick Lidstrom. He is on a 1 year contract. Pens fans think that he was stupid for not cashing in. Well if he does get hurt, there are insurance policies that players do buy that will take care of that. You don't think Hossa has thought of that? What's wrong with a player wanting to win instead of cash in??? Isn't that what sport is all about? Wasn't the desire to win a championship at any level the main reason that most people play sports???

Pittsburgh is just upset that he went to Detroit... a place he could have ended up at the deadline.

And now your radio guy "Stigerwald" has the class of a diseased rat to say that the JLA smells like garbage and the building is crap... yeah, Pittsburgh's arena is so nice that they are building a new one, after Mario forced their hand so they can cash in on Luxury suites, higher ticket revenues, more corporate dollars, PSL's. Sounds like Mario is more of a bad guy than Hossa is.

Mario was the biggest whiner in the league when he played and it rubbed off on the whole organization. Sid has a great teacher in whine with Mario which explains why he's soooo good at it.

[Superman54 91]

Hopefully the team feels the same way and a rivalry builds up between these two teams.

God I can't wait for the duck/wing games!

[Yemack 1]

Hello Wings fans.

I am, as you can likely tell from the title of this thread, a huge Penguins fan. Have been my whole life.

First, congrats on your Cup. It was well deserved.

....

But I just wanted to explain why we all dislike the guy so much.

We are not crybabies, whiners, losers like some of you have said. We just need(ed) an outlet, and he's it.

Thank you for reading this.

I pefectly understand that you guys have legitimate reason to be pissed. Hell, you have no idea what I'm going to say if I were in your shoes.

However, Hossa is one of us now and I'm gonna make fun of people who criticize it as much as I want.. in this forum no less.

and frankly I have no beef with Penguins fans, since the backlash was to be expected. If you guys are normal human being, you should call him out in all sorts of name IMO and that's what makes sports more entertaining. My main beef is with other team fans and media people who think Hossa is all about Money and wish our demise. They can kiss my arse for all I care.

Edited July 7, 2008 by Yemack

[Booster313 138]

I think if everyone here is being completely honest they would agree with you. The bottom line is that no one likes to be rejected by someone they like. Hossa rejected the Pens. But he did it for himself, he made a move that he feels will be a better fit. He didn't do it for a paycheck and there has to be some admiration in that.

[octopusonice 0]

It's understandable that Pens' fan would show their frustration at the loss of Hossa. The Pens have a pretty good core and I would not be surprised to see them contend for the Cup in the next few years. Problem is they put too many eggs in this year's basket.

[irishtemper14+25 11]

If that happened to me i wouldnt have been able to be as gentlemanly as your post was

having said that, i did get a little annoyed when Schneider and Big Bert left for the team that knocked us off and Bobby("lazy and sucks") Lang, but i wasnt mad for too long

I'm just looking forward for the new season =D