John Jaeckel: Source: Big Changes Possibly Looming

Seems like knee jerk reactions. Especially Hossa retiring.

Seems like knee jerk reactions. Especially Hossa retiring.
- Lahey

That's his call. if I were him, the thought would certainly cross my mind.

What else, specifically, is knee jerk?

That's his call. if I were him, the thought would certainly cross my mind.

What else, specifically, is knee jerk?
- John Jaeckel

Sure it's his call, but I like how when someone gets hurt a week later we hear these rumors that someone within the Hossa camp is urging him to retire. Seems like something that is used to get hits.

Big decisions shouldn't happen 2 days after being knocked out of the playoffs. Talk of retirement shouldn't happen a week after a guy gets hurt. Patientance.

In your opinion, what organizational changes do you think could happen? Q getting fired? Kitchen and Havi gone? McD let go? I don't think StanBo would be canned since you mentioned Scotty will have a strong influence unless they move Stan back to the number crunching and bring in a bonafide hockey evaluator at GM.

That's his call. if I were him, the thought would certainly cross my mind.

What else, specifically, is knee jerk?
- John Jaeckel

Wow. This seems a way too early for Hossa to start thinking about retirement. Don't want to question your source, but it's been a week since his injury. Just seems way too early for him to even have time to really assess the injury, let alone ponder retirement.

I do love Hossa, but if he does choose to retire, that would be a big plus for the organization long-term. Then they could easily target a big name (Nash? ), or add two solid $4MM a year forwards.

John Jaeckel: Source: Big Changes Possibly Looming
- John Jaeckel

Rocky Wirtz is not dumb. Ultimately Rocky has been a businessman all his life and knows the one thing that drives business is the product. As great as the marketing "wham bam" is.. it's the product that drives business.

If what you are reporting is true about Hossa what a downright travesty that would be and one of the worst stories in the NHL in recent memory. I hope that we haven't seen the last of Big Hoss in an NHL uniform.

Wow. This seems a way too early for Hossa to start thinking about retirement. Don't want to question your source, but it's been a week since his injury. Just seems way too early for him to even have time to really assess the injury, let alone ponder retirement.

I do love Hossa, but if he does choose to retire, that would be a big plus for the organization long-term. Then they could easily target a big name (Nash? ), or add two solid $4MM a year forwards.
- coldsteelonice

I don't see this as being too early at all. He's been injured a lot lately, has won, has a lot of money, family and is going through a catastrophic injury. If anything the offseason is the perfect time to re-evaluate things.

Wow. This seems a way too early for Hossa to start thinking about retirement. Don't want to question your source, but it's been a week since his injury. Just seems way too early for him to even have time to really assess the injury, let alone ponder retirement.

I do love Hossa, but if he does choose to retire, that would be a big plus for the organization long-term. Then they could easily target a big name (Nash? ), or add two solid $4MM a year forwards.
- coldsteelonice

What if his source is saying that Hossa's wife wants him to retire? The night he got hit, I thought to myself, 'what if this injury is bad enough to force him into retirement?' As JJ said in his blog, Hossa is 34, he's won a Cup, he's idolized back at home, he has a family, and he has well over $20mil. What does he have to gain? Let's say he does come back and has another massive hit put on him...

I hope he doesn't retire...but this wouldn't surprise me at all. As nice as it would be to have extra cap space...it would still be a shame to see one of the game's best two way players be forced into early retirement.

I also thought 25 games was eye popping when I found out about the suspension Torres would serve....if Hossa does retire now, 25 games doesn't seem like enough...

JJ - thanks for the effort you put in, always enjoy your write ups and the banter

enjoy the summer and your family

John Jaeckel: Source: Big Changes Possibly Looming
- John Jaeckel

You need some fresh faces. Say...Dave Bolland for Drew Stafford and Mike Weber.
You'll be parading with the cup again in no time-

John Jaeckel: Source: Big Changes Possibly Looming
- John Jaeckel

JJ,

I enjoy your blogs, thanks for the work you do.

I feel for Hossa. He deserves better then to have some no talent take his career from him. (if he decides to hang them up)

Hossa is a class act, from what I hear, and is exactly what all athletes should aspire to be.

I will be praying for Hossa to make a full recovery and to get back to some sense of normalcy.

The CBA is the thing we will have to wait out. I'm sure Rocky is clued in as to what the new CBA will look like but obviously he won't do anything until it's signed. This could be a very boring off season until that gets done.

Regarding Hoss, if the concussion symptoms fade realitivly soon, I think Hossa plays another year. If not, I think he'll skate off into the sunset which would suck but be totally understandable. Some of his decision might be determined by the new CBA and what the NHL does regarding head hits.

Don't you mean "Big Changes Luo'ming?"

Well John, our two teams are not so much different from one another. High caliber talent that other teams wish they had, but for whatever reason could not make things work the past few years (1st round exits) I will be honest though, I am much more confident in Ray Shero than Stan Bowman. I think the offseasons for the Hawks, Pens, and Predators are going to be fascinating to follow.

Thanks for another season of high caliber writing, I might not comment all the time but I do get my Hawks info here, kudos.

I don't see this as being too early at all. He's been injured a lot lately, has won, has a lot of money, family and is going through a catastrophic injury. If anything the offseason is the perfect time to re-evaluate things.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Who really thought a 40+ year old Hossa would be playing for the Hawks.. If I am Hossa, I really think hard about this.. I love the guy, but family comes first, and the way it seems the NHL is going back to goon central.. He might end up worse off, for a coupel of extra bucks.

What if his source is saying that Hossa's wife wants him to retire? The night he got hit, I thought to myself, 'what if this injury is bad enough to force him into retirement?' As JJ said in his blog, Hossa is 34, he's won a Cup, he's idolized back at home, he has a family, and he has well over $20mil. What does he have to gain? Let's say he does come back and has another massive hit put on him...

I hope he doesn't retire...but this wouldn't surprise me at all. As nice as it would be to have extra cap space...it would still be a shame to see one of the game's best two way players be forced into early retirement.

I also thought 25 games was eye popping when I found out about the suspension Torres would serve....if Hossa does retire now, 25 games doesn't seem like enough...
- frafra

If he's still having concussion symptoms in 3 months, then it absolutely makes sense. All I'm saying is that it's been one week and we still haven't "heard" the extent of the injury, but JJ "heard" he may consider retiring? Maybe he made a frustrated comment about if they don't fix these headshots, then (frank) it, I'll just retire. It's been a week after a very long season, I gotta think he's focusing on getting healthy as soon as possible rather than if or when he may retire.

JJ,

I enjoy your blogs, thanks for the work you do.

I feel for Hossa. He deserves better then to have some no talent take his career from him. (if he decides to hang them up)

Hossa is a class act, from what I hear, and is exactly what all athletes should aspire to be.
I will be praying for Hossa to make a full recovery and to get back to some sense of normalcy.
- ggunky

+1000, this is why I like him so much as a player...

Who really thought a 40+ year old Hossa would be playing for the Hawks.. If I am Hossa, I really think hard about this.. I love the guy, but family comes first, and the way it seems the NHL is going back to goon central.. He might end up worse off, for a coupel of extra bucks.
- victorymc98

Well, 7.9 million of them a year for the next few years...

Sure it's his call, but I like how when someone gets hurt a week later we hear these rumors that someone within the Hossa camp is urging him to retire. Seems like something that is used to get hits.

Big decisions shouldn't happen 2 days after being knocked out of the playoffs. Talk of retirement shouldn't happen a week after a guy gets hurt. Patientance.
- Lahey

Did you see the hit? Really? Not only a concussion, at least a grade 1; don't know if it was grade 2, but severe whiplash. So not only is his noggin hurt, there could be spinal cord issues too.

Well John, our two teams are not so much different from one another. High caliber talent that other teams wish they had, but for whatever reason could not make things work the past few years (1st round exits) I will be honest though, I am much more confident in Ray Shero than Stan Bowman. I think the offseasons for the Hawks, Pens, and Predators are going to be fascinating to follow.

Thanks for another season of high caliber writing, I might not comment all the time but I do get my Hawks info here, kudos.
- Gunner Staal

I would kill to have Malkin...just saying

Sure it's his call, but I like how when someone gets hurt a week later we hear these rumors that someone within the Hossa camp is urging him to retire. Seems like something that is used to get hits.

Big decisions shouldn't happen 2 days after being knocked out of the playoffs. Talk of retirement shouldn't happen a week after a guy gets hurt. Patientance.
- Lahey

K, well, I hoped that wasn't where you were going. You are wrong and don't know what you're talking abut.

John Jaeckel: Source: Big Changes Possibly Looming
- John Jaeckel

Bowman, on Hossa: "We're very optimistic... We don't approach it any differently than any other injury."

Interesting the first thing he says is that goaltending in general was not a strength.

Bowman on core: "All Star type players" & that it is very difficult to move those types of players and to only get those same type of players back. We know those players, they are young, proven winners and isn't really something we are fixating on. I have a lot of faith that in these guys.

Seems like knee jerk reactions. Especially Hossa retiring.
- Lahey

JJ stated, "I am told some in Hossa's inner circle are urging the injured winger to seriously assess whether risking further injuries is worth it in terms of his longterm health."

It is not uncommon for family members or friends to have such reaction! It does not mean that Hossa agrees or initiated retirement talk.

It's not atypical reaction at all. We have no idea of the severity of the injury or the implications if he were experience another severe it.

The points that JJ makes indicate that Hossa considering retirement is not surprising at all.

Wow. This seems a way too early for Hossa to start thinking about retirement. Don't want to question your source, but it's been a week since his injury. Just seems way too early for him to even have time to really assess the injury, let alone ponder retirement.

I do love Hossa, but if he does choose to retire, that would be a big plus for the organization long-term. Then they could easily target a big name (Nash? ), or add two solid $4MM a year forwards.
- coldsteelonice

I don't disagree. I am not saying he will retire. I am saying that if he doesn't feel better in a couple of months, there are those telling him to consider it. It is not surprising (to me) at all.