Marian Hossa played in 81 games and averaged just under 20 minutes of ice time per game in 2011-12. Hossa nearly performed at a point-per-game pace, scoring 29 goals with 48 assists for 77 points. Nine goals and 11 assists came on the power play with two goals and assist when the Hawks were shorthanded. Hossa also had four game-winning goals. He finished the regular season at plus-18 and was credited with 73 hits.
Hossa's playoff run was cut short due to the vicious hit by Phoenix's Raffi Torres in Game 3. Prior to that, he was unable to record a point while going plus-3 in the first two games of the series.
Boden's take: Things went from bad to worst for Hossa with the Torres hit. That game was the 11th in a row he'd failed to score a goal, and he collected just four assists over that time. Still, up until that point, figure he and Patrick Sharp were neck-and-neck for being this team's MVP for the regular season. Ironically, this was his healthiest season since becoming a Hawk, missing just one game. He still dominated stretches of games with his strength with -- and handling of -- the puck.
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Myers' take: The big right wing finally got a decent summers worth of rest after three consecutive Cup runs, and it showed in his game immediately last season. Whether it was all of that recuperation, his teaming with Patrick Kane, or both, Hossa was stellar, scoring 20 of his goals before the All-Star break. But after that All-Star trip to Ottawa, he tailed off. He was one of several Blackhawks stars who dipped around that time, which included that awful nine-game winless streak. Hossas last goal came on March 20, and he was quiet during the first two games of the postseason. Then, of course, Torres ended his season with that hit to the head in Game 3. It was a brutal injury for a player who was finally having a healthy season again.
2012-13 Expectations
Boden: Everyone's hoping Hossa's back at full strength whenever training camp begins, but this concussion recovery started out at an extremely slow pace. The fact that he doesn't need to rush back over these months is hopefully a plus, but a head injury that severe makes the process even more uncertain and makes the victim more vulnerable once he does return to play.
He was in optimum shape last season, so the hope is he'll have enough time to get close to that by the time the curtain goes up. He'll also turn 34 next January. While his career high of 45 goals and 100 points might not be attainable again, the Hawks would certainly take the season he gave them last year. It might also help if Joel Quenneville and his staff can take some of the penalty-killing load off of him to save his battery.
News
Myers: First things first: hope Hossa regains his health, 100 percent, this offseason. Hossa didnt sound well when he talked with the media on May 3. But general manager Stan Bowman said last week that hes getting reports that Hossa is feeling better. He has some time before hed start his normal offseason workout routine and hopefully he will be able to begin that on time. Bowman hopes Hossa will be ready by training camp. But considering the nature of this injury and its unpredictable recovery process, he just needs to regain his health first and foremost.
How do you feel about this evaluation? As always, be sure to chime in with your thoughts by commenting below and check out the video breakdown of Hossa above.
Up next: Patrick Kane