What hockey deal would you offer for Hossa?
Atlanta Thrashers GM Don Waddell will probably field offers at this week’s GMs meeting for Marian Hossa, but he’s not going to accept just picks and prospects. Waddell wants “a hockey deal”, something that’ll help his team now, and if he can’t find that deal he won’t move Hossa.
The Thrashers playoff hopes are better with Hossa than without unless they can get one or two quality players to help them make it.
So what hockey deal would you offer up for him? Remember, this is Marian Hossa, just turned 29, coming off a 100 point season, who has only been a – in +/- in his 7 game rookie year (-1) and this year (-12 to date). He is +87 for his career. Has 635 points in 686 games, including almost 300 goals (296) and 339 assists. He also has 35 points in 55 playoff games. Getting him will require giving up at least some player you probably don’t want to.
For the Penguins, I think any offer would have to include Ryan Malone, or it wouldn’t get done. Malone is playing some of his best hockey of late, is fit, and learned to fight in the offseason and would be a huge loss, but it may be worth it to land Hossa.
I’d offer something like:
Malone
Christensen/Kennedy
Orpik
I doubt the Thrashers would get a much better return elsewhere. They get an immediate top 6 forward to replace Hossa, plus an extra top 4 defenseman in Orpik, and also a young guy in Christensen or Kennedy. It seems like a lot to give up for the Pens, but if Hossa could fit in to the team cap-wise, giving up Orpik and Malone, who could command upwards and over $4 million combined, would probably be necessary. Also, the Penguins have lots of young talent still waiting to come up. If we could get away with trading Nathan Smith or someone like Filewich instead of Kennedy (who I think will be a great player one day), I’d be all for it.
What do you think of that trade proposal?
What do you think your team would HAVE to offer to actually get him?