How much do you respect Marian Hossa?

Question

Marian Hossa signed a one year deal with the Detroit Red Wings worth about $7.5 million. Yeah, I know, this is old news. He could have easily picked up a multi year deal worth in the ball park of $9 million a year. He signed with the team that gives him the best chance to win the Stanley Cup next year. He is taking a big financial risk by doing this, but he wants to win. And to me, that is worth a lot of respect.

Answer 1

i have no respect for hossa

Answer 2

There is no way "settling" for $7.4** mil is financially risking for anybody, but I'm also sick of hearing things like "he jumped on the bandwagon, he signed with the enemy, he should have helped another team win".

I'm not trying to offend anybody, but lay off of the guy.  Am I still b*tching about Mathieu Schneider and Todd Bertuzzi (thank God he's gone) leaving the Wings to go to the Ducks right after they lost to Anaheim in the WCF?  No, you get over it because players like that aren't players you want on your team anyway.

The difference between Schneider and Hossa is that Schneider was with us for the whole season.  Hossa was "The Enemy" of Pittsburgh and 28 other teams in the league for most of the season before signing with everybody's favorite pick to win the Cup.  THAT was jumping on the bandwagon.  What difference does it make if he jumps off of the Pens' bandwagon and onto the Wings'?  He doesn't have the responsibility of giving another contender a chance.  He signed with the Pens and played with Sergei Gonchar, Malkin, Crosby, Sykora...etc.  If he can't beat the Red Wings with that team, what other "contender" can he help out enough to ensure victory?  You can't blame the guy for wanting to win the Cup.  This time last year, he was in Atlanta wondering if he would even see the playoffs.

Of course it's easy for me, a Wings fan, to say that considering he only further solidified our chances of winning.  Still, you have to understand that this game is an industry.  Business transactions are made, and maybe he didn't like being dealt to Pittsburgh.  Of course he said he "loves" Pittsburgh in the interview.  I'd expect him to say that even if he was in Phoenix.  You have to get the trust and respect of the fans and teammates in order to have chemistry and succeed, so why would he say, "Naw, I'd like to get the frick out of Pittsburgh ASAP."  He did that for the sake of morale.  He was only there for 4 months.  What loyalty is expected of "seasonal" help?

You don't have to like him, but the complaints get old.  It's a pro-sport, and stuff like this happens.  Hockey is the least greed-driven sport out there.  I don't blame him for coming to Detroit, and since he's signing a one-year deal, I still won't blame him if he leaves us next season.  Why?  Because unlike some, not all, but some Pittsburgh fans, I'm not expecting him to build a new house, post up and be a franchise player.  Accept him for what he is, and understand what his contract implies.

EDIT - Orcelina, last paragraph, second before last sentence.  I clearly stated SOME, not all but SOME Pittsburgh fans.  Calm your oversensitive *** down.

Answer 3

I really wouldnt respect him if i was a penguins fan but i can bet he signed with them obviously he wants to win the cup and he feels that the defending champs are the best bet to do it with also with him on such a good team his stats will be a little inflated compared to if he was with an average team that is only a playoff type of team( i am not saying that he isnt a great player) then next year he signs a huge deal also in hopes that the salary cap goes up even more so that the max salary is closer to 11 mil per  b/c if he does win  the cup and another team wants him for obviously his skill and talent but also for his experience in the cup finals and winning it

Answer 4

um 0%

Answer 5

that does give me a lot of respect for him it also give me respect tht he made my team stronger lol now the wings will win the cup again for sure i hope..

GO RED WINGS!!!

Answer 6

Hossa-Zetterberg-Holmstrom

Filpula-Datsyuk-Franzen

LET'S GO RED WINGS!!!!!

Answer 7

Taking less money to go to the current Stanley Cup champs isn't worthy of respect.  Any dumba$$ would do that.  

Please feel free to down thumb me cause I know you will, but Sid resigned his contract last year to the tune of 1.9M less to keep players, and again said this year he would do the same to keep Hossa.  Malkin did the same thing.  He signed for WAY less than he could've gotten on the market (not to try to keep Hossa though, just to stay with the Pens).  That to me shows not only a devotion to your team and teammates but that you believe in what you have going.  Hossa just didn't believe and that's fine.  But don't tell me he's some sort of saint for making a move any free agent would if given the chance.

But what do I know, I'm from Pittsburgh and according to Dynasty I'm an idiot bandwagoner who knows nothing about anything and god forbid I have any opinions because no matter what, they are always wrong.

Answer 8

What is not to respect? He left 9million/year for 9 years on the table, because he cares more about a championship. It is not a lock that Detroit will win, but he gave himself a great chance to try to win the Cup. The only reason one would say that they don't respect him is if they are angry that he didn't go to their team, basically jealous that Detroit can convince players to take less than market value to play for the Wings

Answer 9

I dont like his attitude, its like he wants to be given a cup instead of earning one.  Going directly to the winning team just after losing to them in the finals, come on.  It would not be fun for me winning the cup knowing that i didnt need to be there.  The red wings have pretty much the same team as last year except now with hossa.  They could easily repeat withpout hossa.  Its just that hossa wants to be givin the cup instead of working for it.  if i went to the team thats winning it would make me lose all respect for myself

You said he wants to win, but whats winning if he doesnt even have to play a minute and detroit will still win the conference, i dont think he deserves respect, even i would say signing with a team like edmonton, where he makes contributions to winning, would make me have respect for him.

Answer 10

No Respect...Great player don't get me wong, but he just jumped ship to the enemys team that he just finished fighting a war against. To me he jumped right onto that bandwagon.

Karma will make him have no cup and less money this year. ala' Earl Hickey....Do good things and good things happen....do bad things....well you know the rest!!!!

Answer 11

I lost respect for him. he joined the team that he lost to in the final. i guess he wasnt a very good teammate to the Penguins. he just abandoned them, but i do admire that he isnt in it for the money this year, if only more players were like that

Answer 12

I dont share your sentiment exactly.  Personally, I dont feel making a guarenteed 7.5 million in a year is a financial risk at all.  I also dont totally agree with the mentality of signing with the best team in the league so he can win a championship.  I respect him as a player because he is great, but I dont agree with signing with the best team to stack said team and win a championship...sign with a contender and make them better in order to win.....to me thats more impressive