Not even a celebratory birthday post could help the slumping Chicago Blackhawks attract a different fate of late. Having lost four in a row and six of their last seven, this rebuilding club is certainly starting to look like one. However, that was to be expected, so let’s not overreact as though we have reason to be all that surprised.
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This edition of Blackhawks News & Rumors illustrates how a club can be surrounded by celebration amid an actual lack thereof.
Blackhawks Raise Hossa’s No. 81 to Rafters
Arguably one of the greatest free agent acquisitions in NHL history, let alone for the Blackhawks organization itself, what Marián Hossa accomplished following his 2009 signing was nothing short of Hall of Fame worthy. Having already entered hockey’s most prestigious home, the only thing that remained was to see his legacy cemented in Chicago.
On Nov. 20, the Blackhawks officially retired Hossa’s No. 81. Fittingly, the celebration occurred prior to their game against another of Hossa’s former teams, the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Hossa was only with the Penguins for 32 games total in 2007-08, which included a deep playoff run wherein he earned 26 points throughout 20 contests. However, despite that obvious impact, what he went on to accomplish in Chicago is far more impressive.
Part of the exclusive group of seven to have won three Stanley Cups between 2010-2015 with the Blackhawks, Hossa’s postseason influence proved to be the piece missing from what then turned into a dynasty. As evidenced by the 48 points accumulated during the 2010, 2013, and 2015 playoffs — which included five game-winners — let alone his 57.1 Corsi for percentage (CF%) throughout that same span.
But that’s merely a small snippet of what he accomplished during his eight campaigns with Chicago. His stat line from 2009-10 to 2016-17 includes 186 goals, 229 assists, 415 points, 29 game-winning goals, 211 blocks, 348 hits, and 473 takeaways in the regular season alone. Simply stated, Hossa was one of the most effective two-way players of his time.
That he’s now among Chicago’s greatest, as only the eighth Blackhawk to have his name raised to their rafters, is more than deserved.
Surrounded by a number of familiar faces synonymous with those dominant Blackhawks rosters of the 2010s, including
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