The marriage was short lived as the Penguins only picked up Hossa on Feb. 26 2008 (the trade deadline). He rode the wave to the Stanley Cup Championship with the team, but when the Pens lost he decided to pack his things and go.
The move was so quick that many Pens fans might be doing a double take right now.
And they are right in doing so.
How could they not feel betrayed after finding out that Hossa accepted a $7.5 million contract for one year to the team that defeated them in the Stanley Cup Championship. Especially when the Pens offered him at least $7 million.
Was it the money Hossa? Or was there another reason?
It couldn't have been the money as he was offered at least
$8 million dollar per year elsewhere. The true reason is quite clear when you look at the words of Hossa himself.
"It was a really tough decision for me to make," he
said. "When I compared the two teams, I felt like I would have a little better of a chance to win the Cup in Detroit."
It is quite clear that the deadly sin that brought this relationship down like a house of cards was lust.
Have you no shame, Marián? Don't you remember the days when you said that the Pens had so much talent it was scary?
Remember when you
said, "You look at their centers, they have Malkin, Crosby, Staal, it doesn't really matter who you play with, it's an excellent opportunity"? Could you not show your appreciation for that opportunity by resigning with the team?
Like in many relationships that are doomed to failure from the beginning, he was out the door right after the honeymoon.
But true Pens fans should not mourn for this loss. Do not get depressed over the failed marriage. There is a promising rebound relationship on the horizon with either Mats Sundin or a return of Jaromir Jagr, who are both unrestricted free agents.
