Hossa Comparison

With just about 12 hours until general managers can sign free agents I have come to believe that it could be impossible to sign Hossa due to his demands and the Bruins restraints. Do I want Chiarelli to sign Hossa? Of course I do. However, he could very well go elsewhere which in turn, would leave the team scrambling for a plan B. I have your plan B that could possibly equal production with a cheaper cap hit.

Marian Hossa, Age: 29, Last year's Cap Hit: $7 Million
72GP, 29G, 37A, -14, 8PPG, 21PPA, 36PIM

Radim Vrbata, Age: 27, Last Year's Cap Hit: $1.225 Million
76 GP, 27G, 29A, +6, 7PPG, 8PPA, 14 PIM

Ok, these guys are eerily similar when it comes to numbers and when you click on their names and look at their assets and their flaws it makes you wonder a bit. I can even explain the numbers as to why Vrbata is at a slight disadvantage to Hossa. Hossa has far more assists because of who he had to set up this past season (Kovalchuk, Crosby, Malkin, etc.). Vrbata had Doan, Mueller, Reinprecht, etc. Which grouping would you rather set up or get passes from (granted the first group is from two teams)? The Phoenix team plus/minus was -97 so it is amazing that anyone could be in the plus. Vrbata had the highest +/- among forwards for the Coyotes.

Coming up...defensive plan B...and possibly plan C