NHL Free Agency: Hossa To The Blackhawks

NHL free agency began in the wee hours of the morning, and unlike NBA free agency, teams can immediately sign players. Taking advantage of that, the Chicago Blackhawks signed forward Marian Hossa to a 12-year contract today. Terms of the deal were not reported. Hossa, who played just one season for Detroit, is one of the best players in the league. Chicago was a very good team last season, and the addition of Hossa make them that much better. Yahoo! Sports:

The Chicago Blackhawks dipped deep into the NHL free-agent market by signing star forward Marian Hossa away from the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday with a 12-year contract.

Hossa, who surprisingly took a one-year deal with the defending champion Red Wings last summer, cashed in this time. The four-time All-Star and 11-year NHL veteran has played on the Stanley Cup runner-up the last two seasons. The Blackhawks are his fourth team since 2008.

Chicago also signed center Tomas Kopecky, who, like Hossa, played last season with the Red Wings. He was knocked out of the playoffs after sustained injuries to his face during a fight with Anaheim Ducks defensemanFrancois Beauchemin in the second round.

“To add Marian, an elite and world-class player, and Tomas, a Stanley Cup champion, to our exciting young core reinforces our commitment to try to win the Stanley Cup,” general manager Dale Tallon said.