After months of speculation over where Marian Hossa could end up, he finally made his choice today and it was a surprising one.

The fact Hossa signed with the Detroit Red Wings wasn’t surprising, it’s the deal he signed with them, spurning more lucrative offers from other teams to sign a one-year, $7.4 million contract.

Hossa was fielding multi-year offers worth over $9 million per season to opt for a one-year opportunity for less than market value to win a Stanley Cup.

Signing with a Cup contender was Hossa’s long-stated intent and with the defending Stanley Cup champions he stands a great chance of doing so.

Among the teams vying for Hossa’s services was the Pittsburgh Penguins, who reportedly offered him a multi-year contract believed to be between $7.5 -$8 million per season.

Draw your own conclusions.

It certainly says a lot about the respect Hossa has for the Red Wings organization that he’d agree to just a one-year deal for less money to play for them when he could’ve earned a king’s ransom elsewhere. When you’re the class of the league like the Red Wings, you can pretty much name your price and most players will jump for it.

This move also gives Hossa some flexibility for if he wins a championship next season with the Red Wings he can then jump into next summer’s UFA pool where he’ll again likely attract big money offers.

It may be an opportunistic move by Hossa but obviously he and the Red Wings have no problem with it.

In an unexpected turn of events, the Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired Marian Hossa and Pascal Dupuis from the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for forwards Colby Armstrong, Erik Christensen, prospect Angelo Esposito and a first round pick.

The Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens were believed in the bidding war for Hossa, so this move by the Penguins comes as a huge shock, the biggest of this year’s deadline.

It’s a huge move by the Penguins, who weren’t expected to make any major moves at the deadline, and it’s also a puzzling one.

While there’s no question Hossa adds another big gun to the Penguins offensive arsenal, he’s only expected to be a playoff rental player. The Penguins cannot possibly hope to re-sign him and still have cash available to re-sign rising superstar Evgeni Malkin at the end of next season.

With the Penguins playing so well despite losing Sidney Crosby and Marc-Andre Fleury to injuries, it’s odd as to why GM Ray Shero would make this move. The Penguins have no problem in the scoring department, indeed, with Crosby expected back very soon they’d be getting a significant offfensive boost.

Bringing in Hossa makes no sense other than the Penguins are going for it this season, loading up for a Cup run.

However, by bringing in Hossa, it’s possible Shero may have upset his team’s chemistry. Armstrong was close friends with Crosby and along with Christensen were considered valuable members of the rising young Penguins.

And if the Pens fail to re-sign Hossa after this season, they’ll have parted with significant assets with nothing to show for it this summer.

The Thrashers won’t be able to replace Hossa’s offense this season, but Armstrong and Christensen could become valuable additions both now and for the future, while Esposito has the potential to become a scorer in the NHL with more seasoning.

It’s that time of year again, folks, when the rumor mill goes into overdrive churning out all sorts of speculation as the NHL trade deadline nears.

And as always, a lot of what’s being spewed out is downright wacky.

Montreal trading Michael Ryder to Calgary for Alex Tanguay or to Atlanta for Marian Hossa?

Sure, if one overlooks the fact Tanguay has no desire to waive his “no-trade” clause to play in Montreal and that Thrashers GM Don Waddell isn’t an ####.

The Los Angeles Kings trading Rob Blake to the Anaheim Ducks?

As if Ducks GM Brian Burke’s blueline isn’t deep enough! Besides, Burke’s interest is in bolstering his offence, not adding another big-name defenseman to an already loaded defense corps.

Tampa Bay trading Brad Richards to Chicago for Nikolai Khabibulin?

Look, I know the Bolts desperately need a quality starting goaltender, but Khabibulin isn’t one anymore, and his salary ($6.75 million) is almost as pricey as Richards’ ($7.8 million), and oh yeah, Richards has a “no-trade” clause and no intention of waiving it.

Dallas trading Marty Turco to Tampa Bay for Martin St. Louis?

Which part of “no-trade clause” did you not understand?

The Carolina Hurricanes trading Eric Staal to the Edmonton Oilers?

I didn’t realize Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford wanted to get out of his contract to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs that badly.

Maybe these trades happen if you’re in a fantasy league or playing NHL 2K8. They don’t happen in today’s NHL.

Expect more wild and wacky rumors between now and the trade deadline on February 26th, which is now mercifully close meaning we won’t have to hear these nonsensical speculations for much longer!

With the NHL’s trade deadline fast approaching here’s my take on some players thought to be possible trade bait and who might be on the move by February 26th:

Mats Sundin: As long as the Toronto Maple Leafs have a shot at a playoff berth, he won’t waive his “no-trade” clause.

Marian Hossa: The Atlanta Thrashers are trying to re-sign him leading to speculation that if he’s not re-signed by the deadline he’ll be shopped. If the Thrashers are still in the playoff chase I suspect GM Don Waddell won’t move him, but if not, he could indeed hit the trade block.   

Alex Tanguay: His name’s popped up this past week due to media concerns about the Calgary Flames off-season cap issues, but he’s denied seeking a trade or being asked to waive his NTC. I suspect Flames GM Darryl Sutter could retain him for the upcoming playoffs and perhaps consider shopping him in the off-season.

Olli Jokinen: Ever notice that it’s Canadian-based media outlets that often report the Florida Panthers captain could be traded? Ever notice that to date they’ve yet to be right?

Rob Blake: He says he hasn’t agreed to waive his NTC or asked to waive it, but the possibility exists that this LA Kings blueliner could be playing elsewhere by February 26th.

Jaromir Jagr: If the NY Rangers were to shop him I have my doubts there’d be many takers given his low production this season and his reputation for moodiness.

Patrick Marleau: A fixture in the rumor mill since last April, his below-average stats and the expensive ($12.6 million) two year contract (with a no-trade clause) beginning next season should keep him in the Shark tank.

Dan Boyle and Vaclav Prospal: Tampa Bay Lightning GM Jay Feaster suggested that if the club fails to make a playoff push he could be forced into making some cost-cutting moves, leading to speculation impending UFAs Boyle and Prospal could be part of those moves.

Brian Campbell: He’s postponed his contract talks with the Buffalo Sabres until the off-season. That’s led to trade speculation that Sabres GM Darcy Regier rejected, claiming he hopes to re-sign Campbell. I believe him.  

Maxim Afinogenov and Dmitri Kalinin: The former has struggled offensively this season and the latter’s eligible for UFA status this summer. I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of the Sabres trying to move either guy by the deadline.

J.P. Dumont: The Nashville Predators might not have enough money available this summer to re-sign him and if they’re out of the playoff race in a month’s time could consider shopping Dumont.

Michael Ryder: The Montreal Canadiens aren’t expected to re-sign him after this season and could try to move him in the coming weeks. His sub-par production this season however could hurt his trade value.

Nikolai Khabibulin: I wouldn’t doubt Chicago Blackhawks management would love to dump the remaining year and $6.75 million on his contract, but that and his poor performance this season won’t make him enticing to anyone at this year’s deadline.  

Yanic Perreault: The Chicago Blackhawks could try to peddle this faceoff specialist to a Stanley Cup contender.

#### Tarnstrom: He’s been considered the odd man out on the Edmonton Oilers blueline, and with some teams seeking a veteran puck-moving defenceman Tarnstrom could attract some attention leading up to the deadline.

Keith Carney: This blueline veteran was a frequent scratch in the first half of this season, and he could end up shopped by the Minnesota Wild in the coming weeks.

Christian Backman: Plenty of speculation the St. Louis Blues could shop a defenceman for depth elsewhere in the roster, and Backman’s name has been floated as part of those rumors.

Bear in mind, folks, that this is only a quick observation of who might or might not be dealt. There are likely to be players that no one suspected as trade bait who could be traded by February 26th, and that most of the above-mentioned players could end up staying with their respective teams.

Feel free to chip in with names you think might be on the move by the deadline. It'll be interesting to review this list and your takes after February 26th.

With the Atlanta Thrashers off to an 0-6 start to this season changes were bound to happen.

On Wednesday the Thrashers announced the firing of Bob Hartley as head coach. GM Don Waddell is expected to take over on an interim basis until a permanent replacement is found.

The Thrashers have been terrible thus far this season, particularly their defensive game. Granted, Hartley bears some responsibility but I can’t help but feel however that Hartley is merely the convenient fall guy.

Atlanta lost several key players during the off-season that were partially responsible last season for the club’s first post-season appearance.

Keith Tkachuk, Andy Sutton, Eric Belanger, Greg de Vries, Shane Hnidy and Jon Sim all departed via free agency and management (Waddell) did little to adequately replace them.

Waddell’s hands might’ve been tied in that regard, given the infighting for sole control of the Thrashers (and the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks) between Steve Belkin and the rest of the ownership might be putting some limitations on the Thrashers budget.

Still, with a payroll currently sitting at over $44 million for this season, Waddell hasn’t gotten a lot of #### for the buck and ultimately he bears the responsibility for the club’s poor start.

There's scoring punch in Marian Hossa, Ilya Kovalchuk and Slava Kozlov, but they can't be expected to also kill penalies, patrol the blueline or playing a checking role against their rivals' top lines.

Waddell still hasn't found a quality first line center since Marc Savard departed via free agency in 2006, and too much money is tied up in aging players like Bobby Holik and Alexei Zhitnik.

Their blueline depth is this club’s Achilles heel, for beyond Zhitnik and Nicolas Havelid there’s little else of note besides an aging and slow Ken Klee. That’s made it tough for netminders Kari Lehtonen and Johan Hedberg, although they too have been guilty of uninspired play thus far this season.

Worse, a struggling season could have an adverse effect upon Waddell's efforts to re-sign Hossa, who's an unrestricted free agent this year.

A return to mediocrity so soon after making their first post-season appearance could also hurt them at the gate this season, which could stoke speculation that this franchise is in serious trouble.

Hartley did the best he could this season with the roster Waddell gave him. Good luck finding a new head coach that can make a silk purse out of this sow’s ear.

Marian Hossa, Ilya Kovalchuk, Slava Kozlov, Keith Tkachuk.

If you want to know why the Atlanta Thrashers suffered a humiliating sweep at the hands of the New York Rangers, look no further than those four.

I had predicted the Rangers would win this series, but honestly, I never expected such a meek, tepid effort by the Thrashers.

You look at the impressive regular season stats of Hossa (43-57-100), Kozlov (28-52-80), Kovalchuk (42-34-76) and Tkachuk (7-8-15 in 18 games as a Thrasher), and expect these four to power your offence in the playoffs.

No disrespect to the Rangers, who’ve been a better defensive team over the past 2 ½ months than their record indicates, but in previewing this series, it was reasonable to assume the Blueshirts would have their hands full with Atlanta’s top four forwards.

Instead, Hossa, Kovalchuk, Kozlov and Tkachuk seemed to barely cause the Rangers defenders to break a sweat.

The results speak for themselves.

Coming into Game Four of this series, Hossa and Kozlov had no points, Kovalchuk one goal and Tkachuk two assists.

In Game Four, when the Thrashers finally showed a bit of life, Tkachuk had a goal, Kovalchuk and Hossa picked up an assist each, while Kozlov was again held off the scoresheet.

That, folks, is embarrassing. In fact, it’s pathetic.

Those guys went unseen for so long that they could've been reported as missing persons.

Yes, the Thrashers as a team had a horrible series, one everyone involved with the team from owner to fan will be keen to forget.

Head coach Bob Hartley will be questioned for months over his flip-flopping of goalies Kari Lehtonen and Johan Hedberg. Indeed, Hartley may have done irreparable damage to Lehtonen’s confidence by not returning with him in Game Two and then leaving him to the wolves in Game Three.

The Thrashers lacked quality blueline depth all season, something management perhaps should’ve paid more attention to last summer and at the trade deadline, especially considering the king’s ransom it paid for a playoff rental like Tkachuk.

Still, things might’ve been different if their best players had played at their best.

Kovalchuk can at least look ahead to more opportunities for playoff glory. Kozlov at least has two Stanley Cup rings from his time with the Detroit Red Wings as proof of his playoff ability.

For Hossa and Tkachuk, this series only provided their critics further proof that they cannot elevate their play in the post-season.

Hossa has a few more years in Atlanta to try to prove his critics wrong. Tkachuk, on the other hand, may have done serious damage to his value this summer as an unrestricted free agent.

Perhaps there’s a deeper reason why those four top forwards failed so miserably. Maybe they were nursing hidden injuries, or maybe the Thrashers are chafing under Hartley’s demanding style.

Regardless, when you go into a playoff series, you expect your best to be at their best. None of those four appeared to be playing through pain, and if there are off-ice conflicts, they should be put aside once the game begins.

Hossa, Kovalchuk, Kozlov and Tkachuk were the Thrashers best players. They were supposed to be at their best against the Rangers.

They weren’t and that’s why the Thrashers will be booking late-April tee times.