On Thursday, July 16th, 2009 at around 3:30 pm, the Chicago Blackhawks held a press conference to announce the signing of Marian Hossa and Tomas Kopecky. Surrounded by enthusiastic fans of all ages, the city of Chicago watched with anticipation as Hossa signed on the dotted line. Fast forward eight years, and after three Stanley Cups and countless highlight reel plays, the Blackhawks held another press conference but this one had a much different tone.

The team recently announced that Hossa would not be part of the team’s 2017-18 campaign and would been placed on long-term injured reserve (LTIR). But, Hossa’s injury wasn’t a conventional one in hockey. It was not sustained during any regular or postseason game. Instead, the organization explained Hossa’s injury as a rare and peculiar allergic reaction to his equipment. While Hossa had been taking medication for the allergy for some time, doctors suggested that he take a leave of absence to come off the medicine as it could have negative long-term affect on his life.The announcement left fans puzzled and stunned.

In the wake of Hossa’s absence, Chicago Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman scrambled to make several off-season moves in order to regain some of the veteran experience, depth and scoring that Hossa was relied upon for over the years. However, Bowman quickly discovered that replacing Hossa would require more than just making a few trades. Signing free-agent forwards Lance Bouma and Tommy Wingels partially filled the experience void left by Hossa. Both players have an average of six years of NHL experience as well as 60 playoff games between them. The duo, however, can not fill the scoring void. Last season, Hossa scored 45 points, a respectable number given his age (38). In the 2016-17 season, Bouma and Wingles only scored a combined 11 points. Instead, the Blackhawks will rely on their top prospect, Alex Debrincat. Last year, Debrincat scored his 155th career goal as a member of the Erie Otters, making him the all-time leading US-born goal scorer for the Ontario Hockey League. During his three seasons as a member of the Otters, Debrincat was fortunate enough to play beside some of the National Hockey League’s most prominent rising stars in Connor McDavid and Dylan Strome. Debrincat’s time with these stars has developed him into a player who is wise and skilled beyond his years. He has also shown a proven track record for scoring. Dating back to his days as a standout at Lake Forest Academy, Debrincat has amassed 100+ points in every season since he was in high school.

What remains to be seen is what happens next year? If all bodes well, Hossa will return from long-term injured reserve for his 21st career NHL season. However, Hossa’s return to the lineup also means that his $5.6 million dollar cap hit will return. This will put the Hawks up against the salary cap, leaving them with little room to chase free agents and more importantly to resign players like Ryan Hartman and Tomas Jurco. After playing 150 games as a member of the Hawks minor league affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, Hartman made the Hawks roster last year and led all Blackhawks rookies in scoring. As for Jurco, the 24-year-old was once one of the Detroit Red Wings most coveted prospects, receiving high praise from then head coach Mike Babcock. But following a disappointing third year in Hockeytown, Jurco was traded to the Hawks in February of 2017. Since his arrival in Chicago, Juro has shown spurts of his elite talent. Both players have played instrumental roles in providing depth for the Hawks in past seasons and would be painful to lose.

So what happens to Hossa and his contract if he is forced to retire early? Shortly after signing with the Blackhawks back in 2009, the Hawks and Hossa were investigated by the league for trying to “circumvent the salary cap and collective bargaining agreement.” Hossa was not alone; the NHL investigated four other players for this same issue. In the end, the league approved Hossa’s deal but put measures in place that would significantly punish the Hawks if Hossa was to retire or leave the NHL before his contract expired. Teams like the Detroit Red Wings and New Jersey Devils have faced similar penalties in the past when their star player chose to play in Russia instead of retiring. Former Red Wings “magic man” Pavel Datsyuk and Devils captain Ilya Kovalchuk are just two examples of players who have opted to play in Russia after leaving the NHL. In an attempt to discourage future players from retiring or leaving before their contracts expire, the league has mandated that any contract that is still in effect when the player leaves is still considered to be legitimate, leaving their team with dead cap room. Many fans fear that an early exit by Hossa– at this stage in his contract–would reap the same type of salary cap penalties that teams like the Devils and Redwings have had to deal with. It’s worth mentioning that the Devils will be on the hook for a small portion of Kovalchuk’s contract until 2025. A penalty similar to this would most definitely prove to be detrimental to the Hawks and -in all likelihood- end their dynasty.

For now, all Blackhawks fans can do is remain hopeful and optimistic that the 38-year-old “Demi-God” will return for his 21st career season. In the meantime, hopefully, Debrincat and the other Blackhawks prospects will capitalize on their additional ice-time and time with star players like Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith.