Blackhawks Sports NHL

NHL has yet to determine if Marian Hossa is eligible for LTIR

By Mark Lazerus

Marian Hossa will sit out the 2017-18 season, and likely beyond, with a skin disorder. (AP Photo)

The NHL has yet to rule if Marian Hossa is eligible for long-term injured reserve — and if the Blackhawks are eligible for the $5.275 million in salary-cap relief that comes with it. But an answer is expected soon.

‘‘Marian Hossa underwent an independent medical evaluation several days ago,’’ NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly wrote in an email to the Sun-Times. ‘‘We are waiting for the report. Once we have that, we should be in a position to determine his proper status.’’

Hossa announced in June that he will sit out the 2017-18 season because of a skin disorder and the side effects of the medication he had to take for it. The Hawks are expected to put Hossa on LTIR once the NHL season begins Oct. 4, possibly in time to use his cap space by their season opener Oct. 5.

While Hossa’s announcement raised eyebrows around the league, given the fact that he’s 38 years old and his contract pays him only $1 million in actual salary in the last four years of the deal, it’s not uncommon for players — including Chris Pronger, Marc Savard and Dave Bolland — battling legitimate injuries to go on LTIR for the duration of their contracts.

Follow me on Twitter @MarkLazerus.

Email: mlazerus@suntimes.com

RELATED STORIES

Brandon Saad returns to Chicago a more dynamic offensive player

Alex DeBrincat scores in Hawks debut; Brandon Saad posts hat trick

Next Up In Chicago Blackhawks

Projecting the Blackhawks’ 2022-23 defense: Caleb Jones’ free-agency fate is an ‘X’-factor

Blackhawks fall to Flames; MacKenzie Entwistle injured, Lukas Reichel sent down

Derek King’s patience, honesty and humor have helped Blackhawks endure difficult season

Investigation into NHLPA’s handling of Kyle Beach’s sexual-assault allegations raises more questions than it answers

Lukas Reichel earns first NHL point, burns first contract year in Blackhawks’ loss to Predators

Blackhawks’ Kirby Dach out with sprained right shoulder as challenging season nears end

Latest Stories

The Latest

Moroccan Chicken Skewers With Apricots and Onion

Recipes

Moroccan chicken skewers burst with flavors from spices and apricots

This recipe relies on a heady blend of North African spices muddled with oil, lemon and runny honey to create a soupy, fragrant paste.

By Lynda Balslev | Taste Food

IMG_0836 2.jpeg

Columnists

An empty chair at Passover Seder, affixed with a picture of a hostage

The continuing bloody war in Gaza — the 33,000 Palestinians killed and the unknown fate of Israeli hostages — casts a pall over Passover celebrations.

By Neil Steinberg

Outdoors

Chicago fishing: Lakefront spurts of salmon and trout while inland fishing heats up

Spurts of lakefront salmon and trout along with inland fishing heating up lead this sprawling raw-file Midwest Fishing Report.

By Dale Bowman

Loop

Loop's weekend foot traffic exceeds level before pandemic, but retail vacancies still at record high

The Chicago Loop Alliance released its latest report on the Loop, finding that it offered some signs of a revival.

By Amy Yee

Police crime scene tape.

Crime

14-year-old boy charged with murder in South Loop shooting

Jeremy Smith, 17, was killed and another boy was wounded in the shooting in March, according to police.

By Mary Norkol