When is PTI not PTI?

When Tony and Mike aren't there.

Today, we got another round of Adande and Mariotti. Things were going relatively well until they got to talking about former Pittsburgh Penguin Marian Hossa. Hossa, apparently, turned down $35 million over 5 years from the Penguins to take a 1 year deal with the Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings for $7.45 million.

Mariotti started the segment on Hossa with the following "For those tired of greed in sports, let me offer up one Marian Hossa." He then gave the numbers of the deals from the Penguins and Wings, as well as mentioning reports that he had offers of up to $81 million with other teams.

Marian Hossa scored 43 goals and had 57 assists the year before last. Last season was a down year, he scored 29 goals and had 37 assists in his time with the Atlanta Thrashers and the Penguins. So, I don't think this is a story for those tired of greed. Hossa turned down a long-term deal at an average of $7 million per year to play one season at $7.45 million (that's more than $7 milion) and look for a bigger deal next year. Hossa is 29 years old and shouldn't be on the decline just yet. That's what he's banking on. If he had signed for $7.45 million over 5 years with Detroit, that would have been a story.

Later on, Mariotti provided this gem: "Everybody loves Crosby and Malkin, why would you leave that and go to Detroit? I understand the Red Wings are a dynasty, a hallowed name in hockey, but come on ... $35 million ... $7 million ... duh, this is pretty dumb if you ask me."

I don't know why Hossa signed the deal he did. Did he just want a 1 year deal to improve his stock for next year? Did he want out of Pittsburgh? Did he want to play for Detroit and didn't care about the length of the contract? If anyone has great insight, post a comment. But, Mariotti comparing $35 million over 5 years to $7.45 million over 1 year and saying turning down the 5 year deal for the 1 year deal is dumb is idiotic on Mariotti's part. If Hossa suffers a career-ending injury next year, then it probably wasn't the best idea to turn down a long-term deal. But, Hossa is apparently willing to accept that amount of risk. Plus, he has the potential to improve his stock and cash in big next summer. If he can get $10 million per year for 4 years after next season, he'll wind up with $47.45 million over 5 years instead of $35 million. It seems like a no-brainer to sign the one-year deal this year in that scenario.

We'll see what happens. Maybe turning down the deal with the Penguins was stupid. If the Red Wings tank next year and the Penguins win it all, it will look like the wrong call. Or, maybe Hossa will hoist the Stanley Cup with Detroit. I know that at this point I don't know what's going to happen. And, that's why Mariotti's comments are absolutely ridiculous.