Hawks' Hossa even wowing teammates
The Marian Hossa fan club extends into all corners of the Blackhawks' dressing room.
Even Hossa's teammates are being wowed by the veteran winger's fast start that includes 7 goals and 11 points in the Hawks' first seven games.
“It just goes to show how good he is, linemate Jonathan Toews said. “When he touches the puck anything can happen. A guy like him, you can't shut him down. There are so many things he does well.
“When he really bears down and steps his game up to the next level he's in a class of his own, and he's showing that right now.
“He's been a star player in this league and one of the best players in the world for a long time. He's so relaxed. Unlike some of us young guys who are less patient when you're not scoring and seeing things go in and you get a little frustrated, he stays with it and keeps working and finds a way eventually.
Hawks goalie Marty Turco, who always has tried to stop Hossa as an opponent, is enjoying the view from the other end.
“We all know what he can do in putting numbers up, but it's the little things he does; protecting the puck, holding on to it and always being in the right position at key moments, Turco said.
“There's a reason why the puck follows him around. He's that good of a player, that intelligent.
“There are a lot of good players in this league, but only a handful of them that make everyone around them better. He's one. And he's not just making his linemates better, he's making this whole team better and carrying us.
Patrick Sharp is giving Hossa plenty of help carrying the Hawks early. Sharp has 6 goals, including 5 in the last three games and 3 straight game-winners.
It was Hossa scoring twice in a span of 2:31 late in the third period Monday against St. Louis to wipe out a 2-0 deficit before Sharp won the game in overtime.
There's not a better 1-2 scoring punch in the NHL at this early point of the season than Hossa and Sharp.
“The guy's been in a zone since the first preseason game, Sharp said. “Hopefully we can both continue to score and help the team.
Hossa has proved to be nearly impossible to stop through the first two weeks, both on the puck and around the net.
“He's got the ability to do a lot of different things out there, Sharp said. “He's got the size and strength to go through defensemen and the speed and skill to finesse his way around them. He'll take what they give him. He can hang on to that puck and make plays.
Sharp said it's way too early to get excited about Hossa and himself battling for the league's goal and scoring titles.
“Let's wait until after 50 or 60 games to see what it is, Sharp said.
Hossa missed the start of last season following shoulder surgery then battled through knee problems late and into the playoffs. He is healthy and rested now and the results are showing up on the ice.
“It's great when you feel good, he said. “It's not about the scoring but the overall feel on the ice. The shoulder is relaxed and the knee is relaxed. It definitely helps when you're 100 percent healthy.
“It's awesome things are going the way they're going, but it's only seven games, so I don't try to make a big deal out of it. The nice thing is the team is winning and that's the most important thing.