The Evolution of Marcel Hossa

 

Patrick Hoffman (HV)

 

Being the brother of one of the top NHL scorers certainly brings a plethora of high expectations. However, Marcel Hossa is not Marian Hossa. Marcel Hossa is simply, Marcel Hossa, a guy who is just starting to find his stride on the top line with Martin Straka and Jaromir Jagr.

 

Before joining Straka and Jagr, Hossa could be found playing on the teams third and fourth lines in more of a defensive role. Now, it’s all offense as Hossa is getting a chance to show that he can play with the big boys.

 

“He’s a great player,” Jagr said. “It’s nice that the coaches are giving him a chance to play.”

 

In five games with the top line, Hossa has four goals and an assist. In fact, Hossa has been one of the top Ranger scorers in the month of February with seven points (5 goals and 2 assists.

 

“This is a natural evolution of a player who is beginning to find himself,” Rangers head coach Tom Renney said.

 

Playing with Straka and Jagr has certainly created havoc for opponents as they continue to focus on Straka and Jagr while leaving Hossa wide open, which is paying huge dividends for the developing forward.

 

In the beginning of the season, Hossa would carry the puck into the zone but not necessarily to the net. Now, Hossa is going to the net with and without the puck and as a result, the puck seems to be finding his stick more often than not.

 

The past two Ranger games were perfect examples of Hossa’s nose for the net as he scored a nice tip-in goal on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers and on Sunday against the Chicago Blackhawks, he was in front of the net to bang in his seventh goal of the season.

 

“Nobody noticed it before because he was not playing on our line but he goes hard to the net,” Jagr said. “He’s a good player that just needed to play.”

Last season, Hossa had a career high 10 goals but this season, Hossa certainly has a chance to surpass that mark if he continues his top-notch play on the teams’ first line.

 

“This is a player who is playing with confidence,” Renney said. “He has carved out a nice niche for himself and we hope that it can continue.”

 

 

Photo: Marcel Hossa from New York Rangers © Andris Jansons (HV)