Thrashers, Hossa take one last stab at renewing contract

TSN’s Bob McKenzie reports that Atlanta Thrashers GM Don Waddell will make one more attempt to sign pending unrestricted free agent forward Marian Hossa to a long-term contract extension.

According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, Waddell will meet with Hossa and his agent, Rich Winter, sometime this week to discuss a new deal.

“We’re just going to sit down and see where everybody is at,” said Hossa. “I’m pretty sure that something is going to have to be decided soon.”

And something will.

If the Thrashers can’t get Hossa’s name on a contract, both McKenzie and Garrioch are certain the club will begin shopping the All-Star forward with the intentions of trading him before the February 26 trade deadline.

As potentially the most sought after deadline acquisition, Garrioch suggests that several teams will have interest in Hossa. Among them are the the Ottawa Senators, New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks.

It’s believed that the Thrashers will ask for a package consisting of a roster player, a first-round draft pick, and a top prospect for a high-impact rental player such as Hossa.