CHICAGO — The Blackhawks dipped deep into the NHL free-agent market by signing star forward Marian Hossa away from the Red Wings on Wednesday with a 12-year, $62.8 million contract.
The four-time all-star and 11-year NHL veteran has played on the Stanley Cup runner-up the past two seasons — while with the Penguins he lost to the Red Wings and this year with Detroit, he fell to Pittsburgh in the rematch.
The young Blackhawks are his fourth team since 2008.
“Now I don’t have to worry about dealing with it year to year. I’m set for 12 years. That will make it easier, and I can focus on hockey,” Hossa said.
Chicago also signed center Tomas Kopecky, who, like Hossa, played last season with the Red Wings. He was knocked out of the playoffs after suffering injuries to his face during a fight with Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin in the second round.
By adding Hossa, Chicago won’t be re-signing Martin Havlat, who led the team in points last season. A free agent, Havlat made $6 million last season at the end of a three-year deal.
The Blackhawks also did not re-sign goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, their starter during the playoffs last season, who earned a new deal with the Oilers.
Hossa, 30, led the Red Wings with 40 goals last season and was third on the team with 71 points. He had 15 points — six goals and nine assists — in the playoffs.
“I had a great time in Detroit. . . . But with today’s economy and the salary cap, it’s really hard to sign star players,” Hossa said. “Somebody just couldn’t be able to sign, and I guess that was me.”
Kopecky had 109 hits, six goals and 13 assists in 79 games for the Red Wings last season.
