What’s New

Chicago singer and producer Zarif Wilder, aka theMIND, has lent his gilded vocals and carefully crafted instrumentals to more hip-hop and R&B releases than I could possibly list here. He’s worked with practically every important rapper to emerge from the city in the past decade, including the three in the supergroup Ghetto Sage: Smino, Noname, and Saba. So I’m a little surprised to learn that this is Wilder’s first local headlining show, since he’s long been capable of drawing a crowd around here. This gig celebrates a new deluxe edition of his 2020 album, Don’t Let It Go to Your Head (TheMIND/Cinq). Wilder recently told Revolt he thought the original release wasn’t complete. “There were a lot of songs we couldn’t put on there due to time,” he said.

The album’s sumptuous, casually sophisticated R&B is already enriched by Wilder’s autobiographical touches and restrained vulnerability. As Tara C. Mahadevan detailed in a 2020 Reader profile of Wilder, Don’t Let It Go to Your Head is as much about the challenges faced by disenfranchised communities as it is about Wilder’s own struggles navigating a system stacked against him. His down-to-earth warmth prevents these clean, polished-sounding songs from feeling disconnected from reality, like background music at a chic boutique. Much of that warmth comes through in his singing: he can contort his downy voice into an expressive rasp or sweeten it till it bursts out of the song like light through a stained glass window. The five new tracks on the album’s deluxe version further extend comfort to the afflicted. On the dramatic “Sacrilegious,” Wilder sings about finding romantic love amid oppression and despair, offering solace with his soft, supple vocals. Even when society leaves you out of its plans and freedom seems beyond reach, he seems to say, love can get you through the day.

TheMIND Qari and Moyana Olivia open. Fri 11/25, 9 PM, Schubas, 3159 N. Southport, $25, $20 in advance, 18+

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The Chicago Bears lost a tough game on Sunday as the Atlanta Falcons came back and defeated them by a final score of 27-24. It was a tough game but it certainly helped them gain some better draft stock. As long as the quarterback continues to play well, that is all that matters.

Unfortunately, we have a new fork in the road when it comes to Justin Fields. He left the field via a cart as the Bears were about to lose. He hurt his shoulder really bad. He has taken a beating a lot this season despite playing incredibly well for about two months now.

After an MRI on Monday, coach Matt Eberflus announced that he is day to day. It is also known that the Bears feel better about it on Monday than they did on Sunday which is great news. Their next game comes this upcoming Sunday when they take on the New York Jets.

Trevor Siemian is the backup quarterback and could get the start if Fields isn’t good to go. Following that game, the Bears have the Green Bay Packers the following week before their late-season bye week. Decisions will have to be made.

The Chicago Bears have to make sure that Justin Fields is okay to play.

The pending result of this could change everything. If Fields is healthy enough to play and play well, all will be forgotten. However, it would be nice to have any time off to get healthy again but not at the expense of losing momentum in his development.

He has been so good at making an impact that he is starting to look like the top quarterback that he was drafted to be. Injuries can start to derail that kind of stuff. He is a very mobile quarterback which is nice but the Bears don’t protect him well at all.

If they don’t figure it out soon (and the NFL isn’t better at protecting the younger quarterbacks), he is going to be hurt more than he plays. It doesn’t matter how tough he is. The last thing the Bears want is to stunt his development.

We see with guys like Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson that quarterbacks can play like that and be super elite. The difference is that the Philadelphia Phillies and Baltimore Ravens have a much better offense to help their guys stay on their feet (with options to throw to).

If Fields needs a week off from playing that is fine. Even if he needs to take time off until after the bye that is fine too. All that matters is that the Bears take whatever the injury results are and be a smart serious franchise with them.

If he is done for the season, that will be a problem but they can’t let him go out there and get hit again until they are sure that there will be no long-term effects from this current injury.

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In 2006 the Illinois Lottery launched the first Instant Lottery ticket in the country that designated 100 percent of its profits toward organizations that support veterans in Illinois. Working with the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, the Illinois Lottery has raised over $20 million to fund the Veterans Cash program that has awarded grants to over 400 Veteran support organizations to date. These groups provide various  essential services, including housing assistance, long-term care, disability benefits, employment services, and treatment for post-traumatic stress to the more than half million veterans who live in the state of Illinois. This year’s tickets honoring our veterans is called Winter Winnings and was released at the beginning of November to coincide with Veterans Day. The ticket costs $2 and is available at more than 7,000 Illinois Lottery retailers statewide. With the fun and frosty snowflake design, the Winter Winnings Instant Ticket makes a great stocking stuffer around the holidays for those 18 and over. Visit the Illinois Lottery website for more information about Winter Winnings and other specialty tickets. Read on to learn more about two recent grant recipients, Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois and Midwest Veterans Closet. 

Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois

goodwillpeo.org

Based in Peoria, Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois recently received a $30,000 grant for two veteran-support initiatives, the Veterans Employment Program and the Central Illinois Stand Down for Homeless Veterans events, which support more than 320 Illinois veterans and their families each year. The Veterans Employment Program assists veterans returning to the civilian workforce or changing careers through assessing skills and interests, career mapping, job training and placement services, and individualized coaching to help veterans overcome barriers to employment, such as struggles with substance abuse, PTSD, or lack of a high school diploma. Goodwill’s annual Central Illinois Stand Down for Homeless Veterans event is a program providing workshops and seminars on subjects such as sobriety, mental health awareness (including PTSD), and suicide prevention, while also supplying unhoused veterans with warm-weather and other supplies for the cold winter months. The 14th Stand Down for Homeless Veterans event was held in October, and planning is already underway for the event’s 15th anniversary, which will take place in the Fall of 2023. In addition, the grant helps fund the General Wayne A. Downing Home for Veterans. Located in Peoria, the facility was built in 2005 and houses 15 veterans. “[We’re the] only Goodwill in the country that supports and operates a home for veterans and is supervised 24/7,” says Assistant Director of Mission and Program Services Johanna Wagner. “Having a place where veterans can be with other veterans where they receive housing, food, clothing, a support system, and resources like work training provides the support they need against many barriers they face.”

Midwest Veterans Closet

midwestveteranscloset.org

Impacting Veterans Lives, Inc. (dba Midwest Veterans Closet) provides much needed food and goods to unhoused- and housing-insecure veterans, as well as active-duty personnel who are newly assigned to the Naval training center in Great Lakes at their drop-in shopping center in North Chicago. With their recent grant of $97,684 through Illinois Lottery and Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, Midwest Veterans Closet will be able to better support their community of more than 12,000 current and former military members and their families. The organization prioritizes dignity and care for all who walk through its doors. Veterans and service members can shop at their free store for nutritious meals and snacks, paper goods, clothing, housewares, new and gently used furniture, and more. “Last year alone we provided over 514,000 pounds of food from our food pantries to veterans throughout the state,” said executive director Mary Carmody, who anticipates that the organization’s new grant will help them supply even more resources going forward. In addition to running their store, Midwest Veterans Closet provides services such as computer training and employment leads to veterans.

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An original promotional poster created for the 1950 release of Sunset Boulevard Credit: Public Domain, CC0

Already hungry for some hearty fare? Join Monday Night Foodball this evening as the “barbecue supergroup” Umamicue brings A Very Umamicue Friendsgiving to the Kedzie Inn (4100 N. Kedzie). Expect an array of flavors including wasabi turkey confit croquettes (who doesn’t love a croquette?) with five-spice cranberry sauce, courtesy of the “Asian stoner food” duo SuperHai, as well as the duo Better Boy’s brown-butter butterscotch pudding. Yum. There will also be five to six-pound smoked turkey breasts (vacuum sealed and chilled to take home); for each one sold ($125), another will be donated to Community Kitchen & Canteen to be given to people in need. Pre-orders are closed, but a limited amount of walk-in orders will be filled, starting at 5:30 PM. Check out Reader senior writer Mike Sula’s column for more. (SCJ)

Tonight is the official opening of Omer Abbas Salem’s comedy Mosque4Mosque, presented by About Face Theatre at the Den (1331 N. Milwaukee). Salem, whose profile as a playwright as well as an actor has been in rapid ascendance in the last couple of years, also received a 3Arts Award late last month. In his latest (directed by Sophiyaa Nayar), Ibrahim, a queer Arab American man who has always been content sinking into the background, is on the precipice of his first serious relationship. But his mother Sara is also determined to find the perfect man for him to settle down with. Salas himself plays Ibrahim, with Rula Gardenier as Sara; Gloria Imseih Petrelli, Jordan Dell Harris, and Rom Barkhordar round out the cast. It runs through 12/17, Fri 7:30 PM, Sat 3 and 7:30 PM, and Sun 3 PM; tickets are pay what you can, $5-$35, at aboutfacetheatre.com. (KR)

Here are some concert options for tonight:

Singer-songwriter Rosali, who divides her time between Philadelphia and North Carolina, writes steely rock songs based in emotional storytelling. She headlines Empty Bottle tonight, with David Nance & Mowed Sound as well as Tobacco City rounding out the bill (8:30 PM, 1035 N. Western, $18, 21+, tickets at Eventbrite).
Pianist, vocalist, and composer Alexis Lombre brings her quartet to the Jazz Showcase tonight for two shows (8 and 10 PM, 806 S. Plymouth, $15-$25, all-ages, tickets through Eventbrite via the venue’s website).
Countertenor Reginald Mobley brings his pure and moving tone to Harris Theater tonight as he performs a program of arias by Handel with Music of the Baroque’s Chorus and Orchestra, conducted by Nicholas Kraemer (7:30 PM, 205 E. Randolph, $35-$100 with student discounts available, all-ages, tickets at Harris Theater’s website). (SCJ)

Reginald Mobley performing with members of Music of the Baroque at the Kehrein Center in November

The movers and the shakers among us have some options tonight as well! If you’re looking to get a workout in before this week’s bigger meals, consider these dance events:

Every Monday night at Edison Park’s Firewater Saloon, you can line dance with Estelle and her Line Up Dance Instruction crew. Tonight’s a celebration of eight years for the event, and regulars will be gathering at the restaurant at 6 PM to eat and mingle; those who want to join in with the country dancing can arrive at 7 PM (6689 N. Oliphant, no cover but purchase of food or drink is expected, 21+, details at Facebook).
For the swingers in the crowd, Fizz Swing Dance offers Fizzgiving, a swing dance event including a beginner-friendly lesson from 8-9 PM. No partner is required, and dancing will continue until 11:30 PM (at Dance Center Chicago, 3868 N. Lincoln, $7-$10, 18+, details at Facebook).
It’s Monday Mambo Mayhem at the Promontory tonight, as El Caobo Internacional celebrates nine years of bringing dance performances, instruction, and the music of mambo, salsa, bachata, and more to the south side. The night starts with a dance lesson at 7:15 PM, and followed with open dancing and performances from 8 PM-midnight (5311 S. Lake Park Ave. West, no cover, all-ages, reserve a spot at Eventbrite). (SCJ)

Looking for an escape from Thanksgiving planning? Lose yourself to golden era Hollywood and all its shenanigans as you watch the schemers and dreamers in Billy Wilder’s 1950 film Sunset Boulevard. It screens tonight at 11 PM at Logan Theatre (2646 N. Milwaukee, $10, tickets at the box office or the theater’s website). “Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up!” (SCJ)

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An original promotional poster created for the 1950 release of Sunset Boulevard Credit: Public Domain, CC0

Already hungry for some hearty fare? Join Monday Night Foodball this evening as the “barbecue supergroup” Umamicue brings A Very Umamicue Friendsgiving to the Kedzie Inn (4100 N. Kedzie). Expect an array of flavors including wasabi turkey confit croquettes (who doesn’t love a croquette?) with five-spice cranberry sauce, courtesy of the “Asian stoner food” duo SuperHai, as well as the duo Better Boy’s brown-butter butterscotch pudding. Yum. There will also be five to six-pound smoked turkey breasts (vacuum sealed and chilled to take home); for each one sold ($125), another will be donated to Community Kitchen & Canteen to be given to people in need. Pre-orders are closed, but a limited amount of walk-in orders will be filled, starting at 5:30 PM. Check out Reader senior writer Mike Sula’s column for more. (SCJ)

Tonight is the official opening of Omer Abbas Salem’s comedy Mosque4Mosque, presented by About Face Theatre at the Den (1331 N. Milwaukee). Salem, whose profile as a playwright as well as an actor has been in rapid ascendance in the last couple of years, also received a 3Arts Award late last month. In his latest (directed by Sophiyaa Nayar), Ibrahim, a queer Arab American man who has always been content sinking into the background, is on the precipice of his first serious relationship. But his mother Sara is also determined to find the perfect man for him to settle down with. Salas himself plays Ibrahim, with Rula Gardenier as Sara; Gloria Imseih Petrelli, Jordan Dell Harris, and Rom Barkhordar round out the cast. It runs through 12/17, Fri 7:30 PM, Sat 3 and 7:30 PM, and Sun 3 PM; tickets are pay what you can, $5-$35, at aboutfacetheatre.com. (KR)

Here are some concert options for tonight:

Singer-songwriter Rosali, who divides her time between Philadelphia and North Carolina, writes steely rock songs based in emotional storytelling. She headlines Empty Bottle tonight, with David Nance & Mowed Sound as well as Tobacco City rounding out the bill (8:30 PM, 1035 N. Western, $18, 21+, tickets at Eventbrite).
Pianist, vocalist, and composer Alexis Lombre brings her quartet to the Jazz Showcase tonight for two shows (8 and 10 PM, 806 S. Plymouth, $15-$25, all-ages, tickets through Eventbrite via the venue’s website).
Countertenor Reginald Mobley brings his pure and moving tone to Harris Theater tonight as he performs a program of arias by Handel with Music of the Baroque’s Chorus and Orchestra, conducted by Nicholas Kraemer (7:30 PM, 205 E. Randolph, $35-$100 with student discounts available, all-ages, tickets at Harris Theater’s website). (SCJ)

Reginald Mobley performing with members of Music of the Baroque at the Kehrein Center in November

The movers and the shakers among us have some options tonight as well! If you’re looking to get a workout in before this week’s bigger meals, consider these dance events:

Every Monday night at Edison Park’s Firewater Saloon, you can line dance with Estelle and her Line Up Dance Instruction crew. Tonight’s a celebration of eight years for the event, and regulars will be gathering at the restaurant at 6 PM to eat and mingle; those who want to join in with the country dancing can arrive at 7 PM (6689 N. Oliphant, no cover but purchase of food or drink is expected, 21+, details at Facebook).
For the swingers in the crowd, Fizz Swing Dance offers Fizzgiving, a swing dance event including a beginner-friendly lesson from 8-9 PM. No partner is required, and dancing will continue until 11:30 PM (at Dance Center Chicago, 3868 N. Lincoln, $7-$10, 18+, details at Facebook).
It’s Monday Mambo Mayhem at the Promontory tonight, as El Caobo Internacional celebrates nine years of bringing dance performances, instruction, and the music of mambo, salsa, bachata, and more to the south side. The night starts with a dance lesson at 7:15 PM, and followed with open dancing and performances from 8 PM-midnight (5311 S. Lake Park Ave. West, no cover, all-ages, reserve a spot at Eventbrite). (SCJ)

Looking for an escape from Thanksgiving planning? Lose yourself to golden era Hollywood and all its shenanigans as you watch the schemers and dreamers in Billy Wilder’s 1950 film Sunset Boulevard. It screens tonight at 11 PM at Logan Theatre (2646 N. Milwaukee, $10, tickets at the box office or the theater’s website). “Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up!” (SCJ)

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In 2006 the Illinois Lottery launched the first Instant Lottery ticket in the country that designated 100 percent of its profits toward organizations that support veterans in Illinois. Working with the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, the Illinois Lottery has raised over $20 million to fund the Veterans Cash program that has awarded grants to over 400 Veteran support organizations to date. These groups provide various  essential services, including housing assistance, long-term care, disability benefits, employment services, and treatment for post-traumatic stress to the more than half million veterans who live in the state of Illinois. This year’s tickets honoring our veterans is called Winter Winnings and was released at the beginning of November to coincide with Veterans Day. The ticket costs $2 and is available at more than 7,000 Illinois Lottery retailers statewide. With the fun and frosty snowflake design, the Winter Winnings Instant Ticket makes a great stocking stuffer around the holidays for those 18 and over. Visit the Illinois Lottery website for more information about Winter Winnings and other specialty tickets. Read on to learn more about two recent grant recipients, Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois and Midwest Veterans Closet. 

Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois

goodwillpeo.org

Based in Peoria, Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois recently received a $30,000 grant for two veteran-support initiatives, the Veterans Employment Program and the Central Illinois Stand Down for Homeless Veterans events, which support more than 320 Illinois veterans and their families each year. The Veterans Employment Program assists veterans returning to the civilian workforce or changing careers through assessing skills and interests, career mapping, job training and placement services, and individualized coaching to help veterans overcome barriers to employment, such as struggles with substance abuse, PTSD, or lack of a high school diploma. Goodwill’s annual Central Illinois Stand Down for Homeless Veterans event is a program providing workshops and seminars on subjects such as sobriety, mental health awareness (including PTSD), and suicide prevention, while also supplying unhoused veterans with warm-weather and other supplies for the cold winter months. The 14th Stand Down for Homeless Veterans event was held in October, and planning is already underway for the event’s 15th anniversary, which will take place in the Fall of 2023. In addition, the grant helps fund the General Wayne A. Downing Home for Veterans. Located in Peoria, the facility was built in 2005 and houses 15 veterans. “[We’re the] only Goodwill in the country that supports and operates a home for veterans and is supervised 24/7,” says Assistant Director of Mission and Program Services Johanna Wagner. “Having a place where veterans can be with other veterans where they receive housing, food, clothing, a support system, and resources like work training provides the support they need against many barriers they face.”

Midwest Veterans Closet

midwestveteranscloset.org

Impacting Veterans Lives, Inc. (dba Midwest Veterans Closet) provides much needed food and goods to unhoused- and housing-insecure veterans, as well as active-duty personnel who are newly assigned to the Naval training center in Great Lakes at their drop-in shopping center in North Chicago. With their recent grant of $97,684 through Illinois Lottery and Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, Midwest Veterans Closet will be able to better support their community of more than 12,000 current and former military members and their families. The organization prioritizes dignity and care for all who walk through its doors. Veterans and service members can shop at their free store for nutritious meals and snacks, paper goods, clothing, housewares, new and gently used furniture, and more. “Last year alone we provided over 514,000 pounds of food from our food pantries to veterans throughout the state,” said executive director Mary Carmody, who anticipates that the organization’s new grant will help them supply even more resources going forward. In addition to running their store, Midwest Veterans Closet provides services such as computer training and employment leads to veterans.

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Sunday afternoon was a homecoming for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields, who has been on a tear lately. As the Bears took on the Atlanta Falcons, all eyes were on the second-year quarterback to continue his breakout.

Fields had a solid outing, overall, despite being roughed up quite a bit. But, beyond the buzz around Fields, it was yet another Bears loss on the season — which we expected many of.

Falling in a close one, 27-24, the Bears defense continued to bleed off and on. The unit isn’t near a finished product, and won’t be until Ryan Poles is done working his magic in the 2023 offseason.

However, there are already some impressive pieces on this Bears defense — and some young ones, too, who are improving each week.

The Chicago Bears defense has a bright future thanks to three specific rookies that continue to improve.

In this game against the Falcons, three of the top four tacklers, for Chicago, were rookies. Leading the way with 11 tackles (seven solo) was safety Jaquan Brisker, who also finished with a tackle for loss and a forced fumble.

Brisker was, yet again, all over the field as he has been throughout the season. He’s been one of the better defensive rookies across the NFL this year, but has not gotten the notoriety he deserves because of how bad the defense has been as a whole.

Right below Brisker, in this game, was undrafted linebacker Jack Sanborn with a total of nine tackles (eight solo). The former Wisconsin Badger continues to prove he was foolishly left without his name called during the seven rounds this past spring.

Sanborn has played so well that he looks to be locking down that middle linebacker role for the foreseeable future. He’s made some excellent plays over the past three weeks, almost reminiscent of some former Bears middle linebackers who are now in Canton.

Lastly, rookie cornerback Kyler Gordon was fourth on the team in tackles with seven (four solo) and a tackle for loss. Gordon has been a great story over the course of the season because, there’s no way he could have started the season on a worse note.

Right out of the gate, Gordon was horrendous. He had an all-time bad game in prime time against the Green Bay Packers which left fans wondering if the stage was too big.

Against Atlanta, though, Gordon made two back-to-back solo tackles in one series that popped off the screen. They were rock-solid plays by a rookie who has completely turned his season around after starting so poorly.

The defense, as a whole, has not been good. There are some gaping holes, particularly on the defensive line. However, the Bears should feel great about these three rookies and how they’ll continue to grow and fit into the future success of this unit.

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The Chicago Blackhawks had a very special night on Sunday as they honored one of their greatest players ever. Marian Hossa, the greatest free agent signing in the history of Chicago sports, had his number retired forever by the Hawks. They did a very good job with the celebration.

Unfortunately for the Hawks, there was an actual hockey game to be played as well. That is unfortunate because the Blackhawks just aren’t a good hockey team at all. They fooled some people into thinking that they were good because of their hot start but they’re not.

The Pittsburgh Penguins were able to spoil Marian Hossa’s big night by coming to Chicago and taking a huge victory. 1:04 into the game, Brock McGinn scored to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead right out of the gate.

Playing in his 1000th career game, Evgeni Malkin scored his 8th of the season to give the Penguins a 2-0 lead. It was his 452nd goal and 1166th career point which is some legendary stuff. Sometimes, you just have to admire greatness.

The Pittsburgh Penguins spoiled Marian Hossa night by winning in Chicago.

Not long after Rickard Rakeell scored to give the Penguins a 3-0 lead, the Blackhawks finally got on the board thanks to Jujhar Khaira. Not long after that, the Blackhawks made it interesting but cutting the lead to one goal thanks to Patrick Kane’s third of the season.

Late in the third period down by one, Philipp Kurasheev scored to tie the game at three. The Blackhawks made it seem like they were going to make Marian Hossa night special by earning a comeback win but a different legend had other ideas.

Sidney Crosby scored under one minute later to make it 4-3 and take all the wind out of Chicago’s sails. He made an amazing play to get the job done for his team. He earned an assist on Jeff Carter’s empty net goal to wrap up a four point night.

It was a great performance by one of the best players in NHL history. This was (oddly enough) the first time that Crosby has ever scored a goal in Chicago. This was also the first time that the Penguins had a lead in Chicago since 2009.

Legends like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were teammates with Marian Hossa for a little bit as well so it was somewhat fitting that the game went the way that it did. The Blackhawks just aren’t good enough to outscore most teams regularly.

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The Chicago Blackhawks lifted Marian Hossa’s number 81 to the United Center rafters. The ceremony not only served as a reminder of some glorious times in franchise history by also as a reminder that Hossa might be the greatest free-agent acquisition in Chicago sports history.

The Chicago Blackhawks needed a player to put them over the hump as they headed into the 2009-2010 season.

General manager at the time, Dale Tallon, aggressively moved to sign Marian Hossa to a 12-year deal. Three Stanley Cups later and it is safe to say, Hossa’s impact on the franchise was immense.

Marty Havlat was a solid veteran player for the 2008-2009 team but the Hawks needed a superstar pair-up with Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Duncan Keith to win a Stanley Cup. They got that in Hossa.

Marian Hossa has been everything that the Chicago Blackhawks needed.

Jon Lester helped snap the Chicago Cubs’ 108-year World Series drought. The Cubs only got one title. Any Cubs fan will tell you that you cannot minimize just one title. Lester did not play in every single game.

Andre Dawson won an MVP for the Cubs but had no postseason success. Thomas Jones helped get the Chicago Bears to a Super Bowl but his team fell short of a championship.

Julius Peppers helped the Bears get to the NFC Championship game. He had some amazing feats on the field but not enough to get the Bears over the top.

DeMar DeRozan played at an MVP level for the Chicago Bulls last season but the Bulls never made it past the first round.

A.J. Pierzynski helped the Chicago White Sox snap an 88-year championship drought in the Southside. He was a bargain signing not expected to be a franchise changer. Jermaine Dye was the 2005 World Series MVP but he has two fewer championship rings than Hossa.

Three titles and nine years of greatness are what sets Hossa apart from all the other signings. The Chicago Blackhawks had a 49-year title drought until Hossa came along. The Blackhawks already had a winning infrastructure in place.

Hossa did what an impact free agent is supposed to do and that is put a team over the top. He helped accomplish that three times. Not bad for a guy who chased a cup for most of his career. He just missed hoisting Lord Stanley’s Cup in 2008 and 2009.

Also, the Chicago Blackhawks fell on hard times after his abrupt retirement in 2018. His contract created a tight salary cap situation for the Chicago Blackhawks. They also had their hands tied once they signed Toews, Keith, Kane, and Brent Seabrook to lucrative extensions.

While he never scored more than 30 goals for the Chicago Blackhawks, his style of play was impactful. He was like a freight train on the rush. His veteran presence in the early part of his Hawks tenure also helped elevate Chicago to a title.

Hossa is now among the Chicago Blackhawks immortals with his number hanging in the rafters. Too bad they could not put on the banner “Chicago’s Best Free Agent Signing of All Time.”

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