Marian Hossa's exit from Atlanta wouldn't be nearly so unorthodox: He is an impending free agent, and he wants to play for a winner. But before general manager Don Waddell drops to his knees, opens the checkbook and implores Hossa to stay, he needs to realize something: The Thrashers are a .500 team partly because of Hossa. Through 42 games, Hossa is second on the team in goals (14) and points (36). Those numbers are decent, not great. The pace of 27 goals and 70 points pales when compared to last year's 43 and 100, respectively. He has four power-play goals after scoring 31 the past two years. Shot totals and shooting percentages are down. And how is it one of the NHL's best two-way forwards is a minus-10 -- worst among the team's forwards?

I think trading him for some prospects and draft picks would be good, I think everyone knows that they're not going to make the post season.