Breaking: Hall of Fame Blackhawks player has played his final game

This looks like a sad, bizarre end to a Hall of Fame career. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Tuesday night that there’s a possibility Chicago Blackhawks winger Marian Hossa "has played his final game" because of a serious allergic reaction caused by his equipment.

Hossa’s been taking medication to counter the allergy, but the medication is potent enough that doctors wanted his blood tested every few weeks to make sure there were no major side effects. Apparently, there are side effects and it's dangerous to keep taking the medication to play hockey.

Friedman notes that if Hossa were to officially retire, the Blackhawks would suffer cap recapture penalties on the heavily front-loaded contract signed in 2009. This would devastate a franchise which is constantly battling to stay under the salary cap.

However, if Hossa agreed to be placed on long-term injury reserve until his contract expires, his contract wouldn’t count against the salary cap. Hossa is 38-years-old and signed until the 2020-21 season.