MS Hossa 87 Player Review - Defenseman

I use MS Hossa as a #2 Left Defenseman with TOTW Shattenkirk.

Skating - 8/10 Hossas skating is solid. He has a good mix of speed, acceleration, agility and balance. He is by no means a speed demon but he is more than adequate in that department. For a defenseman his ability to skate is an advantage when he has the puck. Since hes a forward he is better than many defenseman skating with the puck on his stick.

Shooting - 8.5/10 With B and 1T activated his slapshot is very good. Unlike most defenseman, he doesnt have unbalanced shooting stats. His accuracy is on par with his shot power. This is especially useful on the powerplay for obvious reasons. For a forward his shooting is slightly above average when rocking a lot of synergies but compared to many LD in the game it is more of a plus for Hossa.

Passing - 9/10 Because if Hossas abilities as a forward, he is a good puck moving defenseman. His ability to pass combined with his skating ability on the puck make him well above average in the passing category compared to many defenseman in the game.

Defense - 8.5/10 This is the all important measure for a forward playing defense. Hossa is more than adequate. Sure there are better defensive defenseman in the game, but Hossa holds his own. He can defend skating back. His stick checking is very good and his shot blocking is adequate. You will hardly notice Hossa out there defensively (in a good way).

Checking - 7/10 Hossa is by no means a heavy hitter in the game. He is strong enough and balanced enough on the puck that he doesnt get tossed or lose the puck easily. However, throwing the body around making hits is not his strength, no pun intended. He can make ok hits but hes much more suited as a positional/stick checking defenseman.

Overall, I would highly recommend Hossa as a defenseman, unless you are set on big heavy hitters. His ability to move the puck and score from the point are major plusses, especially on special teams. He more than holds his own defensively and should be significantly less expensive than other defensemen with his offensive abilities.