NHL awaits results of Hossa's independent medical evaluation

The Marian Hossa situation appears close to being resolved.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed Friday night that the Chicago Blackhawks forward was examined recently, and that the league will soon determine whether he can be placed on long-term injured reserve.

''Marian Hossa underwent an independent medical evaluation several days ago,'' Daly wrote in an email to Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times. ''We are waiting for the report. Once we have that, we should be in a position to determine his proper status.''

Daily said in July that the Blackhawks didn't wish to put Hossa on LTIR until the start of the season. The NHL was originally expected to decide on his eligibility for that designation by July 1.

Hossa and the Blackhawks revealed in June that the 38-year-old will miss the 2017-18 campaign due to a skin disorder.

The Blackhawks would clearly prefer to see his $5.275-million cap hit come off the books, which is what will happen if the league deems the veteran eligible for LTIR placement.

Chicago is in the red, cap-wise, at the moment, but teams are allowed to go over the cap as long as they get under by opening night.

Hossa is one of two NHL players going through the process of independent medical review along with Joffrey Lupul, who's embroiled in an injury dispute with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

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