Can I use the Nikon SB-800 speedlight on Nikon d5100 without hotshoe?

I'm getting very confused on which speedlight to get. Will the SB-800 work on the nikon d5100 without hotshoe?

A d5100 can take an sb-800 in it's hotshoe, you'll just have to remember to remove the protective cover from the hotshoe first.

A D5100 can't control a sb-800 with the popup flash, for that you need a d90 or better.

You can use the flash remotely with the camera using wired or wireless connections. I'm not into Nikon so I don't get it. Why not mount the flash straight to the hotshoe? They're both Nikon anyway.