Blackhawks Offseason Thread

[sherwood921]

khabi to edmonton

 

Rumored to be 4 years at $15 mil. I wouldn't have wanted that long of a deal for such and old goaltender.

[RedFlash]

I, for one, thought the Hawks were going to be quiet on the free agency market and just re-signed current team free agents. Obviously, I am wrong as Tallon went out and got arguably the best offensive talent on the market for 12 friggin' years. On one hand a line of Toews centering to Kane and Hossa=DANGEROUS, but on the other hands, I am fearful that this could mean one or more of Kane/Keith/Toews will be lost. ( I pray that is not the case). But right now, I am estatic about landing Hossa.

 

Then I see Habby going to Edmonton, I wouldn't mind have brought him back, but I wish him the best in Edmonton. Now TB overpaying by a long shot for Matt Walker is simply hilarious.

 

Marion Hossa on the Hawks............just wow. This just didn't come out of left field, it came from outer space. And like most, I hope Havlat put's his pride in check for one more yr in Chicago, make a run with the Hawks and then reenter FA at 29 next yr. I mean if Hossa can get a 12 yr deal at 30, Havlat could get an equal deal next yr. If Havlat does come back the top two lines would look: Toews/Kane/Hossa, and Bolland/Sharp/Havlat, and that is "very nice."

 

We shall see.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I'm torn here.

 

On the one hand, I love Hossa. Hossa is a big step up from Havlat (and that's not a dig on Havlat), and I know Detroit wanted him.

 

But we didn't need another winger. We need a top-notch center. The one we got is decent, but not what we really needed.

[jaydee]

Yah, Hawks won't lose any of Keith/Kane/Toews next year. If push comes to shove they will probably move Sharp and Buff to make room.

[RedFlash]

Yah, Hawks won't lose any of Keith/Kane/Toews next year. If push comes to shove they will probably move Sharp and Buff to make room.

 

I know they won't lose them next yr, but I am talking in a couple of yrs. And I agree I think Sharp/Buff (I would hate to lose either) are definately expandable if it means keeping Toews and Kane. Besides I think ultimately, Aliu and Beach could essentially replace both them in a yr or so (if they are banned from hockey).

[jersey cubs fan]

Yah, Hawks won't lose any of Keith/Kane/Toews next year. If push comes to shove they will probably move Sharp and Buff to make room.

 

I know they won't lose them next yr, but I am talking in a couple of yrs. And I agree I think Sharp/Buff (I would hate to lose either) are definately expandable if it means keeping Toews and Kane. Besides I think ultimately, Aliu and Beach could essentially replace both them in a yr or so (if they are banned from hockey).

 

If they can keep those guys next year, they can keep them longer term. I think Toews is going to get a long term deal. Kane may only get something like a 3-year deal, same with Keith. But I don't see the point in being worried about that now. There's no way in knowing where the cap will be in 4 years, and they only have Hossa and Campbell signed that long. One thing is certain, it won't be the same team. They have some trade bait, and they have some guys that would be nice to move.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

A 5.2 million cap hit for a top-flight winger is nothing. They are actually saving cap space over Havlat. They are losing quite a few guys off the cap this off-season.

 

I, for once, am not worried about the cap.

[RedFlash]

Yah, Hawks won't lose any of Keith/Kane/Toews next year. If push comes to shove they will probably move Sharp and Buff to make room.

 

I know they won't lose them next yr, but I am talking in a couple of yrs. And I agree I think Sharp/Buff (I would hate to lose either) are definately expandable if it means keeping Toews and Kane. Besides I think ultimately, Aliu and Beach could essentially replace both them in a yr or so (if they are banned from hockey).

 

If they can keep those guys next year, they can keep them longer term. I think Toews is going to get a long term deal. Kane may only get something like a 3-year deal, same with Keith. But I don't see the point in being worried about that now. There's no way in knowing where the cap will be in 4 years, and they only have Hossa and Campbell signed that long. One thing is certain, it won't be the same team. They have some trade bait, and they have some guys that would be nice to move.

 

I did say I was happy, RIGHT NOW.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Apparently, Hossa will make less than $1 million a year for the last four years, and they could just stick him in the minors and ditch the $5.2 million cap hit if he hasn't retired by then.

 

This was a brilliantly crafted deal.

[jersey cubs fan]

A 5.2 million cap hit for a top-flight winger is nothing. They are actually saving cap space over Havlat. They are losing quite a few guys off the cap this off-season.

 

I, for once, am not worried about the cap.

 

According to the site I linked earlier, they are currently $10m under.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

So what happens with Versteeg? I haven't seen his name anywhere in offseason rumors. Any chance the hawks keep him?

[UMFan83]

I don't think Havlat would sign here for another year when ge could get a multiyear deal elsewhere. First of all he would probably have lesser stats with Hossa here and also I don't think he can even count on himself to stay healthy the majority of the season like he did last year.

 

Last year was a good contract year for him. He stayed healthy all year, contributed greatly and had a pretty damn good playoffs as he helped lead a young team to the WCF. I can't see how another year on this team could help him anymore in FA.

[Old Style]

LOVE the Hossa signing, but it sounds like that means Havlat is gone. That sucks.

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't think Havlat would sign here for another year when ge could get a multiyear deal elsewhere. First of all he would probably have lesser stats with Hossa here and also I don't think he can even count on himself to stay healthy the majority of the season like he did last year.

 

Last year was a good contract year for him. He stayed healthy all year, contributed greatly and had a pretty damn good playoffs as he helped lead a young team to the WCF. I can't see how another year on this team could help him anymore in FA.

 

It's the economy stupid.

 

Sorry, not calling you stupid, just using the quote. There have only been 4 deals signed that average over $6m per year. The NHL did reasonably well this year, but a lot of that was on the back of a resurgent sleeping giant in Chicago, and a star filled finals matchup. The economy may have stabilized, but this is the first offseason since the crap hit the fan. It's quite possible Havlat won't get nearly the deal he thought he could get in free agency, and it's quite possible he could prefer to wait until next year in hopes of getting a bigger deal in what would hopefully be a better economic environment. Take $7m right now to return to Chicago, then try and get a 4-5 year deal between $6-7m next year.

 

How many teams want to risk longterm big money right now for a guy who has one healthy season under his belt? If he plays on a 1 year deal, he could make more in 2009/2010 than if he signed longterm, and if he stays healthy again, his price will go up next year.

[mjohnson71]

The contract is front-loaded with about $53 million paid out over the first seven years, and little less than $9 million total for the final five years.

 

That's a lot of money to throw at one player. But I guess I like the deal with the way it's structured. Plus its a clear the sign the 'Hawks think they can win it all in the near future and feel that Hossa will be a key to that.

 

In addition he's been healthy and played a number of 80 to 82 game seasons.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

It's really a bargain price for him. He's been making 6 and 7 million a year for the last several years.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

Apparently Havlat won't be available much longer according to the guys on NHL Network.

[jersey cubs fan]

Apparently Havlat won't be available much longer according to the guys on NHL Network.

 

what's the rumor?

[burnt out cubbie fan]

They wouldn't say a team but they said for sure not Montreal. Didn't seem like they thought he was going to stay in Chicago.

[jersey cubs fan]

If they know he's going to sign soon how do they not have an idea where?

[burnt out cubbie fan]

They probably know where but don't want to say, I don't know. He probably has offers from a couple different teams and is trying to figure out which he wants to join.

[sneakypower]

Pahlsson to Columbus 3/$7.95M

[Drew Doughty]

havlat was rumored to montreal earlier in the day but I can't imagine they're going to allocate more money to him after signing cammalleri. i'm gonna GUESS new york, but i honestly have no idea. maybe minnesota. HOWEVER if the rumored deal (3 yrs/5m per) is true then maybe LA jumped back in the mix.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

that sucks :(

[Derwood]

Pahlsson to Columbus 3/$7.95M

 

any news on re-signing Nash?