Re: 2009 Chicago Blackhawks

[kujay]

Rumor Central on ESPN is suggesting the Hawks are interested in Vokoun and (!!!) Roloson. I'm not sure what the hell they would want Roloson for. And Vokoun is due $6.3M for another year.

 

I blame all of our goalie troubles on Brian Campbell and his [expletive] contract.

[NewUserName]

Rumor Central on ESPN is suggesting the Hawks are interested in Vokoun and (!!!) Roloson. I'm not sure what the hell they would want Roloson for. And Vokoun is due $6.3M for another year.

 

I blame all of our goalie troubles on Brian Campbell and his [expletive] contract.

 

the fan base was pretty excited about the Campbell signing at the time. Even in here I think Cynosure ripped on me and called me a jealous Wings fan for questioning the deal and saying Campbells defensive game was not very good. Of course Cyno was never the voice of reason.

[kujay]

Rumor Central on ESPN is suggesting the Hawks are interested in Vokoun and (!!!) Roloson. I'm not sure what the hell they would want Roloson for. And Vokoun is due $6.3M for another year.

 

I blame all of our goalie troubles on Brian Campbell and his [expletive] contract.

 

the fan base was pretty excited about the Campbell signing at the time. Even in here I think Cynosure ripped on me and called me a jealous Wings fan for questioning the deal and saying Campbells defensive game was not very good. Of course Cyno was never the voice of reason.

 

No, he wasn't. Maybe I'm sugar-coating it, but I think I was pretty consistent in wondering why the hell we signed Campbell to that contract when a better d-man (Boyle) was available for cheaper. But whatever.

 

On a similar note, I was going back and reading the playoff and regular season threads from last year. An interesting read, no doubt. And I did predict back in May that Niemi would be getting a ton of starts this year. 8-)

[jersey cubs fan]

No, he wasn't. Maybe I'm sugar-coating it, but I think I was pretty consistent in wondering why the hell we signed Campbell to that contract when a better d-man (Boyle) was available for cheaper. But whatever.

 

On a similar note, I was going back and reading the playoff and regular season threads from last year. An interesting read, no doubt. And I did predict back in May that Niemi would be getting a ton of starts this year. 8-)

 

The Blackhawks couldn't score back then and people were excited about the prospect of a guy who could actually add offense to a weak blue line. It wasn't about finding the best defenseman, but rather getting more scoring. As I've said before, it just so happened that the year after they sign him all the young scoring talent emerges and then Keith turns into a scorer as well, eliminating the need for a guy like Campbell. This was also pre-economic meltdown and hopes remained for a rising salary cap instead of the inevitable decline. And then the Huet signing just confused everybody and everything.

[kujay]

No, he wasn't. Maybe I'm sugar-coating it, but I think I was pretty consistent in wondering why the hell we signed Campbell to that contract when a better d-man (Boyle) was available for cheaper. But whatever.

 

On a similar note, I was going back and reading the playoff and regular season threads from last year. An interesting read, no doubt. And I did predict back in May that Niemi would be getting a ton of starts this year. 8-)

 

The Blackhawks couldn't score back then and people were excited about the prospect of a guy who could actually add offense to a weak blue line. It wasn't about finding the best defenseman, but rather getting more scoring. As I've said before, it just so happened that the year after they sign him all the young scoring talent emerges and then Keith turns into a scorer as well, eliminating the need for a guy like Campbell. This was also pre-economic meltdown and hopes remained for a rising salary cap instead of the inevitable decline. And then the Huet signing just confused everybody and everything.

 

So, it was terrible understanding of both the team's own personnel and the free agents available, since Boyle is now both a better offensive and defensive player than Campbell. He is older, I'll admit, but find me someone who would rather have Campbell.

 

And of course you're right about Huet. That was the mistake that magnified the other mistake and continues to do so. Which we can all blame on the prior regime hiring their boy to be GM rather than doing what was best for the team.

[UMFan83]

Rumor Central on ESPN is suggesting the Hawks are interested in Vokoun and (!!!) Roloson. I'm not sure what the hell they would want Roloson for. And Vokoun is due $6.3M for another year.

 

I blame all of our goalie troubles on Brian Campbell and his [expletive] contract.

 

the fan base was pretty excited about the Campbell signing at the time. Even in here I think Cynosure ripped on me and called me a jealous Wings fan for questioning the deal and saying Campbells defensive game was not very good. Of course Cyno was never the voice of reason.

 

I would also say the fan base was excited because they were spending money on bigger name FAs, something the Hawks weren't known for doing under the old regime. Also like jersey said, the signing was under different economic conditions. Still I remember the reaction being 75/25 positive.

[kujay]

Rumor Central on ESPN is suggesting the Hawks are interested in Vokoun and (!!!) Roloson. I'm not sure what the hell they would want Roloson for. And Vokoun is due $6.3M for another year.

 

I blame all of our goalie troubles on Brian Campbell and his [expletive] contract.

 

the fan base was pretty excited about the Campbell signing at the time. Even in here I think Cynosure ripped on me and called me a jealous Wings fan for questioning the deal and saying Campbells defensive game was not very good. Of course Cyno was never the voice of reason.

 

I would also say the fan base was excited because they were spending money on bigger name FAs, something the Hawks weren't known for doing under the old regime. Also like jersey said, the signing was under different economic conditions. Still I remember the reaction being 75/25 positive.

 

Yeah, I agree. I'm not saying most fans were against it.

[kujay]

Niemi starting again tomorrow night.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nhl/news/story?id=4908867

 

It is a back-to-back, but Q's comments make it sound like he's getting the first start based on merit, not for some strategic reason. I think even if he stands on his head and pitches a shutout, there is no way Q starts him again on Sunday. That would leave Huet with about a month between starts and plenty of time to dwell on how worthless he is.

[kujay]

I read on another forum the Hawks have traded Barker for MIN's Kim Johnsson and another player not on the roster.

 

EDIT: It's already on Wiki.

 

EDIT #2: The prospect is Nick Leddy, apparently a former Mr. Minnesota and solid defensive prospect.

[UMFan83]

I read on another forum the Hawks have traded Barker for MIN's Kim Johnsson and another player not on the roster.

 

EDIT: It's already on Wiki.

 

EDIT #2: The prospect is Nick Leddy, apparently a former Mr. Minnesota and solid defensive prospect.

 

the score just broke this news too. How does this effect the cap?

[jersey cubs fan]

I read on another forum the Hawks have traded Barker for MIN's Kim Johnsson and another player not on the roster.

 

EDIT: It's already on Wiki.

 

EDIT #2: The prospect is Nick Leddy, apparently a former Mr. Minnesota and solid defensive prospect.

 

Barker's name is already crossed of the nhlnumbers page for the blackhawks. So this is essentially buying an expiring contract and getting a prospect as well?

[kujay]

I read on another forum the Hawks have traded Barker for MIN's Kim Johnsson and another player not on the roster.

 

EDIT: It's already on Wiki.

 

EDIT #2: The prospect is Nick Leddy, apparently a former Mr. Minnesota and solid defensive prospect.

 

the score just broke this news too. How does this effect the cap?

 

Johnnson is a UFA after the season. His cap hit this year is $4.85M according to one site I saw. Not sure how that works since Barker's hit was less than that.

[kujay]

This is from the MSP Star-Tribune:

 

Just before the 2 p.m. trade freeze, sources say the Wild traded pending free agent Kim Johnsson and the rights to 2009 first-round pick Nick Leddy to the Chicago Blackhawks for 23-year-old former No. 3 overall pick Cam Barker, a talented two-way defenseman who has two more years left on his contract at almost $3.1 million per.

 

The Blackhawks were going to have to trade Barker this summer to get under the salary cap. They'll have to make some more moves, too, I am told, and the Wild still has interest this summer in center Patrick Sharp.

 

This 100 percent means, I am told by sources, that the Wild is trying to re-sign Marek Zidlicky before the March 3 trade deadline -- probably way sooner. Term is the only stumbling block right now. Trading Leddy was made easier by the influx of defensemen in the system -- Marco Scandella, Tyler Cuma, being the main two, and the long-term future of Brent Burns. The Wild, I am also told, was very concerned about Leddy's development at the U.

 

Barker had a career-high 40 points last year.

 

Interesting note about Leddy. That's concerning because guys like him are the ones the Hawks really need to get right in these trades. Without high draft picks, the prospects we get in trades like this are the ones that will replenish the system.

[salukifudd]

How solid is Johnsson and which line do you expect him to play on?

[kujay]

Johnsson was playing 10 more minutes per game than Barker so far this year. I really like the experience upgrade, especially since he has to play with that choad Sopel.

 

Nice work, Stan.

[kujay]

How solid is Johnsson and which line do you expect him to play on?

 

I don't see them breaking up the 51/4 pairing, so he'll jump right into Barker's spot alongside Sopel. From what I've seen (very little) and read he's a solid stay-at-home puckmoving d-man. Sounds good to me.

[kujay]

I guess this precludes Wiz coming home. That sucks.

[sneakypower]

still hard to believe Barker was picked immediately after Ovechkin and Malkin in the 04 draft

 

oh, those fateful lottery balls

[kujay]

still hard to believe Barker was picked immediately after Ovechkin and Malkin in the 04 draft

 

oh, those fateful lottery balls

 

No kidding.

 

A lot of folks are complaining on the Hawks boards that Johnsson isn't very physical. I don't want this to be a nancy team heading into April and May. I'll give him a chance.

[Flames24Rulz]

Great move, all things considered. It's definitely nice to be able to free up some salary and not really experience a downgrade at all.

[RedFlash]

I really like the prospect the Hawks got back.#3 prospects in the Wild org according to hockeysfuture. Not a bad deal. On another Hawk site they've compared him to Duncan Keith. I don't know about that, but if he did turn into the next DK, I would be estatic.

[Flames24Rulz]

still hard to believe Barker was picked immediately after Ovechkin and Malkin in the 04 draft

 

oh, those fateful lottery balls

 

At the same time, we more than likely wouldn't have Toews or Kane.

[kujay]

I really like the prospect the Hawks got back.#3 prospects in the Wild org according to hockeysfuture. Not a bad deal. On another Hawk site they've compared him to Duncan Keith. I don't know about that, but if he did turn into the next DK, I would be estatic.

 

I am skeptical when a team is so quick to dump their 1st round pick from the previous year when he's only a freshman in college. But on the other hand, I've read several irate posts from MN fans that they cut him loose. So who knows.

 

Perhaps he'll be a useful bargaining chip if we try to trade Huet or Campbell.

[sneakypower]

still hard to believe Barker was picked immediately after Ovechkin and Malkin in the 04 draft

 

oh, those fateful lottery balls

 

At the same time, we more than likely wouldn't have Toews or Kane.

you're still going to be much better off with one of Malkin or Ovechkin and whoever you picked in the top 10 both years. i'm not really bemoaning it or anything, it's just interesting to consider.

 

at any rate, this smells like a salary dump. the main piece was Leddy. Johnsson helps for the playoffs and then he's off the books. that's probably why they didn't target Zidlicky.

Edited February 12, 2010 by sneakypower

[Flames24Rulz]

still hard to believe Barker was picked immediately after Ovechkin and Malkin in the 04 draft

 

oh, those fateful lottery balls

 

At the same time, we more than likely wouldn't have Toews or Kane.

you're still going to be much better off with one of Malkin or Ovechkin and whoever you picked in the top 10 both years. i'm not really bemoaning it or anything, it's just interesting to consider.

 

Oh yeah, I don't disagree with you at all. Knowing our past management though, we probably would have managed to screw that up.