The 2010 Chicago Blackhawks Offseason thread: Nice job guys, now lets repeat.

[GrinderBall41]

Lets discuss possible moves, and how the front office will get the Hawks under the salary cap without crippling the team.

Its worth mentioning that Toews gets a 1.3 million bonus for winning the Conn Smythe, and that will count against out cap next year. (Ouch)

Unfortunately, I think Buff (or Steeger), Burish, and Ladd will be gone.

Fortunately, I think Huet and Sopel will be gone.

How 'bout you guys?

 

[N3]

Gone: Huet/Sopel/Steeg/Ladd/Burish

We should have some articles coming out in the next few days regarding this.

 

[WCulbertson]

I was just about to post a thread about the salary cap and how the 'Hawks might look a lot different next year.

While I'm worried about the changes that will happen (Hopefully Buff won't be going anywhere), we should all continue to take it in and celebrate.

 

[GrinderBall41]

I was just about to post a thread about the salary cap and how the 'Hawks might look a lot different next year.

While I'm worried about the changes that will happen (Hopefully Buff won't be going anywhere), we should all continue to take it in and celebrate.

If Buff isnt going anywhere, that means Versteeg or Sharp will. Barf.

 

[N3]

If Buff isnt going anywhere, that means Versteeg or Sharp will. Barf.

Versteeg will be traded, im about 80% sure of that. He may added in a deal if they can find a way to get rid of Huet.

I think Sharpie and Buff punched their tickets to stay, but its going to cost us Ladd, Madden, Burish and probably a few others.

 

[EnjoyYourTiger]

that's a bummer. i don't want to see any of these guys going anywhere, anytime soon.

 

[Rush]

So much for the days of wanting to win and be a dynasty. It's all about money now.

 

[WCulbertson]

This still can and probably will be a dynasty. The core is going to stay in tact. We're just going have to shuffle the deck a little bit.

 

[N3]

This still can and probably will be a dynasty. The core is going to stay in tact. We're just going have to shuffle the deck a little bit.

While they may still have the core, one of the biggest reasons they won this year was becuase of the role players and depth of the team.

You take out the Ladd's, Versteeg's, Bolland's, Buff's.etc you lose atleast one portent scoring line. Sure they still have one maybe two great scoring lines, but what happens if that line gets shut down like they did in the Philly sereis?

 

[Severz]

From what I have read the salary cap next season is expected to be around $59 million. Right now we have 14 players signed through next season at $57 million. This leaves us $2 million to sign 8 players, obviously hard decisions are going to be made this off season by Stan Bowman.

Our goaltending situation is pretty clear, sign Niemi and attempt to trade Huet. Given Huet's contract and performance last season he could just be sent to Rockford so his contract does not effect the cap. Crawford would likely end up backing up Niemi.

As far as unrestricted free agents I don't see us offering contracts to anyone except Colin Fraser (because of our depth at center), meaning Eager, Johnsson, Madden, Boynton, and Burish would be gone. I think Ladd and Hendry also are left out as restricted free agents. I would hope Bowman finds a way to sign Hjalmarsson being that he is only 23 years old and played at a very high level at the end of the season and through the playoffs. Depending on how much he commands this offseason and looking ahead to next offseason when Seabrook will be due for a new deal there is a chance Hjalmarsson dresses for a new team next season, I would die a little inside if that happened.

Some players will be moved as well this offseason to clear cap space up. I would like to see Brian Campbell moved, he is our highest paid player and Shawn Lalonde plays a very similar style from the blue line and moving Campbell along with sending Huet to Rockford would open up $13 million alone. Still, like Huet, given his contract he might be impossible to trade. Brent Sopel is probably going to be shopped around.

Versteeg, Sharp, and Byfuglien are the names I am hearing that could be moved for cap space. I don't see how we can move Sharp being that the players expected to make the team next season all play wing (Beach, Skille, Bickell, and Aliu). Versteeg and Byfuglien have a ton of value as well being young and both had great post seasons. Sharp will stay because he can play center, also being an alternate captain helps his case.

Next season we will look very different but I am honestly excited. We are going to lose a few key players but our core team is intact and that core talent is going to make the young players next season that much better. I have nothing but faith in our organization and front office to make the right decisions and fully expect us to be the team to beat in the West next year.

 

[N3]

From what I have read the salary cap next season is expected to be around $59 million. Right now we have 14 players signed through next season at $57 million. This leaves us $2 million to sign 8 players, obviously hard decisions are going to be made this off season by Stan Bowman.

Our goaltending situation is pretty clear, sign Niemi and attempt to trade Huet. Given Huet's contract and performance last season he could just be sent to Rockford so his contract does not effect the cap. Crawford would likely end up backing up Niemi.

As far as unrestricted free agents I don't see us offering contracts to anyone except Colin Fraser (because of our depth at center), meaning Eager, Johnsson, Madden, Boynton, and Burish would be gone. I think Ladd and Hendry also are left out as restricted free agents. I would hope Bowman finds a way to sign Hjalmarsson being that he is only 23 years old and played at a very high level at the end of the season and through the playoffs. Depending on how much he commands this offseason and looking ahead to next offseason when Seabrook will be due for a new deal there is a chance Hjalmarsson dresses for a new team next season, I would die a little inside if that happened.

Some players will be moved as well this offseason to clear cap space up. I would like to see Brian Campbell moved, he is our highest paid player and Shawn Lalonde plays a very similar style from the blue line and moving Campbell along with sending Huet to Rockford would open up $13 million alone. Still, like Huet, given his contract he might be impossible to trade. Brent Sopel is probably going to be shopped around.

Versteeg, Sharp, and Byfuglien are the names I am hearing that could be moved for cap space. I don't see how we can move Sharp being that the players expected to make the team next season all play wing (Beach, Skille, Bickell, and Aliu). Versteeg and Byfuglien have a ton of value as well being young and both had great post seasons. Sharp will stay because he can play center, also being an alternate captain helps his case.

Next season we will look very different but I am honestly excited. We are going to lose a few key players but our core team is intact and that core talent is going to make the young players next season that much better. I have nothing but faith in our organization and front office to make the right decisions and fully expect us to be the team to beat in the West next year.

There is a 2 mil cap raise, but Toews gets a 1.3 mil bonus for winning the Conn Smythe that affects next years cap.

I think Hjalmarsson gets resigned instantly, no way they can let that kid walk away.

 

[BigP50]

I would love to at least keep Ladd and Buff.

 

[Severz]

I think Hjalmarsson gets resigned instantly, no way they can let that kid walk away.

I fully agree, I was pointing out worst case scenario. Bowman does have to look past just this next season and with Seabrook being our best physical defenseman there is no way we can let him walk next year, without him who will be able to handle the Johan Franzen's of the world? You're right though there is very little chance someone as young and as good as Hjalmarsson walks.

I would love to at least keep Ladd and Buff.

Andrew Ladd's best hockey is still ahead of him but given the type of contract he will command this off season and with Aliu and Beach both being similar type players coming up I think there is very little chance Ladd wears the Indian-head next season. Sucks because I am a big fan of Laddy.

 

[WCulbertson]

I agree with the secondary scoring was key to our championship run. But we aren't going to lose EVERYBODY not named Kane/Toews/Hossa/Keith.

We are no doubt going to need to replace people, but good teams find ways to replace talent. Look at the Patriots in the NFL, every year they lose or get rid of players, but always find ways to replenish the roster.

 

[BigP50]

dang, I really like Ladd. I met him at the mall this year and he is a really cool dude.

 

[Severz]

We are no doubt going to need to replace people, but good teams find ways to replace talent. Look at the Patriots in the NFL, every year they lose or get rid of players, but always find ways to replenish the roster.

Great point, also we have young talent ready to play in the NHL. Kyle Beach for example was talented enough to make the team this year but was kept in Juniors so he would get the ice time needed to develop rather than seeing 7-9 minuets a game playing on our 4th line. Shawn Lalonde, Jack Skille, Akim Aliu, and Dylan Olsen all have potential to do what Niklas Hjalmarsson did this year.

Most of the people claiming we are doomed because of our cap situation next year live in Detroit and Vancouver.

 

[N3]

I fully agree, I was pointing out worst case scenario. Bowman does have to look past just this next season and with Seabrook being our best physical defenseman there is no way we can let him walk next year, without him who will be able to handle the Johan Franzen's of the world? You're right though there is very little chance someone as young and as good as Hjalmarsson walks.



Andrew Ladd's best hockey is still ahead of him but given the type of contract he will command this off season and with Aliu and Beach both being similar type players coming up I think there is very little chance Ladd wears the Indian-head next season. Sucks because I am a big fan of Laddy.

I could actually see Seabs dangled out as bait. His contract is up after next year and he is going to command some decent money, not Duncan Keith money, but still a good sum. After his playoff run his Trade Potential is off the charts right now.

 

[Severz]

I could actually see Seabs dangled out as bait. His contract is up after next year and he is going to command some decent money, not Duncan Keith money, but still a good sum. After his playoff run his Trade Potential is off the charts right now.

Out of Keith, Campbell, Lalonde, Hjalmarsson, and Olsen who would you match up with on players like Johan Franzen, Tomas Holmstrom, Ryan Getzlaf, and Joe Thornton? You need a guy that Coach Q can match up with on the elite power forwards of the NHL, that requires size and strong physical play. Olsen is a bigger guy but is not physically mature enough to handle Franzen in front of our net at this point in his career. The rest of those guys are more mobile smaller guys. Without Seabrook on the team we could face potential match up problems. Look what happened when Vancouver did no have anyone to match up with Byfuglien.

 

[N3]

Out of Keith, Campbell, Lalonde, Hjalmarsson, and Olsen who would you match up with on players like Johan Franzen, Tomas Holmstrom, Ryan Getzlaf, and Joe Thornton? You need a guy that Coach Q can match up with on the elite power forwards of the NHL, that requires size and strong physical play. Olsen is a bigger guy but is not physically mature enough to handle Franzen in front of our net at this point in his career. The rest of those guys are more mobile smaller guys. Without Seabrook on the team we could face potential match up problems. Look what happened when Vancouver did no have anyone to match up with Byfuglien.

Im not saying I want Seabs gone, Im just saying if they are in a pinch to clear space Seabrook could be someone whos name pops up in discussions.

 

[Capt. Serious]

Beach replaces Buff...for alot cheaper.