GLENDALE, Ariz.--A couple of Internet reports link the Blackhawks as being players in a major trade. One report indicated the Hawks have renewed interest in veteran defenseman Tomas Kaberle of the struggling Toronto Maple Leafs.
Fueling one rumor was the fact Marian Hossa, who is recovering from off-season shoulder surgery, was at center during practice the other day and could be a fit there when he is scheduled to return later this month. Let's clear that up right now: Hossa was on the ice at center for line rushes with Andrew Ladd and Kris Versteeg because Dave Bolland had the the day off, as he often does, to rest his balky back.
Hossa, who led the Red Wings with 40 goals last season before signing as a free agent with the Hawks, is a winger and will remain one. Coach Joel Quenneville asked Hossa if he had ever played center and Hossa told him he did a little in Europe before joining the NHL. So Quenneville inserted the veteran there to keep some continuity in the other lines.
As the season progresses the Hawks figure to be mentioned in a plethora of trade rumors because Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith will all need to be re-signed following the season when they become restricted free agents. The Hawks, like many other teams, are in a salary-cap crunch and it may prove that a player or two with big contracts (defenseman Brian Campbell and goaltender Cristobal Huet are frequently mentioned) will need to be moved to clear cap space.
Something to remember is that Kane, Toews and Keith will be restricted free agents, not unrestricted, so therefore the Hawks would be exposed to losing them only if they failed to sign them beforehand and then would not match an offer sheet. Teams might come calling with offer sheets (which doesn't happen much in the NHL) but would have to pay a steep price in money and compensatory draft picks.
At some point, the Hawks will determine who their core players are, such as Toews, Kane, Keith, Hossa, Campbell, Huet, Brent Seabrook, and then once they are in the fold build around them with lower-salary players. But that is likely down the line.
A trade at this juncture wouldn't be the biggest surprise (nothing would be with this team), but for now, don't believe everything you read.
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Chris,
I think this is a fair comment on your part. And I agree, don't believe everything you read. I got this from a good source who has been right before.
I also want to be clear that I DO NOT think Hossa is a fit or will play center for the Hawks when he hits the ice. OK?!
BTW, I have been crystal clear on my blog and elsewhere that the Hawks have the leverage with regard to the Toews/Kane/Keith negotiations because they are RFAs. However, I still believe the Hawks will need to move cap space regardless. I also believe the time to do that is before the trade deadline. Doesn't mean those deals have to hurt the team's chances this year either.
Regardless, thanks for the fair response. Keep up the good work. JJ
Seabrook would be my trade bait with Campbell, if anyone would take that salary. While Seabrook is one of the few to lay the body on anyone, he can be a liability with the puck in his own end. He's a good player and I think he would have a high perceived value by the rest of the leauge. One player we should not have let go was Wisnieski. That was one of Tallons big mistakes.
i like your core, andy h. do not trade Bolly, he strikes me as the smartest player on the ice (even though a boring interview). Brouwer and/or Burish might also be guys you keep around, as they will stay cheap and can both score and be tough.
I say trade Campbell to anyone who will take him. Yes, he is a great skater. But his passing skills, defense and shooting is less than desirable. We can live without him.
I understand him not being a big cap relief, but Buff could be great trade bait and seems terribly overrated around the league. I have cursed no name more this year than Buff's for taking dumb penalties and whiffing at open nets.
Even though trading Campbell would be the best move financially, who in their right minds is willing to take on his $7.14 million cap hit? There are only two defensemen in the league who make more than him - Chara ($7.5M) and Lidstrom ($7.45M). Any team determined to find a solid #1 or #2 d-man who's as good as Campbell (if not better) can do so in the $4-5M dollar range. I think the Hawks might be stuck with ol' Soupy.
With the steady emerging play of Hammer, dealing Campbell makes the most sense.e Brian is solid, but not in the same caliber as Keith IMO, Barker could be trade bait as he looks lost at times on even strength, but his size and natural ability make me want to keep him.
But then again, we are loaded in D talent all the way down to the minors....
My core is Steeg, Kane, Toews, Keith, Seabs, Hossa, Bolly, Hammer, Sharp and Buff
Who would have thought the Cap would ever be a issue in Chicago>