Dudehere24 plays arm chair GM and speculates on what Dale Tallon should do this off-season to improve the Blackhawks.
First, players the Hawks MUST keep:
First Line Forwards: Patrick Sharp (LW), career year with 36 goals, recently signed 4-year extension that will make him a key part of the Hawks future. Patrick Kane (RW), led the team in scoring and all nhl rookies in scoring with 72 points, favorite to win the calder. Jonathan Toews (C), future captain, goal of the year, probably would've won the calder had he not gotten hurt.
Second Line Forwards: Andrew Ladd (LW), yet to play a full NHL season, but this 22-year-old came on very strong after the Hawks got him for Tuomo Ruutu at the deadline. Played with size and a scoring touch, kind of like how Ruuty was expected to play, earning 12 points in 20 games with the Hawks. This restricted free agent already has a cup ring (Carolina/2006) and was taken 4th overall in his draft year. He should be re-signed for at least three years at around $1.5 million per.
Third Line Forwards: Dave Bolland (C), under contract through next season, the 22-year-old may be undersized at 6' 180, but when he was healthy he showed that he was a checking force to be feared on the ice. What's more, he didn't make the opening night roster last season because he was seen as a scoring prospect and there was no room for him on the top two lines. Look out if he can find the scoring touch he had in the OHL (57 goals, 73 assists, 130 points in 59 games at London in 2004). Dustin Byfuglien (RW), good thing he was re-signed last month. At 6' 4" 240, a great skater with fantastic hands, not to mention a booming shot and a highlight reel full of big hits, Big Buff figures to be a force for years to come. The Hawks power play immediately improved once he started parking himself in front of the net, and his 19 goals in only 67 games appear to be the tip of the ice berg.
Fourth Line Forwards: Craig Adams (RW), very solid defensive forward, veteran presence and a cup ring (Carolina/2006), under contract for a steal at 600k through next season. Kevyn Adams (C), played great with Martin Lapointe until he got hurt and missed most of the season. Provides outstanding veteran leadership and defensive play. Unrestricted, said he would like to remain with the Hawks and the Hawks have said they would like to keep him. Something should get done. Adam Burish (LW), what can I say about Burish? One of my favorite Hawks, the man is an animal. Third in the league in penalty minutes last season, the man isn't afraid to take on anybody in a fight (as we found out when he took on the Boogyman) despite being a middleweight at 6' 1" 190. Burish is a shot-blocking machine, an excellent penalty killer, and a hustle maniac who will do anything to help his team win. Couldn't have been happier when the Hawks re-signed him last month.
First Defensive Pairing: Duncan Keith, coming off an All-Star game appearance and a team MVP type season, Dunc-a-roo established himself as the Hawks best all-around defenseman, not to mention one of the league's best skaters. A bargain at $1.5 mill/per through 2011. Brent Seabrook, a big body at 6' 3" 220, he showed signs of greatness with his physical play and big shot, but he also had some dry spells. If he wants to prove he's worth the $3.5 mill/per the Hawks have invested in him over the next three seasons, he will need to be more consistent.
Second Defensive Pairing: James Wisniewski, an absolute beast on both sides of the puck who also showed he can battle with the best of 'em after he tore Jordan Tootoo to shreds. Re-signed last month. Cam Barker, the Hawks selection at 3rd overall in 2004 (one ahead of Andrew Ladd), Barker has shown he's capable offensively, but he needs to put his 6' 3" 220 body to good use if he wants the Hawks to resign him after next season. If he continues to show a lack of physical play, look for him to go at the deadline and Niklas Hjarlmarsson to take his spot.
Third Defensive Pairing: Brent Sopel, worth every penny of his 3 year, $2.5 mill/per extension. Last year's defensive anchor/veteran leader. If not for he and Wisniewski getting hurt at the same time, the Hawks might have been able to salvage their playoff hopes. Jordan Hendry, called up from Rockford mid-season and did everything to earn his spot on the roster. This undrafted free agent from Alaska Fairbanks is one young Hawk I love rooting for.
Goaltending: Nikolai Khabibulin showed he can play like his old self (see: save on Alexander Semin) - at times. Entering the final year of his contract, Khabibulin needs to play at a consistent level of quality if the Hawks expect to make the playoffs and if Khabibulin wants to sign a new contract anywhere close to his current one. Corey Crawford, Khabibulin's heir apparent will spend his first full NHL season as Khabibulin's backup. The second round pick has shown he has what it takes to be the Hawks goalie of the future in the AHL, as well as in his few starts this past season with the Hawks. 25-30 games of NHL experience next year will hopefully be the launch pad for a brilliant career.
Players the Hawks MUST get rid of:
Forwards: Yanic Perreault, faceoff specialist failed to produce offensively in 53 games. Currently an unrestricted free agent, it was a surprise no one picked him up at the deadline. Jason Williams, scored 36 points in just 43 games and is deadly on the power play, but this favorite of Tallon is expected to ask for close to $4 mill/per, money the Hawks are better off spending elsewhere. Rene Bourque, a solid third line player and penalty killer, but a better word that comes to mind is mediocre. The Hawks expected more out of Bourque offensively over the years, and this restriced free agent's roster spot would be better off filled by someone else. David Koci, a waste of a roster spot for much of the season. The big guy could do little other than fight, and he wasn't even very good at that (see: Zdeno Chara). The Hawks waived him mid-season. Not surprisingly, there were no takers. It will be interesting to see what happens to this UFA.
Defensemen: Andrei Zyuzin, a $1.6 mill nightmare. Wherever he signs, he won't get anything near that amount, as he showed in his 32 games that the Hawks might have been better off going with an orange cone as a sixth defenseman.
Goaltenders: Patrick Lalime, hate to see him go, but it is Corey Crawford's time. Though it was a real treat to see Lalime step up and reestablish himself as a capable NHL goaltender when given the opportunity. Wherever he goes, a sufficient pay raise is in order.
Players who could go EITHER WAY:
Forwards: Ben Eager, don't know much about him other than he can win fights (always a plus). Missed most of last season with concussion problems apparently sustained while he was still with Philadelphia. Aren't players supposed to pass physicals before trades can go through? Had the Hawks not traded for him and hung on to Jim Vandermeer, last seasons injury woes might not have been so painful. In any regard, Eager, under contract for next season, looks to be a cheap fourth line insurance policy. Robert Lang, had another productive year with 21 goals, 33 assists and 54 points, but the 37-year-old's age really showed last season when he did little on the defensive side of the puck or on the forecheck. With one year remaining on his $4 mill/per contract, I believe the Hawks should explore what they could get in return for Lang. Martin Havlat, when he is healthy he is arguably the best player on the ice for the Blackhawks. But there's the rub, he's never healthy, playing in only 55% of Hawks games the past two seasons. And even when he has played, he was not always close to 100%. The question is whether the Hawks are willing to risk a $6 mill investment for another year, or trade him for a player of equal value, as they reportedly tried at this year's deadline. I believe it should be the latter, especially with players like Olli Jokinen reportedly available on the trade market. In today's salary cap era, $6 mill is too big a risk.
Players the Hawks SHOULD pursue:
I don't buy into the Brian Campbell hype. With all the young players the Hawks have to worry about re-signing in the coming years, the last thing they need is to enter into an $8 mill bidding war. Last season Campbell scored 62 points, but he's averaged 51 points over the past three seasons. On the other hand, John-Michael Liles (a native of neighboring Indiana) has averaged 42 points over the past three seasons, and is expected to ask for only $3 mill/per. If the Hawks are serious about adding a puck-moving defenseman, they should go after Liles or Mark Streit, the Swiss Canadien who had a breakout year at age 30 (only his third in the NHL) with 62 points, the same as Campbell, and is expected to ask for $3.5 mill/per. On the other side of the ice, the Hawks should call up Jack Skille to play on the third line and Troy Brouwer to play on the second line. Skille is a phenomenal skater and dominates in the corners. The former first round, seventh overall pick looked very good in his 16 games with the Hawks and scored a solid 34 points in 59 games with AHL's Rockford. Speaking of scoring, Brouwer did a lot of it in Rockford. In 75 games he tallied 35 goals, 19 assists and 54 points. And with his 6' 3" 215 size he could be a nuisance in front of the net. Assuming the Hawks make these moves, they would have room left for a top six forward. This would be filled by either Lang, Havlat, or someone acquired via trade for either Lang or Havlat or both. Olli Jokinen, anyone?
First, players the Hawks MUST keep:
First Line Forwards: Patrick Sharp (LW), career year with 36 goals, recently signed 4-year extension that will make him a key part of the Hawks future. Patrick Kane (RW), led the team in scoring and all nhl rookies in scoring with 72 points, favorite to win the calder. Jonathan Toews (C), future captain, goal of the year, probably would've won the calder had he not gotten hurt.
Second Line Forwards: Andrew Ladd (LW), yet to play a full NHL season, but this 22-year-old came on very strong after the Hawks got him for Tuomo Ruutu at the deadline. Played with size and a scoring touch, kind of like how Ruuty was expected to play, earning 12 points in 20 games with the Hawks. This restricted free agent already has a cup ring (Carolina/2006) and was taken 4th overall in his draft year. He should be re-signed for at least three years at around $1.5 million per.
Third Line Forwards: Dave Bolland (C), under contract through next season, the 22-year-old may be undersized at 6' 180, but when he was healthy he showed that he was a checking force to be feared on the ice. What's more, he didn't make the opening night roster last season because he was seen as a scoring prospect and there was no room for him on the top two lines. Look out if he can find the scoring touch he had in the OHL (57 goals, 73 assists, 130 points in 59 games at London in 2004). Dustin Byfuglien (RW), good thing he was re-signed last month. At 6' 4" 240, a great skater with fantastic hands, not to mention a booming shot and a highlight reel full of big hits, Big Buff figures to be a force for years to come. The Hawks power play immediately improved once he started parking himself in front of the net, and his 19 goals in only 67 games appear to be the tip of the ice berg.
Fourth Line Forwards: Craig Adams (RW), very solid defensive forward, veteran presence and a cup ring (Carolina/2006), under contract for a steal at 600k through next season. Kevyn Adams (C), played great with Martin Lapointe until he got hurt and missed most of the season. Provides outstanding veteran leadership and defensive play. Unrestricted, said he would like to remain with the Hawks and the Hawks have said they would like to keep him. Something should get done. Adam Burish (LW), what can I say about Burish? One of my favorite Hawks, the man is an animal. Third in the league in penalty minutes last season, the man isn't afraid to take on anybody in a fight (as we found out when he took on the Boogyman) despite being a middleweight at 6' 1" 190. Burish is a shot-blocking machine, an excellent penalty killer, and a hustle maniac who will do anything to help his team win. Couldn't have been happier when the Hawks re-signed him last month.
First Defensive Pairing: Duncan Keith, coming off an All-Star game appearance and a team MVP type season, Dunc-a-roo established himself as the Hawks best all-around defenseman, not to mention one of the league's best skaters. A bargain at $1.5 mill/per through 2011. Brent Seabrook, a big body at 6' 3" 220, he showed signs of greatness with his physical play and big shot, but he also had some dry spells. If he wants to prove he's worth the $3.5 mill/per the Hawks have invested in him over the next three seasons, he will need to be more consistent.
Second Defensive Pairing: James Wisniewski, an absolute beast on both sides of the puck who also showed he can battle with the best of 'em after he tore Jordan Tootoo to shreds. Re-signed last month. Cam Barker, the Hawks selection at 3rd overall in 2004 (one ahead of Andrew Ladd), Barker has shown he's capable offensively, but he needs to put his 6' 3" 220 body to good use if he wants the Hawks to resign him after next season. If he continues to show a lack of physical play, look for him to go at the deadline and Niklas Hjarlmarsson to take his spot.
Third Defensive Pairing: Brent Sopel, worth every penny of his 3 year, $2.5 mill/per extension. Last year's defensive anchor/veteran leader. If not for he and Wisniewski getting hurt at the same time, the Hawks might have been able to salvage their playoff hopes. Jordan Hendry, called up from Rockford mid-season and did everything to earn his spot on the roster. This undrafted free agent from Alaska Fairbanks is one young Hawk I love rooting for.
Goaltending: Nikolai Khabibulin showed he can play like his old self (see: save on Alexander Semin) - at times. Entering the final year of his contract, Khabibulin needs to play at a consistent level of quality if the Hawks expect to make the playoffs and if Khabibulin wants to sign a new contract anywhere close to his current one. Corey Crawford, Khabibulin's heir apparent will spend his first full NHL season as Khabibulin's backup. The second round pick has shown he has what it takes to be the Hawks goalie of the future in the AHL, as well as in his few starts this past season with the Hawks. 25-30 games of NHL experience next year will hopefully be the launch pad for a brilliant career.
Players the Hawks MUST get rid of:
Forwards: Yanic Perreault, faceoff specialist failed to produce offensively in 53 games. Currently an unrestricted free agent, it was a surprise no one picked him up at the deadline. Jason Williams, scored 36 points in just 43 games and is deadly on the power play, but this favorite of Tallon is expected to ask for close to $4 mill/per, money the Hawks are better off spending elsewhere. Rene Bourque, a solid third line player and penalty killer, but a better word that comes to mind is mediocre. The Hawks expected more out of Bourque offensively over the years, and this restriced free agent's roster spot would be better off filled by someone else. David Koci, a waste of a roster spot for much of the season. The big guy could do little other than fight, and he wasn't even very good at that (see: Zdeno Chara). The Hawks waived him mid-season. Not surprisingly, there were no takers. It will be interesting to see what happens to this UFA.
Defensemen: Andrei Zyuzin, a $1.6 mill nightmare. Wherever he signs, he won't get anything near that amount, as he showed in his 32 games that the Hawks might have been better off going with an orange cone as a sixth defenseman.
Goaltenders: Patrick Lalime, hate to see him go, but it is Corey Crawford's time. Though it was a real treat to see Lalime step up and reestablish himself as a capable NHL goaltender when given the opportunity. Wherever he goes, a sufficient pay raise is in order.
Players who could go EITHER WAY:
Forwards: Ben Eager, don't know much about him other than he can win fights (always a plus). Missed most of last season with concussion problems apparently sustained while he was still with Philadelphia. Aren't players supposed to pass physicals before trades can go through? Had the Hawks not traded for him and hung on to Jim Vandermeer, last seasons injury woes might not have been so painful. In any regard, Eager, under contract for next season, looks to be a cheap fourth line insurance policy. Robert Lang, had another productive year with 21 goals, 33 assists and 54 points, but the 37-year-old's age really showed last season when he did little on the defensive side of the puck or on the forecheck. With one year remaining on his $4 mill/per contract, I believe the Hawks should explore what they could get in return for Lang. Martin Havlat, when he is healthy he is arguably the best player on the ice for the Blackhawks. But there's the rub, he's never healthy, playing in only 55% of Hawks games the past two seasons. And even when he has played, he was not always close to 100%. The question is whether the Hawks are willing to risk a $6 mill investment for another year, or trade him for a player of equal value, as they reportedly tried at this year's deadline. I believe it should be the latter, especially with players like Olli Jokinen reportedly available on the trade market. In today's salary cap era, $6 mill is too big a risk.
Players the Hawks SHOULD pursue:
I don't buy into the Brian Campbell hype. With all the young players the Hawks have to worry about re-signing in the coming years, the last thing they need is to enter into an $8 mill bidding war. Last season Campbell scored 62 points, but he's averaged 51 points over the past three seasons. On the other hand, John-Michael Liles (a native of neighboring Indiana) has averaged 42 points over the past three seasons, and is expected to ask for only $3 mill/per. If the Hawks are serious about adding a puck-moving defenseman, they should go after Liles or Mark Streit, the Swiss Canadien who had a breakout year at age 30 (only his third in the NHL) with 62 points, the same as Campbell, and is expected to ask for $3.5 mill/per. On the other side of the ice, the Hawks should call up Jack Skille to play on the third line and Troy Brouwer to play on the second line. Skille is a phenomenal skater and dominates in the corners. The former first round, seventh overall pick looked very good in his 16 games with the Hawks and scored a solid 34 points in 59 games with AHL's Rockford. Speaking of scoring, Brouwer did a lot of it in Rockford. In 75 games he tallied 35 goals, 19 assists and 54 points. And with his 6' 3" 215 size he could be a nuisance in front of the net. Assuming the Hawks make these moves, they would have room left for a top six forward. This would be filled by either Lang, Havlat, or someone acquired via trade for either Lang or Havlat or both. Olli Jokinen, anyone?
Vote this post up or down:
