Chicago’s Coming Maneuvers
November 21st, 2009 by SteveThe Leafs may be looking with interest at the contract developments for the Chicago Blackhawks in the near future.
Rumour has it the ‘Hawks are on the verge of inking Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Duncan Keith to long term deals around the $6 million mark. If that is the case, issues have been raised around the need for “tagging room” which would allow them to announce the deals once there is enough cap space in the upcoming 2010-11 season for the contracts to remain under the cap. The combination of space must amount to the current cap space in addition to the amount coming off the books due to free agency at the end of the season.
This is where things get strange. Chicago only has $13,472,126 in cap space currently available for next season, and they only have 12 skaters and 1 goalie under contract for next year. They also have the bonus cushion to play with which might give them up to an additional $4 million or so. Thus they will have around $17.5 million in cap space for next year INCLUDING the bonus cushion. Three deals around $18 or $19 million will chew up all of that space.
In the article referenced above, Bob McKenzie suggests this is a good thing for ‘Hawks fans who can sleep worry free with the knowledge that Stan Bowman just has to move an aging under-performing luxury like Brent Sopel, who is playing for $2.33 million this season. That would give the team about $20 million in cap space, which they would immediately be allocating to Toews, Duncan, and Keith.
Why is that a good thing? I really don’t know, since it means the Hawks would still only have 14 skaters and 1 goalie under contract. That’s about 10 skaters, and 1 goalie short of a full NHL roster. Good that they’ve locked up their key roster pieces, but it automatically means they have no room to bring back the likes of Andrew Ladd, Ben Eager, Adam Burish, John Madden, or Jack Skille. They’ll have 4 D men, and two pylons on the blue line.
In essence the team will be icing a very solid core, with virtually no players to fill in the gaps on the bottom two lines. This is where the Leafs should be focusing their attention. The Blackhawks are going to be losing a lot of these players for nothing at the end of the season, and they may want to instead move some players currently under contract for next season for cheaper but effective players who are currently playing reasonably well.
For instance, trading Patrick Sharp who is making $3.9 million through 2011-12 might make sense if they could replace his offense. Perhaps a deal that saw them take on the likes of Alexei Ponikarovsky would make sense, as he is making less money this year, and is unrestricted at the end of the season. That would free up cap space in both situations.
The situation bears watching, and it’s curious that anyone would look at it favourably from a Chicago perspective at this point. It’s going to be interesting to see who stays and who goes.
Posted in Cap Analysis, Player Analysis
6 Responses to “Chicago’s Coming Maneuvers”
By Casey
on Nov 21, 2009
Since the Hawks have already announced the coming deals, I guess they have some wheels in motion already involving some moves? If they cannot formally announce the signings before allowing themselves the “tagging” room, why would they come public with the signings in November?
Hopefully the Leafs can get in on whatever salary dumping the Hawks are doing, even if the trade involves Toronto receiving a mediocre player… As long as we get a pick back with the player, I say it’s all good. We have so much cap room next year, taking on excessive contracts with picks might not be a bad strategy.
By Andrew
on Nov 21, 2009
I like the optimism here guys (and the ever watching eye of Leafs nation looking to snipe other team’s players).
If I was Chicago, though, i’d be looking to snag a draft pick or two for the likes of Sharp, or Versteeg when they get really desperate (in a situation where the cap FALLS next year).
I kind of hope Chicago does take home the cup this year (only if my Leafs can’t) because other than their average goaltending they have assembled a hell of a lot of talent that frankly has no way of staying together next year.
By Mike Walton
on Nov 21, 2009
29 other teams will be thinking the same.
By BCapp
on Nov 21, 2009
I got to be honest. I really don’t see Toronto able to pull a move with them, unless its Campbell and a 1st for Kaberle (to swallow contract) and for the love of god i hope we don’t do that. Chicago’s first will probably be above 20 which may as well be a second…
I would think Chicago is going to mostly try to get picks back in return. The only marketable assets we have are a surplus of contract year players.
While this is advantageous for Chicago (looking to drop salary for NEXT year), I just don’t think its all THAT appealing. As a matter of fact, my use of the term ‘marketable assets’ is an exaggeration…
I hope we can pull something off, but I don’t see it happening…
By Mike
on Nov 21, 2009
Chicago has an injury up the middle and I’m wondering if that’s why Stajan returned to the top line the night of the Hawks game. and he played over 20 min. His contract expires this year. Versteeg contract was forced on them because of Dale Talon mailing out contract offers late. Saves the Blackhawks 2 million in cash and 3 mill in tagging space
By BCapp
on Nov 22, 2009
Mike, Do you not think they could get better than Stajan for Versteeg?
I know they can. I hope we can swing a deal, but it wouldn’t be Stajan alone…