What's next for the Chicago Blackhawks?

With Havlat a UFA, if he's lured elsewhere with big money... could the Hawks make a play for Hossa? What does the future hold for the Blackhawks?

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=A0wNdbOmbyRK.tsAlAA_2bYF?slug=teamreports-2009-nhl-chi&prov=sportsxchange&type=team_report

Blackhawks Team Report

Inside Shots

The Blackhawks’ season is over, but the young team certainly considers it a successful one.

While the goal at the start of the season was just to make the playoffs for the first time since 2002, the Hawks did much better than that in earning home-ice advantage for the first round of postseason play and then battling all the way to the conference final for the first time since 1995.

In the end, their youth showed. They took the veteran-laden Detroit Red Wings to overtime three times in their five-game series, but the Wings won two of those and earned a berth in the Stanley Cup finals.

Facing an elimination game for the first time, the Hawks gave a gutty performance even without their best goaltender and top scorer (although the Red Wings were without three key players, including their top defenseman and . That can only be a source of encouragement for next season.

RED WINGS 2, BLACKHAWKS 1 (OT): Darren Helm’s(notes) goal off a fortunate bounce off the backboards 3:58 into overtime gave Detroit the game and the series.

Notes, Quotes

• G Nikolai Khabibulin(notes) came out for the morning skate, his first venture on the ice since reporting a lower body injury (probably a sore groin) after two periods of Friday’s Game 3 at the United Center. “He looked pretty good out there,” winger Adam Burish(notes) said. Cristobal Huet(notes), however, was given his second straight postseason start. “It’s been tough for Huet because we haven’t played as well when he’s in there,” said winger Patrick Kane(notes). “I feel bad for the guy. He’s taken a lot of heat that maybe he doesn’t deserve.”

• RW Martin Havlat(notes) arrived with the team for the morning skate but didn’t take the ice. Coach Joel Quenneville named rookie center Colin Fraser(notes) to replace Havlat in the lineup. Fraser played in 81 of 82 regular-season games but made just his second postseason appearance on Wednesday. “He’s a smart player and a competitive kid,” said Quenneville. “It’s nice to have him back in the lineup.”

• Before Wednesday, the Hawks had faced elimination games in 64 series over the years and had stayed alive 19 times.

• D Niklas Hjalmarsson(notes) entered Wednesday’s game with 29 blocked shots for this postseason, the most among NHL rookies.

Quote To Note: “We should all be proud of the year we had. It was a great group to work with. These kids have been great all year long. They matured. They developed. But it was a really good working experience. We got to find out what playoff hockey is all about.”—Hawks coach Joel Quenneville, summarizing his first season in charge of the Hawks.

Roster Report

Goaltenders: Cristobal Huet, Corey Crawford(notes).

Defensemen: Brian Campbell(notes), Duncan Keith(notes), Brent Seabrook(notes), Cam Barker(notes), Niklas Hjalmarsson, Matt Walker(notes).

First Line: Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews(notes), Patrick Sharp(notes).

Second Line: Troy Brouwer(notes), Dave Bolland(notes), Andrew Ladd(notes).

Third Line: Dustin Byfuglien(notes), Sammy Pahlsson, Kris Versteeg(notes).

Fourth Line: Ben Eager(notes), Colin Fraser, Adam Burish.

Player Notes:

• RW Patrick Kane had the Hawks’ goal, his ninth of the playoffs, but that was his only shot on goal of the game.

• C Colin Fraser, playing in only his second postseason game, had four shots on goal, three hits and won 6 of 9 faceoffs. He was the Hawks’ best man on draws.

• G Cristobal Huet, who lost the starting job to Nikolai Khabibulin at the end of the regular season, had a brilliant second start in the postseason, making 44 saves. With Khabibulin’s contract expired, Huet figures to be the Hawks’ main goaltender next season.

Medical Watch:

• G Nikolai Khabibulin suffered what the club called a lower body injury in Game 3 of the Detroit series and missed the rest of the series.

• RW Martin Havlat had concussion-like symptoms suffered when he took a hit from Detroit’s Niklas Kronwall(notes) in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals. He took another hit in Game 4 and was out the rest of the series.

• D Brent Sopel(notes) was placed on long-term injured reserve on Dec. 30. His injury was not disclosed but is believed to be an elbow problem that required surgery.

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Over to the GMHockey.com community for the answers...

Nice! Shabbs, the Blackhawk Tribe thanks you...

The view from Chicago, via Chris Kuc at the Tribune:

Chicago Blackhawks look to fine-tune in the off-season

Hawks bosses don't see a need for major moves

Chris Kuc, Chicago Tribune, May 30, 2009

Thanks to their deep postseason run, the Blackhawks have less time before the start of the 2009-10 season to improve their team than previous years. But it was that magnificent ride into the Western Conference finals that helped show they have fewer moves to make in order to reach the next level.

Before the halt to their season at the hands of the Detroit Red Wings in Game 5 on Wednesday night, the Hawks proved to themselves and the rest of the NHL that the off-season will be spent fine tuning more than overhauling.

"Why do we need to be drastic?" general manager Dale Tallon said. "We just have to keep adding our own. We look forward to having some of our young guys come and compete for jobs next year. The key for success is to have competition for jobs and we feel in our organization we have plenty of competition at all spots. I don't think anything will be drastic, but we're certainly going to look to improve.

"A little tweaking and fine tuning [and] I think we'll be good."

The Hawks are already good, it's reaching championship level that is the ultimate goal for the organization. Tallon and the Hawks hierarchy will gather to discuss what moves they will attempt during the summer to maintain the momentum and improve an up-and-coming unit.

"We're going to meet Thursday and discuss everything and go over the roster and who's going to be here and who's not going to be here," Tallon said.

Here are the areas of importance for the Hawks this summer as they attempt to move toward that goal:

Free agency

In the past, the Hawks would look at the list of potential free agents from other teams and dream. This time around, it's their own free agents that are of the utmost importance.

Tallon & Co. have several key free agents and will need to balance immediate and long-range needs with an eye on the salary cap.

Martin Havlat, Nikolai Khabibulin, Sammy Pahlsson, Matt Walker and Aaron Johnson will be unrestricted free agents come July 1.

The first priority will be Havlat, who led the Hawks in scoring during the regular season and has expressed a desire to return. The Hawks would like the veteran winger back, but at what price?

Havlat made $6 million this season and won't come cheap after playing a mostly injury-free season and helping carry the Hawks' offense for much of the campaign. The two sides wasted no time in beginning talks and a deal could be struck if Havlat's salary doesn't impact the cap too much.

The Hawks expect to have room under next season's cap, but the following the season they will need plenty of money in order to keep the core of young players intact. Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith will all be in line for big raises and are must-signs for the Hawks.

Which brings us to Khabibulin. The veteran goaltender and his $6.75 million-per-year contract are most likely gone as the Hawks have Cristobal Huet signed through 2012.

Pahlsson and Walker could return if the prices are right and Johnson is a long shot after being a healthy scratch for much of the latter part of the season.

Dave Bolland, Cam Barker, Colin Fraser, Ben Eager and Kris Versteeg are restricted free agents and most are likely to receive raises, especially Bolland and Versteeg -- two of the biggest additions this season.

Front office

Since John McDonough took over as team president before the season, there have been rumblings of possible changes in the front office. He promoted Al MacIsaac to assistant to the president during the season and MacIsaac has general manager experience in the minor leagues. Also in the picture is assistant GM Stan Bowman.

Tallon has one year remaining on his contract but has been the architect of the current team and deserves not only much of the credit for the team's success but also more time to see his work come to fruition.

"I have another year on my contract," Tallon said. "I've been a Blackhawk for 32 years and I look forward to being here for a lot longer. I just want to continue doing what I'm doing and get better at it every day and build the best possible team we can."

Coach Joel Quenneville isn't going anywhere after replacing Denis Savard four games into the season and leading the Hawks to a fourth-place finish in the West and into the conference finals for the first time since 1995.

The 'fine tuning'

The Hawks showed plenty of offense and were solid defensively, but if their exit at the hands of the Red Wings proves anything, it's that they need to be even stronger in both areas.

As the youngest team in the NHL, the Hawks could use some experience. A solid veteran defenseman to join the group of Keith, Brent Seabrook, Brian Campbell, Barker and Niklas Hjalmarsson would be welcome.

The emergence of Bolland and Versteeg was vital to the Hawks' development and at times Quenneville was able to roll four lines and have a threat to score on any of them.

If Dustin Byfuglien continues the strong play he exhibited during the postseason and Toews, Kane, Andrew Ladd and Patrick Sharp play at high levels, the Hawks could have enough firepower. Still, another scorer wouldn't hurt, especially at center.

As they cleaned out their lockers Friday morning, the players were hopeful not too many changes would occur by the time they arrive for training camp in the fall.

"Is every single guy in this room going to be back here next year?" forward Adam Burish said. "Probably not. What Dale and John and those guys are going to do ... you trust them."

ckuc@tribune.com

Hawks will have a hard time keeping their talent together, and I have a hard time seeing them keeping Khabbibulin next year, and Havlat the year after.

TGTWM, did you read the article from the Chicago Tribune posted above?

It outlines Tallon's strategy, which anticipates that neither Khabibulin nor Havlat are guaranteed to be with the Blackhawks next season.

Right now the Hawks have just under $37MM in cap committed, with just over $25MM currently estimated for the following year.

In an interview given by Dale Tallon on Comcast Sports Chicago, he makes the organization's position clear. "The key is, if you want to play here, and you want to be a Blackhawk, (success) is important. We have something to build on here, and I'm sure Marty (Havlat) sees that...a great building to play that's full every night, a great city to live in, great teammates, and a brilliant future. Why would you not want to be a part of this?"

So actually, the Hawks have, in principle, an easier time keeping their talent together because of that success, and the fact that going somewhere else for more money does not necessarily mean success on that other team.

That strategy has worked for the Red Wings, the team the Blackhawks rightly see as the benchmark, especially being their long time rivals.

The creation of a 'culture of success' has been the objective of the ownership and the brain trust. In a very short time, Rocky Wirtz, John McDonough, Tallon, the Bowmans, Quenneville and the coaching staff have transformed the Hawks from a bottom feeder to an exciting contender--and a team that is very successful from a revenue standpoint.

The Blackhawks also have a number of prospects who may get their chance in Chicago in the 09/10 campaign.

That said, neither Hawks management, the players, nor the media and fanbase are taking anything for granted.

Surely, the expectations next year will be higher.

And of course, the salary cap makes for some substantial challenges.

Right now, Hawks management is evaluating all the variables, and much depends on the decisions taken regarding Havlat and Khabibulin in the next 30 days.

Looking ahead, I'm excited about seeing the Blackhawks play their 2009/10 season opener in Helsinki. October can't come soon enough.

cool)

The deal is simple:

Sign Havlat to a 10 year, 40 million dollar package. Leave enough room to re-sign Keith, Toews, Kane and continue forward. Maybe a buyout or two, like Sopel for instance.

There will be casualties of the cap when Tallon gets done re-signing his big players, but that's something that people everywhere are going to have to get used to.

504Heater wrote:The deal is simple:

Sign Havlat to a 10 year, 40 million dollar package. Leave enough room to re-sign Keith, Toews, Kane and continue forward. Maybe a buyout or two, like Sopel for instance.

There will be casualties of the cap when Tallon gets done re-signing his big players, but that's something that people everywhere are going to have to get used to.

I have a suspicion that the Campbell contract may become a bit of an albatross when it comes to re-signing Keith, Kane and Toews (and Lord knows all three are far more important to the 'Hawks).

They're may have to move him, but he's not exactly improving his stock. They may have to add incentives.

Although last season was pretty hard to stomach, I'm glad we didn't match/one-up the 'Hawks in regards to #51.

Isn't Havlat a bit old to sign for 10/40 (he's 28 now)?
Especially given his injury history?

I'd suggest 6/27, which leaves him at 34yrs old, thus the next contract doesn't lock the cap hit if he retires.

davetherave wrote:
In an interview given by Dale Tallon on Comcast Sports Chicago, he makes the organization's position clear. "The key is, if you want to play here, and you want to be a Blackhawk, (success) is important. We have something to build on here, and I'm sure Marty (Havlat) sees that...a great building to play that's full every night, a great city to live in, great teammates, and a brilliant future. Why would you not want to be a part of this?"

Don't forget where Marty came from before he became a Hawk; and don't forget the reason he went there. Of course Marty may have matured a bit since then, plus if he's smart he's set for life by now. Still.

I have a feeling Marty will go elsewhere. Bulin won't be back and Huet will be their man going forward. No Havlat could open up the possibility of them going after Hossa.

Acrobat wrote:Isn't Havlat a bit old to sign for 10/40 (he's 28 now)?
Especially given his injury history?

I'd suggest 6/27, which leaves him at 34yrs old, thus the next contract doesn't lock the cap hit if he retires.

Doesn't work that way. The problem you're referring to (i.e., getting stuck with a player's salary counting against your cap when he retires) occurs when players over 35 entry multi-year deals and then retires. If Havlat were to sign a 4 x 10, he would have signed the deal before he was 35, and so if he retired at any point during the life of the contract, his cap hit would come off the books (although CHI would still have to pay him).

Anyway, for the sake of CHI's youth, I think they have to let both Khabby and Havlat walk. They've got so many good young players to deal with in the next two years -- Bolland, Versteeg, Brouwer, Barker, and Niemi this year, Kane, Toews, Keith, Ladd, and Skille next year. You might be able to get something to work, but in this economic climate, and with the cap being so uncertain, I think you have to play it safe. You just know a big offer sheet will come in on Toews, Kane, or Keith on July 1, 2010 if they don't have all those guys safely locked up.

rooneypoo wrote:

Acrobat wrote:Isn't Havlat a bit old to sign for 10/40 (he's 28 now)?
Especially given his injury history?

I'd suggest 6/27, which leaves him at 34yrs old, thus the next contract doesn't lock the cap hit if he retires.

Doesn't work that way. The problem you're referring to (i.e., getting stuck with a player's salary counting against your cap when he retires) occurs when players over 35 entry multi-year deals and then retires. If Havlat were to sign a 4 x 10, he would have signed the deal before he was 35, and so if he retired at any point during the life of the contract, his cap hit would come off the books (although CHI would still have to pay him).

Anyway, for the sake of CHI's youth, I think they have to let both Khabby and Havlat walk. They've got so many good young players to deal with in the next two years -- Bolland, Versteeg, Brouwer, Barker, and Niemi this year, Kane, Toews, Keith, Ladd, and Skille next year. You might be able to get something to work, but in this economic climate, and with the cap being so uncertain, I think you have to play it safe. You just know a big offer sheet will come in on Toews, Kane, or Keith on July 1, 2010 if they don't have all those guys safely locked up.

Acrobat is suggesting that a 6 year deal opens up room for another long-term contract to be signed before Havlat is 35. That would make him easier to move.

Mind you, the original contract suggested (10/40) is fine with me. Even with his penchant for missing 15-20 games each season he'd be worth it at $4M per. And if he's injured long-term, this contract allows him to retire without cap hit consequences. And if they, further, structure it such that the last couple of years he is only making $1M or less, then he won't be leaving much of that $40M out of his pocket.

All that siad, though, I just don't see Havlat signing for $4M per year, long term or not, after he just made $6M. He was relatively injury free this year (relative for him ) and he had a good playoff run, even playing with a concussion. He'll get some decent cash from someone, somewhere.

Jaques Martin always liked him, no?

Prager, you're right on with that one...if the Hawks and Havlat don't come to terms, it would not surprise me if the Canadiens offered Martin Havlat some serious money.

They were pretty happy with another Czech ex-Hawk...Robert Lang. And as you say, there's some history with Jacques Martin.

Who knows, maybe there's a deal to be made...

Anyway, Tallon's made it clear that while signing Marty would be a good thing, the team's prepared to adjust if he doesn't.

PS Shabbs> regarding Hossa, Sports Illustrated reports today a deal for him to stay a Wing is agreed on in principle. More details as they become available.

Yeah, saw the Hossa reports...

shabbs wrote:Yeah, saw the Hossa reports...

Maybe he jumps to the Hawks and helps them win it all next year. We will then have to call him the Cup Whore.

Hossa has become an amazing player, but I would be very surprised to see him as a Blackhawk. The Detroit deal sounds credible,as does the source--SI's Michael Farber.

There are a number of other options being discussed in Chicago...

asq2 wrote:I have a suspicion that the Campbell contract may become a bit of an albatross when it comes to re-signing Keith, Kane and Toews (and Lord knows all three are far more important to the 'Hawks).

They're may have to move him, but he's not exactly improving his stock. They may have to add incentives.

Although last season was pretty hard to stomach, I'm glad we didn't match/one-up the 'Hawks in regards to #51.

Damned if they do, damned if they don't. They better move him now before teams know that they're in trouble next summer. But if they move him now, they lose a major cog on their back end...

And round and round we go. In the end, I'm glad we lost that bidding war as well.

504Heater wrote:

asq2 wrote:I have a suspicion that the Campbell contract may become a bit of an albatross when it comes to re-signing Keith, Kane and Toews (and Lord knows all three are far more important to the 'Hawks).

They're may have to move him, but he's not exactly improving his stock. They may have to add incentives.

Although last season was pretty hard to stomach, I'm glad we didn't match/one-up the 'Hawks in regards to #51.

Damned if they do, damned if they don't. They better move him now before teams know that they're in trouble next summer. But if they move him now, they lose a major cog on their back end...

And round and round we go. In the end, I'm glad we lost that bidding war as well.

If the Blackhawks ever decide to shop Campbell--and why would they, as he was an essential part of their success this year--the phone will ring off the hook.

Not an issue in Chicago. Period.

Hey, don't look at me.

25.5 million invested in 6 players the year after next. Assuming Kane, Toews and Keith all make 6 million, that's 44 million on 9 players. 11 more players and the Hawks will have ~ 10 million dollars. I understand that they might sacrifice Byfuglien and maybe even guys like Bolland and/or Versteeg, but you must confess that there's something that's gonna have to give in Chi-town?

And for the record Dave, I like the Hawks, I think they might be my 2nd favourite team (although, I only really root for one team as most can understand), so it's not with any maliciousness that I suggest this, it just seems to be the way it's gonna be. Unless you know something we don't?

davetherave wrote:

If the Blackhawks ever decide to shop Campbell--and why would they, as he was an essential part of their success this year--the phone will ring off the hook.

Not an issue in Chicago. Period.

I agree with the emoticon, but I disagree in that I think the market for him would be less than you claim. Especially with the cap going down.

Heater, ASQ> please go back and read The Chicago Tribune article at the top of the thread.

It makes Blackhawks Management's position clear:

Tallon & Co. have several key free agents and will need to balance immediate and long-range needs with an eye on the salary cap.

Once the situation with the pending UFAs is resolved, Chicago's executive team will turn their attention to what's needed to take the team from one that went to the Conference Finals to one that can win the Stanley Cup.

Considering how quickly the Hawks went from missing the playoffs to being one of the NHL's Final Four, it's fair to say these guys are pretty good at what they do.

We shall how the situation evolves shortly...and yes, Heater, I do know some things I'm not telling yet.

PS to ASQ...there are no albatrosses in Chicago...just Blackhawks.

And considering the Hawks had one million in paid attendance this year, plus seven playoff games at home, and the building sold out every night, Brian Campbell was more than a wise investment.

Campbell's better now than he was in San Jose, or Buffalo, and should continue to improve under Quenneville and Scotty Bowman's rigourous tutelage. The kid's 29--Rafalski and Niedermayer are 34. He's got time.

davetherave wrote:Hossa has become an amazing player, but I would be very surprised to see him as a Blackhawk. The Detroit deal sounds credible,as does the source--SI's Michael Farber.

There are a number of other options being discussed in Chicago...

I guess I should have inserted a smiley in my post, as it seems your sarcasm/facetiousness detectors are down.

Tim Sassone, who has covered the Blackhawks and the NHL since 1988, writing for the Chicago Daily Tribune, is also the Hawks correspondent for The Hockey News. This is the first of his three-part series on the Blackhawks looking ahead to 2009-10:

Hawks already have most key players signed for next year
By Tim Sassone | Chicago Daily Herald, June 2, 2009

Editor's note: This is the first of a three-part series on the future of the Blackhawks, with today's focus on the core of the team.

Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon insists he will do whatever it takes to keep the core of one of the most entertaining teams in the NHL together.

Signing potential unrestricted free agent Martin Havlat for reasonable terms will be the first indicator of how well Tallon can solve this puzzle.

Getting restricted free agents Dave Bolland, Kris Versteeg, Cam Barker, Ben Eager and Troy Brouwer re-signed could be another tricky task.

The good news is 11 regulars already are locked up for next season, including five of the most important players on the team in Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane, as well as Brian Campbell, Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd, Cristobal Huet and Adam Burish.

"This is the best group of guys I've ever played with so I hope it all works out and we can stay together," Kane said.

His head coach understands that won't be easy.

"It's going to be a challenge," coach Joel Quenneville said," but I think if you look at every team they all have issues with the economics changed the way they have, and who knows what they're going to be going forward. You manage it as best you can. I'm sure there are going to be decisions with our group, but that makes it fun as well as challenging.

"How much change, that is going to transpire over the course summer, but we have a lot of nice pieces in our system that hopefully have something to say in the fall. There's always a surprise or two along the way, but I think the key pieces we expect to be in place shouldn't change too much."

One player not going anywhere is Campbell, who is signed for seven more years.

Campbell gave the Hawks exactly the kind of season they expected when they signed him as a free agent last July to an eight-year deal worth more than $56 million, a franchise record.

Campbell wasn't brought in to be a lockdown defender, so it shouldn't have been a surprise when he wasn't on the ice late in games. He had 52 points in 82 games to rank 10th among all NHL defensemen, and he helped dictate the style the Hawks played with his ability to move the puck out of danger.

"I thought he was great in the playoffs and got better as the season went on," Tallon said. "For his first year after signing a big contract, I thought he had a very good year."

Campbell admitted he struggled with the weight of the contract ($7.1 million a season) on his shoulders.

"I had some ups and downs, but it was a fun process," Campbell said. "It was a challenge. As much as you say it doesn't affect you, the contract kind of hangs over your head a little bit. It takes time to adjust to it.

"At the end of the season, I felt really at home here in Chicago. I felt that's how I was supposed to play, and how I do play."

Campbell contends big contracts can make players try to do too much to live up to the money.

"I wasn't going to change how I played," Campbell said. "It was a bit of an adjustment, but I felt really good and comfortable in the playoffs with the puck and skating. That's the way I want to start and have a more consistent year next year."

Toews believes the core group is going to face some considerable challenges going forward after a 104-point regular season and winning two rounds in the playoffs.

"We were able to fly under the radar last year and surprise some people," Toews said. "This year it got a little tougher, and it's going to be the same next year.

"When you go up against teams like Detroit and San Jose during the regular season, I think every team plays better. I think we're definitely going to be considered one of those high-end teams where other players raise their level when they play against us."

Locked up with the Blackhawks
Here's a glance at the salaries of players under contract with the Blackhawks for next season and beyond:
2009-10 Signed Player	Cap hit	Through
Brian Campbell	$7.1 mil	2016
Cristobal Huet	$5.62 mil	2012
Patrick Sharp	$3.9 mil	2012
Patrick Kane*	$3.72 mil	2010
Brent Seabrook	$3.5 mil	2011
Dustin Byfuglien	$3 mil	2011
Jonathan Toews*	$3 mil	2010
Brent Sopel	$2.4 mil	2011
Duncan Keith	$1.9 mil	2010
Andrew Ladd	$1.55 mil	2010
Adam Burish	$713,000	2010
Niklas Hjalmarsson	$643,000	2010
* Includes potential bonuses

davetherave wrote:
Considering how quickly the Hawks went from missing the playoffs to being one of the NHL's Final Four, it's fair to say these guys are pretty good at what they do.

Don't hang your hat on that dave. There are plenty of examples of teams getting to the final four and even the Finals that didn't belong there or did very poorly for a few seasons after that. I'm not saying that it means the Hawks are one of those teams it's just not a very good indicator.

Tampa, Edmonton, Calgary, Carolina, Ottawa (Year after final 4 in 2003 and then after the finals in 2007), Anaheim (The year after both finals appearances in 2003 and 2007)

All those teams struggled.

lot of question marks with the Hawks, if not now, then soon. Havlat is due a new contract, Khabibulin (who backstopped them to the final 4) is a UFA, and well, is anyone thinking Huet can do the same as Bulin did? I don't think so personally. If the Hawks can hold it together, they could make another good run, but Huet is a downgrade from Bulin.

Clutch, SF71, we'll talk sometime after the Draft & UFA season.

The Blackhawks Brain Trust (AKA Tallon and Company) are pretty good at what they do.

:##:

davetherave wrote:Clutch, SF71, we'll talk sometime after the Draft & UFA season.

The Blackhawks Brain Trust (AKA Tallon and Company) are pretty good at what they do.

:##:

you saying we are going to eat our words? that could be true, will be one interesting off season for sure.

I was just saying that a final four finish does not mean anything. I won't change my oppinion regardless of how the Hawks perform next season.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:

davetherave wrote:
Considering how quickly the Hawks went from missing the playoffs to being one of the NHL's Final Four, it's fair to say these guys are pretty good at what they do.

Don't hang your hat on that dave. There are plenty of examples of teams getting to the final four and even the Finals that didn't belong there or did very poorly for a few seasons after that. I'm not saying that it means the Hawks are one of those teams it's just not a very good indicator.

Tampa, Edmonton, Calgary, Carolina, Ottawa (Year after final 4 in 2003 and then after the finals in 2007), Anaheim (The year after both finals appearances in 2003 and 2007)

All those teams struggled.

Gee, Clutch, nothing like taking my statement out of context, eh...which was:

Once the situation with the pending UFAs is resolved, Chicago's executive team will turn their attention to what's needed to take the team from one that went to the Conference Finals to one that can win the Stanley Cup.

Considering how quickly the Hawks went from missing the playoffs to being one of the NHL's Final Four, it's fair to say these guys are pretty good at what they do.

Anyway, as far as 'hanging my hat', the only place I hang my hat--a very cool black baseball cap with an embroidered Blackhawks Indian head on the front, and the crossed tomahawks on the back--is on my head.

And as you know, I don't put much stock in predictions...they're fun, but that's all.
cool)

I would not compare those teams with Chicago either. Chicago is still deep in the prospect pool and has thier young core and more importantly young D core set for years.

Toews and Kane are important, Seabrook and Kieth will be that teams saving grace for years to come. Toews and Kane will benifit from having those 2 guys keeping the puck out of their own end and getting it up to the two snippers.

Chicago is deep everywhere, you have guys like Skille and Beech who might be able to step in next year and if they cant, they will be in the AHL playing the pro game getting ready to take that leap.

The only question mark in Chicago is Huet.

The Hawks have nowhere to go but up. When two of your major cogs at forward are 20 or 21, you're probably gonna be just fine. Add in Keith who's blossomed into a premiere D-man at 26 and Seabrook who just finally started to put everything together, who's 24 and still getting better and the nucleus is there for a powerful team that will keep getting better - and will undoubtedly get hungrier.

Very impressed with Hjalmarsson, he should slide into a top 4 role for the Hawks, very impressed with Boland, Sharp is a beast - even though he had the snot beaten out of him during the playoffs, he was still awesome.

I don't love Huet, but he'll do. Barker I would imagine might be gone soon. Havlat probably can't fit in monetarily, but if the Hawks want to start looking at options, trade Campbell before the cap starts to lower and teams start to get scared. There's ample puck moving from Chi's back end, Campbell feels like a luxury right now - and one that could hurt very badly when it comes time to re-up Toews, Kane and Keith.

There's also Byfuglien and his 3 million that can probably be jettisoned if they get desperate, but for the most part, this team is exactly how we wanted Ottawa to be. Young, gaining experience, killer back end, nice forwards, above average goalie (I realize Huet's numbers are good regular season, but until he wins a playoff series, the jury's still out).

It's also scary thinking how many assets the Hawks have to deal with and other teams would likely be willing to deal for.

Campbell and Barker both have value and can be a top 4 on most teams in the league. If the Hawks keep drafting like they have been with added picks, on top of having Bowman in the organization, they could very well turn into the new Red Wings very quickly.

The Hawks have EVERYTHING needed to be a force for the next decade or two.

Neely4Life wrote:The only question mark in Chicago is Huet.

I remember a time when the only question mark for the Sens was goaltending...

Even when it was the only question mark, they still didnt have the studs up front like Chicago does. Different times too.

Huet might be good enough, but I wouldnt put all the eggs in his basket.

shabbs wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:The only question mark in Chicago is Huet.

I remember a time when the only question mark for the Sens was goaltending...

Yeah, now it's up to two questions:

1. How many games due to injury will Leclaire miss this year?
2. When Leclaire get injured, is Elliott a #1 NHL goalie? (disputed by The Name Dropper)

Well, Ladies and Gents, like I said...we'll talk after the Draft and the UFA season.

The Blackhawks also have a pretty good pipeline of prospects right now, and as Neely says, plenty of very tradeable assets.

RFA-wise, should a team tender an offer sheet, there's more draft picks to be had.

As far as goaltending is concerned, having a team that is strong defensively overall, is the key. In that department, the Blackhawks were 3rd in the West and 6th in the NHL last year. The objective is to at least maintain that ranking. The management team is looking at a variety of ways in which that can be accomplished.

Offensively, the Hawks' balanced scoring put them at #2 in the West, and #4 overall.

The mindset in Chicago is that while the 2008-09 season was gratifying in terms of results, the Stanley Cup is the goal. Right now the development of the team is ahead of schedule.

Nothing is being taken for granted.

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As for Clutch's claims of Final Four teams 'struggling', there's no empirical evidence to suggest a trend one way or the other. Some teams continue to do well, others do not, others experience a 'dip' and 'rebound'. Part of the normal cycle of hockey.

In response to his tenuous conclusions, here are the Final Four teams from 2005-06 through 2008-09:
2005-06--Carolina, Buffalo, Edmonton, Anaheim
2006-07--Anaheim, Detroit, Ottawa, Buffalo
2007-08--Detroit, Dallas, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia
2008-09--Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Carolina

Not sure how one discerns a trend there, especially if one considers how grueling the SCPs are.

But that may the basis for more lively discussion on the subject on another thread.

Asst. GM Dudley Resigns From Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks Press Release/Blackhawks.NHL.com, June 17, 2009

The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that Rick Dudley has resigned as assistant general manager, effective immediately.

“Rick has informed me that he has resigned from his position with the Blackhawks to pursue other opportunities,” General Manager Dale Tallon said. “I would like to extend my gratitude to him for his work with our organization and certainly wish him well in the future.”

Dudley served four years in the Blackhawks hockey operations, which includes each of the last three as the club’s assistant general manager.

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Thrashers bolster front office with Dudley hire
Craig Custance, The Sporting News, June 17, 2009

The Atlanta Thrashers have raided the Chicago Blackhawks to bolster their front office. According to an NHL source, the Thrashers have hired Chicago assistant general manager Rick Dudley to be an associate general manager under executive vice president and current GM Don Waddell.

The source told SportingNews.com that Dudley wasn't brought in to replace the longtime Thrashers GM and that it was a Waddell hire. Dudley has been with the Blackhawks since 2004 when he was hired as a hockey ops consultant and was named an assistant GM in July of 2006.

He brings a wealth of experience to the Thrashers front office. He was the general manager of the Florida Panthers for two years (2002-04) and before that was the GM and senior vice president in Tampa Bay. He spent one season as the GM of the Senators.

In Tampa, he acquired players like Nikolai Khabibulin and Martin St. Louis who were key members of the Lightning's Stanley Cup winning team. Dudley was also in the running for the Jack Adams Trophy as head coach of the Buffalo Sabres following the 1989-90 season.

Neely4Life wrote:Even when it was the only question mark, they still didnt have the studs up front like Chicago does. Different times too.

Huet might be good enough, but I wouldnt put all the eggs in his basket.

Wait, are you saying Ottawa never had the offensive fire-power of the 'Hawks?

Where were you in 2005-2006?

The Blackhawks have focused this year on widening their marketing base to include the African-American constituency. Having Michael Jordan appear with Bobby Hull at the United Center has been one example of their successful outreach.