Although I did enjoy watching the Blackhawks have a great run this year, especially considering I am a huge fan of Patrick Kane, I was still keeping a close eye on the RFA situation that has been playing out over the past several days in hopes that it could benefit the Islanders. I am sure many of you have been doing the same as well. Yes, call me selfish all you want for wanting these players to fall into the UFA pool, but if it happened to Okposo and Bailey, you'd be hoping for the same as well. For all of those who are unclear about what I am talking about, here is a brief summary: General Manager Dale Tallon had approximately six restricted free agents to deal with this summer, most notably Kris Versteeg (pictured), Cam Barker, and Ben Eager. In order to maintain your right to sign an RFA, you must qualify them before July 1st. Although Dale Tallon did qualify his players through the use of mail (no, not email), the contracts apparently did not make it to his players in time, or to the NHL offices in time. The NHL and NHLPA were reviewing these actions, with the possible consequence of all six players becoming unrestricted free agents this year. Quite a set of consequences, considering the tremendously talented RFA pool that Chicago had this year, and the small infraction that would have caused this mess.
Regardless of the outcome from the NHL and NHLPA offices, all Islander fans and any fan who had hopes of their team landing one of these players as a UFA this summer can stop the "Blackhawk RFA watch." As of Wednesday morning, all six players have already been signed to contracts, which would cancel out any action that the NHL and NHLPA may take against the Blackhawks for their "mistake." My respect goes out to Dale Tallon for how efficiently he handled this.
However, on the negative side of the spectrum, the Blackhawk RFA watch may now turn into the "Blackhawk trade watch". According to NHLNumbers.Com and several media sources, with the signing of Versteeg, the Blackhawks have moved incredibly close to next year's salary cap of $56.8 million. According to many media outlets, the Blackhawks are looking to clear out a little salary, while also bringing in a good stay-at-home defenseman. Who is expendable? According to these same sources, Dale Tallon may look to shop Barker (seems like he is always being shopped), Patrick Sharp, and Kris Versteeg. While I doubt they would trade Versteeg, who had an extremely promising rookie season, I wouldn't doubt trading Barker or Sharp at this time to bring in that coveted defenseman.
Let the message boards run wild on websites with ingenious trading options in order to land Sharp or Barker.
On a side note: it's pretty scary that not only do the 'Hawks have Toews, Kane, and Versteeg tearing it up already, but 2008 1st Rd Pick Kyle Beach is getting ready to make the jump to the NHL and he is going to be a force to reckon with. It's a bit early, but a Blackhawks-Capitals final is not completely out of the question for next year, is it? Especially considering the addition of Hossa to this powerful and young line-up. Best of luck to your team this season, Blackhawk fans.
*The Tavares Press Conference blog is posted below, so be sure to check that out as well. All comments and questions can be placed in the comment section by clicking on 'Comments,' or by emailing me at IslesNet@Gmail.Com.
-Justin
3 comments:
For an Islander fan, this is great coverage on the Blackhawks. I would love to bring Okposo here haha so I understand where you're coming from. Great write up. Please let me know when you have anything else on the Hawks on here.
Great write up, Justin. Do you think Versteeg or Sharp will go first? I know in your blog it says what the media thinks, what's your call? I hope it's Versteeg, considering Sharp has been consistently good.
Thanks for reading and leaving a comment, guys. While the media keeps talking about Sharp or Versteeg going, as I stated in the article, I believe that Barker may indeed be the odd man out. It seems as if they have been shopping him for quite some time, and I believe they could trade him away and land a reasonable stay at home defenseman. The whole goal is to not mess up team chemistry while increasing cap space and maintaining a great team. Barker, a number 5-6 defenseman last year, is taking quite some time to fill his potential, and he is going to be occupying $3.3+ million in cap space for the next three years. For that price, the Blackhawks could have a better crease-clearing defenseman, albeit older, but still more reliable. Furthermore, the Blackhawks could land a few picks for a young player like Barker. It seems to make sense on all sides. Just my opinion though.
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