Free agency opened in the NHL Tuesday, and the Chicago Blackhawks wasted no time making a big impact, signing the top goalie and defenseman available— Cristobal Huet and Brian Campbell.
The Huet deal likely means the end of Nikolai Khabibulin's stay in Chicago, but his monster contract could prevent teams from inquiring about the veteran Stanley Cup winner in net.
That deal was overshadowed by the signing of the biggest name defenseman on the market, Brian Campbell.
Chicago gave him an eight-year, $56.8 million contract after having talks with defensemen Wade Redden and Brad Stuart.
Campbell is known as a good skater, and moves the puck well, but he will now have to deal with the expectations that come with a huge, long-term contract.
He did not perform all that well in the playoffs for San Jose, after being traded from Buffalo at the trade deadline last season.
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The signings make it likely that the Hawks will not be able to sign Marian Hossa, the top forward on the market.
The Blackhawks needed more help up front than on the blue line, so the fact that the Hawks front office targeted a defenseman over a forward is puzzling.
Signing Hossa would have made all the forwards better, especially Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.
It also would have taken pressure off of Patrick Sharp, who will receive more attention from opposing defenders next season after his 30+ goal campaign.
If, somehow, GM Dale Tallon is able to sign Hossa too, you could consider the Hawks instant contenders in the Western Conference.
As they stand now, they should make the playoffs, but I can't see them getting past the second round, especially if Hossa lands with another Western Conference team.
The other problem with giving Campbell such a huge contract, is that if he does under-perform, it will be extremely difficult to move that contract via trade.
As for the goaltending situation, bringing in Huet should strengthen a position already considered an organizational strength.
Look for Chicago to move Khabibulin and have Corey Crawford back up Huet at the start of the 2008-09 season.
Crawford showed he is more than capable of playing at the NHL level, shutting out the then-defending Stanley Cup Champion Anaheim Ducks.
He also played well in the AHL playoffs for the Blackhawks affiliate in Rockford.
Chicago should make the playoffs in the competitive Western Conference, but adding some talent up front can help the team advance farther than they would as constructed.
The remainder of free agency and unforeseen trades could change that prediction, one way or another.
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2 months ago
As they stand right now they are approximately $5 M over the cap limit. Hossa won't be coming to town.
from 2 months ago
The bigger problem with that is Hossa is now with the Red Wings. I wouldn't have been as upset about the Hawks now signing Hossa if he had stayed in the East, but with him in our division, he could really make the Hawks pay for not signing him.
2 months ago
The defense needed to be upgraded bad and was a higher priority then forward, and Huet with Crawford (who I've seen personally several times, living in Rockford), will be solid. With Kane and Toews getting a full year under their belts along with rising star Shark, I think the 'Hawks are set up pretty well at forward and should have a good all-around game next year.
2 months ago
Giving Huet that big of a deal was stupid and they're assuming they can move Khabibulin.
2 months ago
For Chicago, I would have gone for a guy like Ty Conklin. He's two years younger than Huet and his career numbers are similar. Detroit signed Conklin for a peasly $700,000. It would have given Chicago a respectable one-two situation, and freed up room for a big forward signing.
The eight years on Campbell's contract is also stupid. IMO, Campbell is at a stage of his career similar to McCabe a few years ago. He's coming off a great season, but has yet to prove he's a top-ten defenseman year in and year out.
Last season, I thought it would be smart for Chicago to go after a nostalgic presence - if for nothing else than to sell tickets. With Belfour available, Roenick unsigned, and the war horse Chelios in Detroit playing year by year, it would cost peanuts to create the old-meets-new Blackhawks. It never happened though, perhaps those guys left Chicago with bad karma or something.
2 months ago
I think Campbell will be a good pickup, but I mean term and money at this point are moot—we've now entered the stage of the game where Mike Commodore can earn himself a five year contract worth over $3 million a year. Granted I think Mike is a good defenseman, but he was never a guy I could see earning that much over that long of a term.
The Huet contract is ridiculous—there were a variety of cheaper options out there, especially when there is already a hefty contract in place, but Chicago went this direction—which is great, IF you can move Khaby. Younger forwards have proven to be able to make an easier transition to the game than young defensemen, so I think Chicago did well in adding the established name on the back end, but the move to strengthen the crease is curious to say the least.
BT
2 months ago
i think the moves were very wise. they did a great job and filled two big needs i think. they need to try to get rid of khabibulin
2 months ago
Khabilulin shouldn't be that hard to get rid of. Look how many goalies were sought after yesterday. There are a few teams out there still who will take him.
Chicago did what they needed to do to keep the train rolling in the right direction. Huet shows up for two seasons and play out of his tree, then I think they got what they paid for.
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