Norris Division
Taking a page from the Calgary Flames, the Chicago Blackhawks decide to shoot big money contracts first and ask questions later. Signing Marian Hossa seems smart on the surface — taking a big gun away from a division rival — but much like the Jay Bouwmeester signing in Southern Alberta, the deal just opens up a world of salary cap problems for the ‘Hawks.
Hossa’s cap hit is a modest $5.2 million, but Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are restricted free agents next season. At this point, with the hype and goodwill the two have brought back to the United Center, they have to each see between $6-7 million per, no? Defencemen Duncan Keith and Cam Barker will also be restricted freebies a year from now. Kris Versteeg still is a restricted free agent this summer. With Cristobal Huet making $5.625 for the next three years and Brian Campbell coming in at over $7-million per, the Blackhawks are going to have to make some big decisions over the next 12 months.
Oh, did I mention the cap will probably go DOWN next year?
[...] deal, not only locking the team into a a potential post season curse for the next decade but also hand-cuffing themselves with regards to the salary cap. Hossa can score, sure, but why bring in an offensive player at that term and at that price when [...]
Tinker Town « the 4th star
July 7, 2009 at 11:06 am