Free Agency: Day 2 Open Thread

by SCH on Jul 2, 2008 1:08 PM CDT Comment 12 comments

I wouldn't expect anything Blackhawks related, but if you want you can discuss other signings that happen around the NHL today here, as there are still some decent players left on the market. For instance, Marian Hossa is a Red Wing for one year at $7.4 million (ugh), and Sean Avery is headed to Dallas for four years at $15.5 million. Also, the Khabibulin to LA rumor is still active at this point:

RUMOUR: The Chicago Blackhawks are "extremely close to dealing goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin." The Kings are the front runners however we are told there is one other team from the West.

We'll see if anything comes of that.

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Salary Cap

So dumping Khabby would free $6.75. My understanding is we are somewhere around $2M over. That would leave some to re-sign Williams, go after another FA, or save it for potential deadline acquisitions.

So could we land a Satan or Demitra? Satan’s numbers have dropped the past few years, so he could come cheaper.

Winning is Fun

by Vegas Brian on Jul 2, 2008 1:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hossa....

....signed a 1 year deal? Who’s his agent? He probably could have got a deal similar to Campbell’s. I guess he wants to play for a cup and then become a free agent again next year. Still a big risk if you ask me.

by seang03 on Jul 2, 2008 1:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

another possibility

Is it possible the Hawks could shop Lang at all? He is due $4 million this year, and that would free us up some money, and also allow the Hawks to hang on to Khabibulin, which I don’t like, but appears to be what Dale wants, for the moment anyways. Then maybe someone like Kontiola could step in and be the 2nd line center?

by SCH on Jul 2, 2008 1:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think it's very possible...

...I think Tallon wants to see this team get younger yet still compete and they can do that by getting rid of Lang. I even heard yesterday on his interview with Mac, Jurko & Harry on ESPN 1000 that he is giving Beach an opportunity to make the team and he expects him to make the team. If we got rid of Lang who would fill his sport or what would be a good acquisition to fill his spot?

by seang03 on Jul 2, 2008 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Beach...

Hmm, I didn’t even consider the fact that he may be ready to make this team this year. As I said, I feel confident enough in a guy like Kontiola to take over Lang’s spot, I thought Konti showed some good speed last year and creativity, I could see him having a strong season if given a chance.

by SCH on Jul 2, 2008 1:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Blue Jackets make a trade

Zherdev and Fritsche to Rangers for Fedor Tyutin and Christian Backman.

by SCH on Jul 2, 2008 3:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Penguins will be fine...

Malkin has agreed to a 5-year deal to stay in Pittsburgh. Penguin fans can relax a bit…

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3471137

Winning is Fun

by Vegas Brian on Jul 2, 2008 4:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Penguins also re-signed...

Brooks Orpik to a 6 year, $22.5 million deal. Orpik is a good player IMO and I like the way he plays but that’s too much for him.

by SCH on Jul 2, 2008 5:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Any idea...

what LA might be offering in return?

by whw on Jul 3, 2008 2:52 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm sure it is not much

We are over the cap at this point. If he is traded, that would put us around $4M under. With Tallon claiming he’d like to resign Williams, that would not leave us with much. So unless he trades someone else, our return from the Kings will be minimal, IMO.

I have all but let go the notion of signing another FA. If Williams can stay healthy, he would probably be close to anyone else we can sign with that cash.

Winning is Fun

by Vegas Brian on Jul 3, 2008 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Williams

I’d like to see him back but I bet the Hawks are still pissed off about his comments towards the end of the season. Got a feeling he won’t be back next year, but we’ll see.

by SCH on Jul 3, 2008 1:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs