Hjalmarsson offer sheet jeopardizes Bowman's word
Doug Wilson fired a high, hard one at the upper left corner. Stan Bowman has seven days to take one off the mask or duck for cover.
The former Blackhawks defenseman took a shot at his former team as Wilson's San Jose Sharks signed Niklas Hjalmarsson to a 4-year, $14 million offer sheet. The puck is now in Bowman's corner as the Hawks general manager has seven days to match the offer or take the Sharks first and third round selections in the 2011 NHL entry draft as compensation for losing Hjalmarsson.
There is more at stake for the salary-cap strapped Hawks than losing Brian Campbell's defensive mate. The Stanley Cup champs may now be forced to choose between Hjalmarsson and goaltender Antti Niemi. Plus, with Hjamarsson locked in at $3.5 million per season, Bowman may find it difficult to re-sign Brent Seabrook next summer when the blueliner is scheduled to become a retsricted free agent.
Maybe even more importantly for the inexperienced Blackhawks general manager, Bowman's word is at stake. This is the guy who stated that no more moves were necessary after he dealt Dustin Byfuglien, Brent Sopel and Ben Eager to the Thrashers to only then send Kris Versteeg, Colin Fraser and Andrew Ladd packing for other NHL addresses. Add in Adam Burish and John Madden and the Hawks have already dropped eight players from last season's roster.
Bowman is the same Hawks mouthpiece who assured the faithful in February that the club still had complete confidence in Cristobal Huet. Bowman better be careful to watch his words or his thin act will become transparent to Hawks fans in short order.
His declaration after the initail trade with Atlanta was meant to be heard league-wide in order to boost Bowman's return on future deals. Wilson wisely called his bluff. The Sharks GM was less than pleased with his team being swept out of the playoffs at the hands of the Hawks. Wilson sent his goaltender to Siberia and believes the addition of Hjalmarsson may be enough to tilt the balance of the Western Conference to the Sharks following the Hawks off-season of dismantling.
But Wilson should keep scouting top-four defensemen as this amateur analyst believes Hjamarsson will continue to sport the Indian Head sweater for this season and beyond. And I think Bowman will be making the correct decision. And he'll also save a little face with Hawks fans in the process.
Bowman can assert that only the Byfuglien deal was done for cap reasons. The argument can be made that Versteeg was dealt because he refused to play within Quenneville's system at all times (and his idiotic rap at the championship parade did little to help his cause). You could also claim that players such as Ladd are a dime a dozen. Granted, not many guys have won 2 Stanley Cups in their first 6 seasons in the league, but the Hawks now have more than a few guys who know what it takes to win it all. Sopel will be missed, but his salary can be better spent. And Madden's ticket out of Chicago was gauranteed after the publication of the limo pictures in Vancouver (not exactly the role model for Patrick Kane that the Hawks envisioned).
And with all due respect to Eager, Fraser and Burish, but they're fourth liners. If Bowman can't replace their contributions, then the Hawks have bigger problems than we thought.
However, it would be impossible for the Hawks to explain the loss of Hjalmarsson as anything other than a cap casualty. And doing so would make Bowman look like a fool. For that reason alone, the Hawks are nearly forced to match the offer sheet or risk having a general manager who's word can never be trusted. I may be mistaken, but I'm fairly certain that goes against the franchise image that John McDonough has attempted to portray.
Besides, there are worse moves than bringing back Hjalmarsson. I'd prefer the young defenseman over Niemi any day of the week. Hjalmarsson has proven more and he may also have a higher ceiling. Plus, the Hawks can more easily replace Niemi for the upcoming season. It would be impossible to replace Hjamalrsson's skill level on the roster.
Bowman has a week to mull it over. It's always easier to tell the truth.
28 Comments
icehogst said:
No question, match the offer. No way we keep Campbell instead of Hjalmarsson. Sign Niemi at similar numbers Halak signed with the Blues. Save cap space by moving BOTH Huet and Campbell to Rockford. See if the prospect from Atlanta is ready to step in.
Deal as the season progresses.
Hawks should use the options offered by the AHL to deal from a position of strength. Hurt egos are secondary to keeping this team together for another run at the Cup.
Mark Kiley said:
Please tell me your not serious about moving Campbell to the minors. It shouldn't happen. It won't happen. And I gaurantee the Hawks haven't considered the thought for a second.
Sorry if it sounds harsh, but I'm tired of comments on Campbell's salary.
Hawks don't win the Stanley Cup without him. Period. We should be thankful he's on our team instead of regretting the contract it took to land him.
VegasHawksFan said:
Yep, and next year when Biscuit is up for contract, the talk will be to put Hossa in the minors too. I'm glad to hear another voice ask for reason about Campbell, but it's just not possible in this crowd. Since I have the same thoughts, this is a great article Mark!
Doug Wilson has to be happy as a pig in shit tonight. The picks, if needed, will cost him nothing because the Sharks are going to be picking late again next year. If they get Hammer, he's a sorely needed piece for the Sharks who is more than going to cover his value by the time that contract is done. If the Hawks pay to keep him, Wilson has just made him more expensive and likely forced Bowman's hand on Niemi. Considering alleged time it takes for D men to mature, I just don't think the Hawks can afford to let Hammer go before he is even hitting his stride. If the Hawks were really hoping to keep him for 2.5, then Stan just got pantsed here.
That he said they were done and let Ladd go really didn't bother me. I wouldn't expect him to advertise that they still needed to get rid of one more player. If Stan had the foresight to see that Ladd and Eager were both going to go to arbitration, then I think he did well to not resign players who were going to cost too much. With Hammer though, even if 3.5 is a lot more then expected, I think you have to take the risk on him.
Does anyone know what happens if Niemi gets a number in arbitration the Hawks can't or won't pay? Does he still cost another team picks if they make an offer for him?
Hey Mark, what's your email? I'd like to send you some news from the Hancock Observatory. It ties in nicely with the Blackhawks and I figured you might want to write about it.
Mark Kiley said:
Ben, you can reach us at blackhawksconfidential@gmail.com. Sorry for the delayed response.
Hostile Hawk said:
Hjammer has got to stay in Chicago. He just might be the best defensive defensemen in the league, and he will just get better.
And as much as everyone is tired of hearing it, Yes, Campbell is paid extremely too much and is becoming somewhat of a weight holding the possible future of this team down. And, yes the Hawks win the Cup without him. Not a doubt in my mind on that one. No number supports any other argument. But, as I have said before, he played a damn good Philly series. Nothing a guy for a third of his salary couldn't do though.
I suppose crying about it will get us nowhere as his contract will never go elsewhere, and there is noway he goes to Rockford.
It would be a shame to loose Niemi at the hands of a Hjammer deal, but it might just have to happen here.
borg said:
This is lousy. Hjalmarrson is so good at just about everything not pertaining to offense, but $3.5 a year for him right now is ridiculous. There should be a percentage cap on what type of raise is allowable to RFA's.
And I highly disagree with the notion that Niemi is so easily replaceable. I think that idea has slipped into the collective consciousness because the Hawks won some playoff games in which Niemi surrendered a few goals and didn't look stellar. But he was the victim of some really awful, fluky goals. He is not Huet, who pretty much needed the Hawks to dominate and not allow chances. Niemi showed on numerous occasions, including in the playoffs against the Sharks, Canucks and Flyers, that he can flat out steal games. Late 30's FA's and journeymen don't offer the same ability.
Mark Kiley said:
Borg, I didn't mean to suggest that Niemi is easily replaceable in general terms. I just believe that the Hawks can afford to absorb the loss of Niemi more than they could the loss of Hjalmarsson.
I was a big supporter of Niemi all season, but that was in comparison to Huet.
There is no doubt that these are difficult decisions for the Hawks. Bowman is no longer making choices on his own terms thanks to Wilson's aggressive move.
icehogst said:
Yes Mark, I am serious about sending Campbell to Rockford. His salary is the issue, not his skill, because the cap is the issue. Resourceful use of the AHL will allow the Hawks to keep players under contract, and under the cap, and allow them to deal from a position of strength.
Hjalmarsson and Niemi are both worth the money. Sign 'em. Hawks have already chosen them as the future because they let 8 players leave instead of them. Both proved themselves under the greatest pressure possible as rookies. They are the real deal, just like our "core players".
As far as "trust" and "truth" go, Hawks earned by trust last season. They don't owe me anything.
GO HAWKS !!
VegasHawksFan said:
So the AHL is supposed to be some kind of magic tool to get rid of expensive players instead of a true development tool? So what you want the Hawks to do is bury Campbell, along with Huet into the minors, pay out 12 million in salary just to be rid of them, and then go out and spend another 7 mil on three defensemen that you are convinced are just growing on a tree somewhere? Wow. I get that this seems like simple math wherein you just dump expensive players into the AHL, but honestly think about what you are saying for a minute, you are suggesting the Hawks pay 12 million dollars to get NOTHING while still needing to go out and spend at least another four million to get the two defenseman people think grow on trees for two million apiece or less. This kind of shit works great in fantasy leagues but has consequences in the real world. Just sayin.
Jerry Kayne said:
A veteran GM just schooled our rookie GM. Stan must move a little more swiftly and confidently and wrap up the core D. Hjammer is a must have. Stan should have already matched and signed him. Niemi shouldn't figure here.
My prediction is that the cap will make parity in the NHL but ruin players careers running into double digits.
VegasHawksFan said:
Looking at that Wilson quote you put on the last thread makes Wilson look a little more desperate rather than veteran GM. Of all the teams, his was the one in the best position to poach but when he talks like that, he is basically admitting he has no ability to find and develop his own talent the way Tallon did and he is hoping he will win if he just puts enough guys on his team who have won Stanley Cups. I still think it's entirely possible Stan was not negligent here. How do we know Hammer's agent didn't know this was coming and waited for it rather then try for arbitration? If Stan offered between 2.5 and 3 that seems pretty reasonable. I don't know if an agent can shop a UFA like that to drive the price up but I'd be really curious to know what happened behind the scenes.
Jerry Kayne said:
Wilson is desperate like a fox (huh?). Why not take a well seasoned and young D man with the highest of potential from your biggest rival for the 2011 Cup race? You fill the Rob Blake spot and you weaken your opponent at the same time.
Maybe he was just keeping Stan honest. Maybe he's insulted by Stan's offer. Maybe Stan traded away Hjammer's best friends and he doesn't want to be a Blackhawk anymore. Maybe he doesn't believe the Hawks can win next year without Burish. Maybe he wants to live on the west coast and sip pina coladas.
Hjammer could very well be the next Duncan Keith. Maybe he wants to be a top 2 D man rather than a number 4.
VegasHawksFan said:
I don't think it took all that much imagination for Wilson to make this move, but I stand by what I said up near the top, there is no downside for him and a ton of upside. He looks shrewd until he opens his mouth and then he sounds more like a creepy guy trying to screw his neighbors hot wife because he thinks he can and because the wife he married no longer turns him on. Meh, maybe it works out for him but I doubt it. I think the Hawks will keep Hammer and Wilson will be the spurned Dude stuck with the team he just called out while singing Hammer's praises.
Dave Morris said:
Let Doug Wilson choke on his Ham Sandwich.
If it's time to move on, the young Hawks get their chance.
As for Stan, he doesn't have to tell us anything. He did his job last year, and the Blackhawks are Stanley Cup Champions.
His job just got more difficult.
If anyone thinks they can do better, then step right up.
Mark Kiley said:
Stan's job would have been difficult this summer with or without a Stanley Cup win.
And the criticism will lessen if his message matches his actions.
FrankS said:
I would think that Soup's value to the team was proved when he came back early from injury and turned around the Nashville series. Maybe the Hawks would have found a way to win anyway, but we'll never find out.
Hostile Hawk said:
I do not mean to offend, but I am tired of hearing that Campbell saved the day in the Nashville series. When he came back, he played like a guy who was still hurt, which means he gave little contribution and his ice time was lacking through those games. He played really good, maybe the best I have ever seen from him in a Hawks uniform during the Philly series, but It is hard pressed to give any examples, besides his actual presence, of plays that lead to a reasoning supporting this argument. The games that the Hawks won were games when Niemi stood on his head. Plus, Bolland started playing better which helped. The Hawks were beating themselves and did find a way to win. My view was that Soupy had little to do with it. Maybe he brings moral support, but I doubt the guy who gets paid twice what I do to produce a third of what I produce makes me feel good about myself and boosts my emotional state. I could be wrong. Either way, his value to this team is fourth strongest defenseman, ninth overall player right now. Maybe third best defenseman when the Hawks loose another valued player because of the ridiculous paycheck someone decided he was worth.
Jerry Kayne said:
I'm going to the last day of prospect camp tomorrow. Anyone want to join me?
icehogst said:
nkl....if another team were to give up talent in exchange for Huet or Campbell, of course that would be the way to go before "burying them in the AHL". I am assuming their salaries make them untradeable. Maybe Campbell. Certainly Huet.
The Hawks cannot value Campbell and Huet over Niemi, Hjalmarsson and, early next year, Seabrook. Trade them if possible, even for draft picks, but use the AHL as a resource if that is not possible and continue trying to deal them as the season progresses. Exactly why is this fantasy?
Ahhh forget it. I am uneasy discussing Brian Campbell in any terms but gratitude and respect for the way he overcame injury and ignited the puck possession attack which ledd to a Cup. This cap crap just wigs me out.
VegasHawksFan said:
Sorry if this posts twice. It's fantasy to me ice because the rules don't work that way. Unless I have read it wrong, Huet and Campbell need to clear waivers to come back up to the NHL, and at that point another team can grab them and the Hawks will be forced to pay half their contract AND it counts against the cap. In addition to making Campbell cheap just to give him away and get nothing in return, they still need to pay players to take his place while they pay half his salary.
From another angle, think about the message you send the rest of the league. If you show that you will dump any player in the AHL once you feel they are no longer tradeable or worth their cap hit, free agents are going to avoid you like the plague. When Huet and Campbell signed their contracts, the nature of the free agency market as it existed then is why they got the contracts they did and people need to get over that. Blaming Campbell for not being able to keep the team together is childish and kinda like Veruca Salt throwing a tantrum because Wonka won't let Daddy buy his candy factory. I dunno Ice, I don't think you mean it to sound so arrogant, but you make it sound like these guys are just trading cards and that it's no big deal for Rocky Wirtz to eat 12 million a year so that we can sign players at rates you approve of. As for the AHL, that's supposed to be where you develop your up and coming talent, not where you bury the contracts you don't like.
Dave Morris said:
Doug Wilson was eating a ham sandwich for lunch today when he heard the news of Stan Bowman matching his offer for Hjalmarsson.
Wilson apparently choked on a piece of lettuce, and is now resting comfortably in a San Jose clinic.
Hostile Hawk said:
Awesome!
icehogst said:
I surrender nkl. Your rationale is right and my vision of the AHL as a holding tank won't work. If waivers and 1/2 salary are involved that is a different kettle of fish. Also, I didn't consider your point that free agents will avoid the Hawks if the AHL is a possible landing spot. Point withdrawn.
Glad that Hawks matched the Sharks offer on Hjalmarsson. Good for him and us.
VegasHawksFan said:
No worries Ice, when I'm not bitching about a lack of forecheck and backcheck from the team, I'm usually posting over the top responses to comments about Campbell's or Hossa's salary, in short, I'm usually bitching about something. I'm really not that much of a hot head in real life. Long winded Knucklehead yes, hot head no.
iplagitr said:
A point often overlooked in Campbell's salary argument is that the Hawks are in a whole different position than they were just a few years ago. It wasn't long ago that no one wanted to play for this team. Campbell signed after the 07-08 season when the Hawks didn't even make the playoffs, and we all know what it was like before that. Back then, Tallon essentially had to pay top-dollar or more to try and lure any of the big ticket free-agents to even think about coming to play in Chicago. Although it feels like some salaries are hurting us now that we have a bunch of star players and a Stanley Cup, credit Tallon for the accomplishment of landing some top free-agents like Campbell, Havlat, and Khabby, even in the darker times. It helped the Hawks get out of the rut and make them a team that good players wanted to be a part of.
Just think, a few years ago the Hawks had no salary issues.... but very few good players. Now we have a salary crunch on the team, but a collection of some of the top players in the league. Which problem would you rather have?!
Awesome news about Hammer. Losing him to SJ would have been way too tough to swallow. I trust they'll get Niemi signed as well. With the goalie-glut in the league and his limited history, I don't think many teams will be scrambling to steal him away at top dollar. Then again, what do I know?
VegasHawksFan said:
Nicely said.
HawksRule said:
Yeah, it's hard to believe nyone could forget the thrilling 2005-06 season before Marty Havlat came to town. Our top three scorers were Calder, Bell, and Arnason. None of whom even play in the NHL anymore. What a season to remember.
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