It's (almost) official. Tomorrow afternoon, the Chicago Blackhawks will announce contract extensions for their top 3 young players, Duncan Keith, Jonathan Toews, and Patrick Kane.
The deals were reported as done weeks ago, but some number maneuvering had to be done before the deals were official. When the story initially broke, the Hawks were believed to have had to find room under the salary cap because of an element called "tagging", which I tried to help shed some light on last month. From what my sources tell me, the structure of the deals don't require any "tagging" moves.**
Kane and Toews will sign identical deals, both for 5 years, $6.3 million per year. Keith's deal is a 13 year contract and $5.5 million annually.
Job number one for new GM Stan Bowman is done. Now he has to make the right off season decisions to keep the Hawks competitive while keeping them under the cap.
**UPDATED 9:09PM Wednesday: Now I'm hearing the Hawks MAY need to clear salary after all. I guess we'll find out by tomorrow at 2pm.
NOTE : This coming Tuesday, December 8th, I will be hosting a Q&A with Hawks winger Adam Burish at Murphy's Bleachers (across from Wrigley Field). Come by and meet Adam, ask a few questions, and get your junk signed. The event starts at 7pm with the Q&A, and will last until about 8:30.
Filed under: Blackhawks, Chicago Sports, danny mac show, duncan keith, hockey, jonathan toews, NHL, Patrick Kane
Tags: blackhawks, chicago blackhawks, danny mac show, duncan keith, hockey, jonathan toews, NHL, patrick kane
"And get your junk signed"? I love Burish but only if the Ice Girls are there, my friend.
I'd love to have Burish sign my junk, but Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond beat him to it.