A Good Trade For All

Chicago and Minnesota executed a trade yesterday whereby everyone has gotten what they needed. 

As is almost always the case the Wild were not mentioned as trade partners with the Blackhawks until the transaction was about to be announced. According to Hawks general manager Stan Bowman, the deal had been in the works for a few weeks. 

Anyone who has watched closely realized Cam Barker was in a dead end spot with the Hawks. 

Once Hossa was signed last summer and the “big three” were inked to hefty contract extensions it was obvious salary cap space would have to be created. Barker was not worth having on the team considering his $3 million salary and his 11-13 minutes of ice time each game. 

Minnesota acquired Barker to fill a need today and for the next two seasons. 

Barker can now develop by playing 20 minutes each game and will accumulate points and help steer the Wild power play. He is a younger, cheaper replacement for Kim Johnsson, who is a higher priced unrestricted free agent. The Wild acted early and will benefit from Barker’s services. 

Although a number three over all draft pick is hoped to become a first unit player that was not in the cards for Barker and the Hawks. The Campbell signing along with the development of Hjalmarsson left Barker as the odd man out on the Chicago blueline. 

This trade is almost the exact footprint the Hawks will follow from now until the start of next season. They will trade proven NHL players in return for draft picks and or solid prospects. Bowman will create cap space and build toward the future. 

From now until the NHL draft it will be a test of the ability of the Hawks scouts and front office. 

When the real trade frenzy starts, following the playoffs and before the draft Bowman will have his pick of potential trade partners. There is still a strong appetite around the NHL for young proven players which earn $3-$4 million a season. By trading Barker Bowman was not only interested in dumping salary. 

The Hawks acquired Kim Johnsson who is better defensively than Barker. He will only be here for the rest of the season because he is a UFA. The Blackhawks have to reshape their roster and a main way to cut cost will be in the third pairing defenders. 

Johnsson can be used on the penalty kill and will help lessen the load for all Blackhawk defenders. Quenneville can rely on Johnsson’s defensive ability more so than Barker’s. In this way Keith, Seabrook and others can catch a breather and save their energy for a long playoff run. 

Bowman already started next year’s mission because Barker’s $3 million dollar salary cap hit will turn into Jordan Hendry or another player who earns less than $1 million. The young Hawks GM will continue to trade away those with bigger cap hits and accumulate draft picks and prospects from the highest bidding teams. 

The key to the Hawks trade of Barker, according to Bowman, was the acquisition of the number 16 overall pick in the 2009 NHL entry draft, Nick Leddy. 

Bowman mentioned the Hawks wanted to draft the young defenseman but couldn’t because they weren’t able to trade up. The Wild did what many franchises shy away from and that is to draft a hometown hero. 

Minnesota is the biggest hickey state in the US and Leddy was named the 2009 winner of the Mr. Hockey award given to the top high school senior. He led the Eden Prairie Eagles to their first ever Class 2A State Championship.  The game was played at the Xcel Center in front of 15,000 fans. 

I specifically remember when Leddy was drafted. It could have been a cute story, a local kid becoming a NHL star in his home state. 

The commentators on draft day were a little surprised Leddy went as soon as he did because there were others prospects projected ahead of him. After all he was a high school kid who declined to play in the US National Development program. Sometimes going that route could cause some teams to shy away on draft day. 

In a draft loaded with top defensive prospects Leddy was the seventh defenseman chosen in the first round. Maybe Minnesota felt some pressure to take their local hero but you know he was heavily scouted. Word over the Internet is the Wild weren’t happy with Leddy’s progress at the University of Minnesota. 

It is not wise to give up on college freshman, but possibly the Wild did. Then again they may have chosen to fill a current need and paid the price that Bowman wanted. 

It’s too early to give up on Leddy and probably in some ways the same can be said about Barker. He doesn’t appear to have the foot speed and quickness to be a top unit defender. But Barker can still be a solid contributor for many years to come. 

Minnesota fans will realize soon Barker has an accurate, heavy shot. He finds the target often plus has the hands and vision to thread some nice passes through the box. Barker was the odd man out in Chicago but the Wild made a nice acquisition. He will help their power play. 

Hopefully this trade works for both organizations. Barker can at least breathe a sigh of relief and get comfortable with his new team. He knew down deep he wouldn’t complete his three year contract with Chicago.

This weekend…. 

Joel Quenneville gave the Olympians a day off from practice as he realizes their added upcoming work load. Now the Hawks will have to focus on two weekend games, which they need to win. 

Available points versus Atlanta and Columbus shouldn’t be squandered. 

It will be more difficult for everyone to concentrate especially the Olympians.  The next two contests will be a test for many top players around the league. The Blackhawks want to hit the break on a high note and this weekend’s games provide a great opportunity. 

Al’s Shots 

I would guess Huet and Niemi will split starts over the weekend…But I wouldn’t bet on it. 

The acquisition of Johnsson might signal an end to the Hawks interest in acquiring James Wisniewski. But I wouldn’t bet on that either. 

The Hawks have only one spare defender, Hendry and hopefully that is enough. 

If a rash of injuries on the blueline occur, as happened last year to Calgary…. Trouble, because most likely there isn’t any NHL talent down in Rockford that could fill in. 

Anaheim’s GM Bob Murray will weigh his options. The sellers will be in control this time around. 

Wisz will be wanted by more than one team. If the Hawks could acquire him for the right price they still may. 

The asking price for a spare defenseman from the Maple Leafs might be more to the Hawks liking. 

Bowman could choose to bolster another area. 

A couple of players which will probably be available will face the Hawks in Columbus on Sunday. 

Raffi Torres and Jared Boll would add some grit to the Hawks fourth line and add some experienced depth. There might be an Edmonton Oiler which Bowman could find interesting as they will certainly be sellers. 

The Hawks probably aren’t done although I doubt a big name will be traded off their roster. 

It is also unlikely they make a goal tending acquisition. There really isn’t anyone better available. 

The Montreal situation is up in the air, they may keep both Halak and Price. The asking price for either would be very high. 

The young Hawks GM always holds his cards close to his vest and yesterday indicated he is now happy with his team’s depth. 

We will find out by March 3… how happy. 

blackhawkswin@comcast.net