Seabrook…*Done Deal
Al Cimaglia | Feb 26, 2011 | Comments 38
The exact terms have not been disclosed but it is official, Seabrook has signed a five year contract extension.*
It was reported yesterday by Bob McKenzie the deal would be worth $29 million, which is a $5.8 million cap hit.
*2/27/11….Released by the Blackhawk media department at 1:00 PM CST.
**************************************************************************************
Bob McKenzie from TSN is reporting the Blackhawks are close to signing Brent Seabrook to a five year, approximately $30 million contract extension. This will be by far the biggest news of trade deadline weekend from the Blackhawks if the signing is made official.
The word was General Manager Stan Bowman has been working on the extension since October. By getting the signing done, Seabrook and his teammates can focus on the most important mission, qualifying for the post season.
As written here on February 18, http://hockeyindependent.com/blog/al-cimaglia/31387/, the term of the contract was probably the biggest sticking point.
A five year extension seems to make sense for both sides. In five years Seabrook will be only 30 years old and still could be a highly sought after free agent if he chose that route.
Here is why Seabrook may have settled on a five year deal…From February 18.
Although Hossa is signed on for a number of years as is Keith, Kane and Toews are under contracts for only four more seasons. Campbell is inked through the 2015-2106 campaign. Seeing that only Keith and Hossa are signed longer than five more years, maybe Seabrook doesn’t want to commit to a mega long term contract.
Seabrook has to consider everything. Does he want to align himself with Kane and Toews and then try to hit the jackpot again? A 30 year old, top pairing defender will still be considered very valuable.
There is a slight possibility of a last minute snag. But usually when Mr. McKenzie has the terms of a new contract the ink is almost dry. It is likely Hawk management will soon make both Brent Seabrook and buddy Duncan Keith happy men.
Blackhawk management will hope the contract news will sharpen the focus of Seabrook and the entire group which would set the stage for a late season surge to the playoffs.
Filed Under: Al Cimaglia • Featured • Featured Rumors • NHL
Flyers claim boynton. Jackets claim rivet.
Heard yesterday on XM…Flyers were looking for some insurance…
Didn’t think they would cliam Boynton.
But good for him as he and Versteeg have a good chance at another ring.
Al, great move by Hawks management to sign Seabrook, assuming the report is accurate.
Now that Boynton gone question is who does CHI as defensive depth, if anyone?
Sassone tweeted that TB and CHI talking about a Kopecky for Brett Clark swap. From what I have seen, Clark doesn’t fit the stated profile re: Bowman’s needs.
Clark didn’t impress me (FWIW) when I watched the Lightning play, and his scouting report says he’s not big/physical enough to handle opposing forwards.
http://forecaster.canada.com/faceoff/hockey/player.cgi?152
Anyway…we shall see.
“Elite shot blocker”
I think is what stands out. You throw him, hammer and RJ17 on the PK and the puck shouldn’t get to the net. Only issue is Kopecky hasn’t been awful recently and who do you replace him with?
Seabrook for 6million is a little high. 5.2 is what would be “fair” but the market is all screwed up with the Buff deal and Weber is the only comparable player. Only 5 years so it is portable push come to shove (if accurate). I think you take that deal if you are the Hawks.
Regarding Sharp I would put my money on 10 years 45million this is your home deal. He will be 31 I think after the current deal expires? Probably works best for both parties.
4years maybe …no more 10 yr. deals for forwards over 30 is my guess.
This is all fine and dandy and in my heart having Seabs around several more years is great; be damned the cap issues for 11-12 and perhaps worse yet 12-13 when they have to figure out something for Sharpie.
A $6M cap hit or something close to that for Seabs IMHO almost spells the end of Hammer or Bolly. Hammer will be more sought out as a solid defender than Bolly as a 3rd line shut-down centre. He’s making 2nd line centre money so that looks to be the lesser return of those two.
But this signing doesn’t do anything if Duncs has to continue his TOI as-is.
I’m hoping the Boynton waive means something more, perhaps a Mike Weaver acquisition ($900k cap hit thru ’12) that will further bolster the D-corps.
Way too early to worry about who has to go and when…
The Cap is going to be higher this year and could go up again next season.
By 2016 it could be $10 mill higher…Plus the new CBA will be much different than the current one.
My views on the possibility of Hammer being moved this summer have been written but…
I wouldn’t worry about cap conseequences moving forward as much as…
Keeping the right players under contract and choosing the correct additions.
Those are all good considerations however the team still needs to bolster the D-corps. Don’t know about others but when Duncs TOI inches towards 29-30min it seems like he’s less effective overall.
You hearing anything out of S. Fla?
What’s the fascination with Mike Weaver?
He’s not big, not physical, not a particularly good d-man, 32 y/o, 5’9″/186. Watching Weaver play for STL vs Hawks, he seemed more ready to fight than play.
From his scouting report:
“FLAWS: Is rather undersized for the blue-line position at the highest level and lacks physicality. Also doesn’t produce a lot of points in the NHL.
CAREER POTENTIAL: Undersized defensive defenseman.”
http://forecaster.canada.com/faceoff/hockey/player.cgi?2157
Carkner would seem a better investment than either Brett Clark or Weaver…but then just IMO>
It’s not fascination as much as a player who could fit the ‘Hawks current (and next years) cap climate.
While no one will say he’s a big bruiser by any means, I believe the combo of PK experience, shot blocking and 20min TOI capability with only a $900k cap hit would fit the ‘Hawks fine.
If the ‘Hawks were to have more cap space, then yes other players may be a better overall fit. I’m also thinking more than just a rental for ’11.
The physical defenders who are actually sound defensively are in demand.
Reports are saying the Preds are hot on the trail of Smid…I have a feeling they are not alone.
Bowman may not have the trade bait and may have to focus on a less physical type….Weaver, Clark..etc.
From Paul Kukla, it appears Dudley IS shopping Bogosian.
“By Paul
02/26/11 at 12:10 PM ET | Comments (13)
via Bob Duff tweet,
#thrashers asking price for Bogosian – Hudler, Ericsson or Kindl and high draft pick – too big a price for #redwings to pay at this point.”
IMO Bogosian checks all the boxes CHI needs on D. Dudley will probably take prospects/picks back, i.e. Beach, Lalonde, (insert pick here).
@Bob> getting Mike Weaver = Nick Boynton ‘Lite’ in this case. Letting Boynton go and bringing in a *less* physical guy doesn’t seem logical.
Soooo….you think StanBow could get Dudley to bite on Beach with a Bogosian deal? Or would that also cost StanBow a higher-round pick too, say a 2nd or 3rd?
@Bob>who knows what evil lurks in the mind of Rick Dudley LOL…he of the rockstar hair and gangsta suits.
So NOW the Hawks roster is 49 with Boynton being claimed.
Stan could conceivably trade a couple of picks and no prospects and add a player if that’s what it took to get a deal done.
No one is going to give up a 1st for Smid and SB has the Leafs 2nd doesn’t he – that’ll be higher then the Preds.
So far, SB has been consistent with what he’s said. No roster player being moved. Not sure I’d deal Kopecky at this stage. He’s working hard and seems a fit for the 4th line as things are now. Feisty and some of the grit they’re going to need moving forward.
So amidst all this chatter we can assume that there is a deal in the works for the ‘hawks. Tallon picked up a D man yesterday so he’s gonna unload one of McCabe or Weaver, or possibly both, IMO.
Edit: looks like it was McCabe gone to the Rangers.
My recollection of Weaver when he played in Vancouver, gritty, small, steady and unspectacular. I think he’s a PK specialist with the panthers this year. I think he’ll be an upgrade from Boynton. Wouldn’t be my preference but how much can SB afford and at what price?
All,
I think SB should be targeting Stephen Weiss. Tallon’s history would show that once something gets in his head he may overpay/underdemand to get it done.
For next season, right? Would DT take Bolly? Doubt it, but something (e.g. monies) has to give on that one.
Bob,
My thought would be to leave Bolly out of the mix. My bias weighs heavily in favor of those that play center. Wingers are much easier to find. With a legit 2hole center….Bolly could be what he is.
If you take CapGeek at face the Hawks could absorb $1.77m in full season salary. If Brouwer and Stalberg are in the deal add their full season salaries to that number and you can absorb $3.5m+. The Brouwer and Stalberg deals expire at season’s end which may or may not be attractive to Fla.
Weiss’ cap hit for a full season is 3.1m. Additonial prospects, picks, conditionals would likely have to be thrown in but I think the money can work.
I think it works for this year and beyond which is the best kind of deal to make.
I think Weiss has a no trade…
Weiss would be a second line center the Hawks probably could consider sending Hammer and a pick the other way.
Weiss is about the best player on that team…He won’t be given away.
I like Weiss, but last I checked they can’t move Hammer this season in a trade as per the CBA because of him signing the offer sheet.
My first question would be is there a no trade clause in Seabs’ deal. My next concern would be if Seabs gets 6 mil the cap hit for 6 Dmen next year will be 24 million, and that doesn’t include Hendry.
According to CapGeek the Hawks, after signing Seabs for 6 mil, would have 12 players signed for next year at a total of 49.5 million, leaving 10 million if the cap goes to 59.5 to sign 10 players.
And those include signing Brouwer, Crawford, a backup goalie, Kopecky, Stahlberg, Frolik, Dowell, Johnson and Pisani. All these guys are free agents, and again doesn’t include Hendry.
Seems the exact formula they have used this year, and those results have yet to be determined.
Surprised I haven’t read more concern from this blog entry on cap concerns for next year if they sign Seabs at the 6 mil number.
Asa side note, the last I saw Seabs was 5th in hits in the league this year.
First off…I don’t no for sure but I would guess there is either a no movemnet clause or NTC involved.
I will have more to say after the deadline and when the contract is made official but….
I won’t speak for others but the time to raise the red flag was pointed out here before and during this season. Now is not the time to panic.
Affordable contracts often mean less experienced players and more inconsistency….I made a point of saying that before the season began… As you know that has played out.
Maybe some don’t feel a rush to go over the same points but next year shouldn’t be confused with the Hawks’cap state of last summer.
Bowman signed 8 players, icnluding Skille, to contracts of $600,000 or less.
That is far different than, as you say, 10 players for 9-10 miillion. It doesn’t sound that much different but it is.
Every team which loads up on 7-8 core players will face cap challenges until the new CBA.
The key for the Hawks moving forward is about correct choices for those players which will fill in the bottom part of the roster.
That is the biggest issue going forward.
Paying Seabrook $2 mill or so more than he earned this season isn’t the lynch pin for failure in the future.
Signing Seabrook is a good move IMO. I think Hammer could be traded in the summer to as you suggest Al bring back a centre.
We’ll see who Stan picks up on D but that person could stay next year at a much smaller cap hit than Hammer and then we have Olsen probably in 2 years ready to play at the NHL level.
D men of Seabrook’s skill set don’t grow on trees and he’s a gamer as he showed with some huge games (and goals) in the last 2 playoff years.
Well, gang, halfway through Sunday and nobody traded yet today…;-)
Soooo….scratching my head trying to figure who the ‘situational players’ are on StanBow’s shopping list.
We ‘know’ that Rick ‘Poker Star’ Dudley, IS ready to trade Zach Bogosian…however he has said he needs an offer that will knock his designer socks off, ie “A player for now, and one for the future.”
Names like Lado Smid, Brett ‘Maverick’ Clark, Mikey Weaver, even Jan The Man Hejda have been bandied about as d-candidates.
And let’s not forget the Zee-Man, Zenon ‘Krusher’ Konopka, as your all-purpose, face-off winning, face-washing centerman.
Fun and games continue tomorrow.
* It is official Seabrook has signed a 5 year contract extension.
Keith, Campbell, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson…Al, how would you compare them to Stapleton, Magnuson, White, Jarrett?
Interesting thought for those who remember…
I think the current group is a lot better.
I dunno, Al, different times and different game. Whitey Stapleton and Campbell deserve some comparison for quickness and puck movement; Bill White I’d say on par with Hammer, steady as they come; Dougie “hip check” Jarret = Seabrook; and Magnuson and Keith don’t match up at all, different skill sets there.
Overall, the current squad wins hands down in the skill areas, the former group in the grit and moxie category.
The former group was probably about 20 million cheaper too!
But Maggie and Jarret shouldn’t be mentioned in the same senstence with Keith and Seabrook…
You are correct… it is a much different game now.
True enough, in those days the D played D. Guys like Orr, Park, and to a lesser extent Stapleton, were the exception rather than the rule.
There’s a lot of cash tied up in the defense now, not including the goalies. I wonder if this means guys like Lalonde/Olsen might get used as trade bait at some point.
Or do you deal Campbell or Hammer in the offseason to open a spot for one of them down the road while also freeing up some cap space?
Hey Eric…
I have been saying for awhile…Hammer would be the most logical to go.
The others Lalonde…Olsen…Who knows.
But the Hawk blueline probably would not feature Leddy, Lalonde and Olsen all at the same time.
Personally, I thought all along that there was no way they’d move Seabrook. His skill sets include too much of what this team sorely lacks. Grit and physicality. Al, was pretty much bang on with the price tag and at five years we should see BS develop into a top tier defenceman as he has yet to hit his prime. With the cap moving northwards the hit in three to four years will be rather average I would guess.
5.8 isn’t terrible. Could have been worse.
Hendry getting injured yesterday was not good.
If they can’t/don’t make a deal who do they bring up?
I find it hard to believe they will roll 2 rookies in the back? 3 if you count Mr Crowley? It would have to be Exelby or Cullimore? Maybe Connelly (though he is not big)? Should be interesting.
Also, really like what Frolick has brought. Would be nice to see him get on the score sheet but he seems to do everything else pretty well. Hopefully we can keep him around.
Well, as you all know, Chris Campoli will take Hendry’s spot in the lineup after StanBow picked him up from OTT.
Having watched Campoli here in Ottawa for the last few years, he is an upgrade. Excellent skater, smart d-man, makes a good pass, and strong PK/shot blocker. Can also work the PP. Plays bigger than his size, which is decent (6′/200).
Campoli was very excited to be leaving “a negative atmosphere in Ottawa” (his words) to join the Stanley Cup Champions. He debuts vs CGY at the UC.
IMO Campoli should be a very good fit.
And if the Hawks play with the focus and intensity they are starting to show…
Good call on Campoli
How bout that guy Toews. What do you think are the chances of him getting up there for MVP and Mr Crowley and his white horse getting ROI?
If the Hawks keep winning and Toews stays close to his current pace…He will be in the running….
But I doubt he will win.