Hawks Trade Brouwer and Dump Campbell
Al Cimaglia | Jun 25, 2011 | Comments 37
Sometimes things work out with an obvious trade partner.
There was only one team that could swallow Brian Campbell’s contract and it was Dale Tallon’s Panthers. Stan Bowman somehow got Campbell to approve the deal and the rest is a math equation.
I hesitate to call this transaction a trade.
This wasn’t a talent for talent deal. This was about a huge, long term contract going one way with a lesser term, smaller contract coming back. The end result is the Blackhawks free up approximately $12 million in cap space over the next three seasons. The big savings comes into play during years four and five when the Hawks realize over $14 million in salary cap space.
I won’t criticize either trade from Friday because Bowman has to have a bigger plan. But the Hawks need to acquire some proven talent.
Unrestricted free agents, Brooks Laich, Chad LaRose, Chris Higgins, Brent Sopel and others could be on Bowman’s wish list. Maybe even a higher priced UFA….We will have to wait and see.
Besides being very active on July 1, the Hawks may do something they never have done in the past.
Bowman could line up a candidate for an offer sheet and take a swing.The young and very talented TJ Oshie is a restrictive free agent as is Rangers’ center Brandon Dubinsky.
For now here are the facts…
The Blackhawks are not a better team without Campbell and Troy Brouwer. But they are a franchise with many more options.
Give Tallon credit, by acquiring Campbell he can at least paint the illusion the Panthers are a playoff contender for next season. But I wouldn’t bet a nickel that three years from now the franchise will be playing in Florida.
Until proven otherwise Rusty Olesz is a classic first round underachiever. To complicate matters he is coming off ACL surgery. Not to mention he could be another one time center who would rather play the wing position.
When healthy the former seventh overall draft pick never accomplished very much. It would not be harsh to say the 25 year old Olesz has been a bust. Normally a top ten draft pick is not used to snag a bottom six forward.
So unless an epiphany for Olesz takes place over the next few months he could soon be wearing a Rockford Ice Hog jersey rather than the Indian Head.
Sending a $3 million salary to Rockford isn’t out of the question for Rocky Wirtz. Actually, after next season Olesz’ salary is closer to $4 million. The option of a contract buyout is a possibility also.
Until I watch a player for a number of games my opinion is usually reserved. But whenever I have seen Olesz perform he wasn’t very noticeable.
At first blush my choice would be to have Rob Klinkhammer patrolling the United Center ice rather than Olesz. Klinkhammer and others may have a more promising NHL future as third or fourth line players.
Troy Brouwer is coming off shoulder surgery and is an unsigned, arbitration eligible restricted free agent. Getting a first round pick for him isn’t terrible. The Hawks have some fine scouts, so hopefully Philp Danault will become an important addition within a few years.
The Blackhawks first selection, 18 year old center Mark McNeill looks physically more mature than his age would indicate. My first impression is McNeill looks like the player the Hawks thought Kyle Beach would be by now.
Stan Bowman needed to realign his defense.
Hawk management loves Nick Leddy and he needs ice time. So does the very talented Niklas Hjalamarsson, who now for sure is not a trade candidate. The Hawks did need to open up playing time for those two players and now they have.
Also, RFA Chris Campoli could become a key player on the Hawks’ blueline and there is only so many minutes to go around. Plus now there will be more cap space available for Patrick Sharps’ contract extension.
Bowman has some breathing room and can make this team “his” club.
There has to be more to come, because there is a lot more wood to chop.
Al’s Shots
For those who often booed Campbell and let his mega contract bother them…
The price of beer, frozen margaritas and jumbo pretzels at the UC is not going to be reduced.
The Hawks will always be close to the cap ceiling as long as the United Center remains sold out for every game.
My guess is the reason Campbell waived his no trade clause is because he was probably a bit hurt. Now he can play somewhere he is wanted. Campbell might be more comfortable being a big fish in a small pond.
Put yourself in Campbell’s place.
He comes to Chicago and struggles but then the team wins the Stanley Cup. The following year Campbell doesn’t have a Cup hangover, he has his best season as a Hawk….
Then Bowman asks him to waive his no trade clause.
Campbell makes a ton of dough to play the game he loves….
Although I don’t feel sorry for him, everyone has feelings. Some of us can hide them better than others.
I was surprised the deal was made last night. But after the trade rumor about Campbell to the Blue Jackets came out something was going to go down eventually.
Campbell was booed on opening night the season the Hawks won the Cup. People latched onto him as a whipping boy.
Imagine the abuse he would have been subject to if next season didn’t turn out well.
A no trade clause does hamper a GM’s ability to make trades. But once a player is asked to waive his no trade clause, although they may first refuse, soon after an address change often happens.
Obviously Panther center Stephen Weiss would have been a much better addition than Olesz…But Tallon must have other plans for him.
Hawk fans should stay tuned for the next seven days or so.
Filed Under: Al Cimaglia • Chicago Blackhawks • Featured • Featured Rumors • NHL
It’s quite obvious Bowman is reshaping this team as his own. The cup winning team was called by most Dale Tallon’s. I appreciate what Campbell brought to the hawks but by unloading his salary you can get two or three quality players to replace him. I would prefer the hawks buyout Olesz’s contract as the cap hit would only be $650,000 saving almost another 3 mill. I haven’t seen any rumors about potential other draft day moves bowman can make, i was wondering Al if you have/
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Please don’t perpetuate the myth of Dale Tallon. As Al has pointed out, Keith, Seabrook and Buff were all drafted by Mike Smith not Dale Tallon. Now is the time one would expect several big bodied and angry prospects would be ready to move up from Rockford but as it turns out, Rockford is a bit empty and Tallon’s draft record beyond Kane and Toews has proven to be wanting. Tallon’s strength as a GM is getting a top 10 pick as he’s demonstrating in Florida. Hawks fans are lucky Rocky is so rich from what he’s inherited that million dollar buyouts are not a problem. I would bet Bill and Arthur are rolling in their graves. All their hardballing, all their backroom dealings against the players and all their trading of those with the nerve to demand fairness has gone to waste.
Hey Steve,
We all remember what we want….Your Hawk memory is keener than many.
Tallon’s biggest accomplishment was standing tall and selecting Toews when Mr. W. wanted the more flashy Phil Kessel.
Also you can’t follow the “blue Print” in Chicago unless the ownership can absorb $60-$80 mill in losses.
If so, and a Toews and Kane can be selected in consecutive years ….Then things can turn out really well.
Not too much different than the blue print in Pitt….except they were even more fortunate than the Hawks concerning early draft picks.
My guess is if the Tallon wins the Cup with his new team the parade won’t be taking place in South Florida.
For now he has to walk the tight rope….
Either create a playoff team soon or at least the illusion of one to fill some seats.
Or wait it out and hope for another top 3 draft pick next summer.
Al, thanks for your usual cogent and perceptive view.
Those who complained endlessly about Brian Campbell’s contract now have one less thing to complain about.
As you underline, Rosty Olesz comes with very little risk. Either he proves he’s worthy, or he can be ejected, to the minors or via a buyout. His presence also puts pressure on Frolik to be reasonable in his salary expectations.
You might also want to mention there are some FA d-men out there, like Steve Montador and Jonathan Ericsson, who would be an excellent fit in Chicago.
The bottom line is, Bowman has options, and it will be very interesting to see how this all develops.
…You might also want to mention there are some FA d-men out there, like Steve Montador and Jonathan Ericsson, who would be an excellent fit in Chicago….
We have something to talk about next week…before July 1….lol
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Al,
Do you think Bowman would put an offer sheet inside the division? I’m thinking more him not wanting to load the Blues up with draft picks than his being worried about offending anyone in St. Louis.
Also, all 4 wing spots in the top 6 would be taken for at least the next 3 years if he were to acquire Oshie and Sharp were to be resigned. Why would Stan do that if he has any confidence that the guys he’s been talking up in Rockford will be ready any time soon?
Yes….
The biggest point is the Hawks can put the fear of an offer sheet into teams like….NY, Winnipeg and St. Louis.
That could force a trade….
Now Bowman has the ability to swing a big bat and be agressive ….Not like last summer when he was on the defensive.
Al,
PIT confirmed that Max Talbot has turned down their offer and will test the FA market. Max is definitely the type of tough, multi-purpose veteran forward the Hawks could use.
Obviously, if Brent Sopel wants to come back to CHI at a reesonable rate, he can play an important supporting role as well on D.
I am curious to see if a player or players who bring a specific physical element (i.e. Raffi Torres) will be sought out.
The players Bowman/Q&Co need to fill the spaces left by Campbell and Brouwer *are* out there, either as FAs or wirhin the organization.
Leddy, for example, was clearly being groomed as a Campbell replacement early on, and bringing Campoli aboard also added mobility to the D. So puck-moving probably won’t be an issue.
Finally, Stan has the dollars to make significant personnel improvements. IMHO this should be an exciting time for Hawks fans.
As for Brouwer, he goes to a team where he will have less media pressure and can slot in with a guy like Ovechkin, who would be the perfect compliment. Getting a first rounder in return for Troy is a pretty good deal, especially considering where TB was originally picked (214th, 7th round 2004).
And don’t forget the Winnipeg boys.
If the franchise stayed in Atlanta…Ladd and Bogosian wouldn’t both be resigned.
A better chance now but if Ladd resigns for $4 mill…Buff is already getting $5 mill..
So that’s almost 17% of the cap if they were to spend only $53 mill.
The Jets have said they won’t push the cap limit so they will be in the $50-$60 mill range somewhere.
Considering Bogosain will want his share this summer and Kane will be a hefty contract for next summer…
It is kind of a srticky sitaution in Winnipeg.
Dave…. you might get Bogosian in Chicago yet!
Plus Ladd has about 3 more days to resign…
Otherwise he proabbaly waits and hopes for an offer sheet.
Al> Bogosian? (big grin) From your mouth to Stan’s ears… ;-)
Ya hey dare Al.
Good to see the ol’ blog up and running again.
I know I stated this on JJ’s blog and elsewhere, but I am incredibly urpy about the next week or two. As you so wonderfully stated, the Hawks have more room to move now, and many more holes to cover.
I’m coming around on the Campbell trade. I am relieved that I don’t have to defend the guy anymore. But he leaves a giant whole in our puck control game. And I don’t see Q simply doubling Nick leddy’s ice time and getting triple his production to match what Campbell gave us last year. Who’s the answer? Erhoff? Pitkanen? And if we keep this Olesz character and sign Pitkanen, that’s pretty much Campbell’s salary right there. Campbell for Pitkanen and Olesz is a bad trade….
I know a lot of people have Laich penciled in. But that doesn’t strike me as a Stan Bowman move. personally I’d like to see a 4th line with Ben Smith, Marcel Goc, and Dan Carcillo. But for every dream scenario I make , I can think of a hundred scenarios that don’t appeal to me.
This past weekend, I’ve seen the GM trade our best defenseman from last year, our last player who hits intelligently, and then talk about the need to see more of Kyle Beach and Jon Scott. And most of Blackhawk nation seems happy about this…
It’s going to be interesting, that’s for sure.
“This past weekend, I’ve seen the GM trade our best defenseman from last year, our last player who hits intelligently, and then talk about the need to see more of Kyle Beach and Jon Scott. And most of Blackhawk nation seems happy about this…”
More John Scott and Kyle Beach at the same time is a scary thought…
urpy is the word of the day
The Campbell trade is some what perplexing, while understandable at the same time. I don’t think any of the deals can be properly evaluated until the free agent period is over and we see what Stanbow does with the money freed up.
All I know is this is an insane off season so far, its not even July and if Bowman has proven anything it is that he is not at all gun shy, wants this to be his team (hello ego how are you doing today), and it seems impossible to predict what he will do next with any level of certainty. Hopefully he has a good plan.
True…
And the opportunity to use a past relationship(Campbell/Tallon)…Along with the fact the Panthers were an unbelievable $30 mill away from the salary cap floor…
Well that combo doesn’t happen very often.
I prefer to think that it is not ego running Bowman’s decisions but hockey sense.
Many people have dreamed about Campbell’s contract being traded particularly since last summer, because of the obvious cap corner it put the Hawks in.
Brouwer needed to play in the top 6 to justify his impending raise and the everyone wants the Hawks to be grittier.
SB has a plan in place he says – the evidence is that he does.
That plan I assume will be to bring in grit (likely on the 4th line, 3rd pair) to replace TB’s hitting and to bring a top 6 guy which TB wasn’t (in their eyes).
The Hawks strength is on D and without BC there is $ to get some gritty veterans. You have to give to get.
Let’s see how the plan unfolds – it’s an uncertain time for sure until we see what players SB signs, trades for but the moves he’s made on draft day allow this team to be better IMO.
The Brouwer trade …it is stil a curious move in some ways.
Sure Bickell is a fraction of the cost but it would have been wiser to try to resign Brouwer during last season….
Washington and others would have paid more than a late first round pick.
As far as not being a top six forward….Let’s see where Brouwer plays this season in Washington…And let’s see when there is an Ice Hog forward who scores 35 or 40 goals.
If Brouwer doesn’t miss more than 5-8 games I wouldn’t bet againts him scoring at least 20…could be closer to 30 goals.
Now that everyone wants to beome more gritty…
Watch the payday bottom six forwards get in the next week or so.
Lastly,
Bowman took advantage of a rare opportunity..
Tallon/Campbell and Fla. $30 mill from the cap floor.
Bowman realizes he needs to replace the experience…I hope.
You might be right Al – I liked TB and would have liked to see him given a full year with Toews and Kane but I think management saw it different and they may be right as well.
Brouwer doesn’t generate a lot on his own – I could see someone like Leino doing better on the first line than TB and maybe that’s what the Hawks are thinking.
His hitting can be spread out between a couple of new guys (hopefully).
PS – If TB should end up with Ovie how often do you think he’s going to get the puck in scoring position as opposed to playing with Toews and Kane?
Hey Adam…
You should stop thinking clearly and then you won’t worry as much.
Talk is cheap but the facts are as follows…
The Hawks need veteran players who know their role.
Beach wasn’t asked to be a Black Ace….that’s another slap in his face to jump start him.
The easiest way to overpay for a player is to go out on July 1 and sign a dman.
Bieksa was the subject of numerous trade rumors earlier in the season…He is often hurt….
Watch what he signs for.
Wisz has had 3 knee operations…He could get a huge pay day.
The Hawks aren’t going to pay a dman more than $2.5 million….They have to find a way for Keith and Seabrook to average less than 25 mins per game on many nights.
None of the boys you mentioned…and the names I hear fans come up with are crease clearers.
I will have more to say soon but….
There has to be a plan in place but it shouldn’t include any expectation of meaningful contributions from Scott or any rookie for that matter.
There must be several more moves coming because the way the team looks now it will not even compete for 8th like last season. Kruger, Smith, Frolik, Morin, Beach and Ledddy are all nice looking prospects but in the West they will play against established players every night.
Banking on Leddy playing Campbell’s minutes seems like a huge miscalculation. Handing a young defenseman an All-Stars spot is a recipe for Sophmore Slump.
Kruger facing off against Getzlaff, Kessler, Richards, Carter, Datsuyk etc on the road? Hard to see how that turns out well in short term.
Frolik with a big money extension, scary.
I want to be optimistic about next season. Lots of upgrades needed to really compete.
Campbell will be diificult if not impossible to replicate in the near term. Never have been a huge fan of his but he certainly brought a unique and elite skill to the Hawks in his time here.
The Brouwer angst I just do not get. Easily replaceable. In fact the opportunity cost of playing him for the last year or so may be realized in the short term. Easy to replace.
Brouwer can be replaced…
But a 20-25 goal score who hits won’t be replaced cheaply.
Don’t know if you were referring to my comment…But my main point was a signed Brouwer would have brought more than a late first round draft pick.
Actually Bowman was lucky he got that much…
As far as replacing Campbell…
I have written in the past if the Hawks traded Campbell they would have to adjust their style of play….
I still feel the same.
I have written in the past if the Hawks traded Campbell they would have to adjust their style of play….
I agree in the short term perhaps a little given Soupy’s ability to skate the puck out of the zone but it seems sooner than later Leddy will be doing that almost as well, especially against the 2nd line guys which is who BC usually matched up against.
And Campoli’s not bad at it either.
I expect them to remain a puck possession team even without Campbell.
Do you think they’ll go to another style Al?
Somewhat I do…They will stil want to play at a fast pace.
Brouwer was a guy Bowman targeted to shed….But he needs to be replaced….Not only with Bickell.
Washington can use a player like him….Brouwer can pick up a lot of rebounds just going to the right areas.
Do you think Bowman is considering re-signing Campoli as a cheaper replacement for Campbell? If so, I’m not sure Campoli will fare well when more is expected of him. On your third pairing, he did a nice job. I’m not sure if that would be the case playing Campbell’s role.
Campoli or Leddy aren’t Campbell yet…
If resigned Campoli could be on the third pair.
Well, all those Hossa-Kopecky jokes are now obsolete.
—>
OnFrozenPondGeorge Richards (Miami Herald)
#FlaPanthers give up a conditional 7th round pick in 2012 for the rights to LW Tomas Kopecky…he made $1.2 million last year with Chicago
7 minutes ago
yep…7th rounder is better than just letting Kopecky walk.
Now Tallon has only about $24 million to get to the cap floor…
Florida again? They’re going to have to be added to my Xmas card list…
Marian needs a bud though, maybe he’ll demand we sign Marcel.
3 more members of the Cup team gone – it would be nice to get Sopel back to bring some SC mojo along with his shot blocking, PK and solid but slow defensive abilities!
…or maybe Madden
Crazy thought- could’ve sent Hossa with his buddy to Fla and then signed Brad Richards to a Hossa-like contract.
Pitt has Crosby, Malkin, and Staal down the middle, Hawks would have Toews, Richards, and Bolland.
You wouldn’t have to talk me into that one.
Laich gets $4.5M per for 6 yrs from WSH. Watch out 7/1…! It’s gonna be a feeding (payout) frenzy.
As someone who has seen Kyle Beach on the ice in each of the last 3 seasons, two at the end of his WHL seasons and last year as his first full year pro, I feel the need to share my opinion.
In each of the springs after his WHL seasons, you saw fire and potential – why he was a great pick – and signs of what we all witnessed last season. And then there was the little off ice fight with a teammate his second spring (which got him and the player sent home early) that we just wont get into.
If Beach is to be the future of the hawks and the model of a top pick – the franchise is doomed. While there is the argument that it was his first year pro and he went from a big fish to a little fish, I’m not convinced. And the argument of the head coaching situation out here is made by many fans of the team.
Beach has a HUGE ego problem on and off the ice. He’s tolerable around the younger kiddies, but often appears “above” anyone else. On the ice he has a temper and doesnt always pick the most opportune time for a fight or penalty. Yes, it’s true about halfway through last season he just became the oppositions thorn as he would antagonize until they wanted to fight and then stand there. Sure, he’s got some nice puck handling skills (and foot speed), but those skills wont keep him on a top NHL line. He often tries to keep the puck for himself when there was clearly a better opportunity to pass and get the goal. Also majority of the time, he tries to make the EXACT same play. Get the puck near the benches, ideally, break out solo streaking along the boards toward the goal and shoot for the goalies left side – usually top shelf. ( I sit behind the goalie so I had a clear view incase you were curious.)
Kyle Beach is A LOT like Jack Skille (at least Jack’s got personality) – and we all saw how that worked out. Someone please convince Bowman to pass Kyle onto the highest bidder!
Nice to hear from you…
Your thoughts are what I have seen and heard.
An organization won’t criticize their own draft picks but there are mnay scouts seeing the same thing you are.
If Peters takes the rumored job as the Wings assistant…that could be the best thing to happen for Beach…cuz now it doesn’t seem to be working out.
We have very few fans who like Peters as a coach, and through some players and their families, it’s my understanding that he’s not a great coach either. Whereas Teddy Dent is as beloved out here as Havi was. Poapst seems ok.
I’ve been to prospect camp for the last 3 years….I have seen guys I thought should be tried out here in Rockford with more class and talent than Beach, but for whatever reason (finishing school, more time in juniors, who knows) they arent given the opportunity here. And the guys they do bring in (IE: Kyle Hagel – easily another Versteeg) who are all class, community oriented, undrafted, and need a bit more work to make it to the top – not to mention fan favorite – they let walk away to other teams.
So often the business side & its choices makes absolutely no sense to the fans…
I also keep hoping that they will let Beach join the exodus to FLA or anywhere else for that matter…