Blackhawks Blog: Wheeling and Dealing

Corey Erdman
2008-07-02 22:35:49

Well, this isn't something we've seen for a long while on the sinking ship that has been the Blackhawks for more than a decade.

Mr. Tallon, these are uncharted waters. You mean to tell us that we aren't signing any B-list free agents to poorly thought-out contracts?

All aboard!

While there has been some outcry regarding the length and price of the Brian Campbell signing, I'm with Dale in the belief that it was absolutely necessary. It's no secret that you overpay on July 1, and one need only look at the free agent tracker on the main site for proof of that. However, the time is now for the Hawks--both for a playoff berth, and in terms of developing the team's image in the Windy City. The glaring missing piece in the fresh, vibrant puzzle last season was a workhorse defender with some experience.

Enter Mr. Campbell.

Now, the Hawks boast arguably the two fastest defensemen in the league, in 'Soupie' and fellow All-Star Duncan Keith. The two will likely be split into different pairings, with Campbell perhaps hooking up with James Wisniewski, Keith sticking with longtime compadre Brent Seabrook, and veteran Brent Sopel guiding whatever young pup lands in the No. 6 role. If you really want something to salivate over this offseason, imagine a power-play consisting of: Kane, Toews, Havlat (the healthy version), Keith, Campbell.

To accompany the variable pallette of offensive and defensive skill offered up front, the Blackhawks have also solidified their situation in the crease. It seems all but certain that Nikolai Khabibulin will be packing his bags in the near future, after failing to live up to his franchise goaltender label and price tag. Cristobal Huet will now defend the tribe, which looks like a great move, considering the Frenchman has been one of the elite netminders over the past two seasons.

On the negative side however, doubters will indicate that Khabby was roughly the same age (33) as Huet when he signed the dotted line three years ago, and was also coming off stellar seasons (a Stanley Cup is pretty good). Will all the firepower up front be negated by another encore of disappointment in goal?

A former intern with The Hockey News, Corey Erdman now covers his beloved Blackhawks for THN.com. He also writes for The Sports Forecaster, Sports & Leisure Magazine covering the Rochester Americans, and is a contributor to The Hockey News and Hockey Business News.