Niklas Hjalmarsson has received a 4-year $14 million offer sheet from the San Jose Sharks (as rumored here a couple of weeks ago).

This offer sheet brings a number of things into question.

First, and most obvious, will the Hawks, who have 7 days from today to match the offer, chump up and retain the young, emerging star who many (myself included) feel might need to be a higher priority than arbitration-bound Antti Niemi?

If the Hawks do match, they will likely be unable to re-sign Niemi as well at an estimated $3.5 million per year, without dealing more veteran depth.

A question that has begun to form in my mind is will the Hawks try to fill in their roster once the free agents are retained (or not) with low-priced veterans, signaling an effort to perhaps realistically defend the Cup? Or do they talk the talk of defending, while in reality investing a year or two in the future, and go with a lot of talented youngsters this year?

The Hawks have stockpiled an amazing amount of young talent in the last 6 months. The problem is, the bulk of those players are all 2-3 years away from being ready for regular NHL duty

From this corner, it appears the Hawks are reaching a point in terms of veteran talent-depletion, if they haven't already, where they really need to be looking at re-tooling for 2011-12 and beyond.

And this could present a huge opportunity for talented, but NHL-inexperienced players like Kyle Beach, Ivan Vishneskiy, Viktor Stalberg and Shawn Lalonde.

And if that is the case, then is pocketing a first and third round draft pick in exchange for losing Hjalmarsson part of that longer term strategy?

And finally, what does this say about all the tough rhetoric coming from Stan Bowman, who recently boasted Niemi and Hjalmarsson "aren't going anywhere"?

Let's be clear, "hockey-media darling du jour" Dale Tallon, coupled with the Hawks' success this year, is much more responsible for this mess than Bowman is.

But Bowman had better wake up quickly and realize that empty boasts do not go down well in the media pressure cooker of Chicago sports.

Niemi's arbitration takes place on July 20 or after, with d-day on Hjalmarsson set for July 16.

As always, stay tuned.


JJ

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