It's time to clear the air surrounding one of the more discussed, and easily the most misunderstood, topic in hockey these days: the Blackhawks' cap situation for 2010-11.

In the last few days, I have heard unsubstantiated, knee-jerk opinions on both ends of the spectrum from respected hockey journalists, ranging from "the Hawks cannot repeat" (ridiculous) to "they won't have to part with players like Kris Versteeg" (equally ridiculous).

First, there's a lot of gray in this picture that I don't think anyone, possibly not even the Hawks, the league and the NHLPA, fully understand right now, specifically the impact of Jonathan Toews' Conn Smythe bonus and the rumored signing of Antti Niemi to an extension during the playoffs.

There is some evidence that the Hawks had some cap room left in 2009-10 to play with that was likely consumed by either or both of the above. But, either way, taken together, they all impact the Hawks' cap number for 2010-11, good or bad.

That said, I'm going to lay out roughly where the Hawks will be in 2010-11, where they need to get to cap wise, and some ways I could see them doing it. There are a lot of theories flying about what the Hawks will or should do. Some are good, some aren't. You have to look at some facts and go by how the organization has solved problems in the past.

In a nutshell, and in slightly rough terms, once Nik Hjalmarsson, Andrew Ladd and Antti Niemi are signed, subtracting UFAs John Madden, Ben Eager and Adam Burish form the team, and adding in about 6 players at around $700K a piece (remember this, we'll come back to it), the Blackhawks budget will be about $71 million, roughly $13 million above a rough cap space of $58 million.

13 is the unlucky number. OK, how do you subtract $13 million from this roster?

The salaries I see cut to make this up are Cristobal Huet ($5.625 million) , Brent Sopel ($2.33 million), Ladd (estimated at $2 million) and Versteeg ($3 million).

Here's how, with each player, I could see it happening.

First, Huet. He's gone. But how? Some have suggested sending him to the minors, paying his salary off the cap, and periodically re-entering him so that someone else might pick him up. Sending him to the minors might work, but once that happens, he's gone. Re-entering him is too expensive for what will be a water-tight budget next year and if someone did claim him on re-entry, the Hawks would be on the hook for half his salary (which they also can't afford).

If you send Huet to Rockford, that's the easiest $11 million over two seasons a guy will ever make. Remember, barring a financial miracle, they will not be able to re-enter him. And $11 million is a lot of money. Even to Rocky Wirtz.

Sure, the thought of moving his family to Rockford might be enough to get Huet to pack up and go play in Switzerland or the KHL or just retire. But all the leverage in that situation is Huet's. Not the Hawks'.

The best scenario for all concerned is to deal Huet. Now, before everyone goes off half-cocked here, assume for a minute that a Huet deal does not have to be straight up. Now put a bookmark in this and let's move on to Versteeg.

The Hawks have four forwards making between 3 and 4 million dollars a year whose names are not Hossa, Kane or Toews. And their names are Bolland, Byfuglien, Sharp and Versteeg.

At least one of those guys must go to make the dollars work. There's literally almost no other imaginable way (aside from trading Brian Campbell, which I don't see happening— Campbell's contract is almost untradeable, he has a limited no-trade cause, and his six-week absence at the end of the regular season and the beginning of the playoffs underscored again how valuable he is to this team.

The Hawks hands are tied on Bolland and Sharp. John Madden is very likely going elsewhere as he has turned down a reduced rate contract extension from the Hawks already. Sharp and Bolland are your 2nd and 3rd line centers, and there's no one else in the organization who comes remotely close to filling those roles. And there's no one you can sign or trade for that doesn't put you back in cap hell. Those are the hard facts, folks.

People can say what they like about Dustin Byfuglien, but he has significantly outplayed many $6-7 million a year forwards in the playoffs the last two years. Plus, he can flop back and play a serviceable 4-5 defenseman in a pinch. The Hawks would be insane to deal him for anything less than a small King's Ransom— which they're probably not going to get for him.

That leaves Versteeg. A fast, dynamic player, but also a guy with some holes in his game.

And then there's Ladd. Again, barring some other unforeseen deal, I don't see how the Hawks can keep him. I believe they will extend him a qualifying offer in a couple of weeks with the intent of signing him. But they will then deal him (either before or after actually signing him).

I have heard in the last 48 hours that there is a big market for the young Hawk forwards. How true this is, we'll see. Teams I could see "in the hunt" for these guys include Atlanta (where John Torchetti is rumored to possibly be rejoining Rick Dudley), Florida, Toronto, Columbus, Nashville, Ottawa, the Islanders and the Hurricanes.

But if there is such a market, the Hawks will try to package Huet in the deal. They tried it at the trading deadline, and almost got a team to bite. They will try it again.

Sure, that's a lot of cap hit for a team to take on.

But there are a lot of teams who can swing it. If you're about to trade a veteran goalie or lose one to free agency (like Florida, Dallas or possibly San Jose) then having a guy like Huet as a backup or a "bridge" to a goalie of the future (like Jakob Markstrom in Florida) makes sense— especially if you really want Versteeg and/or Ladd. The departing goalie means cap room.

Or a team can land Versteeg and/or Ladd and just buy Huet out.

Think about it. A 25 year old Kris Versteeg at $3 million a year (plus $1.85 million to buy Huet out) versus a 35 year-old, $5 million a year forward through free agency. It's an interesting choice, at the very least.

Will the Hawks be able to pull it off? I don't know. But they're going to try. Sending Huet to the minors is not the panacea that some think.

But sending Sopel to the minors, on the other hand, makes a ton of sense.

At $2.33 million a year, they likely can re-enter him. He would be a nice injury insurance policy all year next year. And a virtual assistant coach at Rockford. That's why I suspect that's where Sopel's going to end up.

As far as who replaces these guys, don't expect an influx from Rockford. The Hawks are definitely going to the Detroit model of leaving players in the AHL until they are more than ready to play in the NHL.

Instead, I believe the Hawks are going to try to get some bargains from free agency, experienced guys who want a shot at a Cup who are willing to play for less than $1 million a year. We're not talking superstars here, but legitimate third pairing/bottom six guys who can contribute. Some of those guys might be their own UFAs, like Ben Eager or Colin Fraser or Nick Boynton. From Rockford, maybe Bryan Bickell or Jake Dowell joins the team. Forget about Kyle Beach, Akim Aliu or Shawn Lalonde— at least next year.

Again, will it all play out this way? Maybe somewhat, maybe quite a bit, or perhaps not at all. The summer will tell us more.


But all that said: anyone who thinks a team with Toews, Kane, Hossa, Keith, Seabrook, Campbell, Sharp, Byfuglien, Brouwer, Bolland, Hjalmarsson, Kopecky and Niemi categorically can't compete for a Cup next year is simply not thinking rationally. No one should be saying they will repeat. But to rule them out at this polint is pretty foolish.

FINISHING CHECKS:

Heard Al Cimaglia mention on NHL Radio Mike Haviland's name has been connected to the vacant Devils head coaching job.

Actually, I suggested a year ago that the Devils should look at Havy, a New Jersey native and a successful coach at every level he's worked at. Amazing though, what winning a Stanley Cup will do in terms of creating demand for coaches and players.

Apparently Marian Hossa played through the Finals with a sprained MCL. Further proof of what a tough, heart and soul guy Hossa is, in addition to an elite hockey talent.

I'll be back in the next few days with a special interview on the draft.

Thanks for reading everyone,


JJ

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