With success in the NHL comes sacrifice. The Chicago Blackhawks, after winning cups in 2010, 2013 and 2015, know this all too well.
We've seen so many great players shipped out of town due to salary cap issues, personally, I've become pretty numb about the whole thing. This was, until recently though when the Hawks sent Niklas Hjalmarsson to Arizona, Marian Hossa semi-retiring due to a skin condition and not seeing Joel Quenneville, the beloved coach behind the bench anymore.
Don't get me wrong, it really stung seeing guys like Byfuglien, Ladd and Bolland (some of my favourites) moved but now with the likes of the gentlemen mentioned above, it truly feels different; almost like a final chapter of the great run.
I mentioned on the message boards over the last couple of days that I have heard some rumours about the Hawks moving Seabrook. I don't have to pull up the stats and advance research to highlight how Seabs has been slowing down over the years – we can all see that. However, it's undeniable how vital #7 has been to this team on and off the ice. He has been called the defacto captain over the years, even though Jonathan Toews wears the "C" and is an outstanding leader himself, Brent has also been of high character and had those qualities as well.
Whether the rumours are true or if they're merely just conversations or ideas at this point if the Hawks do move Seabrook this sends another core piece out of town and signals more towards a proper rebuild.
I don't think the word rebuild should have as strong as a negative connotation than it once did. In today's NHL, teams are able to turn things around a lot quicker than in the past. That is if you make some savvy moves at the right time, draft very well, and of course, get a little lucky.
I didn't like the "Quenneville firing" press conference then and I don't like it now when John McDonough and Co. refused to call it a rebuild, yet just a remodeling.
At this point, just be honest with yourself and the fan base because as you can see from the empty seats growing at the United Centre of late, fans aren't going to put up with your "remodeling plan". What they may get excited and realistic about are some young players coming up with this team. This isn't going to be easier on ticket sales, but at least you're being honest about what this team is. Please don't confidently say, "this is a playoff team" than two weeks later trade a top 6 forward for more depth. So, is THIS a playoff team now with Strome and Perlini (sans Schmaltz)?
Anyway, this will all be determined but what I want you to do is keep an eye on any future moves with the Hawks and the IceHogs that may dictate the true direction of this team.
Once Nick Schmaltz was moved to Arizona for the 2 new Coyotes, I thought that A) this was a nice move to gain some more depth. Depth that they desperately need as Chicago bottom 6 forwards were just ranked LAST in the league by TSN and 2) Stan just freed himself up some money for the offseason now that Schmaltz doesn't have to be resigned, his only major RFA that was on the Hawks agenda this summer.
If there is a decision to move on from Brent Seabrook, is he just the next to fall in the row of dominos towards this rebuild. Can Duncan Keith, Corey Crawford or even Toews or Kane be next?
Let's just focus on Seabrook for now based on the recent whispers I have been hearing.
What are the Blackhawks options to rid themselves of Brent's $6.87M contract that they are on the hook from until the summer of 2024?
1) Trade Him – this will prove to be difficult but not impossible (heck, I never thought the Leafs would get rid of David Clarkson, but Columbus helped them out there by sending Nathan Horton back).
The Hawks could take a bad contract in return which is risky, especially considering what Brent means to this team and the leadership he brings on and off the ice.
However, it wouldn't be out of the picture to see a deal like this happen if Seabrook isn't happy in Chicago anymore or wants to head closer to home.
I'm not advocating these moves but some names come to mind at Milan Lucic ($6M per until 2023), Loui Eriksson ($6M per until 2022), Bobby Ryan ($7.25 per until 2022), Johnny Boychuk ($6M per until 2022).
There could be a chance these aren't 1-for-1 either and there are add-ons from both sides.
Sticking with that theme, maybe it's a bigger deal in general. Could the Hawks package up from veterans like Seabrook and Crawford or even… dare I say Keith and Seabrook for a larger return to help the Hawks in the future?
Speaking of the future, this is an unlikely scenario, but Bowman has done this in the past and included a "sweetener" for another team to take a player off his hands. So, maybe you see Seabrook + Dylan Sikura or Seabrook + Ian Mitchell moved for parts. 2) Buy Him Out – this is unlikely as the Hawks have never been a big buyout team. The last 2 buyouts were in 2013 and those players were the late Steve Montador and everyone's favourite Rusty Olesz.
Also, courtesy of Cap Friendly, the below does not look pretty:
I don't see this happening. 3) Compliance Buyout – with Seattle's expansion team entering the scene, there's a chance in a couple years that the Hawks could buyout Seabrook's contract without penalty towards the cap.
This would obviously be the most logical if they want to rid themselves of the Blackhawks legend, but they may be looking at making moves sooner than that.
-- What do you think? I know most of you hate Seabrook's contract, but how would you feel no longer season him on a Hawks sweater?
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Moving on, the Hawks play the Winnipeg Jets tonight. There's not much to "preview" other than this is going to be an extremely difficult road game.
The Hawks came off of an embarrassing loss vs. Vegas and need to come out and play with more energy. Even if they can't take down the Jets they need to prove they can skate and compete with one of the league's best despite the outcome.
Henri Jokiharju will be back in the lineup tonight and Brendan Perlini looks like he will get a shot on the top line.
In other news, Scott Darling hit the waivers this morning. Will he get claimed? I sure hope someone takes a chance on him. It might make sense for the Flyers to grab him with Elliott and Neuvirth both hurt and Pickard being claimed by Arizona today.
Meantime, back on the farm, Rockford looks to build off a win and get on a streak this weekend as they play Milwaukee (Sat) and Iowa (Sun). Both games are at home.
See ya out there,
JL