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I got a tip a couple of months ago that the Blackhawks were working on a long-term contract extension with Brent Seabrook in the range of $6-7 million AAV, that would get done sooner rather than later. Lo and behold, it is done.
8 years, $6.85 million per.
All things considered, it’s a great deal for Seabrook and the Hawks. Sure, some may debate the contract length—Seabrook is 30 years old—the contract will expire a couple of months after his 39th birthday. The relative age of NHL defensemen will be a topic discussed later in this blog.
But as with any long-term deal, big money in the NHL, you have to assume the team is banking on cap growth and likely the relative health of the player.
This also somewhat alleviates the potential distraction and challenges of a bidding war for Seabrook’s services next summer. The Hawks will have some cap challenges again next summer, but they seem to be working proactively.
As far as defensemen in their late 30s, the Hawks are down one this morning, with the release of veteran Jan Hejda from his professional tryout contract. I thought Hejda played pretty well and showed he had something left; but I also thought the other veteran PTO blueliner, Lubomir Visnovsky was showing more—and more unique skills—especially on the power play—that could help the Hawks.
So with Michal Rozsival definitely in the mix, and the top 4 set, that leaves two spots for Visnovsky, David Rundblad or Trevor van Riemsdyk. Something to remember is Rundblad, van Riemsdyk and Rozsival are all somewhat to much more suited to playing the right side. Visnovsky to the left.
Yet 36 players remain on the roster for now, with a huge logjam (21 players) at forward.
On that note, I also heard last night that the Hawks are maybe moving closer to potential trades with the Islanders and/or the Coyotes. My guess is these would involve moving out a veteran or two in exchange for picks and/or prospects—and cap relief.
More as I have it.
JJ