Zawaski: A Blackhawks Free Agency Guide
By Jay Zawaski-
CHICAGO (CBS) Let the bidding wars begin. One of the most exciting days in the NHL year is coming Friday. The beginning of free agency in hockey can only be described as a frenzy. Huge names get picked up all day long, and this year looks like it's no exception.
While the Blackhawks cleared a lot of cap space this past weekend by trading Brian Campbell to the Florida Panthers, it's unlikely the Hawks will land a real marquee name like a Brad Richards.
The Hawks will be more focused on adding depth and size to the roster, and they can given their cap situation. Using CapGeek.com's calculator, the Hawks have about $10,000,000 for 3-4 slots. Depending on the number of "kids" on the roster, that number fluctuates. As a point of reference, I have included Jeremy Morin, Ben Smith, and Marcus Kruger as well as the Hawks restricted free agents who have been qualified (Viktor Stalberg, Chris Campoli, and Michael Frolik) at their salaries from last season...which should be CLOSE to the total of their new contracts. That gives the Blackhawks a 20-man roster.
Center and defense are the Hawks' biggest needs. Here are a few names to keep an eye on headed into Friday.
CENTERS
John Madden - Minnesota
Vernon Fiddler - Phoenix
Zenon Konopka - New York Islanders
Everyone remembers Madden from his run with the 2010 Blackhawks. He's a veteran leader with three Stanley Cups. His name was floating around Hawk rumors before the Bruins even lifted the Cup. He's one of the best defensive forwards of all time, but he's not getting any younger at 38. There are better options, but he's more than adequate as a fourth-line center, and may be willing to play for $1,000,000 or less.
Fiddler is a nice option, and my favorite of the role player types. He's solid on faceoffs (53%) and plays an agitating style of hockey. He's 31 years old, and could probably be signed for under $2,000,000.
Konopka is a different kind of player. The dude's a flat out bad ass. He will fight, he will hit (307 PIMs last season), and he will win faceoffs like crazy. The Hawks have acknowledged their collective lack of toughness. Konopka would solve that problem, and then some.
DEFENSEMEN
James Wisniewski - Montreal Canadiens
Ed Jovanovski - Phoenix Coyotes
Brent Sopel - Montreal Canadiens
To me, former Hawk James Wisniewski is just what the Blackhawks need. He has a mean streak, and can contribute offensively as well. He and Brent Seabrook have made up after the nasty hit Wiz put on the Hawk defenseman in 2010. He might not be perfect defensively, but he's willing to clear the crease (there's a novel idea) and can move the puck. The problem is that he will probably command upwards of $4,500,000. He may not be worth that salary.
Jovo is an interesting player. He's very much on the decline, but still can play physically and eat up big minutes, which would help long-term with Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. He made $6,500,000 last season. Uh...that's a lot. If he'd be willing to sign for closer to $4 million, the Hawks might take a shot.
Sopel has said since the day he was traded to Atlanta last summer, that he wanted to retire a Blackhawk. I would be shocked if he doesn't get that wish this year. His family lives in Hinsdale, and his wife just opened a store there. Unless a GM somewhere gets dumb, and offers him too much, it's likely he could sign in Chicago for $1,000,000 or less.
