Thursday was one of the greatest days in Chicago Blackhawks history—well, it was certainly the best day since April 16, 1961 when the Hawks defeated the Detroit Red Wings to win their last Stanley Cup.
Since math will be a theme here, that’s exactly 17,765 days ago.
So yes, while the “Windy City” can get windy the big gust of wind that could be felt across Lake Michigan was actually millions of loyal Hawks fans exhaling a giant sigh of relief.
With the announcement of long-term contract extensions for the core of the team—Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith—the 
organization assured fans that they’re not only trying to win the Cup right now, but they’re serious about attempting to turn it into a dynasty.
You’ve heard of Chicago’s “Magnificent Mile,” this is the “Magnificent Millions.” Money well spent.
Yet it was fitting that the Thursday’s press conference to officially announce the signings began with a video tribute set to the Smashing Pumpkins song “Today.” The lyrics of the chorus, sung so eloquently by Blackhawks fan Billy Corgan are as follows:
Today is the greatest
Day I’ve ever known
Can’t live for tomorrow,
Tomorrow’s much too long….
By extending Toews and Kane for 5 years at an annual salary of $5.3 million and Keith for 13 years at an average of $5.38 million, the Hawks made a big splash today while acknowledging the potential for major problems in the future.
Get ready for that aforementioned math and bust out those calculators.
In addition to the Toews/Kane/Keith contracts the Hawks’ spending spree of the last two years leaves them with the hefty contracts of Marian Hossa ($5.275 million), Brian Campbell ($7.14 million) and Cristobal Huet ($5.625 million).
That’s roughly $34 million wrapped up in just six players, with the NHL’s salary cap expected to be around $50-52 million.
Now add in the $3-4 million annual contracts of Patrick Sharp, Kris Versteeg, Dave Bolland, Dustin Byfuglien, Brent Seabrook and Cam Barker and…. Well… UH-OH!
With a few other contracts added to the mix, the Hawks currently have 15 players under contract for the 2010-11 season and find themselves nearly $4 million over the current cap, which is expected to fall. Of those 15, none can play backup goalie—you get the point.
It’s one thing to go on a spending spree. A kid in a candy shop might pack a few too many sour patch kids into their bag or a movie enthusiast might pull a few too many DVD’s off the shelf, but they can put it back. There’s no refund coming to general manager Stan Bowman on the current contracts.
Forget the fact that somewhere a former Blackhawks payroll specialist is currently looking for a new line of work—though I keep wondering if they followed Family Guy’s math philosophy (CLICK FOR FAMILY GUY JOKE).
Now it’s a matter of manipulating the cap not only to get under its final number but also leaving room to add players to the current roster either from the system or through small free agent signings.
As I see it, making a trade is the only way to make this happen but there’s no ideal solution. If I were GM for a day, here’s what I am trying to do:
First and foremost, draft a league wide memo to every general manager informing them that Campbell is available for a draft pick or another bad contract totaling less than $6 million per season in return. If the Hawks can move Campbell and gain any kind of salary cap relief it’s a good deal.
The problem is nobody wants such an expensive defenseman who plays very little defense. Sure, Campbell is great for the power play and in transition but not for his current price tag. To acquire Campbell would be to let the Hawks off the hook for their reckless spending and I don’t see many teams willing to help others in a time of need.
Another trade scenario would involve shipping out a second tier forward such as Sharp or Versteeg for a draft pick. Sharp specifically has been the subject of many rumors involving nearly every team in the league over the last couple of weeks.
Yet, parting with Sharp or Versteeg puts a major dent in the fantastic scoring capabilities of the top lines. Both Sharp and Versteeg could easily pair with a combination of Toews, Kane or Hossa on the first line while the others comprise the second line. Any combination is extremely lethal and is the main reason why the Hawks are legitimate Stanley Cup contenders.
The forward that could be shown the door is Byfuglien or “Big Buff.” 
Despite being second on the team with 8 goals, Buff primarily works the front of the net and stuffs in rebounds. While that’s a critical element for a winning team, Hawks top prospect Kyle Beach does essentially the same thing and comes $2 million cheaper.
An ideal solution might be absurd but makes the most sense. The Hawks need to simply buyout Campbell’s contract. Pay him the remaining money ($7.1 million annually for the next 6 years=$42.6 million).
Yes, I’m suggesting the Hawks simply write Campbell a massive check to go away and sign elsewhere.
No, I have not smoked anything to impair my thinking.
Money is an issue here but not in the way it was for over a decade with the Blackhawks. The cap is the problem, not the price tag. The Wirtz family has plenty of money—and, unlike his greedy father Bill—current chairman Rocky Wirtz has no problem spending it.
Simply admitting the contract is bad and putting an end to it brings the Hawks back under the cap and gives them the flexibility needed to make the minor adjustments necessary for an extended run of greatness.
On the ice, the Hawks would be losing an offensive weapon along the blue line. But Keith’s offensive game has hit a new level this season, Barker has always been a good point presence on the power play and 2008 3rd round pick–19-year-old Shawn Lalonde–may be the next great scoring d-man. Lalonde currently has 7 goals and 15 assists (22 points) in 21 games for the OHL’s Belleville Bulls.
In other words, Campbell won’t be missed for very long.
Look, it’s important to secure the core of the franchise but up until now it’s been done irresponsibly. And just as important as locking up the core is finding the role players around them (hello, Maxime Talbot) to aid in the success.
The Blackhawks 2009-10 ad campaign is called “One Goal.” Basically meaning to finally win the Stanley Cup.
Now, the front office has one goal: to make the bold, brash and prudent moves in order to ensure a full roster can fit under next year’s salary cap.
Unfortunately, this isn’t baseball or the Hawks could just be the New York Yankees.
