July 9: A thousand little pieces

Hockey: Chicago continues with its dismantling at an alarming rate. It started when the team traded Byfuglien et al. to Atlanta. Followed by dealing Versteeg to Toronto. Now, 9 days after free agency has started, the Blackhawks still haven't filled out their roster with key players. Players such as Johnsson, Hendry, and Madden are still not signed. Moreover, several important RFAs are still waiting on final offers or arbitration. With that said, the speed has been too slow or the offers weren't there for fast developing Swedish defensemen Nik Hjalmarsson. The San Jose Sharks have signed the restricted free agent to an offer sheet that will keep Hjalmarsson in the teal and black for the next four years.

It's a frightening prospect as a fan. Your team wins the cup then ceases to exist the following year. At least, that is almost the sense coming from the organization. Toews and Kane are fantastic players, but they can't play 40 minutes a game each. There are too many holes and not enough money to fill the gaps. If Chicago does of the route of young talent again (which isn't the same as it was 2 years ago) then there will be a major gap in experience. The kind of experience only exposure to the NHL can offer.

The Chicago Blackhawks hit it right last year. Now, there are several bloated contracts that will eat up much of the salary for the next several seasons. Campbell is not worth $7.14 million a season. Huet is slated to make $5.62 million while likely only playing 20 games this coming season. I have my doubts that any player should be making 10% of the max salary, and that's what both Kane and Toews will be doing. I'm not saying they aren't worth it as individuals. I am arguing that for team dynamics in the salary cap era it is important to make room for a whole team.

There will still be exciting hockey coming from Chicago. I strongly doubt a deep playoff run simply because the key players of Chicago will be overworked by the end of the first round and will not have the energy to survive the second. Good news for Vancouver.