Comments on: Morning Papers Take: How will the Blackhawks fit everyone under the cap?

By: IllegalCurve.com » Blog Archive » Nightly Hockey Hits: Kessel needs supporting cast, Havlat out with strained hammy, Is Alex Ovechkin the greatest left winger ever?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:20:10 +0000

[...] Morning Papers Take: How will the Blackhawks fit everyone under the cap? [...]

By: IllegalCurve.com » Blog Archive » Nightly Hockey Hits: 10 types of Leaf fans (and how to deal with them), Russians favorite to take home gold, Savard signing not imminent, KHL invades Sweden, 10 best hockey games of the last decade.

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:45:21 +0000

[...] Morning Papers Take: How will the Blackhawks fit everyone under the cap? [...]

By: Nick

Nick — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:54:12 +0000

Yeah, they can waive him, but if he were to clear waivers (which he would with that contract) they would need his consent to go to the AHL, which he would probably deny. So really, this would never happen which is unfortunate for the Hawks.

By: goon

goon — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:30:17 +0000

it will be interesting to see how they fit everyone under the cap.

By: Bob Roberts

Bob Roberts — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:13:32 +0000

Well that solves that. Thanks Nick.

By: Nick

Nick — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:53:24 +0000

Campbell has a no movement clause so they can’t send him to the AHL

By: Bob Roberts

Bob Roberts — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:46:36 +0000

Thanks Richard, I thought that was it on the Campbell front. I will say though, think that free agents, including Campbell, negotiate their contracts — I doubt the Hawks offered him the final deal up front — and although money and term and so on play a huge part in a decision to sign with a team, so does the chance to win the Cup. The Hawks look like a fair bet on that front. Are you saying a player like Hossa would think twice about signing with them because they decided to cut their losses on a player? I’d think he could just as easily see that as a sign that the team really wants to win, just as he obviously does.

Regardless, a great read.

By: Richard

Richard — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:08:47 +0000

1. Bob, I very much appreciate the kind words, thank you.

2. Campbell could be sent down to the AHL and yes, if he were to be recalled, he would have to clear waivers and would be available for claim at half his salary per season.

In that case, Campbell would be available to every team in the NHL for $3.57 million for the next four season. His defensive issues aside, I believe almost every team in the league would jump at that opportunity. So, I don’t think the Hawks would do that–especially because they’d be on the hook for $3.57 per season for a player to not play on their team for four years.

The team also has the option of putting him in the AHL and not calling him up. In this case, his salary is off the books entirely. The Hawks’ cap would be rid of his $28.56 million of salary commitments beyond this season. The catch, however, is the team owner still has to pay the full amount–it just isn’t against the salary cap. I don’t see anyway the owner would do that.

Additoinally, the ramifications of such a move would not reflect well on Chicago as an organization. What free agent would sign there if they see the possibility of exile due to, not even poor play, but rather not living up to the contract the team offered them?

3. After Byfuglien’s performance against Vancouver, I thought he’d dominate against the Wings. As you stated, he was hardly noticeable. To be honest, he hasn’t been much better this season, so you are exactly right about the waiting game that the team has to play.

By: Bob Roberts

Bob Roberts — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:56:20 +0000

First, thanks for this amazing in-depth piece on the Hawks and their cap situation.

Second, a question: “Brian Campbell is on the books for four more seasons.” Do you know if he can be dropped to waivers or sent down or whatever they call it? If so, is it correct that a team who picked him up would pay half his salary? It’s not that he’s hurting the team with his play, it’s just that his play is nowhere near his pay; and if he can be disposed of by being sent to the minors or having another team pick him up off waivers at least some cap space can be created. Or have I got that whole scenario wrong?

Third, a comment: “Byfuglien, but he is a beast on skates and when he wants…”. I think you’ve nailed it with “when he wants”. To me, other than a spurt here or there, that series against the Canucks was it. More to the point, and although he wasn’t alone on this one: where was he in the next series? I guess it always comes down to how long a team waits for consistency from players.