Campbell, Huet and Walker-not the name combination I expected the Hawks to post during the first week of the UFA signing frenzy, but then the draft pick was a bit of a shock as well. Everyone knew the Hawks were lusting after Campbell because it was obvious and that made him expensive. My only concern with the cost involves players like Keith, Tazer and Kaner who will rightfully expect similar or better compensation in the next two years. I don’t see how the Hawks will arrange things to stay within the salary cap, but then its not my problem either.
Walker makes sense. I see him in the same vein as Adam Burish, a hard working, stand-up guy who won’t hesitate to drop the gloves with just about anybody in defense of a teammate. If he doesn’t find a spot in Chicago, he’ll be an asset in Rockford-just a phone call away.
Huet was the shocker! I NEVER saw this coming. I wondered if Dale Tallon was working on a deal for Khabi and considered a variety of plausible options if he dealt him. I thought of resigning Lalime and bringing up Crawford. Patrick Lalime would've been a great mentor/competitor for Corey Crawford-I'll miss him (but he did give me his last goalie stick as a Blackhawk)! I thought of a deal for another starter (Huet) with Crawford as back-up and competitor. I never thought we’d sign another number one goalie with Nik still here and Crawford chomping at the bit. Two starters is rarely a good situation (remember the Belfour/Hasek/Hackett days?) because of the innate desire of a primetime starter wanting his playing time and recognition. Patrick Lalime was good enough to start in the NHL but willing-just barely-to bide his time behind Khabi because he understood his situation and was intelligent enough to act in his own best interests. Lalime’s demeanor isn’t typical, nor was his situation-don’t expect patience from Khabi or Huet! Dealing Khabi won’t be easy, either. The situation that made Campbell expensive is now reversed and makes Khabi’s value a lot less. Having two great centers is a coach’s dream. Having two great goalies is a coach’s headache.
And then there’s Hossa. OUCH! My brother in-law (Hi Craig!) was livid beyond words when he heard Hossa signed with Detroit. The problem with Hossa is…he wants a Stanley Cup ring! The Hawks are on the verge of some great years if they can hang on to their maturing new stars, but Detroit is there now. Hossa wasn’t coming to the Hawks no matter what they threw at him. I admire the guy for knowing what is important to him and doing what needs to be done to get it. Campbell probably could have gotten even more money than the Hawks shelled out, but he also saw an opportunity to be part of a winner and with his contract he should be around to see it happen with the Hawks.
Wiz and his knee. Here’s one of my favorite Blackhawk personalities, a hard worker, and a tough kid who has his ACL blown out again. Here’s my concern: I blew out my medial cartilage and my ACL followed quickly after. It became a cascade effect of related damage and injury, much like Marty Havlat’s shoulder. Marty had radical surgery intended to alter the chain of injury degradation (and the jury is still out on its effectiveness) but I don’t know if the same can be said for Wiz’s knee repair. I’m hoping things have changed over the years and that Wiz will be back in the lineup permanently soon. Good luck Wiz-you’ll be missed on and off the ice!
