Whatcha goin do....come July 1st?!?!

The 2011 NHL draft was on Friday June 24^th (just 1^st round) and Saturday June 25^th.  The Hawks had the 18^th pick of the draft which they selected Mark McNeil (C) from Prince Albert Raiders (WHL).  He had 30A and 50 pts. in 45 games.  Here’s more info on the Hawks first pick of the draft. 

Then it was announced that Hawks had acquired the 26^th overall pick from Washington in exchange for Troy Brouwer.  The Hawks selected Phillip Danault (C) from Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL).  He had 20G and 37A in 53 games.  He brings passion to every shift.

Brouwer’s cap hit was 1.025 mil.  He will be a RFA come July 1^st and is due a raise.  He only registered 36 points this season but did lead the team with 262 hits.  I know a few of my friends aren’t going to like this blog but here it is Troy Brouwer is excited to join Washington Capitals

Later on that night, it was announced that Brian Campbell (D) was going to the Florida Panthers and Hawks acquired forward Rostislav Olesz.  Campbell waived his no trade clause to reunite with his former Chicago GM Dale Tallon.  Back in 2008, Dale had wooed Campbell to sign a hefty contract to the Hawks with a 7.142 mil cap hit over 8yrs.  Now Dale worked his magic again and Campbell has followed.  Here's a great article of how GM Tallon sells Campbell on joining Panthers

On the second day of the Draft, Hawks had 9 picks in rounds 2 thru 7.  In the second round, Hawks selected Adam Clendening (D) from Boston University who was 36^th overall.  He had 26 pts in 39 games.  For the 2^nd pick in round 2 Hawks selected Brandon Saad (LW) from Saginaw Spirit (OHL) who was 43^rd overall.  He had 27G, 28A in 59 games.  In the 3^rd round...Hawks once again had 2 picks.   The 1^st pick was Michael Paliotta (D) from USNTDP U-18 who was 70^th overall.  He had12 assists and 71 PIM for 47 games.  The second pick was Klas Dahlbeck (D) from Linkoping (Swedish Elite League) who was 79^th overall.  In the 4^th round, Hawks picked Maxim Shalunov (RW) from Chelyabinsk (Russian Minor Hockey League) who was 109^th overall.  He had 22G, 14A, 42PIM in 39 games.  In the 5^th round, Hawks picked Andrew Shaw (C) from Owen Sound Attack (OHL) who was 139^th overall.  He had 22G, 32A, +17, and 135 PIM in 66 games.  In the 6^th round, Hawks picked Sam Jardine (D) from Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL) who was 169^th overall.  The last round (7^th) Hawks had two picks again.  In the 1^st pick they selected Alex Broadhurst (C) from Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) who was 199^th overall.  He had 13G, 20A, +15, in 55 games.  The second pick was Johan Mattsson (G), Sodertalje who was 211^th overall.  He played in 29 games with a .930 save percentage and 2.62 GAA. 

-Those are your Hawks Draft picks for this year. 

On Monday 6/27/10, Tomas Kopecky was traded to the Florida Panthers for a 7^th round draft pick.  Rumor has it that, according to Tim Sassone of the DH, Kopecky wanted double of what he was making (1.2 mil) after a career high 15 goals and 42 points....REALLY?!  I hate to say this but to be really honest, Kopecky you are nothing special without Hossa.  Let’s see how well you do in Florida....but then again he might do great....who knows but I do know this.....having the worse minus rating and one of the highest minor penalties (which could have been avoided) this past season are a few thing you should work on next season. 

So now comes the question of what will happen once July 1^st hits....who will Stan Bowman sign??  I think the 1^st thing you need to do is find a great D-man....then everything else should fall into place. Next would be the depth 3^rd and 4^th lines.

So the NHL raised the salary cap to 64.3 million this coming 2011-2012 season.  Right now according to Capgeek we have 16 players signed with about 14 million to spare.  The players that will become free agents if they don’t sign by July 1^st will be Frolik, Stalberg, Dowell, Pisani, Johnson, Campoli, Hendry, and Turco.  All of the players that need to re-sign are all replaceable.  Turco and Hendry....are def O-U-T.  Turco was just here for one season and now we have Alexander Salak who signed a two yr deal that will be the back-up for Crawford.  Hendry....I know coach didn’t like you but you were injured at the end of Feb so more in likely you are out.  Pisani....I don’t see you coming back either.  You didn’t impress me last season so im okay with you not here.  I would like to see Johnson back....has the veteran experience and can take face-offs.  Dowell you were the only player that didn’t get a qualifying offer that’s restricted so looks like you’re gone too eventhough I like you!  Stalberg....you have the speed and size.....just need the confidence.  Campoli and Frolik will depend on how much money they want. 

Now onto Brouwer and Campbell.  Troy...i like you....you have the size and the offensive ability although I think the Hawks were lookin’ for more in you this past season. Lead the Hawks with hits so hopefully you can bring that to the Caps.  You were someone I wanted re-signed but looks like Bickell or Benny will take your spot. 

I got to say so far since the Draft, the Campbell trade was a surprise to me.  I usually don’t get surprised that much but WOW!  I will say that Campbell is the biggest lost for the Hawks for next season (2011-2012).  I know everyone hates his contract with the 7.1 cap hit for the next 5 season but take that contract away and look at the actual player.  He’s a very skilled D-man.  He knows how to move the puck, get involve with the plays, great on the power play, puts up the numbers, and very consistent.  When Campbell was injured....you could tell that the D wasn’t as good.  Remember when he came back sooner when the Hawks were on their way to win the Cup. It’s kinda funny how it’s deja vu all over again with him going to Florida.  Going to one of the worst teams in the league with a horrible power play and Tallon hoping that other players in the league will want to go to the Panthers .  I wish him the best of luck with his new team.  Thank you Campbell for helping the Hawks bring the Cup back to Chicago.  You will not be forgotten. 

So let’s talk about the D for a second.  As of right now we have Keith and Seabrook on the top line......which hopefully they improve cause last season was a HOT MESS for both of them.  Then you have Hjalmarsson and Leddy for the 2^nd pair....right?!  Niklas doesn’t play as well without Campbell so this will be his true test come this season.  Leddy is a youngin....hopefully he gets better.  Then all we have left is John Scott.  That doesn’t give us that much depth on the blue line.  When it comes to the forwards....same problem.....so it goes back to the whole Stan....whatcha goin do come July 1^st?? 

In other related news....here’s a few things that has happen around the league. 

-Winnipeg named their team Jets.

-The Flyers have gone a lil crazy....hopefully it benefits them in the long run.  The Flyers traded their caption Mike Richards to the Kings in exchange for Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn, and a draft pick.  Then they traded Jeff Carter to Blue Jackets in exchange for Jakub Voracek and two 2011 draft picks.  That would be like the Hawks trading Toews and Kane.  Those two guys are the face of the Flyers....well i guess no more.  Then get this they sign goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov to a 9yr, 51 million contract.  Who signs a goaltender for that long?!  What if he sucks in three years??

-Devin Setoguchi signed a 3yr, 9 million contract with the Sharks.  The very next day...he’s traded to the Minnesota Wild.  Wilson (GM for Sharks)....you got issues!

That is all for right now!  Peace out Hawks fans!