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The Blackhawks freed themselves from the remaining three years of Marian Hossa's contract, but they paid the price to do so.
The Hawks traded Hossa – or more accurately, its $ 5.3 million cap – against the Coyotes. Thursday in a multiplayer trade that also cost them ahead Vinnie Hinostroza, defender Jordan Oesterle and a third-round pick of 2019. In return, the Hawks took over center Marcus Kruger along with two other forwards, MacKenzie Entwistle and Jordan Maletta, defenseman Andrew Campbell and a fifth-round pick in 2019.
Hossa, who missed the entire 2017-18 season with a serious skin condition and should not play again, was an integral part of three Stanley Cup champions. His signing in the summer of 2009 signals a change of direction for a franchise that has not won a title since 1961. But the 12-year deal includes an annual salary cap of $ 5.3 million. dollars becomes a burden for the Blackhawks when Hossa "Marian's long-term contributions to the club will never be forgotten," the Hawks said in a statement. "His performance as a player has always been appreciated, but it is his particular qualities of team-mate, leader and person who, more than anything, will mark each of us who have come to love and respect the very humble way. "
Kruger, 28, joined the Blackhawks after one season with the Hurricanes, who handed him over to the Coyotes in May. The defensive specialist played seven seasons with the Hawks from 2010 to 2017 and was a member of the Cup winners in 2013 and 2015.
Major penalty killer and control center, Kruger also left the Hawks He was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in July 2017 for "future considerations", which was a euphemism for the salary cap space.The agreement would have been part of a wider agreement; The Hawks have left defender Trevor van Riemsdyk unprotected and the Knights l & rsquo; have selected in the The Knights finally traded Kruger and van Riemsdyk against the Hurricanes in separate trades
None of the other two forwards acquired by the Hawks on Thursday had any NHL experience. will likely not have an immediate impact. Entwistle, a third-round pick in 2017, is only 18, while Maletta, 23, has only four assists in 29 league games last season.
Hinostroza, 24, was often mentioned as a group of young attackers around whom the Hawks were building their future. He recently signed a two-year extension that brings in $ 1.5 million per season. Hinostroza, from Chicago, has seven goals and 18 assists in 50 games for the Hawks last season.
The Hawks signed Oesterle as a free agent in July 2017 and he gradually played with Duncan Keith. the best defensive unit. The emergence of Oesterle was rather surprising, given his record in three seasons with the Oilers. But the 26-year-old has gradually integrated the regular rotation of coach Joel Quenneville, thanks in part to his ability to play left or right. In 55 games last season, Oesterle averaged 20:31 minutes of ice time, scored five goals and helped another 10
The defense was the Hawks' greatest need in the offseason, neither was the start of the season. 39; Oesterle nor the acquisition of the 30 Campbell would appear to adequately respond to this concern. Campbell has played in just 42 NHL games for three teams since the Kings drafted him in 2008.
Now that the Hawks have opened up space, they may have more flexibility to add depth to the line. They reportedly asked Justin Faulk of the Hurricanes, a 26-year-old right-handed shooter who has reached double-digit goals in three of the past four seasons. Faulk, three times in the star team, has signed two more seasons and posts an annual salary cap of 4.8 million.
The Coyotes deal is not the first time the Hawks are negotiating promising young players. pay an expensive contract. They included the skillful striker Teuvo Teravainen in the trade that sent Bryan Bickell to the Hurricanes in 2016, and defenseman Stephen Johns in the case that sent Patrick Sharp to the Stars in 2015.
These Motivated Deals by the money finally let the Hawks -changed on the ice. The Hossa deal relieves the Hawks of a financial burden, but it squarely puts weight on the shoulders of General Manager Stan Bowman. Does it have a larger movement that could have a major impact in the works? The clock turns and the training camp is just over two months old.
Twitter @ jknowles31
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