From blackhawks.nhl.com
The Chicago Blackhawks announced today they have agreed to terms with forward Andrew Desjardins on a two-year contract, which runs through the end of the 2016-17 National Hockey League season.
Desjardins, 28, tallied a career-high five goals in 69 regular-season games between the San Jose Sharks and Blackhawks and four points (1G, 3A) in 21 postseason games on the way to his first Stanley Cup championship. He also scored a goal in his postseason debut for Chicago in Game 3 of the First Round against the Nashville Predators. Desjardins was acquired via trade on March 2, 2015.
Financial details are said to be two years at $800 a pop, which is downright cap-friendly and, in my view, a good value. Desjardins hit a career high 5 goals this season, but that's not where his true value lies. Along with a few hard-earned and timely assists during the playoffs, Desjardins found success as an agitator and space creator playing with Marcus Kruger and Andrew Shaw. Together, they were a consistent, reliable trio that may not have logged big minutes but they were hard minutes, usually spent hounding their opponents' best line. If and when Kruger is re-upped The Hawks fourth (or maybe third?) line is done and dusted, assuming Coach Q can resist trying to fix something that ain't broke. His hands are questionable and his shot unexceptional, but he's got a great motor, decent positional instincts and can kill penalties, in a pinch. I suspect he's Good In The Room, as well, as his teammates appear to like and value him even though he came to Chicago at the expense of the popular Ben Smith.
Saad signs 6-year, $36mil Contract with Columbus
Okay, that wasn't gonna happen in Chicago, so let's move on. Saad's post-trade chatter suggests that he just left the whole thing in his agent's hands which is either disingenuous or stupid, both of which reflect poorly on the lad. At least the other players' agents now know not to play chicken with Stan Bowman, I guess.
Oduya Lurks in Weeds
It looks as if Johnny Oduya's camp is holding back on talks with other teams while they see how much cap space The Hawks may have available. Oduya earned $3.3mil on his just-expired contract and, on a lesser team, could stand to earn $5mil+, thanks to some hilariously overpaid d-men around the league (I'm looking at you Wideman). His superior-in-every-way partner, Nik Hjalmarsson earns a mere $4.1mil so we cannot expect The Hawks to go north of $3.x for Oduya. We shall wait and see.
Other Signings
Artem Anisimov, acquired in the Saad deal, extended to 2021 (I think) at a hit of $3.3mil. Too soon? I honestly know nothing about the guy except that he's large and has a rep for versatility. You know he's going to be lining up with better quality wingers than he's ever played with before, so I'm cautiously optimistic on this one. If it fails to pan out at least his salary is reasonable enough that he should be easy to move along.
Viktor Tikhonov, F, failed to set The KHL alight since his 61-game audition with Phoenix in 2008-09. At the NHL level this lad is likely 3rd or 4th line material, at best, but his size may be part of a contingency plan in case Bickell is moved along this summer.
Michael Leighton, G, returns as the presumed #1 guy in Rockford and back-up-to-our-back-up in Chicago. Why not?
Cameron Schilling and Michael Liambas, D, help fill out the ranks in Rockford and may be useful if Pokka or Johns or whoever begins the season in Chicago.
Departures
Antoine Vermette, back to Phoenix for some reason. I guess that stuff about wanting to remain was to plump up his deal with the 'Yotes?
Brad Richards, to Detroit, continuing his prolonged farewell tour. I predict he ends up in Los Angeles before this is over.
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