Blackhawks being investigated over offers

July 3, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

This past season, hockey finally was back in Chicago with the Original Six club getting back to the postseason for the first time since 2001-02. Not only was it great to see but they made a nice run getting all the way to the Conference Finals before old Norris rival Detroit ousted them in five games.

Well, today isn’t as fun because apparently, they’re being investigated by both the NHL and NHLPA over qualifying offers made to several players including Kris Versteeg, Cam Barker, Troy Brouwer, Ben Eager, Aaron Johnson and Colin Fraser.

According to a league source, the players didn’t receive required notification of the offers. Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon, who shelled out a ton of cash on Marian Hossa and others on Day One of the FA frenzy, indicated that they were mailed in time on June 29 but might not have gotten them in time due to the Canadian holiday on July 1.

Complicating matters is that supposedly, they’re not supposed to be mailed with fax preferred to the players’ agent with only certified or registered mail permitted.

Who knows what the story is here? If they’re ruled inaccurate, each player would become unrestricted. Yikes. Just imagine the headache that would cause. Especially for valuable guys like Barker and Versteeg. Personally, I like Brouwer as he brings lots of energy to his shifts. Eager also became a fixture improving offensively while taking on all comers. The other two are bit players who could be replaced.

Fyi…As Devil blogger Hasan accurately points out, the same situation happened to Lou Lamoriello following 2000 with Brian Rafalski and John Madden, who each became UFA’s forcing the Devil President/GM to re-sign them for much more. If I recall correctly, Post writer Mark Everson had the story. So, it has happened before.

I think I’m going to take what I believe Hasan’s stance was. It’s a complex issue due to a technicality. I don’t see why it’s such a big deal. I also buy Tallon’s story that they were sent out but might have been delayed due to the holiday. Should the Hawks be penalized? I’m not sure but the league has set a precedent- forcing the Devils to scramble and pay up for two integral parts of a roster that would go onto win a third Stanley Cup in 2003. I guess we might see the same end result which would royally stink for Chicago since it involved more players. Will they be able to retain them all?

Guess we’ll have to wait and see what happens with this interesting case.