Today is July 1st, and that means NHL teams can start signing free agents. Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon isn't messing around. He's already made two huge acquisitions.
Tallon signed Brian Campbell to an eight-year deal reportedly worth an average of $7.142 million annually. Campbell, a smooth skater and skilled playmaker, was considered the top free-agent defenseman on the market.
Blackhawks coach Denis Savard and Tallon have both commented that improving the power play is a huge priority this offseason. Bringing in Campbell to run the point is a big step in the right direction.
In addition, the Hawks signed goaltender Cristobal Huet to a four-year deal worth an average of $5.625 million annually. Huet won 32 games last season for the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals.
Washington acquired Huet from Montreal at last year's trading deadline, and he went 11-2 down the stretch to help the Capitals edge the Carolina Hurricanes for the Southeast Division title.
With any luck, Huet's acquisition will lead to the exit of erstwhile veteran Nikolai Khabibulin, whose spotty play in goal contributed to the Blackhawks missing the playoffs by three points last season. At minimum, the cheap goals Khabibulin allowed cost the Blackhawks 8-10 points in the standings. That, along with a weak power play, kept the team out of the postseason tournament.
Khabibulin, 35, won't be easy to trade, however. He's owed $6.75 million for the upcoming season. His skills are clearly in decline. Can Tallon find a taker? Stay tuned.
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