Let's see... You can't afford your Staney Cup winning goalie after he is awarded $2.75 in arbitration, and low and behold, there's a proven all star available for half that amount. It seems that every step Chicago GM Stan Bowman takes to navigate his team under the salary cap is turning up roses these days.
It all started when he traded playoff stud Dustin Byfuglien to the Atlanta Thrashers. Included with Big Buff was winger Andrew Ladd and blueliner Brent Sopel. All 3 were earning more than the roles they were playing for Blackhawks called for. Bowman will now give Tomas Kopecky a shot on the top 2 lines, and the opening paves the way for big Troy Brouwer to fill Byfugliens role as enforcer and park in the crease guy in the power play. Luckily, the 'Hawks had depth in their organization to fill the forwards lost in this deal.
As for Sopel, the Thrashers sent promising offensive blueline prospect Ivan Vishnevskiy to Chi-town to restock the back end. The talented Russian was a first round pick who has spent time in the CHL adapting to the North American game.
To further lighten the compression felt against the salary cap, Bowman then dealt winger Kris Versteeg to Toronto, and got back Viktor Stalberg in return. Stalberg is a couple $ million cheaper than Versteeg, as well as less proven. However, he plays with the same speed and comes in a much taller frame. He may not have the production of Versteeg, but has the chance to do so if he plays with Marian Hossa or Jonathan Toews or Patrick Kane on the top 2 lines.
NHL history is filled with goalies who excelled for a year in the post season, but have never been able to sustain that success. Jim Carey, Johan Hedberg, Sean Burke and more have shined on the big stage and failed to sustain a top-caliber career in the NHL. I'm not saying Antti Niemi will follow suit, but only time will tell if he's a flash in the pan or not. Today, after walking away from Niemi's arbitration award, the Blackhawks have added what has to be seen as an upgrade between the pipes by adding 35 year old Marty Turco for roughly half of what Niemi would've cost them. Turco has a cup ring, multiple All-Star game selections, and has been consistent his whole career.
Looks like Stan Bowman has fell into a bed of roses again this off season.
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