Just days after Hossa, Kopecky and Madden were signed, news broke of the Blackhawks failing to properly submit qualifying offers to their restricted free agents by the 2009 deadline stipulated in the collective bargaining agreement. At issue is whether the Blackhawks – who had recently lost their primary contracts man, assistant general manager Rick Dudley, to the Atlanta Thrashers – followed the proper protocols as mandated by the CBA in sending out qualifying offers to their restricted free agents, a mechanism that permits them to retain negotiating rights to the players.

However, this is all a mute discussion, as the Blackhawks made a pre-emptive strike to head off the effects of any potential ruling against them by signing five of the affected players – Barker, forwards Troy Brouwer, Ben Eager and Colin Fraser and defenceman Aaron Johnson – to new contracts yesterday, along with minor-league goaltending prospect, Corey Crawford. The following day, Kris Versteeg was signed.

Kris Versteeg  -3 years, $9.25M

Cam Barker  -3 year, $9.25M

Troy Brouwer  -2 year, $2M

Ben Eager  -1 year, $965K

Aaron Johnson  -1 year, less than $1M

Colin Fraser  -1 year, $700K

Corey Crawford -2 year, less than $1M

Many say the Hawks have overpaid for the services of Barker and Versteeg. Was it the controversy swirling around the qualifying offers that forced Dale to overpay? Or is it the latest trend of Blackhawks players that are overcompensated for their services? We understand that bringing talent into an organization is costly, but have the Hawks spent wisely?

Brent Sopel, $2.3M per year for a 3 year extension, a ton on money for a 5-6 D man if he is healthy and can come to camp in shape and ready to go.

Dustin Byfuglien, $3M per year for 3 years. Another large chunk of money for “potential” at the time of his extension. Just think of where Byf’s game was last summer when the contract as signed. If we get the hitting machine we saw in the playoffs during regular season, it might be money well spent, until then . . . $3M?

Brian Campbell was overpaid to land the “prize” free agent. We all understand the Hawks intentions of making a statement with the big signing – bad contract. But, while the checkbook was still open and the ink was fresh, Christobal Huet was locked up for 4 years at $22.5M. For a starting goalie, not a bad contract, but with Khabi still under contract and the Hawks inability to move him, they had $11M in salary tied up between the pipes.

Marian Hossa was this years top free agent, and the Hawks signed him for a contract to ponder. At $5.23M a season for Hossa, the contract sounds good and should be an upgrade from Havlat for less of a cap hit. But looking at the terms of the contract further, the deal was for $62.8M for 12 years. At least we have Hossa until he is 42.

Dave Bolland was resigned for 5 years at $3.375 a season. Will he be your 2nd line or 3rd line center? Especially with the addition of 2 centers via free agency in Kopecky and Madden. Will Bolland be able to perform as he did last season, when he finished with 47 points and benefited greatly by skating with a rejuvenated Havlat playing in his contract year?

Dale has stated that they were able to complete all the recent signings under the cap, but other reports have him over the salary cap by $4.5M. The Hawks have not been successful in moving bad salaries in the past and the Hawks future have them spending like there is no tomorrow. Resigning Toews, Kane and Keith won’t be cheap and should all be long term deals like Hossa’s. Where will the cap space come from with the uncertainty of next seasons cap? Time to play “Let’s Make a Deal” Mr. Tallon.