Just to get everyone up to speed, what has happened over the past 2 weeks of this off-season? Stan was busy shedding salary room, then things got quiet after the Hjalmarsson offer match.
- July 8th Hawks lose Torchetti
Assistant Coach John Torchetti left the Hawks to join longtime friend Rick Dudley as associate coach of the Atlanta Thrashers.

- July 9th Blackhawks Prospect Camp is underway
This prospect camp holds more intrigue than past years, knowing the talent level in they system and the opportunity these young players have in front of them. With the salary cap challenges facing the Hawks, a few of these prospects have a chance to make the club this season. Top prospects to be watched are: Kyle Beach, Kevin and Jimmy Hayes, Shawn Lalonde, Nick Leddy, Jeremy Morin and Dylan Olsen.

- July 12th Hawks fill assistant coach vacancy
The Hawks sign Mike Kitchen, to replace Torchetti, as an assistant coach. Kitchen and Coach Q have some history in St. Louis. Together the two have never missed the playoffs and captured the 1999-2000 President’s Cup after leading the Blues to a franchise record 114 points.

- July 14th Jack Skille is re-signed
The speedy winger from Wisconsin signed a 1-year deal with the Hawks for $600,000. His cap hit of over a million may be one of the reasons he hasn’t made the club to this point.

- July 19th Patrick Sharp will be staying in Chicago
Stan Bowman cleared up rumors circulating that Sharp was on the market with the team still facing salary cap issues. He stated “He’s not going anywhere. He’s a big part of this. He means a lot to us on the ice and off the ice.” With a salary hit of $3.9M for the next 2 years, there has been much speculation regarding the fate of Sharp. His $3.9M hit is why the Hawks should keep him. His 25 goals and 66 points in the 2010 regular season and versatility in playing center or wing make him a reasonable cap hit with great value. Some nice numbers from Sharp are his 2010 playoff stats, in 22 game he had 11 goals, 22 points and was a +10.

- July 21st Hawks move Reasoner to Florida for Taffe
Marty, we barely knew you. Marty Reasoner came to the Hawks from the Thrashers in the Byfuglien/Eager/Sopel deal. He stopped in for a cup of coffee, and was shipped to the Panthers less than a month later. In a salary dumping move, the Hawks shed $1.15M in cap room. In return, the Panthers sent over Jeff Taffe, a center that will spend his time in Rockford. Jeff is one of those first rounders that never really live up to first round expectations. Drafted 30th (overall) in the 2000 entry draft by St. Louis, he has only found his way into 174 NHL games over 10 years. After this move, many thought it was a sure thing that Niemi would be signed before reaching arbitration, but that hasn’t been the case.

- July 23rd Bryan Bickell is signed
Bickell and the Hawks agree to a three-year, one-way deal worth a total of $1,625,000, with a cap hit of $541,666. He will make $500,000 this coming season and $525,000 and $600,000 the following years. A good contract for the Hawks as Bickell was the most often recalled from the Rockford IceHogs last season. This season, Bryan should find a spot on the roster. He is a big (6′4″ 223lb) winger that has been good when called upon last season. He should be able to step in and add the physical presence lost in Byf and Eager.

So, several announcements going quietly under the radar. The word is negotiations with the Hawks and Niemi are ongoing, but it appears the negotiations will now be in the hands of the arbitration board. So, we wait on word of Antti’s worth, but the wait won’t be long.

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