Just when it looked like the Blackhawks Salary Cap situation has been minimized, in comes a curve ball. On Friday, the San Jose Sharks sign Hjalmarsson to a 4 year, $14M offer sheet.

This move puts Stan Bowman on Company back behind the eight-ball. Stan has a week to decide if he match San Jose’s offer and retain Niklas or lose his number 4 defenseman. If Hjalmarsson goes to the Sharks, the Blackhawks would receive San Jose’s first-round and third-round pick in next year’s draft. With San Jose’s level of compete, those will equate to late picks in the first and third round.

As offer sheets go, they are generally far and few between. This was an aggressive move on Doug Wilson’s part, knowing the Blackhawks situation. Wilson knew he would be putting Bowman over a barrel with this offer. With what appeared to be enough maneuvering to clear cap space, Bowman has another difficult decision to make.

The Hawks currently have 14 players signed at a cap hit of about $55.8M. That leaves them with only $3.6M to fill out their roster, typically around 21 or 22 players. They would need to add at least 7 more players for little more than $500,000 each.

FORWARDS
Jonathan Toews ($6.300m) / Patrick Kane ($6.300m) / Marian Hossa ($5.275m)
Patrick Sharp ($3.900m) / Dave Bolland ($3.375m) / Tomas Kopecky ($1.200m)
Marty Reasoner ($1.150m) / Troy Brouwer ($1.025m) / Viktor Stalberg ($0.850m)
DEFENSEMEN
Brian Campbell ($7.143m) / Duncan Keith ($5.538m)
Brent Seabrook ($3.500m) / John Scott ($0.512m)
GOALTENDERS
Cristobal Huet ($5.625m)
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS
(these totals are compiled using the bonus cushion)
ROSTER: 14; CAP: $59.4m; CARRY-OVER PENALTY: $4.158m
PAYROLL: $55.852m; BONUSES: $0.065m; CAP ROOM: $3.613m
– CapGeek.com

To add to the uncertainty of this decision, the Hawks are still in negotiations with Antti Niemi, who has filed for arbitration. Reports say he could be looking for Halak money ($3.75M). Niemi and Hjalmarsson are the 2 key players that remain unsigned. The remained of the roster will be filled out with base salary role players. With Wilson forcing the Hawks hand, they may only be able to resign one of these two major contributors.

What are the Blackhawks options?
Let Nik walk, deciding to sign Niemi and take the picks. This would leave he Hawks thin on defense. This could also impact Campbell’s play. The back line of 51 and 4 complemented each other very well and freed up Soupy to do what he does best. Stan would have to replace the contributions of both Hjalms and Sopel with little cap space. The Hawks are deep in defenseman in the system (LaLonde, Connelly, Olsen, Leddy, Vishnevskiy), but none ready to go now.

Match the Sharks offer sheet, retaining Niklas and taking a big change on Niemi. Best scenario, Niemi’s arbitration comes in low or an agreement can be reached prior to arbitration. Unlikely. but if it does occur, there will be little to fill out the roster. If Niemi is priced too high, the Hawks are in a pinch at the most important position on the ice. Does Huet regain his title as starting goaltender for the Chicago Blackhawks? Is Toivonen ready for prime time? Does the Corey Crawford experiment start? Will he Hawks look to the free agency market for an available and cheap solution between the pipes. The list of remaining free agent goalies available is less that impressive.

Sign both Hjalmarsson and Niemi, forcing the Hawks to undoubtedly move another salary. Would it be easier to replace a forward rather than a top 4 D or a starting goalie?

In regard to the offer sheet extended from SJ, I do think it on the high side, but fair. It is hard to think about paying your number 4 defenseman $3.5M per year, but value of a contract is all relative. On the Hawks, Hjalms is playing behind Keith, Seabrook and Campbell. On some other teams, he could be in your top pair. With the absence of Blake, the SJ blueline is thin. After Dan Boyle, their D’men are better than average. So Nik would have a higher value to a team like SJ. Midway though this 4 year deal, he will be paid at market value.

I do think the Hawks could have avoided this whole mess by signing Nik and Antti before they hit the market as RFAs. Bowman commented that he was not concerned about any offer sheets being tendered, but I am not sold that he planned for it.

Whoever signs Hjalms when this is all said and done will have their work cut out for them. If the Hawks retain him, we all know further moves will be necessary. But if SJ poaches Nik from the Hawks, SJ will not be in any better salary shape. They will need 3 more forwards signed under their $3.1375M cap space, including Setoguchi. Devin Setoguchi is an RFA and will be looking for a raise. Will someone tender an offer to Setoguchi?

The Hawks have till next Friday to respond. If “The Buzz” had the GM’s hat on, we’d match.

As the clock struck 12, the free agent market was buzzing. Stan Bowman has stated that they would be active in the free agency. With their salary situation, how active could they be.

On day one of free agency, the Hawks were quiet, signing one very large role player.

The Blackhawks have agreed to a contract with free agent John Scott, according to a source. The two-year deal is worth $500,000 annually.

The 27-year-old Scott played in 51 games for the Minnesota Wild this past season. He accumulated one goal and one assist. Scott has played as both a defenseman and forward during his two NHL seasons.

A notorious tough guy, 6′8″ 258 lb, Scott could fill an enforcer role for the Hawks.