Blackhawks fire Tallon
Posted on July 14th, 2009 – 9:21 AMBy Michael Russo
Thought I’d give you a new blog entry to dive into. I’ll be back with a very unique, non-hockey blog in an hour or so.
The Chicago Blackhawks fired Dale Tallon yesterday, as originally reported by my pal, Josh Mora, on Comcast Chicago.
This was coming for a long time. The Blackhawks wanted to fire him after the season, but their playoff run made that trickier from a PR standpoint. I truly believe the latest offer sheet gaffe just gave the very political hierarchy that currently runs the Hawks an excuse to dismiss Tallon, one of the most popular men in the game among colleagues, agents and players.
I’ll talk more specifically about trades in a blog Wednesday before the NHL schedule is released, but the Blackhawks are in deep trouble when it comes to the salary cap. They’re almost $3 million over now and next year they’re at $42-plus million on a cap that will surely come down from $56.8 million. And, they have to sign Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith next summer. What if Toews and Kane want Malkin-Crosby-like second contracts?
If they do, one (Kane) would likely have to be traded.
As for this year, you can be 10 percent over the cap until the season, but then you have to come down. That means they’ll likely have to trade an important player, and probably for prospects and picks. Sending a guy like Brent Sopel to the minors would help get them down, but you’d still have to pay him his $2 million tag.
Basically, the Hawks have mismanaged the cap to bigtime degrees.
Like I said, I’ll be back soon with a unique blog on a buddy of mine.
220 Responses to "Blackhawks fire Tallon"
I’ll be back with a very unique, non-hockey blog in an hour or so.
A baseball blog perhaps?? Was that Goody that suggested that? Way to go dude…
So basically, Chicago had a good run this year and they likely had one more good run before Toewes and Kane needed new contracts, and they set themselves up to fail after that.
It’s as if Tallon was a secret agent and also on the payroll by the Red Wings.
AustinTXwildfan says:
July 14th, 2009 at 9:27 am
I’ll be back with a very unique, non-hockey blog in an hour or so.
A baseball blog perhaps?? Was that Goody that suggested that? Way to go dude…
If it is a baseball blog, I’m saying “I told you so.”, quoting my post, and providing a link! 
possibly covered already but what is the sentence for being over the cap?
From the last thread:
Wafer says:
July 14th, 2009 at 9:19 am
I don’t see how CMB could afford both Heatley and Nash, especially considering they have Huselius and RJ Umberger, who combine for 8.5M cap hit.
NHLnumbers.com shows CLB with 13.3 cap space. Heatley’s hit is 7.5 so they’d still have 5.8 (add back any salary they’d send to OTT) to fill out the roster - which is not in too bad of shape otherwise (13f (Heatley would make 14), 5d, 2g signed).
As much as I would love to see nash in a Wild sweater, there is no way that CBJ moves him. I just don’t know what else they have to give that would garner a return of Heatly.
the sharks and flyers are in the same position, they have to get rid of a solid player or two to fit under the cap. Time to wait it out and get a good deal right before the season starts…
I realize that my last post makes no sense out of context…
Looks like they went overboard…That will be a plus for next years free agency to possibly get Toews or even Kane.
Time to wait it out and get a good deal right before the season starts…
+1 noob.
I think that is why CF thinks there will be some opportunities available.
NHLnumbers.com shows CLB with 13.3 cap space. Heatley’s hit is 7.5 so they’d still have 5.8 (add back any salary they’d send to OTT) to fill out the roster - which is not in too bad of shape otherwise (13f (Heatley would make 14), 5d, 2g signed).
There’s also the question of what assets CLB has that can be moved for Dany
Why hasn’t Fletch hamstrung our organization like Chicago? Jeez, when is this guy going to overpay players like Tanguay or Heatley just to make a couple fans happy? I can’t believe he is waiting until the market provides him with a good deal.
“non-hockey related?” Please let it be LotR please let it be LotR please let it be LotR…
Why LotR? Why not Harry Potter? The movie comes out tomorrow… OH Tomorrow!! Woo!
I understand waiting for value, but what if no opportunities come up later, I just think you have to look into any possibilities in the mean time
Potter’s for total dorks. Only true, cool, and ridiculously good-looking men roll with LotR.
JK… Rowling.
Don’t get me wrong… I am a big fan of LotR too… but what LotR news is there?
Wildfan: rest assured that Fletch is looking into opportunities. Just because we don’t hear about it everyday doesn’t mean the guy isn’t working on getting something done. Both Fletch and Richards have reiterated several times now that they don’t plan on being done, but they’ve also mentioned that they will not sacrifice the future to do so. No sense in screwing our team over just to get something done this year. It will be a buyer’s market. The “what if” game goes both ways so I don’t dabble in that hypothetical.
The “what if” game goes both ways so I don’t dabble in that hypothetical.
for4est +1
yup
ATX, you’re going to have to ask yourself now if you really want to get me started down that road. That is a dark, miserable path–more maddening than the Paths of the Dead through the White Mountains
I hope we’re not going to start crying about spending to the cap like last Summer. I have a feeling that is where this blog is heading over the next couple of weeks…
Oh and I would be more then happy to help Chicago out next Summer by taking Kane off their hands. 
I understand for4rest, I just dont want another 10 year plan.
I think I just pooped my pants with the thought of Kane in a Wild jersey. I say we stay as far below the cap this year as we can, then get even more ridiculously low next year so we can bag Patrick Kane for the Wild.
okay gotta go clean up now.
Both Fletch and Richards have reiterated several times now that they don’t plan on being done, but they’ve also mentioned that they will not sacrifice the future to do so.
This sounds exactly like what we were hearing at this time last year.
I’m not saying… I’m just saying.
That is a dark, miserable path–more maddening than the Paths of the Dead through the White Mountains
Point taken… I will back away from the Tolkien slowly.
ATX, your wise choice has probably saved this blog from being lost in sea of LotR and complaints about dorkery. 
FWIW, I say nay to both Heater and Nash if it means giving up Burns. Both are great talents but Burns is our story, Nash is Columbus’, and Heatley’s story is a drama queen’s.
All things being hypothetical and ideal, how a team gets the Cup is arbitrary; all that matters is that it happens. I’d prefer to invest in the hope that my favorite players that I know best and have watched closely for their entire careers (however young) are the ones that win it.
I am sure CF has looked at what is available at the moment on the FA market and just doesn’t like what he sees. Most of the forwards seem to be in the over-priced category.
Encrimson’d, I would say Koivu is our “story”. Burns is great, and I love the dude. But seriously… Nash has mad steeze, and his deal is like 6 years or something. Who knows what kind of Raise Burns will be due in a few years. Nash is locked in at a 5.something cap hit for awhile. I don’t know why I am talking about this… it is a pipe dream. But imagine a Nash/Koivu/Havlat line…. DROOOOOOL.
I bet it’s how Frodo Baggins’ peewee team beat up on Harry Potter’s team during the 1999 Super Select Tourny out at the Super Rink. Frodo was voted team mvp, while Potter took a stick to the groin and missed the final two games.
How does Frodo fit those Hobbit feet into skates??
Special dubble runners approved for intl tourny’s
I hear Frodo cheated and used the ring to make himself invisible. It is hard check that which you cannot see.
I would say Koivu is our “story”. Burns is great, and I love the dude. But seriously… Nash has mad steeze, and his deal is like 6 years or something. Who knows what kind of Raise Burns will be due in a few years. Nash is locked in at a 5.something cap hit for awhile. I don’t know why I am talking about this… it is a pipe dream. But imagine a Nash/Koivu/Havlat line…. DROOOOOOL.
I agree fully ATX. Both in that it is a pipe dream and that if you somehow had the change, you have to do it.
I would miss Burnzie in a big way though.
I say if Burns is the only thing keeping us from getting a superstar, Goodbye Burnsie,
*had the chance
Last year at the trade deadline, if Risebrough trades Groins for Havlat, are we all in agreement that that would have been a good move?
What is the point of using hindsight to evaluate a move that never happened?
[Trying to… avoid… responding to… LotR… comments…]
ATX, ugh. I just had a beutiful, poetic response in support of keeping Burns but I lost it. Sonofab.
It was probably too long, anyway.
In short, core mentality is taking over more these days because of improving team-defenses all over the league. Can’t just have a franchise freak talent, and the Wild don’t have one now anyway (Dead Horse). I’d just prefer that Burns is a part of our core for a long time. Mostly because I like the goofball.
Risebrough trades Groins for Havlat, are we all in agreement that that would have been a good move?
Knowing that Groins was gone no matter what… YES. Hell, he could have traded from Chelios and it would have been a good move… okay, I am exaggerating a bit… but still.
Wallshot, moreso a move that would never have happened because it would have taken DR to get it done.
I’d just prefer that Burns is a part of our core for a long time. Mostly because I like the goofball.
I agree.. but on a team that sorely needs scoring, if we had to say goodbye to Burns to get a Nash/Koivu/Havlat line… I would be waving buh-bye. The great thing about the NKH line is that two out of those three are good checkers, good defensively, and they play with grit. It would be a fantastic all-around line. Burns would be missed… but after seeing thouse three light the lamp time after time, I am sure I would adjust
Again… it’s a dream of dreams… but it’s fun to talk about it!
I agree.. but on a team that sorely needs scoring, if we had to say goodbye to Burns to get a Nash/Koivu/Havlat line… I would be waving buh-bye.
If Burns contributes 15-20 goals from the blue line this season for another team, we’d all be asking for Fletcher’s head. That’s where his real value is: the offense from the D-line. Zids and Yawnson might add some assists, Schultz, Scott, Hnidy, Zanon won’t add much. You need the goals to come booming in from the point or the D-man who can score to jump up in the play to keep opposing d-men honest.
Just something to think about since there is nothing else to talk about.
If Burns contributed 15-20 for another team, and Nash or Heatley contributed 50 for us I dont think anybody would be calling for his head.
EklundRumor: Mark Parrish back to the Island (e4)
Ireland or England?
If Burns contributed 15-20 for another team, and Nash or Heatley contributed 50 for us I dont think anybody would be calling for his head.
Not if the loss of Burns contributed to 30-35 more GA over the season. We already got rid of Foster and MAB, and losing Burns would leave the blue line effectively impotent, making it easier to shut down the NKH line you’re drooling over. Burns is a franchise defenseman. I’d see Schultz go before Burns.
I dont think other teams glamour over Schultz like the Wild do, he wouldn’t bring as great a return. Burns has really had one good season and we are crowning him the next lidstrom. Im not saying he wont be a franchise d but at the opportunity to get a franchise C or forward.
Wafer, didnt you just say his real value was offensive from the D line?
I did. However, that doesn’t take away from his ability to shut down opposing forwards. I think he’s more valuable as an offensive threat, but his ability to short-circuit other teams’ top players is only on the rise.
It’s like saying that what I love about my Corvette is its off-the-line acceleration, but that doesn’t mean I don’t also love its stop-on-a-dime braking.
Last year at the trade deadline, if Risebrough trades Groins for Havlat, are we all in agreement that that would have been a good move?
Depends if he keeps Havlat for the contract CF got him to sign. Plus, Gaby was still hurt at the deadline so the whole trade him before the season starts - like at the draft - argument also goes here.
I know Wafe, I would not want to see Burns go either. He is Definately the closest thing to a franchise D that we have, even though Shultz and Johnson get paid like it.
Burns is not a franchise defenseman. There is potential there for it, but he has not yet achieved that status.
Fletcher has to be drooling at the flexibility he will have next year. Johnson, Zidlicky, Nolan, Belanger all potentially coming off the books. Cuma should be ready by then to come fill a D spot.
Food
Russo: “Basically, the Hawks have mismanaged the cap to bigtime degrees.”
Is that something like overpaying for KJ, Parrish and Backstrom?
After next year, the Wild are going to have some changes on defense. Johnsson, Zidlicky, “Sheriff” Shane Hnidy and Scott will all be UFA. Only Burns, Shultz and Zanon remain with Cuma emerging, (Tyler Cuma will probably join the Wild for the 2010/2011 season) It wouldn’t be wise of the Wild to trade Burns, even for a top forward. The Wild want to be a team where the defense joins the offensive rush. Burns fits this mold, as does Nick Leddy (Wild’s #1 pick this year, and probably 2-3 years away from joining the Wild) This gives the Wild a young cast of solid defensemen with alot of potential for the long-term (Burns, Schultz, Cuma, and Leddy) with Burns and Leddy setting up two different D-lines with offensive-Defensmen to join the offensive rush, a powerfull weapon to have. The Wild still have options and trade pieces in the system to pick up a top 6 forward. CF just has to wait for the opertunity to emerge, either now, the trade-deadline, or next year when everyone who hasn’t made cap room desparatley needs to make room. Big players WILL BE moved. With a new coach, its hard to say what the Wild really need. Will PMB be a stud at center, his true position? Will Sheppard and Pouliot breakout in the new system? I think the best move, would be to wait and let the pieces fall into place and see which direction the Wild should go, being either a Center, or Wing.
Sorry but Backstrom is not over paid.
[…] Full Story Here […]
FYI–
If anyone is interested, Martin Havlat has been ‘Tweeting’ all day long about the firing… http://twitter.com/martinhavlat
Maybe “all day long was an overstatement” but he has been offering up numerous remarks and encouraging dialogue from fans. What a crazy age of communication we live in.
Mark my words, Nick Leddy=Jordan Leopold. Neither will be mainstays in the NHL.
Mark my words. Nick Leddy=Jordan Leopold. Neither of them will prove to be NHL mainstays.
sorry, for the double there, technical glitch
a few remarks from Havlat’s twitter page;
By telling truth, don’t want people to think I’m bitter. Everyone in Minn has been awesome, they believe in me and I won’t let them down
about 2 hours ago from web
@andrewSegal As I said before, I didn’t leave Chicago, it left me.
about 2 hours ago from web
Want to be clear. I loved my time in Chicago but moved on. Very excited about Minny,going to give everything I have to the Wild.
The Wild will be happy to take Kane of their hands, or Toews for that matter.(:
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