Martin Havlat’s Career With Chicago Uncertain as Blackhawks Sign Marian Hossa
The Chicago Blackhawks have one more day to sign either forward Martin Havlat or Nikolai Khabibulin. Free agent signing started today at 11 a.m. If the Hawks are going to sign anybody it will most likely be Havlat. No disses to Khabibulin, but everyone is expecting the Hawks to let him go because of the $22.5 million contract that Huet has. I would love to see Khabibulan stay, but it just doesn’t seem too realistic right now. Even Havlat isn’t a sure thing. Dale Tallon has talked to both players’ agents, but there has been no luck.
Martin Havlat was voted team MVP and was the team leader in points both in the regular season and the playoffs. It would be a big disappointment if Havlat was not re-signed. Havlat has said that he only wants to be in Chicago, and sources say he wants a long-term contract — even if it means having to take a pay cut.
UPDATE (as I write this post!): According to Daren Dreger of TSN.ca, the Blackhawks have signed a multi-year deal with forward Marian Hossa. This news can only mean that Havlat will probably not return with the Hawks. According to TSN, it is a 12-year contract worth $5.2 million a season. This is a huge signing for the Hawks. They are adding some great firepower to their team. New information keeps on coming in as I type this. $53 million will be paid the first 7 years, and a little less than $9 million the last 5 years.
The Hawks keep on trying to improve, and with a signing like this, they are on right track to do just that. I really love what Dale Tallon and the other guys are doing with this Hawks team. I am already pumped for the next season. I am sad that Havlat might be going (though that has not yet been confirmed) but at the same time the Hawks have picked up a great forward in Marian Hossa. Hossa had 40 goals last year with the Red Wings.
The Hawks made it to the Western Conference Finals last season, only to be ousted by their rival the Red Wings. With added firepower the Hawks have a chance to hold the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1961. As a die-hard Hawks fan, I am really pleased how the organization is trying so hard to win. They are making great choices. I wish all Chicago teams had great organizations like the Hawks do. (Cubs).
*UDATE: The Hawks also signed Thomas Kopecky to a two year deal at $1.2 million each season.
* – Marian Hossa photo credit: 360Blog.org via Kings Kool-Aid
Tags: Chicago Blackhawks, Marian Hossa, NHL
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No doubt this is a great signing. While it does eat up the salary budget one can only hope that they can come to an agreement with Martin Havlat. It would be nice to have both players wearing the greatest sweater in the NHL.
I was really pulling for them and was quite impressed with what they showed me in the playoffs. They have fun and are not afraid to mix it up. No longer are they the timid little dog of the league.
Here come the Hawks, the Mighty Blackhawks.
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