The Blackhawks could face financial challenges come the offseason, but at least for now the front office won’t have to make any roster moves to fit under the salary cap after the three long-term contracts signed Thursday:
Blackhawks’ Salary Cap OK After Contract Extensions
The NHL wouldn’t have allowed the Hawks to announce the new deals for the trio if the club did not have the necessary “tagging room” for the 2010-11 season.
There had been speculation the Hawks needed to clear between $1 million and $2 million of salary off their present payroll before the league would approve the contracts.
There was talk that defenseman Brent Sopel would be the odd man out, but the Hawks had a full roster on the ice for practice Thursday morning.
The big challenge for Hawks general manager Stan Bowman lies ahead this off-season when he must figure out a way to make it all work financially.
The Blackhawks will have eight contracts expire at the end of the 2009-2010 season, including Andrew Ladd, Ben Eager and Colin Fraser. John Madden and Adam Burish are the team’s only unrestricted free agents.
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