On Wednesday they started to unload contracts and create space by reportedly sending Dustin Byfuglien, Brent Sopel, Ben Eager and minor leaguer Akim Aliu to the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for a first round pick, a second round pick, prospect Jeremy Morin and veteran forward Marty Reasoner. (ed note: Chicago also receives Joey Crabb)
via Chicago’s Cap Clearing Begins? Dustin Byfuglien Reportedly Sent to Atlanta — NHL FanHouse.
Aaaaand away we go. Blackhawks fans knew this was coming, but I’m not sure they were ready for it to happen this quickly. Good young players being traded for picks and prospects. That’s the recipe Chicago, for better or worse.
It’s obvious that this move hurts the Hawks in the short-term. But take a step back, and it looks like Stan Bowman might be preparing the reload while they’re still on top of the mountain (even if he’s forced to). Anyone around the hockey world will tell you that 1st round draft picks are hard to come by at this time of year; yet Chicago was able to acquire one. For a team that can’t afford to add any real salary, 1st round picks and prospects are where its at. Thats where Jeremy Morin comes in.
Morin was undoubtedly one of the best prospects in the entire Thrashers organization.
We knew Morin would be good. After all, he was drafted in the 2nd round last season. But we didn’t know just how good, as he was a product of the USNTDP. Now we’ve seen his creativity in the OHL and we’re impressed. A pure goal-scorer, Morin had 47 of them in just 58 games for Kitchener. -Dobber Hockey
The reality is Chicago had to dump salary. But looking at the return they got back, it looks like Bowman received everything he could have hoped for. Top draft picks? Check. Top prospects? Check. Minimal salary received in return? Check. Sizable salary removed from the payroll for next season? Check. Each and every objective was addressed.
Sure, the situation sucks. But under the circumstances, it’s the perfect type of return for the Hawks.
Matt Reitz is the Editor-In-Chief here at ViewFromMySeats.com and former NHL Writer for ProHockeyTalk on NBCSports. When he’s not shoving a mic in the face of NHLers or explaining why home teams should wear white, he’s usually trying to figure out what song to play next on his iPod. It’s a never-ending job.
