The five-year, $30.5MM contract that the Red Wings gave center Dylan Larkin last week could serve as a template for the Blackhawks when it comes to their dealings with fellow pivot Nick Schmaltz next summer, suggests Charlie Roumeliotis of NBC Sports Chicago. Both players were picked in the middle of the first round back in 2014 and have put up comparable point production while largely playing a similar role. They also happen to be represented by the same agent in Kurt Overhardt.
Chicago has been fairly quiet this offseason even after unloading the remainder of Marian Hossa’s contract to Arizona. With Schmaltz and winger Alex DeBrincat both in need of new contracts following next season, it certainly seems like GM Stan Bowman is shying away from adding any more money to their books beyond then knowing that they will be adding a significant amount to their books in the not-too-distant future.
Elsewhere out West:
- Still with the Blackhawks, goaltending prospect Wouter Peeters will not be returning to USHL Youngstown next season, reports Scott Powers of The Athletic (subscription required). The 20-year-old made the trek to North America for 2017-18 after spending his post-draft year in Jokerit’s junior program. Powers notes that Peeters could still wind up with another USHL squad or head back overseas but that Chicago’s preference would likely be to keep him stateside where the player development staff can work with him more often.
- The Oilers face a bit of a conundrum regarding goalie Cam Talbot, notes NBC Sports’ Scott Billeck. The veteran is coming off of a substandard season and the team is certainly going to be counting on him to help get them back into contention. However, he’s entering the final year of his contract and a top-notch campaign could very well result in Talbot pricing himself out of what Edmonton can afford given all of the money on their books long-term. For now, they’ll certainly hope that he can get back to his 2016-17 form but they will have to get even more creative with their cap room if they want him to be their netminder for the long-term.
If Schmaltz can get his FO% up to closer to 50% and keeps producing he will be worth close to Larkin’s earnings. Otherwise a bridge deal for both him and Debrincat is more likely.
Crawford coming off the books a year earlier would be perfect.
If he’s healthy he is elite. If not, he needs to go ASAP
Crow is top notch when healthy. If he isn’t 100% this year will be tough for all Hawks fans. I don’t think you trade him or release him early. you won’t receive even a decent return if he isn’t healthy.