NHL Offseason 2010: Blackhawks trade Byfuglien, Eager, Sopel to Atlanta Thrashers.

profashional:

itsamazing:

ESPN:

Looks like the dismantling of a Stanley Cup Championship team is well underway. When I first read this.. I didn’t believe it. I still don’t.. I seriously refuse to believe it. I can’t say I didn’t expect it.. but I didn’t expect them to trade any of these 3 players.

 OK, I’ll say it: be gone Buff!

Listen people, the Hawks had some ridiculously ridiculous salary cap issues.  Sharpie, Steeger and/or Buff were going to be on the first bus out of town.  Deal.

Out of the three, I’m glad it was Buff.  Buff is a solid player - but not without his inconsistencies.  He was great in the finals, but hot and cold for much of the season.  It’s pretty clear what the Hawks’ objective was: get a big salary out of town while keeping Sharp…solid call.

He’s also a douche.  We saw him out, and he flipped us off when I congratulated him on the Cup.  We weren’t being obnoxious, just said, “hey man, congrats” when he walked by.  Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.  Enjoy Hotlanta.

I feel you and what you’re saying in this post.

I knew it was a money issue.. I’ve known that since day 1. Which is the reason why a player like Jack Skille, who I consider to be the Hawks best player not on their official NHL roster..has only seen a glimmer of light in the NHL and playing the majority of the past couple seasons in the AHL for the past 2 years.

I just didn’t expect it to happen.. as soon as it did. I wouldn’t quite jump to conclusions though.. Sharp, who is one of my favorite players on the team very well still could be on his way out. A player like Kim Johnnson who they got in a trade with the Minnesota Wild back towards the end of the regular season and was supposed to be a huge part of their defense.. got injured soon after and didn’t even play in the playoffs… he’s making $5,300,000. I would have rather seen him go. His total salary just about totals that of Byfuglien ($3,000,000) and Sopel ($2,500,000) and Eager ($965,000).That being said, I wish they would have traded Johnsson and possibly Boynton ($1,500,000), another late regular season addition. (Take a look at every Blackhawks salary at Blackhawk Zone)

Even with this current trades the Hawks still haven’t cleared up nearly enough cap space. NHL’s salary cap sat at $56.7 million this season.. and the Hawks weren’t far below that. They were a bit over or almost at that amount.. from what I remember hearing..and its being raised to $59.4 million next season.

And as far as Buff being a douche.. I can believe that but a ton of athletes are douchebags.. they all do stupid shit. Remember the recent shirtless in the limo scandal in Vancouver this past January?? They’re human just like you and I.. the only difference is they’re more under a close eye of anyone.. be it the media, fans and rest of society. So I wouldn’t use that against him.

He’s a hell of a hockey player. There’s no denying that..even with his inconsitencies (and doucheness). Didn’t Hossa go scoreless for 9 straight playoff games? I’m pretty sure Toews went on a drought during the regular season as well. And if you wanna stretch that inconsistency even further.. Jay Cutler didn’t live up to expectations for the Bears (he’s not gone).. neither did Milton Bradley for the Cubs (he’s gone). Everyone is inconsistent at some point in their career. No one is going to be scorching hot and on their A game 24/7. 

All that being said, I’m gonna miss seeing Buff in a Hawks jersey, douche or not.