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Friday, August 23, 2013

Teuvo Teravainen Agrees To Terms With Blackhawks + 2014 Roster Scenarios

The Chicago Blackhawks have finally agreed to the inevitable...they signed superstar forward Teuvo Teravainen from the Finish league. He was the Hawks #1 pick in 2012 and he was recently showcased in the World Juniors in Lake Placid, where he was often one of the best players on the ice. Hawks locked him up for 3 years.

Next season, the cap space should increase from $64.3m, allowing the Hawks to add more of their AHL rising stars along with their European talent. This could be the first year of the Teravainen Terror on the NHL.

Michal Handzus (1 yr/ $1m), Brandon Bollig (1 yr. left/ $.575m),  Niklas Hjalmarsson (1 yr. left/ $3.5m), Sheldon Brookbank (1 yr left/ $1.25m), Nikolai Khabibulin (1 yr./$2m) will allow some future activity.

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HAWKS TO RE-SIGN FOR 2014 SEASON:

* Brandon Pirri should be resigned. We'll see how he performs this year with the Hawks. (yes,...I'm already assuming he makes the roster this year).

*  Shaw WILL be retained, and a pay raise is to be expected.

* Jeremy Morin will most likely be retained if he has a solid year. (Hawks are invested highly in this kid).

* Jimmy Hayes will most likely be retained if he has a solid year.

* Ben Smith will most likely be retained if he has a solid year.


* Antti Raanta: He will be resigned and most likely be the #2 goalie behind Crawford in 2014.


* Corey Crawford will most likely be retained, and we shall see what they offer him. Hopefully it isn't more than $5m, but he may get that offer from others in the league. This contract watch will be interesting, to say the least.

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Who the Hawks will let go of at the end of the 2013-14 season:

Khabibulin is holding space for  Antti Raanta.

Handzus is holding space for either McNeill, Danault, Ross, LeBlanc or Teravainen. (We shall see if any of them make the roster this year.)

What the Hawks do with Hjalmarsson is going to decide upon Stanton or Clendening. I think both could be wearing the Indian Head next season. Clendening being my favorite young defenseman in the Hawks organization,...we shall see. I believe Stanton will get a few stints with the Hawks this year, prepping him nicely to overtake Brookbanks departure next season. Clendening is already proving he could take Hjalmarsson's position in the AHL. This year will show if last season was a pro rookie fluke.

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AHL letdowns (or nobody's), whose contract end in 2013-14 season:

Dylan Olsen: He was given a shot 2 seasons ago, and was not impressive at all. Former first round pick has to have a stellar year in order to be resigned in 2014. (Two way contract at best).

Terry Broadhurst: Floated between the ECHL and the Rockford Icehogs last season. Not impressed with this Chicago native.

Byron Froese: Again, in 9 AHL games, he only managed 2 assists. Did well in Toledo, but not nearly enough to make a difference in changing any opinions of the Hawks brass (or fans, for that matter).

Theo Peckham, and Mike Kostka: Who knows?

Brad Winchester? Brandon Bollig's replacement? Doubt it.

David Gilbert: After 3 unimpressive stints with Rockford, last season he started to show progress. But, I think he may get signed....to an AHL contract. Hawks interest? I don't think it will be there.

Kyle Beach: Better do something this year Beachy or you'll be a perenial AHLer.


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