Huge Contract in the Works for a Blackhawks Star Player?
With the departure of Patrick Sharp, the Blackhawks needed to fill the Assistant Captain spot. There were several names that were kicked around, but today the Blackhawks made official the only selection that made sense by naming Brent Seabrook as the second A.
Soon after some reports started coming out saying the Blackhawks blue liner could be in line for some new paper as well. The Chicago Tribune’s Chris Kuc confirmed those reports.
Source: #Blackhawks closing in on a long-term contract extension with defenseman Brent Seabrook.
— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) September 17, 2015
This is good news, especially since some media types (including myself) though one logical way for the Blackhawks to manage their ever growing salary cap issues, was to trade Brent or allow Seabrook to walk once his 5 year $29 million contract. With the large cap hits that both Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane have ($10.5 million each), it only seemed logical to possibly move Brent and his $5.8 million cap hit.
While Chicago has around $1.24 million in available cap space, teams like to bank some money for call ups and emergency needs. Perhaps this is a move to future proof the team, knowing that any day the NHL can interject and suspend Kane indefinitely, which would open more cap space.
But that’s not why you called.
Seabrook has become one of the most dangerous blueliners in the game, and one of the most respected voices in the locker room. His “A” is a well deserved honor, and soon his paycheck with a few extra crooked numbers will show him how much the team respects his services.
