Hockey News:
Hawks Trade Byfuglien, Eager, Sopel to Thrashers
Pending league approval, the Chicago Blackhawks are about to complete the first major blockbuster trade of the young off-season. They’re set to send Conn Smyth trophy candidate Dustin Byfuglien, Ben Eager, Brent Sopel and a prospect to the Atlanta Thrashers for a first-round pick, second-round pick, prospect Jeremy Morin and veteran forward Marty Reasoner.
As the article points out, the Hawks are in desperate times right now – they have to deal with contract extensions for core star players Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith come next season. With this trade, the Hawks will save a little over $5 million in cap space.
Eager and Sopel were local favorites of the Hawks’ faithful, but Byfuglien really came into his own with this past postseason run, scoring timely goals and creating havoc for all the other teams the Stanley Cup champions played.
This trade certainly brings the Hawks back down to earth, just a few short days after being on top of the world with their Stanley Cup victory. It also marks what is sure to be the start of a very exciting off-season.
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