Blunk leaves Cubs' front office for Hawks
The Blackhawks raided the Cubs' front office again Thursday for another key management person, hiring Jay Blunk as senior vice president of business operations.
Blunk spent 22 years with the Cubs, last serving as senior vice president of marketing, sales and broadcasting. He was John McDonough's right-hand man with the Cubs, so it was no surprise that the new Hawks president would bring him across town with him.
"Bringing an exceptional talent like Jay on board represents another step toward returning the Blackhawks and its brand to its rightful place among sports' most treasured franchises," McDonough said in a statement. "There is no question in my mind that Jay has the right credentials, the credibility and the leadership to help us build on the progress we've made in a short time."
With the Hawks, Blunk will oversee the team's marketing operation as well as media, tickets, broadcasting and community relations.
Follow the leaders: Hawks coach Denis Savard named Duncan Keith and Adam Burish as alternate captains for January to serve with Martin Lapointe.
Savard has chosen two different alternates each month.
Down and out: Unless the Hawks continue to suffer injuries, it's likely Sergei Samsonov won't play another game with them this season.
Samsonov was sent to Rockford on Wednesday after clearing re-entry waivers. Any team could have claimed Samsonov for half of his $3.5 million salary, with the Hawks picking up the other half.
Samsonov was a big disappointment with no goals in 23 games after being acquired in an off-season trade with Montreal for Jassen Cullimore and Tony Salmelainen.
It's possible the 29-year-old Samsonov has played his final game in the NHL.
Next in line: With Sergei Samsonov out of the picture, the next to be moved out could be veteran center Yanic Perreault.
Perreault was in the lineup Thursday against the Coyotes but has been another disappointment and could be running out of chances.
General manager Dale Tallon has been trying to move the 36-year-old Perreault and his $1.5 million salary.
Ducks soup: The Hawks play tonight in Anaheim, where the Ducks finally traded a defenseman this week, sending Shane Hnidy to Boston for journeyman winger Brandon Bochenski.
The Ducks made the decision to keep Mathieu Schneider, who drew interest from the Hawks, and go with a big four on defense of Scott Niedermayer, Chris Pronger, Schneider and Francois Beauchemin.
Tip-ins: Defenseman Magnus Johansson, who had a miserable game in Los Angeles, was a healthy scratch with winger David Koci. … Defenseman Cam Barker returned to the lineup after missing the Kings game with the flu.