Seabrook gets new deal
Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon has locked up another piece to the team's long-term puzzle.
The Hawks and defenseman Brent Seabrook agreed upon a three-year, $10.5 million contract Sunday night, a deal first reported by The Sports Network in Canada and later confirmed by the Hawks.
The 22-year-old Seabrook, who will sign the contract today, would have been a restricted free agent after the season. He is the third potential free agent signed by Tallon in recent weeks, joining Patrick Sharp and Brent Sopel.
Tuomo Ruutu, Dustin Byfuglien, Rene Bourque and James Wisniewski remain unsigned as potential restricted free agents.
Expect the rumors to be flying out of the GM meetings with the Feb. 26 trade deadline looming.
An Internet report Sunday claimed the Hawks had offered free-agent center Peter Forsberg a contract for two additional seasons past this one for between $10 million and $12 million for the package.
Another report in the Ottawa Sun claimed the Canadiens were interested in Martin Havlat.
Tallon still prefers not to comment at length on Forsberg, but when told of the Internet report on Forsberg, he smiled and replied: "I hope he says yes."
However, there are strong indications that Forsberg, the 34-year-old former MVP, won't be signing anywhere because of foot and ankle problems that aren't going away.
According to a source close to the Avalanche, Forsberg's former team and the Hawks' opponent Sunday, Forsberg tried 30 different pairs of skates last week alone in an attempt to find a set that allowed him to be pain free.
There are four games remaining before the trade deadline that could determine if the Hawks are buyers or sellers.
"Regardless of where we're at, we're going to do what's best for our team," Tallon said.
Trend setters: The Hawks got another strong game physically from fourth-liners Adam Burish, Martin Lapointe and Craig Adams in Sunday's 2-1 win over Colorado.
"They've really set the tone for us the last seven games," said coach Denis Savard. "As a staff it gives us a lot of comfort, the fact that our fourth line, I'm not afraid of using them. They're giving us quality minutes and allowing our skill players to rest at the right time and be fresh when they're out there. It makes a big difference.
Racking them up: Adam Burish got another fighting major Sunday, putting his penalty minutes at 144 for the season. Burish came into the game with 139 minutes, which ranked sixth in the NHL behind league leader Daniel Carcillo, who has 208 for Phoenix. Burish's 12 fighting majors puts him in the league's top 10 as well.