Defenseman Campbell Blackhawks' top target
It was quiet at the United Center on Monday, but the Blackhawks hope that's not the story today when NHL teams can start signing free agents.
The first day of free agency historically is when the top players go, which means today is a key day for the Hawks in their off-season plan to become a playoff team.
Last summer Daniel Briere, Brian Rafalski, Scott Hannan, Scott Gomez, Chris Drury, Paul Kariya and Ryan Smyth - the best free agents on the market - all signed on July 1.
Brian Campbell has long been No. 1 on the Hawks' wish list, but the 28-year-old defenseman was expecting to receive serious offers from at least seven clubs when the clock struck midnight Monday night.
The Hawks believed they had a legitimate shot at Campbell, using as selling points an up-and-coming young team and the city of Chicago as a great place to live and play.
According to a Hawks source, Campbell disputed reports that he wanted to return to the Eastern Conference, where he spent most of his career playing in Buffalo before last February's trade to San Jose.
The source said Campbell is intrigued by the Hawks' situation, and he certainly is the kind of puck-moving defenseman coach Denis Savard would love to plug into his lineup, particularly on the power play.
Ottawa, Atlanta, Boston, Montreal, Toronto, the New York Rangers and the Sharks were expected to make offers to Campbell. One report Monday claimed the Thrashers were prepared to offer a stunning five-year, $42 million contract.
"I'm going to do what's best for me and my family," Campbell told the Ottawa Sun. "I want the opportunity to have a chance to win."
Hawks general manager Dale Tallon, who wasn't talking to the media Monday, has said repeatedly he would be aggressive in his pursuit of free agents.
But would the Hawks offer Campbell $7 million or $8 million a year? If the answer is yes, then these truly are changed times under new chairman Rocky Wirtz.
The Hawks have money to spend under what is now a $56.7 million salary cap. They have about $44 million in salaries committed for next season, according to Tallon.
Among the defensemen the Hawks might turn to if they lose out on Campbell are Mark Streit, Michael Rozsival, Ron Hainsey and Brooks Orpik. The Hawks might kick the tires with Wade Redden, but it's believed they had reservations about going after him hard.
While he likely didn't fit into the Hawks' plans, puck-moving defenseman John-Michael Liles is off the market after getting a new four-year, $16 million contract in Colorado.
Hossa big fish
Winger Marian Hossa is the top forward available and interests the Hawks as well.
Hossa is said to be seeking more than $7 million a year and could wind up in Montreal if the Canadiens turn their attention away from the pursuit of Mats Sundin, who now is said to have Detroit on his radar.
The Hawks had strong interest in winger Ryan Malone before Pittsburgh traded his rights to Tampa Bay. Malone ended up signing a seven-year, $31.5 million deal with the Lightning, which also acquired the rights to Brian Rolston from Minnesota.
After Hossa and Sundin, the top forwards available are Kristian Huselius, Pavol Demitra, Michael Ryder, Sean Avery, Markus Naslund, Darcy Tucker and Brendan Morrison.
Joe Sakic is a free agent, but it's expected he will either retire or return to the Avalanche. Peter Forsberg is a free agent as well, but his injuries have taken a toll and he would be a huge signing risk.
The rest
The group of second-tier free-agent forwards includes Todd Bertuzzi, Owen Nolan, Stephane Yelle, David Vyborny, Stu Barnes, Ladislav Nagy, Brendan Shanahan, Cory Stillman and Mark Recchi.
The Hawks won't re-sign any of their unrestricted free agents including Patrick Lalime, Jason Williams, Yanic Perreault and Andrei Zyuzin.
Lalime could be headed back to Ottawa with the Hawks set to go with either Corey Crawford or Antti Niemi as Nikolai Khabibulin's backup.