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Hawks to announce Bowman as GM, Tallon reassigned

The Blackhawks have called a 3 p.m. news conference at the United Center to introduce Stan Bowman as the team's new general manager.

Bowman replaces Dale Tallon, who has been reassigned within the organization to the position of senior adviser, hockey operations.

"I have been with this organization in several different capacities since coming over as a player in 1973 and although my position has changed, my goals have not," Tallon said in a statement. "In my new role as senior adviser, hockey operations, I will continue in any way that will help make this a better product on the ice. I've seen Stan come up through our ranks, and I'm confident he is the right person to step in. This is what is best for the Chicago Blackhawks."

The 36-year-old Bowman is the son of legendary coach Scotty Bowman, who joined the Hawks' front office last summer as a senior adviser.

Stan Bowman has been with the organization for eight years, the last two as assistant GM. Bowman was responsible for matters pertaining to the collective bargaining agreement and contract negotiations.

"He brings a comprehensive knowledge of hockey, along with a tremendous intellect and methodical approach to building a successful team and sustaining success," Hawks president John McDonough said. "His involvement with our organization and strong understanding of our roster and our system create a very natural and strong transition. Dale will continue to be an important part of our organization, as he has been for many years."

Tallon just finished his fourth season as general manager. He was assistant GM prior to that and also served as director of player personnel after leaving the team's broadcast booth.

"Over the last eight years I have been intricately involved in every facet of our hockey operations and take great pride in the talent and character that we have assembled," Bowman said. "We will not rest until we reach our goal of winning the Stanley Cup and establishing consistent success for the Chicago Blackhawks and our fans."

Bowman graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1995 and joined the organization in 2001, working extensively on financial budgets and developing programs to track player movement and player evaluation.

Tallon, who had one year remaining on his contract, may have put himself in hot water with chairman Rocky Wirtz and McDonough when he was late sending out the team's qualifying contract offers to its restricted free agents prior to the July 1 deadline.

While Tallon was able to sign all the team's restricted free agents, it was believed he had to overpay for Kris Versteeg and Cam Barker, both of whom received three-year deals worth $9.25 million.

Barker earned less than $1 million last season and Versteeg $490,000. Tallon told reporters last week that he believed Barker and Versteeg got fair market value.

There have been whispers in the last year that management questioned whether Tallon could navigate the team through the salary cap issues that were going to present themselves this summer and next when Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith need to be re-signed.

It was also Tallon who signed Dustin Byfuglien to a three-year, $9 million contract before last season that surprised many executives around the league because of the money involved. Another problem contract was Brent Sopel's extension that runs through 2010-11 with a cap hit of more than $2 million for a sixth or seventh defenseman.

Tallon was one of last holdovers from the Bill Wirtz regime, which led some to question if he would receive a contract extension despite putting together one of the best young teams in the NHL, mostly through the draft.

According to a source close to the situation, McDonough and Al MacIsacc, the senior director of hockey administration and assistant to the president, might have been looking for a reason to replace Tallon, which the restricted free agent blunder provided.

Last week at prospects camp, Tallon was asked directly about his contract status and whether he expected to ask to be extended.

"I've got a contract. I'm not worried about it," Tallon said. "I've been here for 32 years and I don't see any reason to have to do that. That will take of itself. I'm just focused on getting the bext possible team on the ice and winning the Stanley Cup."

Dale Tallon Associated Press

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=306761">Blackhawks fire General Manaager Dale Tallon <span class="date">[07/14/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=306763">Barry Rozner: The only real surprise: Tallon's exit didn't come sooner <span class="date">[07/14/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>

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