3-year extension for Sopel; Johansson sent to Florida

As has often been the case of late, the defense was the center of attention for the Blackhawks on Thursday.

In addition to Duncan Keith being named to the Western Conference all-star team, Brent Sopel signed a three-year contract extension, and Magnus Johansson was traded to the Florida Panthers.

Sopel, 31, got a three-year, $7 million extension that will keep the veteran defenseman from becoming an unrestricted free agent this summer.

"In the locker room he's fantastic," general manager Dale Tallon said. "He's been great with our young guys, our young defensemen especially. We need a guy like that to slow things down. His composure under pressure is fantastic. He loves the direction we're headed and he wants to stay here."

Sopel will make $2.5 million in each of the first two years of the deal and $2 million in 2010-11. Tallon signed him as a free agent prior to the season for $1.5 million.

"This is a team with a bright future, and I wanted to be part of it," Sopel said. "Every year is only going to get better. I want to win here."

Sopel has missed the last seven games with a broken finger but is expected to return to the lineup tonight against Minnesota at the United Center.

The Hawks haven't won since Sopel got hurt.

"We've really missed him," Tallon said.

Done deal: The Hawks continued to move veterans who haven't been able to contribute. First it was Jim Vandermeer and Sergei Samsonov, and now it's Magnus Johansson.

Johansson (minus-5 with 4 assists in just 18 games) was traded to Florida in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick in 2009.

Johansson was brought over from Sweden to help on the power play, but his defensive shortcomings prevented him from playing regularly.

"We felt we needed a power-play (guy) and a guy with experience," Dale Tallon said. "He served that role early, but when we got (Brent) Sopel and when (Dustin) Byfuglien got healthy and started playing well and eating up minutes, we weren't in the position to have a specialist on our team at this time.

"Florida needed a power-play guy and had some interest in him, and he wasn't going to get many minutes here the rest of the year."

Next in line: The Hawks are believed to be getting closer to re-signing center Patrick Sharp to a multiyear contract extension.

Sharp, who leads the Hawks with 21 goals, is scheduled to be a restricted free agent this summer along with Brent Seabrook, Tuomo Ruutu, James Wisniewski, Rene Bourque, Adam Burish and Dustin Byfuglien.

Tip-ins: Rookie winger Troy Brouwer was sent back to Rockford after appearing in one game. Coach Denis Savard said Brouwer needed to improve his skating before returning. … Savard used Martin Havlat, Robert Lang and Patrick Kane on a line for much of Wednesday's 3-1 loss to Dallas and will keep them together tonight against the Wild.