Big Defender Deal

			2009/2010 NHL Statistics
To Chicago	Position	Age	GP	Goals	Points	2010 Cap Hit	2011 Cap Hit
Kim Johnsson	Defenseman	33	52	6	14	$4.85 million	UFA
Nick Leddy	Defenseman	19	0	0	0	Unsigned	RFA
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To Minnesota	Position	Age	GP	Goals	Points	2010 Cap Hit	2011 Cap Hit
Cam Barker	Defenseman	23	51	4	14	$3.083 million	$3.083 million

Pretty heavy deal went down just before the roster freeze deadline today between the Blackhawks and Wild. It comes as no surprise to most that the Hawks were going to be trimming salary for the future somehow and Cam Barker was one of the names listed as potential players to depart.

Looking at the deal, the price is fairly high in 2009 1st round draft pick, Nick Leddy, since Kim Johnsson is the veteran UFA equivalent of Barker himself. Leddy was obviously the key to this deal, which the Blackhawks are probably very pleased with themselves here.

Chicago is preparing for a major playoff run this year and the move for Johnsson should give them quality minutes behind the team's top pairing and the point production shouldn't slip away at all. That's good news for the Chicago faithful, for sure.

Minnesota, although giving up a former 1st rounder, they pick one up in Cam Barker, who is established in the league and can give the Wild a lot of good minutes on their blueline. This deal does smile upon them going forward, especially since they have as good of shot at getting Johnsson back in their fold come July 1st.

Of course, the focus of this deal is for next season, where the Blackhawks are still well above the cap-ceiling (if it were the same as this season) with only 15 players signed on. There has to be a lot more moves involved here for that Blackhawks team to ice an affordable squad.

The 2010 season number is a bit of an issue, I think still. The Blackhawks, using Monday's line-up, scratches and the trade above, the Blackhawks have 22 players on the roster, which carries a $60.2 million cap hit in total. That's way over the cap ceiling! Marian Hossa and Dave Bolland should be able to carry some sort of discount, but that can't possibly be enough to have them below the $56.8 million cap ceiling. It's ridiculous. So, how they manage to push this through to the playoffs is beyond me.

As for the remaining part of the 2010 season, this deal actually got them to cut some cap hit space from their books, which has got to be a plus. They only sit 5 points out of a playoff spot, so they can definitely be in the mix for a deal to help them get into the 8th spot, maybe higher.

It's somewhat surprising to have neither player in the Draft at this point in the season, but Cam Barker did see a good chunk of the season in the pool before getting dropped by Trevor in the second Waiver Draft.

In the Sheet pool, both defenders share Box 12 this season, so that's a neat coincidence. Barker is the more popular of the two defenders, having eight selections to Johnsson's zero. Both players have 14 points this year and they both trail Phoenix's Keith Yandle, who has 30.

Both teams accomplished some goals in this deal... Chicago opened some space for 2011 and Minnesota upgraded their blueline corps by getting a bit younger and adding a bit more potential offense from the blueline. It's a deal which keeps it all interesting to say the least.

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