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DETROIT -- Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Ray Emery has agreed to a one-year contract extension, the team announced on Saturday.

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CHICAGO -- Revenge is a dish best served cold -- as in ice-cold.

The Chicago Blackhawks will get a chance at it on Monday night when they host the Edmonton Oilers, this time on the United Center surface.

The teams aren’t near in each other in the standings right now, as the Blackhawks lead the NHL with 52 points and the Oilers are at the bottom of the Northwest Division with just 33. But back on Nov. 19, when they met in Edmonton, the Hawks were still finding their way while the Oilers were off to a pretty good start. The result for the Hawks? A 9-2 drubbing in Game 3 of the circus trip.

“I don’t know about revenge, but kind of redemption,” defenseman John Scott said after Monday morning’s practice. “They took it to us last time we were there. We talked about it. That wasn’t our team when we played them a month ago. We’ve changed since then and kind of have gone on a rise since then.”

Scott will skate next to Sami Lepisto as the Hawks’ third defensive pair against a fast Edmonton squad. Steve Montador has been ruled out due to an upper-body injury.

“I’m going to try and not do too much out there,” Lepisto said. “Just think defense first and if something happens, it happens.”

Lepisto has been a healthy scratch for the past eight games.

“Sitting in first place the team is doing good, but of course you get frustrated,” he said of not playing. “Every player wants to play rather than sit and eat popcorn. It’s a long season and hopefully I get to play more.”

Lepisto didn’t play against Edmonton last time, but Jamal Mayers did.

“We certainly should use it as motivation,” Mayers said. “Obviously they took it to us in every facet of the game. We have a chance to redeem ourselves tonight.”

The Hawks should have a good chance to do so. They’re 14-3-3 at home while Edmonton is just 5-13-1 on the road. One of those losses came in Chicago, 6-3, on Nov. 13.

Lines the same: Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville liked the balance in his lines in Friday’s 3-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings and will stick with the same trios for Monday’s contest. Marcus Kruger did not skate Monday morning as he recovers from a concussion, so Patrick Kane remains at center between Viktor Stalberg and Patrick Sharp while Jonathan Toews has Marian Hossa and Dan Carcillo next to him. The latter trio was the Hawks’ best line against the Wings.

“We had a good game, played well,” Carcillo said. “They’re two of the best players in the league. I have to keep my game simple and work hard to get them the puck.”

Big Jimmy Hayes will dress for his second game in the NHL, skating with Mayers and Andrew Brunette again.

“The game is really fast,” Hayes said of his first impressions. “I’m just trying to keep my feet moving and make some plays. [The coaches] just said to be physical.”

Dave Bolland, Bryan Bickell and Michael Frolik make up the Hawks third line for Monday’s game, in which Corey Crawford takes on Oilers goalie Devan Dubnyk.

Carcillo vs. Bertuzzi: After missing six games with a head injury, Carcillo had no issues with Detroit’s Todd Bertuzzi asking him to fight Friday night, although he doesn’t necessarily agree with Bertuzzi’s reasoning. The two dropped the gloves after Carcillo hit Bertuzzi with a clean, but hard check, in the first period.

“You see a lot of that,” Carcillo said Monday. “Guys get hit clean and then a team reacts or they want to start fights. But I don’t think that’s the way to solve a clean hit. You get up and dust yourself off and take a run at someone else. I think he saw who it was and he wants to show his bench he’s ready and I’m ready. I still think it was the right time for a fight.”

Although the instigator rule is called inconsistently throughout the league, Carcillo had no issues with Bertuzzi only getting five minutes for fighting.

“He looked at me and we both agreed to it,” he said.

Bickell was given an instigating penalty in a similar situation against the Calgary Flames earlier in the season. It’s more evidence the instigator rule needs to be altered or eliminated altogether.

Signings: The Hawks signed their two first-round picks from the 2011 draft to entry-level contracts. Forwards Mark McNeill and Phillip Danault, both 18, were inked to three-year deals. They’ll continue to play for their junior clubs and their contracts won’t kick in until they come to the Hawks organization.

Quotable: “It was a crazy New Year. We ordered food in and I think I had one beer. We were asleep by 12:15, so it was nuts.” -- Scott on his New Year’s Eve spent with his wife and week-old baby daughter.

The mail has really piled up this week. Time to open it:

Q: Do you think the Hawks' shootout woes will ever come to an end? -- AJ Porto, Chicago

A: Absolutely I do. They were better than .500 last year and the year before that as well. Good teams find ways to win and they will find ways to win in the shootout over time. It usually all evens out in the end. Is it possible to have that one really bad year in shootouts? Of course, but I don’t see that happening with this team. Corey Crawford’s style may not lend itself to be one of the best shootout goalies, but I’m sure he can be more than adequate.

Q: Jesse, last week you said none of the big, big name players on the Hawks were on the last year of their contract. Isn't Dave Bolland on a contract year? – Alex, California

A: Bolland is signed through 2013-14. In fact, the only players who are in contract years (again) are all the ones they just signed this past offseason. Every returning player from last year’s squad is signed through at least next year, save John Scott.

Q: There's been a fair amount of Pat Foley and Edzo [Eddie Olczyk] bashing on the blogs lately. Based on their contract extensions, I'm thinking that the Hawks brass thinks most fans -- like me -- think they're great. What do you think the average fan thinks of them? – Tom, North Side

A: I have no idea what blogs you are referencing. They are about as good as it gets from everything I can tell. Admittedly, I can’t listen intently because I’m at almost all the games but I pick up enough through replays, etc. and they seem as good as ever. I would bet the average fan feels the same way. In fact I’m sure of it. One guy could do play-by-play in his sleep and is a 25-year pro at it. The other guy is the preeminent color analyst in the business. Having said that, everyone’s tastes are different and it’s impossible to please all viewers. As for complaining, people don’t post compliments in blogs (usually), they’re there to sound off so they’re likely to read more negative in general. Doesn’t mean it’s fact.

Q: Which assistant coach is in charge of which special team this year? It seems like they keep switching who is in charge of which and at the same time, the penalty kill/power play switch between being amazing/awful. Is there a chance that one of the assistant coaches just isn't getting the right messages across? If so, is there a chance that they can be replaced? – Sam, Chicago

A: I don’t think it’s as simple as that. I’ve seen both assistants and Joel Quenneville working the chalkboard during power-play practice as well as penalty killing. They all absolutely have a say in it. In-game it looks like Mike Kitchen takes charge, but unfortunately, assistant coaches aren’t allowed to give interviews so it can be hard to get to the bottom of such matters. I think if you have a problem with the power play or penalty killing look to Quenneville. He’s the guy in charge. If he wants to pass it off to one of his assistants, that’s up to him but I think he’ll take the responsibility and he should.

Q: There have already been a few big trades this season. Are the Blackhawks going to pursue another Top 6-caliber forward to take over Daniel Carcillo's spot on the Patrick Kane-Marian Hossa line? If so, what are the chances that the Hawks bring back a power forward like Rene Bourque? -- Ryan, Chicago

A: That’s an interesting question and name. Bourque could be a good fit, although though he does have a decent price tag ($3.3 million per year). Money shouldn’t be a problem though. Some people are worried about Andrew Brunette, but I think it’s way too early to make those big assessments. The Hawks have the money and prospects to make a major splash before the deadline, but unless the train goes off the tracks, Stan Bowman and company will give this group a minimum of 20-30 games before doing anything drastic. With the center position maybe a little deeper than first thought, it does leave the possibilities at defense and wing a little more wide open.

Q: Any chance we move Brunette from the Jonathan Toews line? Maybe in favor of giving a young guy a chance, like Ben Smith? -- Brad, Chicago

A: Of course it’s possible, simply because that line isn’t set in stone this early in the season and a guy like Smith, if and when he returns, might be the gritty player they need in the Top 6. As for probable, that’s another story. Smith is behind several players right now and probably needs to make a splash in the minors before returning. Brunette looks fine on the power play. Five-on-five, that line is still finding chemistry, but again, I think it’s too early to make any definitive statements -- even if you might be right in the end. Give it 10-20 games. That’s not that many and knowing Quenneville he might switch tomorrow, but I’m willing to give a newcomer more time.

Q: I was wondering what you think Viktor Stalberg's role on this team is and on what line could he be most effective in that role? – John, Chicago

A: Good question. I think he’s still searching for it. It seems he’s perpetually on a roller coaster with Quenneville. He can fly, but let’s not confuse activity with accomplishment. He’s really not a playmaker, so is he a finisher? He’s close but not quite there. Right now I think he’s the depth they need when there are injuries but I don’t think he’s broken through to be a Top 6 guy every night. Could he be? Yes, but the jury is still out.

Q: Last year the Hawks had one of the best power-play records but one of the worst penalty-kill records. So far this season, it looks like the Hawks special teams strengths/weaknesses have reversed. How would you account for the difference? – Brian, Chicago

A: My theory involves chemistry. I think a good penalty-killing team has good on-ice chemistry. They communicate and support each other -- both essential when playing 4-on-5. We know that wasn’t the case last year with this team. After addressing the chemistry issue I think we’re seeing it come through on the ice. Jamal Mayers might be the glue to the whole thing in that respect. But I think it’s almost the opposite with the power play. These guys know each other too well and it’s become predictable. Who doesn’t know that Kane is going to try and find Sharp for a back-door one-timer? And that Toews is going to try a stuff shot or pass through the crease when he gets the puck on the goal line. They also need some blasters from the point because that starts the chaos. Brent Seabrook is growing into that role. If I’m Quenneville, I mix up the units to find new chemistry. Maybe not yet, but soon. Make sense?

Q: Reports out of the junior league is that Brandon Saad is tearing it up with eight goals in five games. What’s the potential of this kid? Is he a regular next year? – Michael, Chicago

A: I can’t tell you if he’ll be a regular next season because I can’t get into an 18- or 19-year-old’s mind and know if he’s ready for the full grind of the NHL. However, physically he’s just about there so as long as the Hawks bring him along the right way mentally, I don’t see why next year or worst case the year after he won’t be a regular.

Q: Despite Kane's excellent start at center this season, should the Hawks still make an attempt to pick up a No. 2 centerman? If so, who could be some options? -- Sam H., Mendota, Ill.

A: The obvious answer is yes, because no team ever made a mistake having too many centers. They don’t need to do it tomorrow, but if something comes down the pike that’s too good to pass up I think you have to take it. Now, if it comes down to making one big move and the Hawks’ four centers are still playing very well come the New Year, that’s a different story. But as of this moment, I would say you look for one as if you’re still short one and deal with the consequences of having too many later.

Q: With all the miscommunication between Nick Leddy and Duncan Keith, when do you think it's time to call it quits on that pairing? It seems like they make a lot of bad mistakes at bad times. -- Kenny G., Naperville, Ill.

A: It’s not like they’re both minus-7 on the season or something. There have been a few mistakes. They’re still learning to play with each other and who is to say whoever is paired with Leddy isn’t going to go through some growing pains. Anyway, like most of my answers at this time of the year, it’s still a little early for big changes, although Quenneville will be quick to examine a major defensive issue since it’s so vital to their game. Give it a little more time but maybe not the 20 games I indicated for a Top 6 forward.

There’s bound to be some raised eyebrows over the Chicago Blackhawks' decision to sign and keep goalie Ray Emery in Chicago while sending Alexander Salak to Rockford.

After all, Salak (1.94 goals against average) had better numbers than Emery (4.54) and simply looked better during the exhibition season. But that’s assuming the backup goalie competition was truly wide open.

It probably wasn’t. And that’s OK.

The Hawks will talk publicly about their decision over the next couple days but it’s obvious this was Emery’s job to lose and actual preseason results meant little. If he had been god-awful, that’s a different story. He wouldn’t be here. If he couldn’t handle it physically, he wouldn’t be here. But more than likely, Emery proved what they wanted him to prove. He can move and stop some pucks and, for now, stay healthy.

One thing is for sure, no one should be completely judged on a couple of preseason games with different players coming in and out of the lineup. And a weird goal, like the one Emery gave up when he came way out of his net Friday night against Pittsburgh, shouldn’t matter either. If everything was equal -- as in both players were of the same age, same experience, same contract status, same everything -- then maybe it does come down to a few games in the preseason.

But the fact of the matter is, as easily as you can make a case against Emery, you could make a case for him. None better is that this way the Hawks keep both Emery and Salak in the organization.

If they had chosen Salak as the backup, Emery would be looking for work elsewhere. Maybe he would have come back with his tail between his legs, looking for a two-way contract starting in the minors. But there was no guarantee of that.

This way Salak gets some playing time and the Hawks get a veteran goalie who, theoretically, can handle not playing weeks at a time. And if things go south for Emery then Salak should be ready. Despite being in different leagues, the two are still competing. Nothing brings out the best in players more than that.

As Hawks’ nation has seen over the last two years, goalie decisions are a fluid situation. But that’s only OK if there is some cushion in the standings. Maybe if the Hawks had gone to Corey Crawford as the starter earlier last season they wouldn’t have had to battle to the final day of the season to get into the playoffs. The point is, the back-up goalie position doesn’t sound like an important one, but when you consider he’ll likely play in at least 20 games, that’s 40 points at stake. Sounds more important now, doesn’t it?

You have to wonder if Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz has thought for a moment about the checks he’ll sign every two weeks to four different goaltenders -- no matter where they play. Crawford, Salak, Cristobal Huet and now Emery will make good money, but only two can play for the Hawks. All have one-way deals, meaning they will get paid the same NHL salary whether they play for the Hawks, in the minors, on injured reserve, in Europe or anywhere else.

Think about that, four goalies employed by the Hawks all making at least $600,000. If you care about these matters the question should be: Why did the Hawks give Salak a one-way deal? Did they have to entice him to leave Europe with a one-way deal? Did he really want to stay there rather than play and get paid in the best league in the world? Well, eventually play in the best league -- for now he’s in Rockford. Anyway, the answer to those questions should only be the owner’s concern.

The rest of the masses just want to know if Emery can stop the puck enough to win some games. And if he doesn’t, when will a switch be made? The good news is we’ll find out soon enough.

The Chicago Blackhawks and second-round pick Brandon Saad are in contract talks, according to a source familiar with the situation, which means the 18-year-old from Pittsburgh is likely to break camp with the team.

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It's been a summer-long question for the Chicago Blackhawks: Do they have enough at center?

It's well documented they were not in the market for a big name, choosing to hold onto their money for a possible in-season trade. But with only two proven centers on the roster, Jonathan Toews and Dave Bolland, there was still potential space for some help on one of the bottom two lines. Former Hawk, Ryan Johnson, earned that role a season ago, but he wasn't retained despite a dependable showing.

While he was working out with former teammates in Chicago on Wednesday, Johnson was asked if he wonders why he wasn't brought back to the Blackhawks.

"Do you wonder, yeah," he said. "Where are you going to get answers? There are no answers for you. So I trained like I always do and weigh your options and get ready to go to a fresh place."

Johnson recently agreed to a tryout with the Detroit Red Wings and isn't sure why he didn't get a chance to return to Chicago. His best ability is winning faceoffs. He won a team high 63 percent last year, while the Hawks, as a team, ranked 12th in that category winning 50.8 percent overall. Still, it wasn't enough for a new deal.

"In this game if you try to read into things or understand things you'll spend a lot of useless time," Johnson said. "I have no idea what went into the decision, but in this business you have to move on and prepare yourself and be excited for the next opportunity."

Marcus Kruger is unproven and Jamal Mayers isn't a true center, so it's understandable that Johnson would wonder why he didn't get a call. But it's not something he's lost sleep over.

"I've learned in this game you don't expect anything," he said. "You take care of what you can. You work your butt off on and off the ice to be the person you know you are, and I feel if you do that good things will happen to you."

The Hawks strategy is apparent. Start the season with what they have and then adjust accordingly. If they are able to trade for a second-line center, everyone will move down a spot and all could work out. However, depth is needed for injuries as much as anything else. Prospect Brandon Pirri, or someone else, might be ready, but are the Hawks willing to play two rookies at center if, say, Dave Bolland has yet another injury? Thin is thin until the need is addressed. The trade deadline is a long way away.

It's obvious the Hawks chose the speed and size of Mayers over Johnson or even John Madden, who remains unsigned. Time will tell if it was the right decision.

As for Johnson, he earned his spot with the Hawks after a short tryout in the minors last season. He'll go to Red Wings camp in a similar situation.

"It came down to the last week or so," he said. "The discussions I had with Detroit were great. It's a great opportunity and I'm excited to be there and they're excited to have me there."

The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to terms with forward Patrick Sharp on a five-year extension, the team announced Wednesday.

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It was a busy opening day to the annual Chicago Blackhawks convention on Friday. Even before opening ceremonies late in the afternoon, the Hawks were making news. Here’s a wrap up of the day’s events and their implications:

Blackhawks sign Frolik, Lepisto: The Blackhawks released a statement they had signed forward Michael Frolik to a three-year contract and defenseman Sami Lepisto to a one-year deal.

“It wasn’t done before I was on the plane,” Frolik said. “When I landed, I got a call from my agent with an offer and we liked it. I’m happy it’s done and I can enjoy the weekend here. I’m excited to be here.”

At first look, the Hawks might have given Frolik (three years, $7 million) a tad more than he needed to be paid, especially for a player on the outside of the top six forwards. The Hawks nearly tripled his salary, and without arbitration rights he had no leverage except to sit out or play in Europe.

“My first mindset is to play in the best league,” he said. “I wasn’t thinking about Europe. I was hoping we could make a deal.”

The Hawks have shown if they like a player, they’ll take care of him. Frolik is now closer to being a core guy than anyone may have thought.

“Michael is an important part of the team,” general manager Stan Bowman said. “We expect him to be part of our group for a while. We talked about different deals, one-year, two-year or three. But in the long run, he’s a big part of what we’re trying to do here.”

Frolik’s new contract is as much a result of his stellar play in the seven-game postseason against the Vancouver Canucks as in his 28 regular season games with the Blackhawks after coming over in a trade with Florida. He underwhelmed at first, but came on strong late. That’s the play the Hawks are counting on when he most likely returns to his role as a third-line winger and sometime center.

The Lepisto signing was a surprise and had implications later in the day.

Blackhawks announce Kane will have wrist surgery: The Hawks released a statement from team doctor Michael Terry explaining why Patrick Kane is having surgery on his left wrist. His recovery time is 6-8 weeks, which puts him ready just in time for training camp, if there are no setbacks.

Hawks coach Joel Quenneville revealed Kane hurt the wrist in the second-to-last game of the regular season, but it was only sore at the time. His wrist wasn’t mentioned in any postseason wrap-up sessions with the media, and only Kane knows why he didn’t take care of it at the time. But then again, if it got worse throughout the offseason there isn’t much he could have done and he seemed genuinely surprised he needed surgery.

Bottom line, whenever he got it fixed it would have affected his offseason. As long as he’s ready for training camp it’s hard to be too critical, considering it was an injury in flux. It got worse as the summer wore on, according to Kane.

Bowman says Campoli won’t return to Hawks: Bowman revealed that the Hawks had come to an impasse with Chris Campoli and he wouldn’t be returning, a likely reason for the Lepisto signing.

The sides were on different pages when it came to a new salary.

“We kind of indicated this to Chris at the beginning,” Bowman said. “’You may want more from us, and it’s really about fitting in with our structure. On our team, with the guys we already have signed, we need somebody in the certain price range for that role.”

There is always a guy or two who doesn’t feel like a priority. Last summer it was Antti Niemi, and Campoli must feel the same way.

When the Hawks traded Brian Campbell, then traded for and signed Steve Montador to a mega-deal, Campoli must have been thinking his stock was going up. After all, he was a puck-moving defenseman and the Hawks just lost one. And though Montador is older, he doesn’t have that much more on his resume than Campoli. But the Hawks saw it differently. They obviously value Montador and even Frolik more than Campoli. Those players got paid, and maybe overpaid.

By saying goodbye to Campoli even before his arbitration hearing, they’re telling him they weren’t even willing to pay him market value or close to it. In the same vein as Niemi, even if the Hawks “won” in arbitration, they still didn’t want to pay someone that figure who they undoubtedly feel is a fifth or sixth defenseman.

Moving forward, the Hawks have overhauled their defense in a big way since the beginning of last season. Last summer, they only moved out one player -- Brent Sopel -- while keeping the core of the Stanley Cup blueline together. Now, just three players -- Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson -- remain. The newcomers this offseason are slower and older, though Lepisto brings some of what Campbell and Campoli did. The Hawks have invested a lot in both Montador and Hjalmarsson, so increased performances out of both players is needed and expected, and Nick Leddy also needs to take a big step.

The Hawks value their blue line more than any other position on the ice. Assuming Keith and Seabrook return to a high level of play, how the newcomers perform on defense will go a long way toward determining how special this team is. Right now, they aren’t much different than a few seasons ago. There is plenty of potential, but plenty of questions to be answered with so many new faces taking on key roles.

Blackhawks convention gets underway: Jim Cornelison sang the national anthem, Eddie Olcysck introduced present and former players and the fourth annual Blackhawks convention began.

But not before a busy news day came to an end.

CHICAGO -- Defenseman Chris Campoli won’t be back with the Chicago Blackhawks, according to general manager Stan Bowman.

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The Chicago Blackhawks and forward Viktor Stalberg agreed to terms on a two-year contract, the team announced Sunday.

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CHICAGO -- Blackhawks defenseman Chris Campoli and winger Viktor Stalberg filed for salary arbitration before Tuesday's deadline.

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The Chicago Blackhawks made a splash on the first day of free agency, signing five players, while living up to offseason promises of getting bigger and finding more grit.

In the process the Hawks got older as well.

Wingers Jamal Mayers, 36, and Andrew Brunette, 37, along with defenseman Sean O'Donnell, 39, and center Brett McLean, 32, all agreed to one year deals Friday. Daniel Carcillo, 26, is the youngest player the Hawks signed Friday, also agreeing to a one-year deal.

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Who knew Chicago Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman would listen to star forward Patrick Kane so closely. After the season was over, it was Kane who bluntly said his team could use more toughness.

He got his wish.

In a tough-guy buying frenzy Bob Probert would have been excited about, the Hawks picked up size and strength on the opening day of free agency. And also a few goals in the form of Andrew Brunette.

The Hawks’ fighting majors over the last three seasons look like this: 54, 36, 28. Fights alone don’t tell a team’s toughness, but it’s obvious the direction the Hawks want to go. When finesse isn’t working, they’ll throw some nastiness at an opposing team now with Jamal Mayers and Daniel Carcillo. Combined, they’ve fought 181 times in the NHL. Defenseman Sean O'Donnell simply provides the size on the back end they’ve been short on.

“We’d like to change the momentum of the game with our third and fourth lines,” Bowman said. “There are going to be nights where, for whatever reasons, things aren’t clicking up top. If you fall behind early in the game or it’s not working that night, you need to get that energy from within. We didn’t have that element last year and I think we certainly want to recapture that. I like the mix of our guys right now.”

So did the Hawks replace what they were missing after last summer’s salary cap purge?

Playing the role of Andrew Ladd is Brunette. He’s a solid up-and-down player who is a model of consistency and knows how to find the net. They even have similar physical dimensions, around 6-2, 205 pounds.

Carcillo is the agitator the Hawks had in Adam Burish, and should provide some antics both on the ice and in the dressing room. Mayers and Ben Eager are switching roles and while Brent Sopel and Steve Montador aren’t necessarily the same type of player, they both kill penalties and provide tons of leadership. These comparisons might not measure up exactly man-for-man but it’s obvious the Hawks were on the hunt for something lost after the championship season.

Did they find it? On paper, they may have. But when it comes to 36-, 37- and 39-year-old legs, you can never be too sure. That’s the ages of Mayers, Brunette and O’Donnell before they add another year when the season rolls around. The two oldest players—Brunette and O’Donnell—are more durable than most, so maybe age is only a number.

Make no mistake, coach Joel Quenneville’s hand prints are all over these signings. He coached both Brunette and Mayers in previous stops and he’s wanted size on the blue line since he was gung-ho about John Scott last summer. He got more in O’Donnell.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if Quenneville signed off whole-heartedly on Carcillo as well. Throughout last season, and even early this summer, the Hawks’ coach repeatedly mentioned how different and “quiet” the dressing room was. Usually guys who amass fighting majors like they’re assists, as well as 334 penalty minutes in 133 games over two years, don’t go down quietly. Carcillo will agitate -- maybe even his own teammates -- but that’s what hockey coaches like. It keeps people on their toes for the 82-game grind.

The Hawks got what they wished for on the opening day of free agency, 2011: plenty of grit, size and toughness. But are they better just because of it? That’s what the season will tell.

The early offseason signing of Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford puts a big check next to one item on general manager Stan Bowman's list of things to do this summer.

At first glance, a three-year deal seems a little light from the Hawks perspective considering the goalie rotation they've employed the last few seasons, though it's good for Crawford. He can become an unrestricted free agent at age 29, and if the Hawks haven't accomplished some more big things by then it will be a huge disappointment. If they live up to their talent and desire -- and he plays like he did this past season -- then Crawford can really cash in.

But the Hawks should be fine because the relationship between goaltender and team couldn't be better. Crawford and goalie coach Stephan Waite are tight, so a new deal before the old one is up seems realistic. Plus, in the NHL these days, committing to a goaltender for a major, extended amount of time can come back and bite a team. The beauty of this deal is even if Crawford surprisingly regresses and the Hawks have to go in another direction, he's not tied up for too long. Additionally, the Hawks -- in theory -- can pay him to back up without destroying their cap situation. But there is no indication to think Crawford will be anything but a very good goaltender in the league for many years.

So the easy part is done. This marriage was a foregone conclusion and the numbers, $8 million for three years, makes a lot of sense. Now comes the hard part.

The Hawks have ten remaining free agents to address, though Marty Turco is as good as gone. Sources indicate Alexander Salak has been signed to a one-way contract, which makes him the front runner to back-up Crawford.

While not exactly giving him the job, his “one-way” status points to the Hawks' confidence in their recently acquired netminder. It's hard to make judgments on Salak having seen very little of him, but he fits the Hawks' desire for bigger goalies. He's about 6-3. Waite should be able to work his magic on the 24-year-old.

With the signing of Salak for just over $600,000, the Hawks have 16 players under contract costing them just over $54 million. The salary cap reportedly is going to be in the $62 million range. Assuming a 22 man roster, that leaves about $8 million for six players, though the Hawks probably won't spend right up to the cap.

With restricted free agents Michael Frolik and Chris Campoli, in particular, expected back, it leaves little wiggle room for others unless the Hawks plan on doing little else in free agency. The prospects of unrestricted free agent Tomas Kopecky returning are slim, and how the Hawks will afford Troy Brouwer remains to be seen. Several players, including Campoli and Brouwer, are arbitration eligible, giving them some leverage as restricted free-agents.

Expect one or more of the restricted free agents to be traded, otherwise the Hawks could free some money by moving defensemen Brian Campbell or Niklas Hjalmarsson. As has been well documented Campbell is a tough buy for another team but he's not impossible to move, just unlikely. Hjalmarsson, on the other hand, is very attractive. There are enough teams needing to spend to the salary cap floor, and Hjalmarsson is young enough (23) to create a market for the Hawks.

If the Hawks are looking for a decent second line center, they will have to pay for it, which means finding the money to do so. That means making some tough choices with some current Hawks who are under contract or are in line for free agency. Turco is gone. Expect a few more to leave before the new season begins.

The Chicago Blackhawks agreed to a five-year contract extension with defenseman Brent Seabrook, the team announced Sunday.

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