Blackhawks may move Barker

Al Cimaglia writes that Dale Tallon may choose to trade Cam Barker at the NHL entry draft for a pick and/or prospects. That would create approximately a $2.7 million salary cap savings. Cimaglia says Barker is expendable, as he brings a similar skill set as defenseman Brian Campbell and Matt Walker.

Possible maneuvering by Blackhawks management to improve the defense while also taking into consideration salary cap consequences could mean a trade is coming.

Cam Barker is one Hawks defenseman who may not return next season. Barker has power play skill that would be desirable on the trade market. His Chicago future could be impacted because he is too similar to other players already on the Hawks defense.

We can’t forget about forwards Dave Bolland and Kris Versteeg, who are also due significant raises. Plus Marty Havlat’s new contract could be a factor. By dealing Barker, the Hawks could use the savings for different needs or can seek help in the free agent market.

It would be nice to believe the current roster will stay intact and lead the Hawks to the Stanley Cup. But that is not going to happen. There will be some difficult choices for Hawks management, and they will become apparent very soon.

To assemble a quality hockey team, there needs to be a variety of different types of talent. A general manager must blend the mix together. A GM can’t focus exclusively on goal scorers or grinders. He also has to make sure that the components on defense have a variety of skills. Too many players with similar traits are not good.

In some ways, Barker’s strengths are somewhat like those of Brian Campbell. He can effectively steer a power play. Barker is a fine passer like Campbell and may even have a better shot from the point. Campbell is more creative and much faster than Barker. Both are known more for their offensive talents and are not shut-down defensemen, and neither is very physical. Due to their defensive shortcomings, they wouldn’t be used as a tandem except on the power play.

One of Barker’s main liabilities is his lack of speed, which makes him similar to Matt Walker. If Barker is dropped down to the third defensive pair and plays with Walker, there are issues. The NHL is all about speed, having two slow-footed defenseman on the ice at the same time could pose problems.

Is it possible the Hawks could stay with Barker and not re-sign Walker? I don’t feel that will be the case.

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