CHICAGO, Ill – If the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup this season, one person crucial to the success of the club might be overlooked.
He definitely won’t skate with the Cup should Chicago win nor will he be allowed to take the Cup to the location of his choice over the summer. But without the services provided by Dale Tallon, the former Blackhawks general manager, some other team would be representing the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals this year.
Tallon was director of player personnel and the assistant general manager of the club from 2003 to 2005. On June 21, 2005 he was named the club’s general manager and retained the position until July of 2009 when he was replaced by Stan Bowman. Even though the Blackhawks decided to move on without him, Tallon’s rebuilding job earned him a shot to manage the Florida Panthers.
Tallon was tabbed for that slot when he was hired to run the Panthers a couple of weeks ago.
Fifteen of the twenty-five Blackhawks players on the current roster including core players Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Brian Campbell, Patrick Sharp, Kris Versteeg, Marian Hossa and netminders Antti Niemi and Christobel Huet were added to the roster during Tallon’s reign.
While discussing Tallon’s contributions, it should be noted Bob Pulford and Mike Smith also brought some pieces to the puzzle. During their respective leads from the year 2000 to Tallon’s appointment, talent such as Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Troy Brouwer, Dustin Byfuglien, Dave Bolland and Adam Burish were acquired.
Bowman has not been idle. Handed a pat hand, the first year GM tinkered rather than built while adding defensemen Kim Johnsson and Nick Boynton to the mix. While not necessarily stars, the two players, when in the lineup, have contributed to the club’s success. The new general manager will earn his keep this off-season as the roster was built to win this year and next year be damned.
Only 13 players and one skater are under contract for 2010-11 and the club is already nearly $800,000 over the cap (cap figures provided by capgeek.com). Plain and simple, players are going to have to be moved and Bowman’s machinations will determine whether the ‘Hawks will be one-hit wonders or contenders over the long haul.
Contact Tom.Schettino@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.