Not a trade-bait anymore

With the Chicago Blackhawks down 0-2, the great play of Brent Seabrook and Martin Havlat's fight for a new contract it is easy to overlook the contributions of Cam Barker. During the first half of the regular season he was featured in almost all the trade rumors - according to most of them he was supposed to be dealt to Ottawa. Fortunately Chicago avoided a Braydon Coburn situation and kept the former third overall pick. Barker responded with 40 points in 68 games - he benefited from an extended powerplay role (29 PPP) but, although his defensive game needs some improvement, was also quite solid in even strength situations. He continued to play good in the playoffs - he was arguably Chicago's best defenceman against the Flames, but disappeared a little in the series against Vancouver.

Despite great offensive numbers he still remains in the shadow of Brian Campbell, but at least almost everyone agrees that the Blackhawks should do everything to resign him in the summer. If the team lets Havlat go (or at least signs him for no more than 5 million) and hands the goaltending reigns to Cristobal Huet, it will surely have the cap room to keep Barker and another important RFA - Versteeg. But with the Patrick Kane-Jonathan Toews duo (now earning less than 0.9 million each) due for a raise next year and the albatross contracts of Brian Campbell and Huet the Blackhawks must leave themselves some cap room for next year.