The Chicago Blackhawks should pass on Jones and Hamilton

No matter what team Hamilton ends up with, (for some possible scenarios, NBC made a list of teams he could end up on) he’s going to cost some money as a free agent and/or want term. Right away, this should be a hard “no” from Chicago.

The first problem here is that Hamilton is, at the time this article was written, 28-years-old. Even if Chicago can afford him, he probably doesn’t want to be on a team that won’t really be a contender for a few years. Additionally, Chicago shouldn’t commit big contracts to players that will be on the decline when the rest of the team is on the ascent. It makes sense in the short term, but only for the next few years.

Who knows what kind of money Hamilton will ask for, but he won’t be a bargain. Chicago shouldn’t be prepping to pay more than 5 million per year on a guy that will be near or in his mid-30’s by the time the team is a contender again. It would be best if Bowman avoided making a deal like this one, even if it is really tempting.

One other note on Hamilton is that he’s more of an offensive defenseman, rather than the defensive, stay-at-home type. That’s nice and all, but it’s not what Chicago needs. The team needs defence, and Hamilton isn’t the guy that’s going to help bring a suffocating presence to the Blachawks’ defensive zone.