Johnny Oduya Signs With Dallas Stars
UPDATE: Oduya has signed a two-year deal with the Dallas Stars with a reported cap hit of $3.75M.
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On Tuesday, Johnny Oduya’s agent, Don Meehan, said his client will not return to the Blackhawks.
Oduya, who will be 34 when the 2015-16 season begins, joins Patrick Sharp, Brandon Saad, Brad Richards, Antoine Vermette as key players from the Hawks run to the Stanley Cup to leave the team this summer.
Chicago acquired Oduya from Winnipeg for a second and third round pick in 2012 and helped the Blackhawks win two Stanley Cups in three seasons. He also won a silver medal with Sweden as a member of the Hawks at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Oduya averaged better than 20 minutes per game over the last four regular seasons in Chicago. In four postseasons with the Hawks, Oduya played in 71 playoff games, recording five goals and 18 assists.
As always, Mr. Rufus, you have the floor.
Shocked, said no one. Thank you Johnny Oduya for bringing 2 cups to Chicago. We appreciate all your concessions to try and stay here. We wish you luck in wherever you sign.
Now, with that said…he has slowed down considerably. He picked it up and played out of his mind the last 2 weeks of the season and into the playoffs. You can make that injury argument for him, but the people making that injury excuse for Oduya can not be the same people that dismiss the injury excuse for Sharp.
Ernie, I agree with you. Oduya took a major step back during the regular season last year, prior to his time off due to injury. I think a multiple year contract to keep him may have become a detriment by the time the contract was over. Hence, I am not too upset that he is going elsewhere.
That said, I again agree with Ernie in that we wish nothing but the best for Oduya going forward.
Solid second pairing kind of guy. Great run here in Chicago, scored some big goals and was a great addition by bowman. Good luck in what people are saying is going to be buffalo. If that’s the case it’s not a bad landing spot, wish him the best.
Not the best Blackhawk but all the Hawks did after acquiring Oduya was win! Johnny was a warrior while wearing the Indian Headed logo! Not shocked by this one bit.
As the final pieces of the purge start taking shape I am starting to be more and more concerned about this team moving forward. I trust Stan and he has earned my trust but the blue line specifically is a major concern. The Hawks have been riding their horses hard over the last few seasons. Oduya alone has played in 65 playoff games in the last three seasons that’s INSANE. He played 18 playoff games prior to joining the Hawks in 7 seasons.
I really wish Stan could add an up and coming defenseman to this group, I would feel much better moving forward. That’s why the Johns trade totally sucks and losing out on Mike Reilly kinda sucked too.
I’m not buying TVR without a full season of work on his resume or Runblad sorry.
Well. let’s step back and take a look…Saad, Richards, Vermette, Sharp, Oduya all gone, gone, gone, ain’t never coming back. Oh boy.
Johnny has his name on the Cup twice with the Hawks. He played very well in both Cup winning playoffs and will be missed. He hung in there and waited for Stan to clear space for a chance to re-sign with the Hawks for longer than most guys would have. Kudos to him – a class act. I wish him well.
But … now it’s time to move on.
Big minutes to fill.
The defense has taken a hard hit this summer. Daley has major issues in the defensive zone and it seriously looks like TVR and Runblad will be expected to be part of the regular pairings. TVR is a nice kid but as I said before he’s just a guy and isn’t going to be a true blueline factor given his skill limitations and lack of size. We all know that Runblad is bad in the defensive zone but can move the puck a little bit and skate when he otherwise isn’t crappy the ice with a panic attack or coughing up the pick. So now in truth we need to rely on Keith, Seabrook and Hjalmarsson even more which seriously can’t be possible. We have already pushed and worked these 3 beyond limit. I still can reconcile the loss of Johns. I get it the Bowman was stuck, but damn.
Good luck to # 27. His outstanding play in this years playoffs will be remembered. Stan made the correct move in parting ways with a soon to be 34 year old who had clearly lost a step this year ( other than post season). We are in need of a #4 defenseman. I went back and watched some old Columbus games on NHL gamecenter and Daley was a mess last year. Let us hope it was his lingering hip injury. If he plays in Chicago this year like he did in Columbus last year he will be run out of town.
^^Yeah except for the small detail that Daley didn’t play for Columbus last year, he played for Dallas.
I must still have Saad trade on my mind. thanks for pointing out the obvious Hof.
Trevor van Reimsdyk is listed at 6’2 188. Hardly a “lack of size” issue.
Good player, great champion. We got 3 years younger at his position and couldn’t pay him if he wanted a raise anyway, so there you go. I can think of another 31 year old Dman Bowman acquired in a trade who turned into a champion- wait, that’s Oduya. This one hurts too, but getting younger veterans is not a bad move.
Johnny o is one tough customer Hate to see him go. The only thing left now is to sign Kruger. Versteeg is replaceable That is the cap room needed for Kruger.
So after stepping back, maybe we should now step forward and look at the major additions, ..Anisimov, Panarin, Tikhonov, Dano, Daley, Garbutt…so the big Q is are we better, the same or not as good as before. I like what I see but admit there are unknowns.
Now that this has been determined does this mean Pokka makes the roster or is SB going to make another move.
A great run by a guy who gave the Hawks everything he had and so deserved to lift the Cup twice. Great team guy. He will be missed but will get himself a sweet “retirement contract” and good for him
Lycka Till 27
Southsidehawkman, Mike Reilly may be the best D signing this off-season. Thought we would get him. Am afraid they may soon call it the Johns trade with Sharp thrown in as the sweetener. Minnesota, Nashville (picked up Barret Jackman), and Dallas will be stronger next season. Lots of uncertainty for the Hawks.
— this can’t be much of a surprise since SB traded for Daley. Certainly, it’s tough to see Johns go (and maybe Paliotta?), but, c’mon, it’s not the end of the world. And, SB will probably make another move or two. Hey, how ’bout just considering it as “the cost of doing business”? The Hawks won the CUP!!!!, so it’s worth it…
Oduya will be missed but SB had to make a difficult decision when he traded Sharp and as part of the trade got Daley in return. Does anyone remember the trade for Oduya? It was considered a minor trade and SB found a dimond in the rough. TVR is being groomed for top 4 defensemen. He shows a poise much greater than a typical rookie and the Hawks are really high on him. How else could it be that he leaped over all the so called Icehog “stars” last year and made the team as a rookie. Also how the heck did he end up playing as a rookie in the Stanley Cup with being out a couple months with injuries and less than a few dozen games under his belt as a pro. The management is clearly very high on him. When TVR becomes a regular top 4 defensemen then Daley and whatever young defensemen will be the third pairing and all will be well in the Hawk universe.
Oduya was pure class and worked his ass of for this team. His play against the Preds, Wild, Ducks and Lightning was outstanding and I personally got choked up at the UC watching him will his battered body against Tampa Bay. He left it ALL on the ice. Huge performer. I hope the guy sees a nice payday and I will forever wish him the best in everything.
Ditto to all of the comments wishing Oduya all the best with his upcoming move and new contract. Played some great hockey and was a big factor in two Cups. Fully agree that it is not in the cards to give him a long term deal, at his age.
I think TVR can put on some size. I’m actually a little surprised he’s listed at close to 190 lbs. He’s pretty wirey. That frame looks like it could continue to add size and he’s still pretty young. In addition, once the regular season starts it won’t be “playoff mode” and whoever is in their is going to get bigger minutes than Rundblad, Comiskey and Timonen got at the end. The new folks are going to get minutes and will have a chance to play with some pretty good defensemen. There may be some growing pains and adjustments, but in the end I think it will work out pretty well.
Re : Daley, no wonder he was a mess.. he was skating on the wrong team in wrong city… gotta agree w/ Hof- TvR is not small… he isn’t physical, but uses his long reach and stick well- only 4 and 86 are better at poking, prying pucks on boards w/ one hand on stick!!!
Really- If Daley pans out- It is another case of SB making lemonade out of lemons…
seems like TD has way more offensive upside then JO- if his D is better than average, OR he skates as well as some say he does… this is a WIN for Hawks- younger and cheaper!!! But – I have not “scouted” his skating…
I do remember watching Hawks/Dallas… and several times being flat out impressed with Garbutt’s speed!!! and saying who the hell is this guy???
IMO SB is doing a good job all things considered. I think if Oduya was willing to sign for a Cap hit of $3mm or so he would be signed. He and his agent know that they can probably get a $4mm 2 year deal from a team with space and young Dmen to mentor.
I am hoping this means Kruger will be signed soon. Obviously neither guy is willing to give the Hawks a so called home team discount.
All in all SB has replaced the departed with serviceable and moveable parts. We must remember, Hawks need players in the $1-3mm range because we can’t afford more. The team will be bigger, younger and faster but less skilled than last year, but I think the Hawks will be an exciting team to watch.
I think that Daley will be OK filling 27’s role. Hey Q and the Hawks system is simply better than Ruff and Dallas’ system. Daley is no dummy. His play will turn back to defense first. The man can skate and Q and the staff will set him straight.
The Hawks will definitely be a harder team to play against. Give me 96 points and a playoff spot and I will take my chances from there.
IMO, outside of Saad, I think the Hawks biggest loss is Vermette.
Daley will always have a soft spot for me because he roughed up that pecker head Perry. Everything I have heard says he is a great locker room guy, works hard and hey, he wasn’t playing for the Hawks last year. He should be better just because of the players around him.
Johnny O was a warrior for sure. Wish him well but remember you can not maintain a dynasty by recycling the same players over and over. You have to move on and get younger when you can. IF we can ever move Bickell and Versteeg, that money can be used to add to the mix. Hope it doesn’t come down to moving Shaw or Crawford.
Mr. Rufus, you never let us down. And I wasn’t aware after your soliloquy that Oduya was a family member of yours.
Will somebody please look up the comments when Oduya was acquired. He wasn’t the player he was before coming to Chicago.
Mike, I agree about Vermette. He was the addition that got the Hawks over the hump in the playoffs. Sort of what Gaborik did for the Kings the year before.
I was reading a retrospective of Daley’s time with the Stars in one of the Dallas newspapers the other day. He was a real leader on the team and, although not a big guy, he would often be the enforcer after a teammate took a big lick from an opponent. Bowman said that this was “an old time trade.” I suspect what he meant was that the players he took back were based on need and not on salary cap considerations.
I remember watching a couple of Dallas games last year (not against the Hawks) and Garbutt made a big impression on me both times. In one game, he appeared to have forgotten to take his rabies shot that morning and was going after somebody on seemingly every shift. I was surprised that the team didn’t provide him with a recliner in the penalty box. Really hurt the team. In the other game, I thought he was the best player on the ice. Very active. I think he got a goal and a couple of assists.
SCOTTIE P
July 14, 2015 at 4:38 pm
Solid second pairing kind of guy.
Played first pairing for the Hawks tho. He and NH took on the toughest mins and zone starts against the toughest comp for two years. His minutes will be missed for a bit.
Seabrook played 4th toughest
Not saying he’s a better dman than Seabrook. Just sayin
PETE
July 14, 2015 at 9:46 pm
The only thing left now is to sign Kruger. Versteeg is replaceable
You ok going into this season with 3 rookies on LW if Bowman moves Bickell and Versteeg Pete? I’m not so sure it’d be the wisest decision
Pretty much exactly the deal I thought he would get (see 7:40am) Good deal for Dallas. Oduya was making $3.375mm so not much of a raise…..I wonder what SB offered him if anything. Again, no home town discount.
Hard to believe but just read the Oduya turned DOWN $15mm for 3 years with the Sabers. Can that be true??
Earlier I had mentioned my concern with the Hawks d-core. Puck Daddy did some analysis on Daley and was looking at some numbers for defenseman based on age. Good read if you are a numbers guy.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/what-trevor-daley-can-teach-us-about-defensemen-in-decline–trending-topics-180540176.html
I don’t think that the Hawks core get enough credit for making the guys around them better. Look at the “key” players lost in the last two purges. None of them helped their team win a Stanley Cup and the Hawks went on to win without them. There is a certain cachet that comes with having your name on the cup and Bowman did a great job leveraging it to get some quality players to support the core. I fully expect Dano, Daley, Anisimov et.al. become the “key” players of the future thanks to Toews, Kane, Hossa, Keith and Seabrook.
Albertahawksfan not saying he never played top pairing, though he usually didn’t, just saying he is best for as a second pairing guy. To me he is not a top 2 Dman, def not on this team.
Comps, TVR reminds me of the 2015 version of Bill White 1960s-70s, and does Daley seem like Brian Campbell of a couple of years ago? Discuss.
Andrew here – shortened my name id. Began following the Blackhawks in 1965, when Lloyd Petit was our announcer. When you are my age, you despise the Canadiens. They are 5-0 against us in the Finals. Just started blogging here over the weekend. Have learned so much from all of you. Thanks.
Will miss Johnny O, but I think Daley is an upgrade (better skater, a little younger, and leadership qualities). Still would not have made the trade because of Johns. I think we’ll be hearing a lot about him. He didn’t have a +30 for nothing.
Opens up the door for another cheap vet signing to balance the 3rd pair. Erhoff likely choice but if Bickell goes, maybe something better.
What is clear is that the depth on the blue line has never been more fragile during the Stan Bowman regime. An injury to any of those top 3 and Poof! – no playoffs
SCOTTIE P
July 15, 2015 at 11:30 am
Albertahawksfan not saying he never played top pairing, though he usually didn’t, just saying he is best for as a second pairing guy. To me he is not a top 2 Dman, def not on this team.
Yeah actually he did. As a rule when you’re in a pairing that faces the toughest zone starts on the team, against the toughest competition on the opposing team, with the worst quality of teammates with you….you are a first pairing D.
Nobody’s saying Oduya was the best or second best Dman on the Hawks but Quenneville gave his pairing the toughest minutes.
Mike I agree on Vermette, but I’m hoping AA is a younger version……
re: hawkfacts “Opens up the door for another cheap vet signing” – LOL! With what cap space?
And stop w/ the Ehrhoff bullsh**. No.
We compared Vermette & Anisimov after that deal was consummated. Enormous difference at the dot.
http://committedindians.com/comparing-artem-anisimov-to-antoine-vermette/
“does Daley seem like Brian Campbell of a couple of years ago?” no
$7.5M over 2 years is about what I thought the Hawks would re-sign him for if they were able – maybe a little less. It seems much lower than what I thought he would get from another team, like something in the $4.5M AAV neighborhood. Makes me wonder what he would have re-signed for with the Hawks.
But, that horse has left the barn, so …
I bet Rufus was one of the many hawk fans that called the Oduya signing a very bad deal when he was first acquired. I’m sure many fans will deny it but there comments are all over the internet about that trade. He couldn’t play defense, etc.
Fast forward to today and the same things are being said about Daley. Well some hawk fans are consistent. Oh yea consistently wrong. Daley is younger and much more skilled than Oduya. He still has some good years left while Oduya is running on empty. Stan made the right move ensuring the defense and goal-tending is still going to be a strength.
Agree. Vermette was a savant on face-offs. He, Toews, and Kruger all seemed to dominate that part of the game in the Tampa series.
is it October 7 yet?!
SouthsideHawkMan, that statistical breakdown makes me nervous not only for Daley, but even more so for Keith and Seabrook. In the old days it seemed like good D-Men aged liked fine wine. With today’s forwards being bigger, faster, and stronger D-Men have to be much more athletic to be effective.
The addition of a second referee also changed the game significantly. Those old guys really knew how to slash and spear to keep those young studs honest. You don’t see Tim Horton’s name advertised along the boards in every rink in Canada because Tim was a great athlete.
Very surprised that Oduya signed with Dallas and for that amount. Everything pointed to a lock with Buffalo. Tim Murray loses out yet again. Would have been worth it just to hear Rick Jeanneret call out the goal when Oduya scored…he would have had some fun with that.
…..must be the beach weather….but did I miss something Oduya walks without compensation?…..a top 4 defenseman is lost and nothing in return….now this sucks big time…..
I know more moves are coming and the roster is not set yet, but, as of today, I am very concerned about the 3rd dman pairing. A year ago this board was a buzz about the 5th and 6th dmen and the promising number of defense prospects we had. This year the 3rd pairing is still an issue, but the optimism for the def prospect pool seems diluted.
I don’t like the fact we lost Johns, but I am optimistic with the addtions. AA and Dano, I believe, will more than make up for the loss of Saad. I also believe Daley will still give us the best top 4 on def in the league. Based on some comments here, I can also see Garbutt becoming a fan favorite. I think we will be younger and faster than last season
I trust that Stanbo learned from the playoffs that he will need to improve the quality we have in the 3rd pairing to compete for our one goal. Let’s go SB.
Go Hawks!!!
Thanks for the link Southsidehawkman. The numbers are very telling. I hope I am wrong but I believe Daley will become a big defensive liability. I don’t usually agree with Rufus but I think he is right on the money on Daley.
Add sharp, johns, and oduya to benn, seguin, spezza, klingberg, etc….the stars are looking absolutely stacked
So the trade was essentially Sharp Johns & Oduya for Daley & Garbutt. Further, instead of re-signing Vermette & Oduya, Bowman signed Asimisov to long term deal before first date, and Daley takes Oduya slot. There are six new players on the team (the three Russian guys, Dano, Daley & Garbutt) — where is there any room for younger/next generation players that are supposedly NHL ready? If Bowman’s goal was to compete for the Cup again next year and get Cap compliant simultaneously, his moves are subject to extended debate. Where do any of the Rockford forwards fit in. Lastly, how is the Hawks’ history w/ Russian players? Zhamnov, Krivo, Mike Smith’s other pets 1st rounders he drafted, Mironov, Karpotsev, etc… Will these three players be “gamers” like the squad has been over the last 7-8 years? Time will tell — the jury will be out on these moves.
Where do we stand cap wise now ?We must be under but signing Kruger takes us up to max again ? Can we send Bickell down or LTIR?
… must be the beach weather… because anthony justin apparently didn’t get the memo about unrestricted free agency being UNRESTRICTED
re: the Stars being stacked – lots of firepower up front, but nobody’s afraid of their d corps or goaltenders. They’ll need to win games 4-3 a lot of nights
iceman, you asked “where is their room for next generation players that are NHL ready”.
Marko Dano, Artemi Panarin, Teuvo Terevainen, Trevor van Reimsdyk, Eric Gustafsson.
Those are five guys who are essentially rookies, or close to it.
As for Rockford forwards, if they’re ready to crack the lineup, they will.
Anthony Justin, he was an unrestricted free agent, free to sign with any team, no compensation. He wanted a raise and the Hawks couldn’t pay it… and ad great a playoff performer as he was, I think this was the year to let him walk, and get a little younger at his slot, which they did by picking up Daley. Now I’m not sure, but does Hjalmarsson always play with another left shot by design? Because I was figuring TVR would see some heavy time with him, but maybe 4 is a lifetime “wrong sider?”
……a bit of humour there….still sucks big time…..looking up dictionary cant keep up with Tabs sports legal vocabulary……sorry…
So if you look at the trade with Dallas and add in Oduya’s signing, it was basically Sharp and Johns for Garbutt, and Daley and Oduya were a wash. Dallas pays $5.9 Sharp plus $800 Johns plus 1/2 of 1.8 for Garbutt =$7.6 million. Hawks pay $900 for 1/2 of Garbutt.
In the salary cap era who got the better deal?
Again Tab thanks for this venue-
Several people who post have tried this before. I’m not surprised by the comments anymore-this is as they say ‘edutainment’ (heavy on the entertain side)-there’s lots of negativity, lots of sarcasm and put-downs, lots of defensiveness-this is part of human nature and today’s world. Some people are micro-managers and some are more big picture. I get it.
But what continues to surprise me is the lack of appreciation (again not directed at all.) Our team has won three Cups is six years and damn near two in row. We have seen more playoff hockey than is probably healthy in the last many years after quite a dry run. I feel grateful to enjoy ‘this’ team and know that we have wonderful people running things, and amazing players to watch. Be healthy, relax and enjoy the summer!
@ Noonan96
While I agree 100% with what you said, that thinking is WAY too level headed and logical for this venue!
You know, Danny, despite what has happened, I’m still convinced that the posters on this board have many fine qualities. I think they can still become gentlemen someday if they understand and abide by the rules of decent society. There’s a lot of…well, badness in the world today. I see it in court every day. I’ve sentenced boys younger than you to the gas chamber. I didn’t want to do it- I felt I owed it to them. The most important decision you can make right now is what you stand for- goodness…or badness.
Chevrier – Classic! Growing up I caddied everyday so of course you are quoting one of the all time great movies. My ultimate moment was getting to caddy for Keith Magnuson and Cliff Koroll when they were playing for the Hawks.
Anyone else annoyed by Dallas and their fans running their mouths that they fleeced the hawks. They are now bubbling up against the cap and I hope they choke on that salary down there in that small market Too bad bowman didn’t get their number 1 pick because I still think they miss the playoffs next year.
Let the Dallas fans squawk all they want. They still have to prove it on the ice. No certainties in any of this. I was looking at the schedule for next year and we don’t see them until almost the half way point, if memory serves, so then we’ll have a good idea of where we all stand. Oduya will help them, but no one is intimidated by their D. They’ll have to score a lot of goals every night to win consistently.
Was reading a Jonathan Willis column on Bleacher Report that made my heart stop a bit. He’s making the case to trade Brent Seabrook now in advance of his contract renewal year, while we can get something great in return, perhaps some young bloods from either Edmonton or Buffalo, replace him with someone like Cody Franson, who’s bigger, younger, less money…while it does make sense and cents for the franchise, it still freaks me out to think about it. Will this post season please end so I can get back to worrying about winning hockey games.
Tony I agree. At what point does the turnover of players become so great that the team loses its identity.
Tony I sympathize with you completely, but smart management in any sport tries to reduce their number of aging high paid players and in turn try to parlay them into future stars that are making lower salaries. Hate to mention them but look how bad the Cubs got by hanging onto aging high salaried players and rode them until their was no value left. Of course if the Hawks ever get rid of Hossa I’ll give up watching hockey. He is a future Hall of Famer and barely mentioned as being critical to the team’s success.
Keith, Pete, we’re on the same page. Keith, you’re right, the age issue is a delicate balance, and I forgive you for bringing up the Cubs, though the point is well taken. I I’ve always loved the chemistry on our teams these past years. It’s so essential an yet so elusive at the same time. And now we’re a team that’s won 3 of the last 6 cups in this salary cap era and we have that chemistry to thank for it, in large part. And Pete, what you said about losing identity ties into the whole chemistry thing, and it’s what worries me most. Losing experience and leadership from the locker room is tough. Sharp, Richards, even Vermette. Luckily for us, the Hawks have a wealth of it. Seabrook is more than just a player on this team. Don’t ever want to see him go. I’m selfish that way.