This morning it was announced that the Blackhawks had resigned Brandon Bollig and Ben Smith to 2-year deals woth $575K per, and Goalie/Rockford Legend Carter Hutton to a one year deal. Slighty under the radar, the Blackhawks continued with their expulsion of Alexander Salak, by slapping him with an outright release.
None of these moves really matter much in the grand scheme of things. Bollig is a second string hammer thrower, behind Carcillo. He hardly matters in what the Hawks have ahead of them. Ben Smith still may never see the Blackhawks locker room again, and if he does, it'll be on the 4th line. Again, someone who figures little in the Hawks plans.
Hutton is the only move that I fully expected. He had a great year in Rock Vegas, after the goaltending there absolutely fell to pieces. He is one of the few players to have played, or at least dressed, in the ECHL, AHL and NHL last season. With the Goaltending depth as thin as it is in the Organ-I-zation, this was a no brainer. They could still bring in another depth guy, like they did with Emery last season, and bulk up a little between now and the start of camp. That would be the ideal situation. Competition never hurt anyone.