UPDATE: Toews, Kane sign 5 year deals, Keith signs a 13 year deal

http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/david-kaplan-chicago-sports/2009/12/breaking-news-toews-kane-keith-sign-new-deals.html



On CBC's Hotstove tonight, LeBrun indicated that Chicago is very close to signing both Toews and Kane long term. It will happen in the next couple of weeks.

Jonny and Patrick thank you for your support, and yes, they will be singing long term. Jonny sings country and Pat sings rock n' roll.

Video here-->

Jon and Patrick believe in reaching out to the fans. And they approve these messages.

Don't thank me, thank whoever's salary they took and won't be resigned...

Stan Bowman thanks you for your advice. In the meantime...

I guess it's fortunate Toews' numbers have regressed thus far this season. It could save the 'Hawks a few million.

They'll still need to dump some weight to lock up Keith.

asq2 wrote:I guess it's fortunate Toews' numbers have regressed thus far this season. It could save the 'Hawks a few million.

They'll still need to dump some weight to lock up Keith.

Spoken like a true expert.

marakh wrote:

It all began with Shabbs becoming a Hawks fan.

PS for the record, here is what Lebrun says in his blog:

Hawks talks
I don't think it was ever in doubt, but I'm hearing that talks between the Chicago Blackhawks and star forwards Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are going very well and that both sides are close to a deal. Both players are slated for restricted free agency July 1, and other GMs were salivating at the chance at plunking down offer sheets for them, but that's not going to happen. I would expect an announcement sometime in the next two weeks.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4655239&name=lebrun_pierre

There has been no news about this from any of the primary hockey media sources in Chicago, so maybe Lebrun knows something Tim Sassone and Chris Kuc--who are the writers closest to the Hawks' front office--don't.

Or maybe this is just a rumour.

In any event, it shouldn't surprise anyone if Stan Bowman signs Toews and Kane to contract extensions.

People can speculate all they want about what that might or might not mean.



And have a good night, everyone.

What kind of numbers are we looking at here?

Do they both go in the 7 range, or a bit lower towards 6?

LeBrun was asked about numbers but he did not know those details. I guess it all depends on how long "long term" is. Are we talking "Blackhawk for life" long or 5-6 years long?

Crozby/Malkin numbers?

In terms of length, or money? Because neither Kane nor Toews comes close to Crosby or Malkin IMO.

I would think Carter/Richards money is fair.