Who’s Signing ‘Graphs at the ‘Hawks Con?

The Blackhawks still haven’t confirmed exactly WHO will be signing autographs at the 2010 Blackhawks Convention–or Hawks Con, as I’m gonna call it–this weekend. According to a source of mine, the team won’t let fans know until the convention actually starts on Friday.

Many of the players who are usually at the convention won’t be this year because they got traded away. Adam Burish, Cam Barker, Ben Eager, Brent Sopel, Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd and Kris Versteeg will not be at Hawks Con like they were the past 2 years.

It is doubtful that Cristobal Huet will be showing his face around Chicago, considering that he is all but confirmed to be sent to the minors so his $5.25 million dollar salary doesn’t count against the salary cap.

And sadly, Bob Probert passed away earlier this month. He seemed to enjoy being at last year’s Hawks Con, and would probably have attended the show this year.

However, some of the panelists were announced on the ‘Hawks website, so we can assume a good number of these active and former players will be signing at the convention:

  • Patrick Kane
  • Jonathan Toews
  • Duncan Keith
  • Brent Seabrook
  • Brian Campbell
  • Patrick Sharp
  • Ed Olczyk
  • Denis Savard
  • Troy Murray
  • Bill Hay
  • Bobby Hull
  • Dennis Hull
  • Stan Mikita
  • Tony Esposito
  • Pierre Pilote
  • Glenn Hall
  • Joel Quenneville
  • Mike Haviland
  • Mike Kitchen

Now, you’re probably wondering, “Where the hell is Annti Niemi? Why isn’t he going to be at Hawks Con?”

Niemi is due for a raise–somewhere in the $3 million dollar range a la Jaroslav Halak–and might not be a ‘Hawk much longer. Today is his arbitration hearing, which will impact whether he will sign with the Blackhawks or walk as a UFA.

Attending the Hawks Con is probably the furthest thing on Niemi’s mind right now.

mm

Author: Sal Barry

Sal Barry is the editor and webmaster of Puck Junk. He is a freelance hockey writer, college professor and terrible hockey player. Follow him on Twitter @puckjunk

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *