May 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Johnny Oduya (27) tries to take the puck away from Los Angeles Kings right wing Dustin Brown (23) during game two of the Western Conference Final of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

After the Blackhawks signed Brad Richards, everyone knew the Blackhawks had an issue. They are over the salary cap. The Blackhawks are currently 2,216,795 over the salary cap. Most people including me would love for the Blackhawks to jettison Kris Versteeg, and while Versteeg was awful this season and did not yield the kind of results the Blackhawks had hoped he’s still on the roster. Now the Blackhawks are over the salary cap and Versteeg should be moved along with another player to make the move work. HOWEVER moving Versteeg might be a pipe dream. The Blackhawks will not be able to move Versteeg because HE was so bad last season. Versteeg put up a career worst in all of his offensive categories, and That makes his value very low.

The Blackhawks need to shed salary, but Stan Bowman also hopes to get something in return. Versteeg would not yield anything in return from any SMART team. That is why Johnny Oduya needs to be moved. Oduya is still a top four defenseman on the right team. Oduya put up three goals and 13 assists during 77 games last season,and Oduya was a plus/minus 11 for the season with the Blackhawks. Oduya is healthy and a good player that could help solve some Blackhawks cap issues.

Hockey news forecast Kris Versteeg as a solid, versatile scoring forward, while Johnny Oduya is forecasts as a mobile defensive defenseman. Ultimately it comes down to thing that controls most things in life, MONEY. Oduya is due 3,3 million dollars next season. While Versteeg is due 2,2 million next season. If the Blackhawks want some salary cap flexibility, they need to move Oduya. I would love to see Versteeg go instead of Oduya, but Oduya is the better chip in the market.

What do you think of the Hawks possibly moving Oduya?

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