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Martin Havlat(notes) has agreed to be the historically fragile offensive talent to replace another historically fragile offensive talent for the Minnesota Wild, signing a six-year, $30 million contract this evening according to the Star Tribune. 

Havlat leaves the Chicago Blackhawks after three seasons, his best (and healthiest) coming in 2008-09 with 77 points in 81 games to help lead the Hawks to the Western Conference finals. He had 15 points in 16 playoff games as well.

Sniff, sniff ... anyone else smell smoke? That's the bridge to Chicago that Havlat might be igniting soon, according to his official Twitter feed. The following appeared after the Wild signing:

"Excited to be in Minny where I was welcomed and appreciated by management. The real story about what happened in Chicago to come out."

And later:

"There's something to be said for loyalty and honor."

Well, that didn't come off too bitter. The Blackhawk's long-term commitment to Marian Hossa(notes) likely spelled the end for Havlat in the Windy City. And at 6-foot-1, he obviously was over the height requirement to be signed by the Montreal Canadiens.

As for Minnesota, they're getting a quality two-way player coming off a massively successful contract year. He led the Blackhawks with 2.89 points per 60 minutes in 81 games -- that's killer. Hard to imagine how he'll hit those numbers again in Minnesota, but 60-65 points and the ability to make his linemates better makes this a good hockey move.

Financially ... well, the cap hit's about right considering how Marian Gaborik(notes) reset the market earlier in the day after leaving the Wild for the New York Rangers. It's actually a lower hit than he had on his last deal with Chicago ($6 million). But for all the puckheads screaming about how five years for Gaborik is too long for someone that F-R-A-G-I-L-E ... how's six years for Marty Havlat treatin' you?

Michael Russo of the Star Tribune also writes that Saku Koivu(notes) is sleeping on an offer from the Wild tonight. Well, not literally ... staples and paper cuts. He'd never get to sleep.

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40 Comments

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  1. big audio
    1. Posted by big audio Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:01 am EDT

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    Havlat and the Hawks for some unknown reasons just never quite hit it off together. Like Gaborik, he's a risk, but all free-agency is a roll of the dice, really. And maybe now with a healthy season gone by, he can string a few more healthy seasons together.
  2. HotStacey
    2. Posted by HotStacey Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:04 am EDT

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    ouch. if he'd have kept his head up he might have had a return stay. can't have someone getting hurt all the time. oh well.
  3. Mazarin
    3. Posted by Mazarin Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:07 am EDT

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    Wow Marty. Tell us how you really feel! I hope he stays healthy, but I'd be scared @ that 6 year contract if I were Minn. And way to be professional there Mr. Havlat. Sounds like someone who got dumped just before prom...
  4. Craig D
    4. Posted by Craig D Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:14 am EDT

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    does this mean....at 12"13am on july 2 the sens are on the hook for the 4 million dollar Heatley Bonus? Bwaaa haaa haaaaaaaaa ....tools!!
  5. Tony M
    5. Posted by Tony M Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:19 am EDT

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    Cheaper than Gabby with more games played, and better stats. Good riddance! Good to have you Marty!
  6. Justin J
    6. Posted by Justin J Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:29 am EDT

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    I agree. The guys do have similar track records since they both started in the NHL in 2000-01. However I think Havlat at $5M is a much better deal than Gaborik at $7.5M. Havlat at least played 77 games last year. It may be replacing one problem with another, but I just don't see Havlat Demanding 10 years for $80M when this contract's up.
  7. NHL_SharksFinatic
    7. Posted by NHL_SharksFinatic Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:36 am EDT

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    Havlat.. nice addition. Gaborik.... who? Might as well get a guy who you know will be able play.. unless that check in the playoffs messed up his head....
  8. alec b
    8. Posted by alec b Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:37 am EDT

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    Eh, at list his twitter feed should be more interesting than Kevin Weeks's.
  9. Zachary K
    9. Posted by Zachary K Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:38 am EDT

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    "Well, not literally ... staples and paper cuts. He'd never get to sleep."
    groooooooan
  10. Justin J
    10. Posted by Justin J Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:46 am EDT

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    I'm curious what went down in Chicago?
  11. Ryan C
    11. Posted by Ryan C Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:55 am EDT

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    Wow. It's too bad he feels that way. I think if Marty would have taken a one year deal with the Hawks today as a "prove you can do it again" contract, the long-term off would have come along with Towes, Kane and Kieth next year.
    But, I wish him nothing but the very best, I'll give him a standing O when he comes back to the UC next season. Then I hope we kick his ass 4 times next year.
  12. miah
    12. Posted by miah Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:55 am EDT

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    I find it a tad humorous that the Habs just paid Brian Gionta the same money that Minny just paid Havlat. I think if I were the Habs, I would rather have Havlat...though there are questions about his durability. Also, who thinks Francois Beauchemin is worth north of $4.5M per? That's almost Havlat money!
  13. Tundra Man
    13. Posted by Tundra Man Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:56 am EDT

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    I'd rather have Hossa than Havlat on my roster. Except for the Stanley Cup curse Hossa brings to the table. That one is brutal. And Gaborik to the Rangers? Seems like a pretty desperate move by the blueshirts to become relevant in the East by overpaying for irrelevant superstars (once again, and again, and again, and again...).
  14. miah
    14. Posted by miah Thu Jul 02, 2009 1:00 am EDT

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    Havlat has no story. He's probably just po'd b/c they went after Hossa as his replacement PRIOR to offering him a a contract. I guess he has a right to be miffed, he's like the second hottest chick at a bar around last call.
  15. habs1rule
    15. Posted by habs1rule Thu Jul 02, 2009 1:05 am EDT

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    Notice how when you draft well, and have a GM and owner that knows what its doing, you dont have to get too involved in this Free Agency frenzy...Want proof, just look at two of the more Quieter teams the last day....Pittsburgh and Detroit!!
  16. Derek F
    16. Posted by Derek F Thu Jul 02, 2009 1:43 am EDT

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    word to the wise. every free agent signed longterm is "fragile." Such an overused word.
  17. Gig
    17. Posted by Gig Thu Jul 02, 2009 2:54 am EDT

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    I'm an ardent Blackhawk fan who is very sad to see Marty Havlat go. He's loaded with talent which includes blazing speed. While several of the Hawks' younger guys may have more upside, Marty was our best player. If he plays "soft" I think it's because he's favoring a tender area like his shoulder or some other body part, but I suppose everyone who plays "soft" is afraid of either getting hurt or getting more hurt. The Kronwall hit was just a fluky bad break. Almost any player would have put his head down momentarily to locate a puck that was sliding in a silly manner. Still, last season was his only full season in the NHL. That does say something I'm afraid. By the way, forget about using him for shootouts however. His approach in regular season shootouts is poor.
    There was always something going on between Havlat and management that didn't seem right. Perhaps it came to a head over these recent negotiations. I am happy that we wound up with the best overall player available in free agency in Marian Hossa who has also shown himself to be very durable and hopefully will have leadership qualities that Marty just didn't quite have. That wasn't his personality although his teammates liked him.
    Marty, if you read this, good luck with the Wild my friend. It's too bad that team has resembled hardly anything I saw in the North Stars. Jacque Lemaire couldn't have had a more boring team to watch and play against.
  18. Jeff S
    18. Posted by Jeff S Thu Jul 02, 2009 4:32 am EDT

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    Marian Gaborik, good riddens to bad rubbish!
  19. James A
    19. Posted by James A Thu Jul 02, 2009 6:03 am EDT

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    @ #5 n i c e
  20. ATP
    20. Posted by ATP Thu Jul 02, 2009 8:06 am EDT

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    Good luck to Marty in Minny. He played very well for the Hawks when he wasn't hurt. Wish he would have signed a one year deal they were offering him, but can't blame a guy with his history wanting more security.
  21. DON_DOC_IN
    21. Posted by DON_DOC_IN Thu Jul 02, 2009 8:12 am EDT

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    It is ok marty! keep your head up, you'll be fine...................
  22. David R
    22. Posted by David R Thu Jul 02, 2009 8:52 am EDT

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    As a Hawks fan I like the move. They essentially traded Havlat for Hossa. They picked up a more durable, physical presence and a more experienced playoff guy (despite the curse.) The Hawks tried to sign Marty but when they couldn't get together they got Hosaa. Good job Dale Tallon. If Marty wants to cry about loyalty look in the mirror dude. You got paid pretty well for sitting at home the bulk of the previous 2 years. Is it a coincidence that he had his best season in a contract year? I think not.
  23. Whale4ever
    23. Posted by Whale4ever Thu Jul 02, 2009 9:12 am EDT

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    Awesome!
  24. Johnny
    24. Posted by Johnny Thu Jul 02, 2009 9:28 am EDT

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    I hate to see him go, but I agree with David R, about the contract year point.

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