Oh, #@#$@%$&^%&#^!!!!!!

Well, at least the Blackhawks don't have to worry about the salary cap anymore....

The Hawks have reportedly traded Buffy, Sopel, Eager and solid prospect Akim Aliu to the Atlanta Thrashers for the 24th and 54th draft picks overall, as well as center Marty Reasoner and left wing Jeremy Morin.

Ouch.

Well, nobody said that dealing with the salary cap problem wasn't going to hurt. It's a given that Cristobel Huet will be either waived or banished to Rockford. Together with this move, the salary cap problem , at least, is history.

But... ouch. The loss of Byfuglien is especially going to hurt, and I've always liked Ben Eager. Aliu- who will be, I believe, the NHL's first Nigerian player- is a better prospect than Morin, who projects as a second line forward (Aliu will probably play on Atlanta's first line).

Though not without wincing, I think I would have traded Kris Versteeg, whom the Islanders reportedly wanted, before parting with Buffy. Let's hope Bowman knows what he's doing.

ADDENDUM: I spoke too soon. Seems that the Hawks will have to make even more room under the cap in order to give Niemi, Norris winner Duncan Keith, et al their raises.