Chicago Blackhawks Trade Dustin Byfuglien, Ben Eager and Brent Sopel To Atlanta

According to ESPN.com, the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks have traded Dustin Byfuglien, Ben Eager, Brent Sopel and a prospect to the Atlanta Thrashers for a first-round pick, a second-round pick, prospect Jeremy Morin and forward Marty Reasoner.

The blockbuster trade awaits league approval.

Clearly, this was a move the Blackhawks were forced into by the team's salary cap issues. Goalie Antti Niemi is going to need a raise and Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith all signed long-term contracts.

On the agenda next for tough Blackhawks decisions is whether or not to keep the high contracts of Patrick Sharp and Kris Versteeg.

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