The NHLPA Has Filed A Grievance For Versteeg and Barker

While it was announced earlier today that the Blackhawks signed restricted free agents Troy Brouwer, Ben Eager, and Colin Fraser there are still problems for the team stemming from last week's botched contract offers.

The NHL was fine with the Blackhawks and Dale Tallon's story of what happened and then sent the case to the NHLPA and now word has come down through the Twitters that the NHLPA has filed a grievance on behalf of both Kris Versteeg and Cam Barker.

"In response to various media inquiries, the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) confirms today that it has filed a grievance regarding the failure of the Chicago Blackhawks to submit Qualifying Offers to its 2009 Restricted Free Agents prior to the deadline stipulated in the CBA. The NHLPA will make no further comment on the matter, which is now pending before the Impartial Arbitrator," said Jonathan Weatherdon, NHLPA Spokesperson.

What that means is that it's now possible that both Versteeg and Barker could become unrestricted free agents, which means the Hawks will have to pay market value to keep both in Chicago. Which could really throw a wrench in the plans to keep the core of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith in Chicago next season when all three of them become restricted free agents.

Needless to say, this is not good news.

UPDATE: Well this is interesting, according to The Fourth Period Cam Barker has signed a three-year deal worth $9.25 million with the Blackhawks. More on this when I hear anything official.