Confirmed - Niemi awarded 2.75 million

[dash]

If true, that's a great number for the Hawks...

 

[Comeds]

Wow, a lot lower than I expected. They have to keep him for that don't they?

 

[pixburgher66]

how in the world does a stanley cup winning goalie get awarded under 3 mil, when Tim Kennedy was awarded 1 mil. Hawks luck out here...but they still need to move salary regardless.

 

[dash]

Wow, a lot lower than I expected. They have to keep him for that don't they?

I think you do what you can to keep Niemi at that bargain price...

 

[CatScrap]

He is still a rookie and for the most part untested. The arbitrator probably saw that he had a beast of a team in front of him all year, the fact he has no previous track record, and his age and gave him a medium salary.

Assuming it is a 1 year deal, I think it is a fair deal for both sides. Chicago can afford him, and see if he is the real deal or a one year wonder who road an amazing team to the cup, and Niemi gets a fair amount of cash for 1 year plus the ability to prove he is worth more and sign a lucrative contract next year.

Good decision IMO

 

[dash]

He is still a rookie and for the most part untested. The arbitrator probably saw that he had a beast of a team in front of him all year, the fact he has no previous track record, and his age and gave him a medium salary.

I wonder if the arbitrator considered the fact that Niemi took over for a guy in Huet who is making more than double what he decided to award...

 

[puckhead]

Wow, a lot lower than I expected. They have to keep him for that don't they?

no, that magic number for being able to walk away is over $1.66m.
presumably they SHOULD keep him for that, though.

still doesn't save Bolland / Sharp if my math is correct,
just allows for a couple of $800k 3rd liners, instead of all $500k deals.

 

[CatScrap]

I wonder if the arbitrator considered the fact that Niemi took over for a guy in Huet who is making more than double what he decided to award...

Just because he took over for a guy making that much, doesn't mean that person is worth what he was making. There are plenty of examples of players throughout the NHL who are paid way more than what they produce. You can't use these players as examples during ANY arbitration hearing. That would be like comparing your player going through arbitration to Yashin's contract that was bought out. You just can't do it.

 

[dash]

Just because he took over for a guy making that much, doesn't mean that person is worth what he was making. There are plenty of examples of players throughout the NHL who are paid way more than what they produce. You can't use these players as examples during ANY arbitration hearing.

Hmmm...You sure about that? I took the following right out of the current NHL CBA document (Section 12.9 (g) as evidence both parties can provide. The following two paragraphs in particular:

the overall contribution of the Player to the competitive
success or failure of his Club in the preceding season

The compensation of any Player(s) who is alleged to be
comparable to the party Player, provided, however, that in
applying this or any of the above subparagraphs, the Salary
Arbitrator shall not consider a Player(s) to be comparable
to the party Player unless a party to the arbitration has
contended that the Player(s) is comparable; nor shall the
Salary Arbitrator consider the compensation or
performance of a Player(s) unless a party to the arbitration
has contended that the Player(s) is comparable.

Last I checked, Huet and Niemi are goalies on the same team. I don't think you can find a better comparable than that. As far as the Hawks success is concerned, find me a Hawks fan who think they're hoisting Lord Stanley's mug with Huet between the pipes.

Lastly, why mention Yashin?!? He's not a) a goalie and b) even in the NHL

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying he should have been awarded 5 million or even 4 million, but based on his play last season, at least 3 and even as high as 3.5 million would not have been out of line. In my opinion, the Hawks received a very favorable ruling from the arbitrator.

 

[scottflyers88]

i read yesterday that people though he could get 3 or 4 mil. i hope this is out of chicagos price range and the flyers can take him.

 

[h X c Chris]

Good deal for Chicago...if only they had a little more pocket change to sign him. Oh the suffering!

 

[TOX1]

i read yesterday that people though he could get 3 or 4 mil. i hope this is out of chicagos price range and the flyers can take him.

2nd

 

[Eddie_Shack]

Not a bad deal, but still a huge wild card. Niemi put up OK numbers behind a powerhouse team without really being handed the reigns until the playoffs rolled around. To me he looks like a solid young goalie with decent confidence, nice size, and slightly above average reflexes and positioning. He could suck next year, he could step it up and command a big new contract... while before the ruling I expected him to get more, in hindsight it looks more than fair.