Hawks to walk away from Niemi award

[pixburgher66]

#Blackhawks confirm they are walking away from Antti's Niemi's arbitration award and have signed Marty Turco to a one-year contract.

this from Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune...a lot of hockey insiders are shush about this, but Kuc is the hockey writer in Chi-town

 

[pixburgher66]

so this is confirmed, 1.75 mil for turco 1 year. looks like they'll demote Huet, save that money and still only have a little money to sign the rest of their team (along with bringing up crawford to be backup)

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Not really surprised pix. They were in such cap shit they almost had to do it. Just wonder how much of a drop off the Hawks will have next year.

 

[dash]

I guess after the arbitrator handed down his ruling, the Hawks suddenly became anti-Niemi...

 

[dash]

Eight of 20 players that dressed for the Hawks in Game 6 of SCF are no longer with Chicago -- Niemi, Byfuglien, Ladd, Versteeg, Madden, Sopel, Eager, and Boynton.

However, they still have Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabrook, Hossa, Sharp, and Campbell. The core still looks strong.

 

[awaz]

i think turco is gunna have a good season and many teams will be upset they didnt get him.. just a hunch

also.. paul holmgren has gotta be kicking himself for signing leighton to 1.55 before free agency started.. niemi at 2.75, mason at 1.85, biron at 875k, ellis at 1.5.. id take all those combinations of contract/player over leighton at 1.55

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Eight of 20 players that dressed for the Hawks in Game 6 of SCF are no longer with Chicago -- Niemi, Byfuglien, Ladd, Versteeg, Madden, Sopel, Eager, and Boynton.

However, they still have Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabrook, Hossa, Sharp, and Campbell. The core still looks strong.

I agree the core is strong but, Those roll players usually play a huge part during the playoffs.

 

[devs30rko]

I guess after the arbitrator handed down his ruling, the Hawks suddenly became anti-Niemi...

rep.

 

[pixburgher66]

they have a strong core still yes, but they still lost 8 players (9 soon with huet going down) including both of their goalies, buff who was arguably their best playoff performer, and a handful of solid role players. they're still going to get into the playoffs, but they're a LONG shot for the cup now IMO.

 

[h X c Chris]

I agree the core is strong but, Those roll players usually play a huge part during the playoffs.

Their role players are the main reason they won the Cup. I didnt even see Toews in the finals, and only saw Kane twice...

 

[puckhead]

i think turco is gunna have a good season and many teams will be upset they didnt get him.. just a hunch

also.. paul holmgren has gotta be kicking himself for signing leighton to 1.55 before free agency started.. niemi at 2.75, mason at 1.85, biron at 875k, ellis at 1.5.. id take all those combinations of contract/player over leighton at 1.55

I have the same hunch. just seemed like a fresh start would do him good after the clusterfuck that was dallas' season last year.

that list of goalies sure makes the $1.5m that NJ paid to a 37 year old Johan Hedberg look expensive (especially for sitting behind Marty for 70 games).


I am surprised that Chi walked away at that price. well, there's the ~$3m contract they needed to get rid of (instead of Bolland or Sharp). Its going to be interesting to see what he signs for elsewhere, as that seemed like a favourable award for Chi.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Their role players are the main reason they won the Cup. I didnt even see Toews in the finals, and only saw Kane twice...

This happens a lot. I have seen it over the years many times. You really need the grunt guys come playoff time.

BTW, How ya been bro?

 

[h X c Chris]

I'm alright, and yourself?

I'm working in San Jose right now, i'll probably be in Miami by the end of the week. Hopefully I can show some of my anti-NBA love to that community when I get there >=D

 

[BOSSMANPC]

I'm alright, and yourself?

I'm working in San Jose right now, i'll probably be in Miami by the end of the week. Hopefully I can show some of my anti-NBA love to that community when I get there >=D

I'm doing Okay. SJ eh? Now you're a Sharks fan?

 

[h X c Chris]

I've always liked the Kings more than the Sharks, i'm even more of a fan of all the asian ladies around here!

 

[awaz]

I'm alright, and yourself?

I'm working in San Jose right now, i'll probably be in Miami by the end of the week. Hopefully I can show some of my anti-NBA love to that community when I get there >=D

if you can muster up some extra, show some for me too please

 

[puckhead]

so this is confirmed, 1.75 mil for turco 1 year. looks like they'll demote Huet, save that money and still only have a little money to sign the rest of their team (along with bringing up crawford to be backup)

TSN shows it as $1.3m, which makes a difference.
waive Huet, and they can afford to fill out the roster with five more $600k players.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

I've always liked the Kings more than the Sharks, i'm even more of a fan of all the asian ladies around here!

Well send a few of them over to me. Help your old buddy out here I will even stock up on some yens.

 

[pixburgher66]

I'm alright, and yourself?

I'm working in San Jose right now, i'll probably be in Miami by the end of the week. Hopefully I can show some of my anti-NBA love to that community when I get there >=D

hahaha, please give miami my regards...and by regards i mean, tell them i hope they never win another championship and that the NBA is a joke. k thanks!

 

[h X c Chris]

Well I was going to start my speech off as "as much as I hate the Lakers..." i'll be sure to mix your hate in with mine. Id rather see the Lakers win for 10 years straight than that squad of douche.