Arbitrating News: Chicago Blackhawks, Antti Niemi Ruling Announced

[Savoir_Faire_18]

While the story obviously is in development, the NHL arbitrator recently awarded Antti Niemi and his agent Bill Zito the amount of $2,750,000.

A night after many Chicago Blackhawks contingent announced a one-year, $1.5 million contract for Marty Turco, pending the ruling of this decision, it is a look into what direction the Blackhawks may go.

Read full story: Arbitrating News: Chicago Blackhawks, Antti Niemi Ruling Announced | Chi City Sports l Chicago Sports News - Blog - Message Board - Fans

 

[tbo41fan]

Deleted other thread so Savoir's story is first and we now know it's official.

Continue discussion!

 

[EnjoyYourTiger]

Well, weren't the Hawks planning his arbitration amount to be between 3 and 4 mil? So potentially Niemi could be resigned for this amount, right? Or are there still spots on the third and fourth line that need to be filled?

 

[tbo41fan]

we CAN fit him under the cap with this cap hit, but we will be dangerously close to the salary cap

 

[tbo41fan]

I still say save the 1.25mil and sign turco for 1.5mil

 

[EnjoyYourTiger]

gotcha. well i really want Niemi to stick around. the thought of Huet back in the net sort of scares me. haha.

 

[tbo41fan]

he wont be either way. We are over the cap right now with huet's contract on the books.

Bowman said that Huet wont be with the hawks next year

 

[DewsSox79]

latarian is watching

 

[tbo41fan]

LOL
dude, i wont be able to look at your posts anymore.....ill laugh my ass off. lol

 

[DewsSox79]

rofl

 

[tbo41fan]

Hood rat!

 

[DewsSox79]

i hope we walk away from niemi

 

[tbo41fan]

yep

me too

 

[derosabomb]

yeah that stupid finn

 

[tbo41fan]

from all indications i read, the hawks were going to sign him as long as his cap number was below 3 mil

 

[N3]

Im confused, you want to walk away from Niemi because he is asking for 2.75 and sign Turco as a stop gap for a year?

So what do we do next year? Sit around and hope that another good goalie comes available?

 

[Captain Iago]

Im confused, you want to walk away from Niemi because he is asking for 2.75 and sign Turco as a stop gap for a year?

So what do we do next year? Sit around and hope that another good goalie comes available?

Sounds like that's what they're going to do. Maybe give another year of seasoning for Crawford to become the #1. Yuch.

 

[N3]

Via Twitter:

NHLSourcesSay

Hawks will NOT be keeping Niemi im told, if they decide to sign him its strictly for a trade. Oilers and Capitals will pursue "hard"...

 

[N3]

Sounds like that's what they're going to do. Maybe give another year of seasoning for Crawford to become the #1. Yuch.

Thats Special person. We all know that the Cap space should...SHOULD be better next year, so why not pay him the 2.75 and if he repeats his performance then you go into talks with him about a long term deal?

 

[EnjoyYourTiger]

Thats Special person. We all know that the Cap space should...SHOULD be better next year, so why not pay him the 2.75 and if he repeats his performance then you go into talks with him about a long term deal?

exactly. i just don't think letting niemi walk is smart. 2.75 mil is a little extensive, but reasonable for a net minder like him.