Blackhawks sign Sami Lepisto

[Ton]

The sooner the Caps get rid of Semin the better off they are. If I were the Hawks I would steer clear of that lazy bastard.

 

[bubbleheadchief]

When Lepisto was in DC, I was never imprressed by him. Not syaing he sucks or anythign, just never made any kind of an impression on me.....really he spent more time in Hershey then up in DC anyway.



It just seems the rumors about Semin being on the trade block have existed forever. And to be honest, every trade deadline I was suprised he stayed in a Caps sweater. He's selfish with the puck and hits like a girl. The one thing I have aways hated about him was he was bound and determined to prove to everyone he could skate through the entire opposition to score, instead of hitting his linemates that were open (I think only having only 2 more career assists then goals kind of proves my point with this). Everyone who sat around us at the VC used to always ***** about Nylander and his dipsey-doo, weaving in and out with the puck never passing, and screamed for his head (it's why he ended up buried in the "A"), yet never said shit when Sasha did it.

 

[sth]

When Lepisto was in DC, I was never imprressed by him. Not syaing he sucks or anythign, just never made any kind of an impression on me.....really he spent more time in Hershey then up in DC anyway.



It just seems the rumors about Semin being on the trade block have existed forever. And to be honest, every trade deadline I was suprised he stayed in a Caps sweater. He's selfish with the puck and hits like a girl. The one thing I have aways hated about him was he was bound and determined to prove to everyone he could skate through the entire opposition to score, instead of hitting his linemates that were open (I think only having only 2 more career assists then goals kind of proves my point with this). Everyone who sat around us at the VC used to always ***** about Nylander and his dipsey-doo, weaving in and out with the puck never passing, and screamed for his head (it's why he ended up buried in the "A"), yet never said shit when Sasha did it.

They didn't like Nylander's button hooks? How could they not love his little curls on the ice. I think he could of easily made the transition to figure skating.

 

[Ashor-redtribe]

This is from July 8th.

thats funny, cause I saw an article today on TSN and were all teams are at as far as the cap room. Calgary was at the limit and could not make any more moves. And very likely if they are out of the playoff picture by trade dead line they would shed some of the salary by dumping certain players....



This from TSN.

No Room At The Top:



Buffalo Sabres - $63,945,357

Washington Capitals - $63,905,128

Pittsburgh Penguins - $62,737,500

Philadelphia Flyers - $62,722,261

Calgary Flames - $61,008,334

Vancouver Canucks - $60,408,333

 

[JOVE23]

@TimSassone Tim Sassone

NHLPA lists Lepisto's salary at $750,000. #blackhawks

 

[Ashor-redtribe]

Dubinsky is coming to Chicago, for Lipisto and picks along with another player.... you will not find this anywhere. you heared it here, from me. With Dubinsky at center we are done.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

Dubinsky is coming to Chicago, for Lipisto and picks along with another player.... you will not find this anywhere. you heared it here, from me. With Dubinsky at center we are done.

I been sayin that for over a month now. At least the Dubinsky part... but I doubt Lepisto is going to NYR. More likely it would be Campoli.

 

[MassHavoc]

It is interesting, that at nothing else they've put them in a much better seat for the Campoli arbitration now. If they don't like the number they can walk away with plenty of people signed. If they don't like the number they can accept it and trade (except I feel like there is a rule about this? can't trade for a year or something?). And if they do like the number they just sign him and have lots of options. With what some of the d-men just got signed for Campoli will have to come out looking like a bargin for any team, hawks and others alike. At 775k this is a pretty good move. Puts some pressure on Campoli too if he doesn't want to leave.

 

[MassHavoc]

Well... nevermind... I mean it's not set in stone him being gone... but disregard.

 

[Ashor-redtribe]

I been sayin that for over a month now. At least the Dubinsky part... but I doubt Lepisto is going to NYR. More likely it would be Campoli.

I was there with you on that Dubinsky talk, it makes all the sense to make that move, he is what we need and we are prob. waiting to see the Rangers out come if they are headed to arb. or not. With other key players that they need to sign and Richards on board. Someone will be shown the door and I'm thinking its him. last missing piece to our puzzle along with signing sharp to a long term deal.

 

[Shredder]

In theory, I know who Lepisto is, but not really... Still, I think I like him more at $775k than Campoli at, say, $2.5 million (times x years).



We're really going to have some no-foolin' flexibility going forward this season. Better be sure it's not flexibility at the expense of talent, though. I'd rather not be in the same struggle we were last season trying to make the playoffs, even if the incumbent core is Cup-caliber.

 

[the canadian dream]

Okay not a horrible signing. Makes the Campoli departure a little easier to swallow.

 

[PatrickShart]

And you know how to swallow things easily



Great signing for 750K - and he wanted to be a Blackhawk. You'd think Campoli would have liked to play for a good team after the NYI or OTT. Have fun with a shitbag team, greaseball.

 

[PatrickShart]

Hawks have 24 players signed...with 3.1mil available still

 

[Rex]

Stats are similar to Campoli, but A much better +/- I'll take it.

 

[CLWolf81]

And you know how to swallow things easily



Great signing for 750K - and he wanted to be a Blackhawk. You'd think Campoli would have liked to play for a good team after the NYI or OTT. Have fun with a shitbag team, greaseball.

Commitment is what I look for in players. Big plus with Lepisto. If you want to win here, you win as a team, and that means a lot of players have to take cuts to get a shot. Glad Lepisto understands that.



Love what he brings to the table, great signing, great amount... Stan's getting on my good side again.



Losing Campoli is going to suck on the offensive end of things, but as everyone else said, Leddy's progression and Montador's signing makes Campoli expendable.



As we've learned over the years, big dollars doesn't win you a Cup, and if that's all Campoli wants, then sucks to be him. Sounds like he's more committed to other things, and not to us. Good bye, good luck and don't let the door hit you on the way out!

 

[roshinaya]

There's an interview with Lepistö making the rounds in the newspapers here, where he says that this is his last chance to show that he belongs in the NHL. If he doesn't succeed he would need to find something else to do, so it seems Lepistö will be motivated to play for that next NHL contract. He said he had inquires from both the NHL and Europe but after speaking with Bowman, who said good things and explained the situation on the team, he decided to sign with the Hawks and he mentions that Chicago has always been one of his favourite places in the US with a lot of good restaurants and things to do. He said he is looking to show that he can play a bigger role and looks to improve his consistency to play good games. The article also mentions that after Seabs, Keith and Hammer the spots are open and he will be looking to get a top spot to play more minutes.



Having signed these players for a one-year contract will make them play for that next contract or if they are older for that crowning jewel to perhaps finish of their careers. I think it's a good strategy by Bowman and hopefully it will pay off.

 

[Ton]

Great points Rosh about the one-year deals. Seems like this team is motivated to get things going and it's still July, it's a great sign.

 

[PatrickShart]

I agree..and it gives that year for guys like Beach, Lalonde, Olsen...to see their progress.

 

[PatrickShart]

For our fans who haven’t watched you before, how would you describe your game?

I would say that my game is trying to make plays; I try to get the easy pass to the forwards and use my skating – which I think is pretty good – to my benefit. I like to join the rush once in a while, but I also know to let the forwards do their thing. That’s my game.



What made you choose Chicago?

I’ve always really liked the city, first of all; it’s always been one of my favorite road cities and the team is great. It’s a great organization and all I hear is great things from other players. The building is always sold out, and the fans are really passionate. I love hearing that national anthem before the game; I always get shivers. It was an easy choice.



Can you talk about the discussions behind the scenes? When did you first find out the Blackhawks were interested in your services?

There were a couple other teams involved, but then when I heard Chicago might be interested I got pretty excited. I just wanted to see where that would go. That was pretty much it; when I heard Chicago, I told my agent that was the place. I was happy.



Which new teammate are you most looking forward to playing with?

The Blackhawks have really great defensemen in Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, but there are also great forwards like Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa. It’s tough playing against all of them, so it’s nice to play on the same team for a while.



Have you discussed what number you’re going to wear here?

Not yet, no. I’m not sure – I haven’t even looked into it yet. We’ll see what we can come up with.



Did you have a favorite player growing up?

I liked watching Kimmo Timonen and Teppo Numminen on the Finnish team. I didn’t watch the NHL that closely when I was growing up. But they were the guys I looked up to, and still do.



You just won Gold at the 2011 IIHF World Championships with the Finnish team. Is there anything you’re hoping to take away from that experience that may help your game over here?

I don’t know, really. That was the first time for a while that I played on an Olympic-sized rink, so it was a little different than playing in North America. The last time I went to the World Championships they were in Quebec and the Olympics were in Vancouver, so it was different. The style of play is so different. Of course, it was unbelievable to win, but I don’t know that it really helped my game on a smaller rink. You learn how to win, but at the same time it’s a bit of a different game.



I hear you’re getting your day with the World Championship trophy tomorrow… what are your plans for it?

Actually, I have it right now. I was supposed to get it tomorrow, but something changed and it came early. I’m going to have a little party with my friends tomorrow. Right now, I’m driving to my parents’ place to show it to my little brothers. I’m looking at it right now in my rear-view mirror; it’s pretty exciting. It’s nice to have the extra day, too