Niemis Arbitration

[Ton]

[quote name="R K"]





Our top four this year are exactly the Same. If you think Cullimore, Scott, Lalonde, Vishnevskiy would be much different than Sopel-Hendry your nuts.



Our defense, ALL SIX will still be in the top of the NHL.[/quote]



Not sure I have much confidence in that bottom pairing, but we'll see. I wouldn't say our top 6 got any better, while Phillys most certainly did improve. All I'm saying is there is no way Turco thought Philly was THAT much worse defensively after making all those moves and improving that area to turn down their offer, it has to be the term.



I hope we get Hendry to re-sign because that would at least give us some stability. Not sure Scott, Lalonde, Vish, or Cullimore can fill the void of Sopel by blocking so many shots. If Philly burned out their top 4 I would think we would have a similar issue if our bottom pairing can't step up to the plate, and right now it is a question.

 

[Ton]

[quote name="Larmer83"]

Agreed with the exception of the Theodore part.



In the playoffs the last two seasons, Theodore was pulled faster than a 14 year old boy with his first copy of Playboy.[/quote]



While that may be true, he certainly did not get enough help in front of him. I thought he played well enough, the problem was the Caps defense had hung him out to dry several times, especially this year.

 

[Guest]

[quote name="Ton"]



Not sure I have much confidence in that bottom pairing, but we'll see. I wouldn't say our top 6 got any better, while Phillys most certainly did improve. All I'm saying is there is no way Turco thought Philly was THAT much worse defensively after making all those moves and improving that area to turn down their offer, it has to be the term.



I hope we get Hendry to re-sign because that would at least give us some stability. Not sure Scott, Lalonde, Vish, or Cullimore can fill the void of Sopel by blocking so many shots. If Philly burned out their top 4 I would think we would have a similar issue if our bottom pairing can't step up to the plate, and right now it is a question.[/quote]





about the only thing Cullimore is very good at is PK. Similar to Sopel.



Sorry Sopel-Hendry verses the others does not bother me much. Especially when your other four guys are consistently capable of 25 minutes plus per night.

 

[bubbleheadchief]

[quote name="Larmer83"]

Agreed with the exception of the Theodore part.



In the playoffs the last two seasons, Theodore was pulled faster than a 14 year old boy with his first copy of Playboy.[/quote]

The thing you have to understand here about Theo is, Gabby has a huge man crush for Varly, it's well known here. Also, remember too, Boudreau was banking on Varly having the same playoff he had the previous year. Watched Theo alot last year...he would be a good fit for the Hawks.





And like what was also stated, the Caps defense SUCKS....and that is being polite. Anyone seriously suggests that Green is actually a good d-man obviously watches way too much ESPN, and Jeff Schultz was a complete fluke this year.....dude is Sopel slow, and is afraid to hit.

 

[Ton]

[quote name="R K"]





about the only thing Cullimore is very good at is PK. Similar to Sopel.



Sorry Sopel-Hendry verses the others does not bother me much. Especially when your other four guys are consistently capable of 25 minutes plus per night.[/quote]



Honestly, I'd rather not see Cullimore... maybe he is similar to Sopel but he certainly isn't as good as he is. I think if we can re-sign Hendry then bring up Vishnevskiy I'd be content with that. We'll see, all I'm saying is there is a possibility that they can't step up to the plate and we are stuck running 4 dmen in the playoffs. Could go either way.



Not sure that is what Turco is hinging on when comparing the Hawks to the Flyers... besides, at this point I'm sure the Flyers offer is off the table since they signed Leighton. Turco probably wanted a shorter term and that's why they went with Leighton for multi-term.

 

[Guest]

[quote name="Ton"]



Honestly, I'd rather not see Cullimore... maybe he is similar to Sopel but he certainly isn't as good as he is. I think if we can re-sign Hendry then bring up Vishnevskiy I'd be content with that. We'll see, all I'm saying is there is a possibility that they can't step up to the plate and we are stuck running 4 dmen in the playoffs. Could go either way.[/quote]





He's most definitely as good of a PKer as Sopel. Keith and Seabrook are so good on the PK because Cullimore taught them. I think the possibility our 3rd pair, whom ever they are, will be no worse than Sopel and Hendry. I can't remember the times our fans three both of them under the bus.

 

[IceHogsFan]

My gut tells me that by tomorrow this time we will have an answer on Antti.

 

[Kerfuffle]

[quote name="IceHogsFan"]My gut tells me that by tomorrow this time we will have an answer on Antti.[/quote]

I think it will go the distance. I don't see Niemi and Zito settling for less than their asking price. I say this based on what I've heard Zito say on the radio - definitely some arrogance on his part.

 

[bierboy]

[quote name="R K"]...this fiasco, knowing the Cap issues the Hawks are in, have knocked my like for the guy DOWN a few levels.[/quote]

EXACTLY this. I loved Niemi during the regular season and the playoffs, but this crap the last few weeks has lessened my opinion of him considerably.

 

[PatrickShart]

[quote name="Kerfuffle"]

You conveniently omitted the last 2 seasons of numbers. I'll help you out:

FACT: Turco's GAA was 27th place in the 09-10 season.

FACT: Turco's GAA was 30th place in the 08-09 season. btw - his SV% that year was 42nd place at a staggering .899



Let me ask you this - which Turco do you think the Hawks will get? The one with the numbers the last 2 years in the tail end of his career or the numbers from before that before his decline? I would bet he puts up the same numbers or worse this coming season.[/quote]





I didnt "convniently" leave out anything. Those are his career playoff numbers and they look pretty good. I listed his last 5 years save percentages as well - didnt convenietly leave that out. His save percaentage was higher this year - than his previous 4 seasons...is that a decline?



Did you "conveniently" leave out the Dgroup in dallas the last year?

09-10 - Daley, Robidas, Skrastins, Fistric, Grossman, Niskanen,Woywitka....

With this stellar Dgroup last year...Turco had a .913% - TIED FOR 12th in the NHL



And his GAA was 2.72 - tied for 22nd in the league last year. Based on GAA, Huet was higher than Rinne, Vokoun, Luongo, Anderson, Mason, Fluery, Ward.....so I guess you'd keep Huet, since he was 11th in the whole NHL

 

[Variable]

[quote name="Ton"]



Honestly, I'd rather not see Cullimore... maybe he is similar to Sopel but he certainly isn't as good as he is. I think if we can re-sign Hendry then bring up Vishnevskiy I'd be content with that. We'll see, all I'm saying is there is a possibility that they can't step up to the plate and we are stuck running 4 dmen in the playoffs. Could go either way.



[/quote]



Well if you're that convinced the Hawks can't get someone to do Sopel's job and play a solid 7-8 minutes a game, then they still will have the overall best top 2 pairings to play the majority of time. You're talking about worrying about a single 5th/6th defender when it comes to the playoffs when just about every other team isn't nearly as set as the Hawks are in their top 2 d-man pairings. Relax.

 

[Kerfuffle]

[quote name="Ton"]

Honestly, I'd rather not see Cullimore... [/quote]

Ditto - Cullimore would seem like the team is moving backwards 5 years. This guy is a career minor leaguer with occasional appearances in the NHL.

 

[JTalarico328]

I don't think there is any reason to blame Niemi. First of all, its his agent doing most (or all) of the negotiating. Second, he got his Stanley Cup, he proved himself as a winner, and now he wants to set up his family financially. Who wouldn't want to do that? This isn't an NFL player holding out of camp because he wants 52 million dollars instead of 50. Give the guy a break.

 

[roshinaya]

[quote name="Kerfuffle"]

Ditto - Cullimore would seem like the team is moving backwards 5 years. This guy is a career minor leaguer with occasional appearances in the NHL.[/quote]



These "occasional appearances" have totaled 776 NHL games and a Stanley Cup.

 

[Kerfuffle]

[quote name="jtalarico328"]I don't think there is any reason to blame Niemi. First of all, its his agent doing most (or all) of the negotiating. Second, he got his Stanley Cup, he proved himself as a winner, and now he wants to set up his family financially. Who wouldn't want to do that? This isn't an NFL player holding out of camp because he wants 52 million dollars instead of 50. Give the guy a break.[/quote]

The agent represents the player and if Niemi's position is "my family is here, I want to stay with these guys" then Zito would be more flexible. But that's not happening. Clearly Niemi has said "I want every last penny on the table" and that's what Zito is working from and hence there has been no agreement.

 

[PatrickShart]

"Career" minor leaguer Cullimore's NHL stats - with avg ice time per year

97-98 - 25gms - 21:33 (was traded from MTL at end of season and played last 25)

98-99 - 78gms - 20:14

99-00 - 46gms - 15:37 (shoulder injury)

00-01 - 74gms - 19:42

01-02 - 78gms - 20:06

02-03 - 28gms - 18:25 (season ending shoulder surgery)

03-04 - 79gms - 19:01 **won stanley cup

05-06 - 54gms - 16:58

06-07 - 65gms - 16:16

07-08 - 65gms - 18:04

08-09 - 68gms - 16:47

Career totals - 776gms - 1 stanley cup for a "career" minor leaguer...hmmmmm



What would Sopel be considered....since he's only played 588 games?



Credibility.......buh-bye

 

[PatrickShart]

The 5th and 6th Dman for the Hawks last year averaged 15:27min of ice team each (thats between Sopel, Barker, Hendry, Boynton and Johansson)



I have confidence in the Hawks system, Q, Haviland...that Cullimore, Hendry (if resigned)...or any of the young kids can swing that

 

[Kerfuffle]

[quote name="pmxc12873"]"Career" minor leaguer Cullimore's NHL stats - with avg ice time per year

97-98 - 25gms - 21:33 (was traded from MTL at end of season and played last 25)

98-99 - 78gms - 20:14

99-00 - 46gms - 15:37 (shoulder injury)

00-01 - 74gms - 19:42

01-02 - 78gms - 20:06

02-03 - 28gms - 18:25 (season ending shoulder surgery)

03-04 - 79gms - 19:01 **won stanley cup

05-06 - 54gms - 16:58

06-07 - 65gms - 16:16

07-08 - 65gms - 18:04

08-09 - 68gms - 16:47

Career totals - 776gms - 1 stanley cup for a "career" minor leaguer...hmmmmm



What would Sopel be considered....since he's only played 588 games?



Credibility.......buh-bye[/quote]

everyone run out and get your Cullimore jersey before they're gone! This is the missing link to our repeat :roll:

 

[PatrickShart]

Does anyone remember...a long time ago, back in 2008-2009 season, the Hawks had Cam Barker and Matt Walker as the 5/6th defenceman on this team?



Coming into that season...their 2007/8 stats -

Walker w/STL - 43gms - 15:53 ice time..on a STL team 3rd worse in the NHL

Barker - 45gms - 17:11 ice time



Then...in 08-09...when the Hawks made it to the Conference finals -

Walker - 16:37 - 69 blocked shots

Barker - 18:20 - 42 blocked shots



Part of Sopel's blocked shots are because of his immobility. With players like Lalonde, Vishevskiy, Connelly - who are much more mobile - will get to loose pucks quicker, helping the teams puck possession game.

 

[PatrickShart]

[quote name="Kerfuffle"]

everyone run out and get your Cullimore jersey before they're gone! This is the missing link to our repeat :roll:[/quote]



Everyone go buy your Blackhawks Stanley Cup TShirts....this is my first year following hockey!