Niemis Arbitration

[Pez68]

[quote name="Kerfuffle"]

You really think Turco is that great of a goalie? Remember we're not talking the Turco of the 2008 Conference Finals. The last 2 years his game has declined. Dallas couldn't wait to get rid of him. And this is the guy you want in net this year? Why??[/quote]



The last two years he has played behind a pretty terrible Dallas team.... Look at them. What defenseman does Dallas have that is even as good as Hjalmarsson? I would take him over every defenseman Dallas has. Our second pairing would be their first pairing... Goaltending has a lot to do with the team in front of you, especially when you are getting a bit older and seeing a TON of shots. You are bound to let in some questionable ones.

 

[Ton]

[quote name="pmxc12873"]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.[/quote]



Hope you're right. I'm not saying its impossible for anyone to replace what Sopel/Hendry brought, obviously they are replaceable... but who knows if Lalonde/Vish/Connelly/whoever is ready for that role.



Cullimore is at the tail end of his career and was mostly a bottom pairing defenseman, I'm not sure I want him playing but I would much rather have the kids in his spot honestly.



I'd be fine with Hendry/Lalonde or Hendry/Vish... lets hope we can get Jordan back. The less question marks the better IMO.

 

[PatrickShart]

Yeah...I'm not sure Cullimore would be the guy either, being in the AHL all last year



I'd like to see them try to get a guy like Aaron Ward to pair up with Vishnevskiy (and let Hendry go, keep Lalonde in Rockford with Leddy as a pair).



Ward may come cheaply, played 77gms - 144 blocked shots ...at 37yrs old, may take one more kick at the can.



It all depends with this Niemi situation. With this lineup -

CAPGEEK.COM CAP CALCULATOR



FORWARDS

Igor Makarov ($0.552m) / Jonathan Toews ($6.300m) / Marian Hossa ($5.275m)

Viktor Stalberg ($0.850m) / Patrick Sharp ($3.900m) / Patrick Kane ($6.300m)

Tomas Kopecky ($1.200m) / Dave Bolland ($3.375m) / Troy Brouwer ($1.025m)

Bryan Bickell ($0.541m) / Jake Dowell ($0.525m) / Jack Skille ($0.600m)



DEFENSEMEN

Brian Campbell ($7.142m) / Duncan Keith ($5.538m)

Brent Seabrook ($3.500m) / Niklas Hjalmarsson ($3.500m)

John Scott ($0.512m) / Ivan Vishnevskiy ($0.821m)



GOALTENDERS

Corey Crawford ($0.800m)



CARRY-OVER BONUS PENALTY: $4,157,753



CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)

(these totals are compiled using the bonus cushion)

SALARY CAP: $59,400,000; CAP PAYROLL: $56,417,424; BONUSES: $65,000

CAP SPACE (19-man roster): $3,047,576



If Niemi could suck it up for 2mil (if not, Turco)....then sign a guy like Ward for 800K...I'd be pretty content.

 

[the canadian dream]

I don't like this Theodroe rumor. He is just a cheaper Huet. Cheaps good though seeing there would be no other freaking choice. OH WAIT YES THERE IS!!! It's called Cory fucking Crawford!!



No one can sell me on the idea that Theodore is anybetter than Cory Crawford. You can try but I won't listen. I think through out all this speculation and rumor and crap one thing is a guarantee. Cory Crawford is being way under-estimated by the franchise and some fans.



**** em all. I am tired of this arbatration shit and waiting, the goalie rumors etc etc etc. Let Cory play for the team. God knows he has earned a decent shot and he is better than most give him credit for. Don't need to be talking about guys like Theodore when Crawford is just as good if not better.



Screw every other goalie in the league Crawfords the guy.

 

[Ton]

[quote name="pmxc12873"]Yeah...I'm not sure Cullimore would be the guy either, being in the AHL all last year



I'd like to see them try to get a guy like Aaron Ward to pair up with Vishnevskiy (and let Hendry go, keep Lalonde in Rockford with Leddy as a pair).



Ward may come cheaply, played 77gms - 144 blocked shots ...at 37yrs old, may take one more kick at the can.



It all depends with this Niemi situation. With this lineup -

CAPGEEK.COM CAP CALCULATOR



FORWARDS

Igor Makarov ($0.552m) / Jonathan Toews ($6.300m) / Marian Hossa ($5.275m)

Viktor Stalberg ($0.850m) / Patrick Sharp ($3.900m) / Patrick Kane ($6.300m)

Tomas Kopecky ($1.200m) / Dave Bolland ($3.375m) / Troy Brouwer ($1.025m)

Bryan Bickell ($0.541m) / Jake Dowell ($0.525m) / Jack Skille ($0.600m)



DEFENSEMEN

Brian Campbell ($7.142m) / Duncan Keith ($5.538m)

Brent Seabrook ($3.500m) / Niklas Hjalmarsson ($3.500m)

John Scott ($0.512m) / Ivan Vishnevskiy ($0.821m)



GOALTENDERS

Corey Crawford ($0.800m)



CARRY-OVER BONUS PENALTY: $4,157,753



CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)

(these totals are compiled using the bonus cushion)

SALARY CAP: $59,400,000; CAP PAYROLL: $56,417,424; BONUSES: $65,000

CAP SPACE (19-man roster): $3,047,576



If Niemi could suck it up for 2mil (if not, Turco)....then sign a guy like Ward for 800K...I'd be pretty content.[/quote]



Amen. That would make me a happy camper. Agreed with letting Lalonde and Leddy develop together, also agreed that we need a good vet like Ward that'll come cheap to play with a rookie such as Vish. Great post!

 

[Ton]

[quote name="the canadian dream"]I don't like this Theodroe rumor. He is just a cheaper Huet. Cheaps good though seeing there would be no other freaking choice. OH WAIT YES THERE IS!!! It's called Cory fucking Crawford!!



No one can sell me on the idea that Theodore is anybetter than Cory Crawford. You can try but I won't listen. I think through out all this speculation and rumor and crap one thing is a guarantee. Cory Crawford is being way under-estimated by the franchise and some fans.



**** em all. I am tired of this arbatration shit and waiting, the goalie rumors etc etc etc. Let Cory play for the team. God knows he has earned a decent shot and he is better than most give him credit for. Don't need to be talking about guys like Theodore when Crawford is just as good if not better.



Screw every other goalie in the league Crawfords the guy.[/quote]



He may very well be, but we do need to sign a veteran goaltender such as Theodore IMO. If he comes cheap it would be a decent one-two punch and who knows, perhaps Crawford pulls a Niemi and steals the job late in the season.



You can't start the year with such a big question mark in goal. We all know Crawford has the ability to be a good goaltender, but he can't just outright start the year for us. For $2M or less, Theo at least gives some stability for the regular season and Crawford is good enough to push him out if he can't cut it.



I can't stand hearing this crap about Tovoinen being our back-up this year, makes me sick. Sure if he was playing behind someone like Brodeur or Kiprusoff then who cares, but he's going to be counted on for at least 20-25 games this year (minimum!), SCREW that! Crawford has to be the back-up this year.

 

[PatrickShart]

I dont know why, but Crawford scares the shit out of me (way better than Tovoinen though)....



I'd take in this order, with a cap hit of no more than 2-2.25mil (so they can sign a guy like Ward) -

1. Niemi

2. Turco

3. Theodore (with Crawford playing about 35gms)



I dont think Jose's that bad (other than being a douchebag). The last 3 years...his numbers -

Avg - 50gms - .907% - 2.70gaa facing 29 shots a game



Other than 2 really dark seasons in 05/06 and 06/07 ...he's had a prety steady career. Remove those 2 years and his career line -

447gms - .912% - 2.58ga - 29 shutouts...



Shit...he only lost 7 games last year

 

[Larmer83]

[quote name="bubbleheadchief"]

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.[/quote]

Sure the Caps defense sucks in general and Green's defense sucks in particular. However, Green did not go Butcher on the Beltway to the nth degree this past playoff until after Theodore was pulled.



The prior year in the playoffs were similar- Theodore given the playoff ball and he dropped it.



Besides, Theodore as a replacement for Niemi who replaced Huet who was replaced by Theodore... can the apocalypse be far behind?

 

[Ton]

IMO, Theo let in one bad goal during this years playoffs. I'm not gonna hang him by the nuts for that. He was hung out to dry several times, I would venture to say he would look much better behind the Blackhawks than he did behind the Caps.



Who knows though, we already plucked one goaltender from the Caps and that did not work out so well.



My first choice would be Turco but I would settle for Theodore, he is still a #1 goaltender in this league.

 

[bierboy]

[quote name="Ton"]... I would venture to say he would look much better behind the Blackhawks than he did behind the Caps.....[/quote]

Ton, ANY goaltender would look better behind the Hawks than almost ANY OTHER team in the NHL. I really agree with TCD here....DO NOT like the Theodore rumors...

 

[winos5]

Well apparently they have not worked a deal and its going to arbitration.

 

[bierboy]

[quote name="winos5"]Well apparently they have not worked a deal and its going to arbitration.[/quote]

Screw Niemi and Zito....they can both take a hike.

 

[Ton]

I'm hoping we can get some info on this by 9... I've been up since 7AM trying to get ANY info on this and so far it seems literally impossible. Do any reporters actually go to this? Makes me wonder...

 

[roshinaya]

I can see the dirty hand prints of Zito all over this mess. I for one don't buy it at all that Niemi would be a greedy SOB asking for the moon after a 64 game NHL campaign. This is after all a guy who was driving zambonis a couple of years ago to get extra cash and had all but given up the dream of ever playing in the NHL, if he even had those in the first place. Getting a shot in the FEL was probably the best he thought he could manage. Niemi seems like a really humble and low-key dude and his comments of wanting to stay in Chicago makes this charade very strange. I bet Zito has seen Niemi as a good way to get a quick buck for himself and Niemi being the typical silent Finn is just staying quiet and wondering about how business is done in big America.

 

[bierboy]

Not directly related, but Ladd settled with Atlanta for a "minimal" raise before the arb hearing.

 

[roshinaya]

[quote name="bierboy"]Not directly related, but Ladd settled with Atlanta for a "minimal" raise before the arb hearing.[/quote]



$2.35m for a year to be exact.

 

[Central PA Hawk Fan]

[quote name="pmxc12873"]I dont know why, but Crawford scares the shit out of me (way better than Tovoinen though)....



[/quote]

Probably because he isn't NHL caliber. I have no problems with Theo, he's good enough for what we need out of a goaltender here, I'd personally take him over Turco as well. Depending on the money, I'd even take Theo over Niemi, but that would be based purely on cap hit dollars.

 

[whalerhawk]

[quote name="Ton"]



He may very well be, but we do need to sign a veteran goaltender such as Theodore IMO. If he comes cheap it would be a decent one-two punch and who knows, perhaps Crawford pulls a Niemi and steals the job late in the season.



You can't start the year with such a big question mark in goal. We all know Crawford has the ability to be a good goaltender, but he can't just outright start the year for us. For $2M or less, Theo at least gives some stability for the regular season and Crawford is good enough to push him out if he can't cut it.



I can't stand hearing this crap about Tovoinen being our back-up this year, makes me sick. Sure if he was playing behind someone like Brodeur or Kiprusoff then who cares, but he's going to be counted on for at least 20-25 games this year (minimum!), SCREW that! Crawford has to be the back-up this year.[/quote]

One could argue we did that very thing just last year.

 

[Tater]

[quote name="pmxc12873"]I dont know why, but Crawford scares the shit out of me (way better than Tovoinen though)....

[/quote]



Same here. I have no rational reason, I think it's maybe the "deer in the headlights" look he always has.

 

[Ton]

[quote name="whalerhawk"]

One could argue we did that very thing just last year.[/quote]



Yes but Huet had NHL experience. Crawford and Toivonen to start the year would be an absolute disaster.



I think Crawford can be a pretty good goaltender, he was very closely edged out by Niemi this past season in training camp -- one could argue that he even looked better than Niemi at camp but due to waiver restrictions Niemi made the team instead.



Crawford certainly can compete, but lets get some insurance back there... Theo or Turco is fine with me at this point, unless Niemi gets under $2.5M.



EDIT: Apparently Niemi and the Hawks were trying to get a deal done before arbitration, according to "NHLSourcesSay" on twitter. Nooo really?!