Salak Signed for 2 years

[BiscuitintheBasket]

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nhl/news/story?id=6570139

Source: Alexander Salak gets new deal

By Jesse Rogers



The Chicago Blackhawks have signed goalie prospect Alexander Salak to a two-year deal worth about $600,000 per year, according to a source familiar with the situation. The Blackhawks have yet to make an official announcement regarding the deal.



Salak, 24, was acquired in a trade with the Florida Panthers in February for Jack Skille and other prospects. The Blackhawks also acquired Michael Frolik in the trade.



Salak made his NHL debut in 2009, appearing in two games for the Panthers. He was loaned to Färjestad BK of the Swedish Elite League for the 2010-11 season.



The deal is a one-way contract, according to the source. It makes Salak the front-runner to be Corey Crawford's back-up. Crawford signed a three-year contract extension Thursday.



A one-way contract means Salak is paid his NHL salary whether he plays for the Blackhawks or in the AHL. A two-way deal is when a player receives a minor league salary if he's playing in the minors and his NHL salary if he's in the majors.

 

[bubbleheadchief]

I know alot of you are just bouncing in your seats about this, but seriously, what does it to for the team?? It gives them an UNTESTED goalie as a back up, and you all act as if this is a good thing. Sorry one year in the A with a semi decent record does not give me a warm and fuzzy. His two visits to the NHL when he was with FLA were disastorous to say the least.

 

[MassHavoc]

I know alot of you are just bouncing in your seats about this, but seriously, what does it to for the team?? It gives them an UNTESTED goalie as a back up, and you all act as if this is a good thing. Sorry one year in the A with a semi decent record does not give me a warm and fuzzy. His two visits to the NHL when he was with FLA were disastorous to say the least.

Who cares? What else do you need at backup, we've had a rookie in net the last two year as the starter. We get a kid with great talent at the backup position for cheap. And more importantly it's done early. You don't have to worry about the goalie position now. Great news.

 

[LordKOTL]

In all honesty, the price tag is what I like the best. But I'm not about to annoint this the deal of the century until the end of next year and we see how Salak really does--assuming of course our D doesn't shit the bed 1st.

 

[CLWolf81]

Who cares? What else do you need at backup, we've had a rookie in net the last two year as the starter. We get a kid with great talent at the backup position for cheap. And more importantly it's done early. You don't have to worry about the goalie position now. Great news.

Bingo...



I just can't believe there is anyone who doesn't like this deal.



It's not like Salak is starting. We're signing this guy based on potential, and for a $400k savings over Turco, I don't see why not. It's worth a shot. I mean, we've fared well with rookies in the past... It's obvious that the goalie coach is doing something right. It also helps the goalies with having some of the best defensemen in the league in front of the goalies, so why in the world is anyone complaining? It's a great deal!!!! He's cheap, we save $400k as opposed to having Turco, and we don't have to worry about the goalie situation for a change.



We can now focus on getting a decent, gritty center who is a faceoff specialist, and I'm sure that's what we'd ALL like to talk about.

 

[Larmer83]

Who cares? What else do you need at backup, we've had a rookie in net the last two year as the starter. We get a kid with great talent at the backup position for cheap. And more importantly it's done early. You don't have to worry about the goalie position now. Great news.

So you've seen him play? Please provide a scouting report.

 

[Spunky Porkstacker]

I know alot of you are just bouncing in your seats about this, but seriously, what does it to for the team?? It gives them an UNTESTED goalie as a back up, and you all act as if this is a good thing. Sorry one year in the A with a semi decent record does not give me a warm and fuzzy. His two visits to the NHL when he was with FLA were disastorous to say the least.

I'm not sure everyone is bouncing in their seats. There has been some optimism about the aquisition due to the fact that he is considered to have good upside, but considering what other goalies we have in the pipeline Hawks fans can and should be optimistic. See what he does in Rockford and go from there. I think Stan will sign a free-agent backup for this year maybe a Ty Conklin he's available and probably not to much $.

 

[the canadian dream]

I know alot of you are just bouncing in your seats about this, but seriously, what does it to for the team?? It gives them an UNTESTED goalie as a back up, and you all act as if this is a good thing. Sorry one year in the A with a semi decent record does not give me a warm and fuzzy. His two visits to the NHL when he was with FLA were disastorous to say the least.

I am not too worried about having an unproven back up...unless Craw goes down with an injury...touch wood (DONT MIND IF I DO!!. After seeing what we did with Craw this year it looks like he will be a 65 plus games a year starter.



I do however hate when players get one way contracts who have not put their time in at the NHL level. I think those kind of clauses can and do cause a cluster **** at times. Put a few years in at the NHL level then sure one way deals make sense and are fair for everyone. Get one after playing 2 games at the NHL level? There is something wrong with that unless of course you are of high caliber aka a top 5 draft pick.



Also sort of sucks that Salak won't have a vet mentor like Craw did this year with Turco.



But like many have said..800k cap hit? Non-issue.

 

[bubbleheadchief]

Woo hoo, we saved money, sort of.....big deal. Worst case scenario, Crawford goes down with a torn mcl-acl 2nd minute of game 1 of the season, looky who we have in net....you still happy with this? Sorry, forgive me if I am not impressed with this.



Also, correct me if I am wrong...with a "one-way contract", you try to send him down to Rockford, he has to clear waivers?

 

[Larmer83]

Woo hoo, we saved money, sort of.....big deal. Worst case scenario, Crawford goes down with a torn mcl-acl 2nd minute of game 1 of the season, looky who we have in net....you still happy with this? Sorry, forgive me if I am not impressed with this.



Also, correct me if I am wrong...with a "one-way contract", you try to send him down to Rockford, he has to clear waivers?

Age, games played, and the year a contract is signed determines if a player is waiver exempt. Salak has 58 more NHL games to roster or 3 years(whichever comes first) before he has to clear.

http://www.capgeek.com/waiver_calculator.php

 

[roshinaya]

One-way contract means that he gets paid the same, be it in the NHL or the AHL?

 

[Larmer83]

One-way contract means that he gets paid the same, be it in the NHL or the AHL?

Yes.



One helluva neck on that boy Salak.

 

[CLWolf81]

I'm not sure everyone is bouncing in their seats. There has been some optimism about the aquisition due to the fact that he is considered to have good upside, but considering what other goalies we have in the pipeline Hawks fans can and should be optimistic. See what he does in Rockford and go from there. I think Stan will sign a free-agent backup for this year maybe a Ty Conklin he's available and probably not to much $.

I could go for that.... But if Salak does much better out of the gate than Conklin does, you know heads will roll....

 

[roshinaya]

I have a feeling that Salak will get the backup job. I remember when he played for my towns team here in Finland and he had some spectacular games and seems to have continued to improve and impressed in the SEL.

 

[IceHogsFan]

Let's see, Crawford and Salak combined at $3.2M total.



Cory just came off a very good season (as a rookie) and we have him locked for the next three years.



Salak although somewhat unproven at the NHL has nice numbers for the AHL and Swedish league and everything

that I read says he has much more potential.



Stephen Waite and Wade Flaherty, our two goalie developers for the Blackhawks and look at what they have done

with Antti and Cory. Sounds like Salak is coming to the right team to develop him for the NHL and we have him for a great price for the next two seasons.



I am still hopeful that I get a chance to see him in Rockford some next season...

 

[IceHogsFan]

The Chicago Blackhawks made a slick trade on Wednesday night when they acquired Michael Frolik and Alexander Salák from the Florida Panthers for Jack Skille, Hugh Jessiman and David Pacan. Although the Frolik-for-Skille swap was the focus of this deal, Salák’s raw skills and upside goes a long way in potentially boosting Chicago’s depth in goal. More importantly, Salák, who is having a very successful season with Farjestad in the Swedish Elite League, has escaped the dark and daunting shadow left by Swedish prospect Jacob Markstrom.





The 24-year-old native of Strakonice, Czech Republic was leading the SEL (as of Wednesday) with six shutouts and a .925 save percentage in 41 games played. He was also sixth overall in the SEL with a 2.04 goals-against average, but has seen stretches of posting under a 2.00 GAA. The Panthers loaned Salák to Farjestad at the beginning of the season so that the highly-touted Markstrom could play the majority of games in Rochester, with Tyler Plante backing him up.



Salák made massive waves in North America last season thanks to an amazing rookie season in the American Hockey League (AHL). He not only started off with a 14-1-0 run with a 2.10 goals-against average and .920 save percentage through November, but he was also nominated as an AHL All-Star. He finished the season with a 29-14-0 record, a 2.89 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage in 50 games with Rochester. He was also recalled by the Panthers once and stopped 34 of 40 shots in two relief appearances.



Salák, who started his pro career in the Czech Liga with HC Pisek in the 2001-02 season, spent the following four seasons with Budějovice (2002-06). He then signed on to play in the Mestis league (2nd highest league in Finland) and spent the year with Jokipojat. For the next season, he signed with TPS in the SM-liiga. While playing with TPS, Salák was mentored and honed by one of the best goalie coaches in Finland, Urpo Ylönen, who has helped develop the likes of Miikka Kiprusoff, Fredrik Norrena and Antero Niittymaki. This season, Salák has worked with Farjestad goalie coach Erik Granqvist, who is well-known for helping Jonas Gustavsson excel during his tenure with the team.



What I love most about this acquisition by Chicago is that it saves Salák from being lost amidst the shadows of Markstrom. Simply put, the Panthers were way too deep in goal to develop all of their quality prospects in an appropriate and successful manner. With most of their eggs in the Markstrom basket, someone had to go. And Salák, perhaps due to Florida not seeing much upside, simply losing patience, or maybe not wanting to put more time into developing him, was the odd man out.



Currently sitting 22nd overall in our Top-100 Prospects Rankings, I always make sure to keep prospects with elite skills and professional experience in Europe or North America high in the standings (see Thomas Greiss). Because of trades exactly like this one, Salák’s spot may have seemed a bit too high. But now, depending on Chicago’s decision-making process, he has the chance to establish himself as a backup in the NHL. Below is some of my analysis of the trade that sent Salák’s rights to Chicago.



—[ ALEX SALAK TRADE ANALYSIS ]—



+ What makes Salák such a quality prospect is his wild, fiery attitude and his extremely active butterfly style. He plays with a very wide stance and expels a lot of energy in order to stop the puck. He is the complete opposite of a “minimalistic” goaltender (think Tim Thomas as opposed to Niklas Backstrom or Carey Price) and relies on his quick reflexes to position his arms and legs behind shots. He’s not afraid to speak his mind, he wears his emotions on his sleeves and he works extremely hard in practice. In that regard, you might compare him to fellow Czech legend Dominik Hasek, but with a much more refined butterfly style.



+ The Blackhawks have some major decisions to make with their goaltenders at the end of this season. Corey Crawford, who has essentially established himself as a starting NHL goaltender, is a restricted free agent. Marty Turco is an unrestricted free agent on July 1, as is Hannu Toivonen, who has been splitting time with Alec Richards in Rockford. Richards is in the final season of his entry-level contract and is a restricted free agent. It should also be noted that Cristobal Huet is on loan to a team in Switzerland and still has one season left on his contract.



+ On the surface, this opens the door for Salák to potentially step in and claim either the backup role to Crawford (if Turco walks) or start in Rockford (if Huet comes back to Chicago). But Salák still needs to sign a new contract – he is in the final season of his entry-level deal and is set to become a restricted free agent on July 1. That means the Blackhawks could package him in another deal between now and next season.



+ From a fantasy perspective, the Blackhawks have essentially created a ton of options with this acquisition. If they do sign Salák, they not only fill a potential void, but they also vastly improve their overall depth with a top-flight European prospect. If both Turco and Toivonen are allowed to walk, they could be replaced by Huet and Salák. But salary cap issues could severely impact their ability to bring back Huet, which is even more positive news for Salák owners.





+ Do I think Salák can step in (pending a new contract) and make the Blackhawks squad out of training camp? Absolutely. Do I think he might struggle to play consistently if Joel Quenneville is still coaching this team? Yes, big time. Do I think the Blackhawks would be willing to roll with Crawford and Salák as a tandem? Definitely. Do I think that tandem could be successful for full season? Without a doubt. Who do I think would end up playing more games? Probably Crawford - he has more NHL experience.



+ If I were to look into my crystal ball and project Salák’s fantasy value in a Blackhawks uniform for next season, I would expect to see a very streaky goalie that would need to work on many aspects of his game at the NHL level, especially consistency. He would probably play around 25 games and post close to a .915 save percentage and have some streaky runs (like four wins, three losses, that sort of thing). But the potential to gain confidence quickly and go on a tear is always going to be looming. But the odds are stronger that Salak starts the season in the AHL and plays a ton of games for Rockford.



+ The Panthers clearly had the goaltending depth to make this move, but it does come with some risk. It continues to reflect the organization’s trust and faith in Markstrom’s development, while also boosting the long-term value of former University of Denver Pioneers standout Marc Cheverie. They also still control the rights of Brian Foster, Sergei Gayduchenko and Sam Brittain. The risk lies in their willingness to send Salák to another team after less than two seasons in the organization. Salák could turn out to be an elite goaltender andwas essentially terrific insurance in case Markstrom did not pan out. But now the Panthers have instilled more faith in Markstrom than ever before.



+ Overall, without knowing the details of the negotiations, this is a big win for the Blackhawks. Goaltending coach Stephane Waite will have a great project to undertake when working with Salák and I think, on the surface, it calls for positive results. We all know what Waite was able to do with Antti Niemi and Waite continues to do a great job with Crawford. Every goalie has a different type of relationship with their goalie coach, but I do get positive vibes from the Salak-Waite relationship. It’s a great fit and I suspect Salak will be signed before the start of the next season.

http://thegoalieguild.com/2011/02/salak/#

 

[PatrickShart]

I am not too worried about having an unproven back up...unless Craw goes down with an injury...touch wood (DONT MIND IF I DO!!. After seeing what we did with Craw this year it looks like he will be a 65 plus games a year starter.



I do however hate when players get one way contracts who have not put their time in at the NHL level. I think those kind of clauses can and do cause a cluster **** at times. Put a few years in at the NHL level then sure one way deals make sense and are fair for everyone. Get one after playing 2 games at the NHL level? There is something wrong with that unless of course you are of high caliber aka a top 5 draft pick.



Also sort of sucks that Salak won't have a vet mentor like Craw did this year with Turco.



But like many have said..800k cap hit? Non-issue.

Quit grabbing people's wood.



And I thought Salak's deal is 600K....combined goalies's deals the next 2 years is 3.2mil....good/manageable contracts. Much better than the 5+ millions we've seen

 

[5Minutes4Fighting]

Thanks much for that post IHF. Sounds like Salak (rhymes with Halak, i like it) has a great upside. I still can't believe we got both Salak and Frolik for Skille. Tho that article did humour me with the discussion of the possibility of bringing back Huet.



-5Minutes

 

[Ton]

I'm not sure I like the whole deal of "let's give this kid the back-up role in the NHL right away"...



Competition is good, and our goalie depth right now flat out stinks. Salak is a fine prospect and possibly could handle NHL duties as early as next season, but do we really want to go down that path already?



I'd hope they can come to terms with a veteran back-up that can provide some competition for cheap. At least a guy that has the ability to come up and play some games. Joey McDonald is a nice example of the "3rd string" goalie getting his chance and doing a decent job at it.



Corey gets injured and our depth is Salak/Toivonen/Richards we are fucked. I hope Stan tries to re-sign Turco or finds a cheaper alternative to compete for the spot in camp.



All that said, other than the giving this kid a spot already part, I like this signing a lot. The kid has a lot of potential and is a great prospect with a cheap contract. He could impress a lot of people.



As far as waivers, Salak is not eligible for waivers. The only problem is that if they sent him down, his contract would not change. So it's an expensive #3 goaltender for Rocky if Stan needs to send him down and fill his spot with someone else.

 

[bubbleheadchief]

I'm not sure I like the whole deal of "let's give this kid the back-up role in the NHL right away"...



Competition is good, and our goalie depth right now flat out stinks. Salak is a fine prospect and possibly could handle NHL duties as early as next season, but do we really want to go down that path already?



I'd hope they can come to terms with a veteran back-up that can provide some competition for cheap. At least a guy that has the ability to come up and play some games. Joey McDonald is a nice example of the "3rd string" goalie getting his chance and doing a decent job at it.



Corey gets injured and our depth is Salak/Toivonen/Richards we are fucked. I hope Stan tries to re-sign Turco or finds a cheaper alternative to compete for the spot in camp.



All that said, other than the giving this kid a spot already part, I like this signing a lot. The kid has a lot of potential and is a great prospect with a cheap contract. He could impress a lot of people.



As far as waivers, Salak is not eligible for waivers. The only problem is that if they sent him down, his contract would not change. So it's an expensive #3 goaltender for Rocky if Stan needs to send him down and fill his spot with someone else.

Thank you, somone else finally understanding the situation for what it is. Big fucking deal they signed him to a $600k contract, our situation for a #2 goalie at the NHL level is shitty.