Salak Signed for 2 years

IceHogsFan

CCS Donator
Donator
Joined:
May 15, 2010
Posts:
5,024
Liked Posts:
0
Without out a doubt Blackhawks/ IceHogs have issues at goalie depth. Toivonen should be gone this season with Richards holding the primary role in Rockford IMO.
 

R K

Guest
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.





Worked out pretty well for Niemi. If it wasn't for Mcdonoughs clusterfuck Huet Neimi would have been back up Khabi in his FIRST YEAR in the NHL.



So then you would say the same thing had some ass not gotten Huet? I think it's a great move. Turco didn't exactly "light it up" this year as the back up and lost many game he should have won.



I said all along they were trying to get Salak in the Frolik deal. Frolik was an add on.
 

Ton

New member
Joined:
May 14, 2010
Posts:
3,991
Liked Posts:
124
Location:
Park Ridge, IL
RK the fact is that Salak is unproven, given that I hope they are not going to throw him into the fire right away. I'd prefer he earn it through the ranks, that's all. I don't think anyone is doubting that Salak is a good talent and highly capable of performing, but this organization (since Tallon) has built itself by making players earn their spots in the NHL, if nothing changes by the time training camp rolls around (I think that is highly unlikely) then they are just giving the back-up role away to an unproven rookie -- which kind of devolves the way this organization has built itself.



I'd still like to see them sign a veteran guy, not someone who will push Crawford but someone who will push Salak for the back-up role. Someone who is capable of stepping in if injury were to occur. Our depth at goalie sucks, it's no secret. We are not only thin on NHL talent but AHL talent as well. I would be much more comfortable with another guy like Turco, or someone like Conklin with Salak earning his way up.
 

PatrickShart

New member
Joined:
May 17, 2010
Posts:
4,782
Liked Posts:
452
Conklin or someone like him? Started 20gms and had a .881% - with 2 shutouts in there....while making 1.3mil...which was pretty much the same as Turco. Most "vets" like him are going to get 1mil to be a back up. I'd trust the people that have watched/scouted Salak. If they think he's good enough to be in the NHL, I'm ok with it.
 

Spunky Porkstacker

CCS Donator
Donator
Joined:
Jun 6, 2010
Posts:
15,741
Liked Posts:
7,308
Location:
NW Burbs
Conklin or someone like him? Started 20gms and had a .881% - with 2 shutouts in there....while making 1.3mil...which was pretty much the same as Turco. Most "vets" like him are going to get 1mil to be a back up. I'd trust the people that have watched/scouted Salak. If they think he's good enough to be in the NHL, I'm ok with it.





I agree with what you're saying here.



I mentioned Conklin earier but can his #'s be compared to Turcos fairly given the quality of the defence in front of them. Also Conklin when he was with the Wings was a very good backup with a better D protecting him than what the Blues had.
 

Ton

New member
Joined:
May 14, 2010
Posts:
3,991
Liked Posts:
124
Location:
Park Ridge, IL
I'd prefer not to go down that road and have someone proven, so shoot me. Could Salak play well as back-up? Yeah of course, he definitely could work out just fine... but it's a question mark heading into the season. What's the problem with having some depth? All I did was say it would be nice to get some competition going for the back-up spot.



Niemi had a year in the AHL prior to joining the NHL and 3 years in Finlands top league, also older than Salak. Great example!



Conklin played on one of the worst teams in the Western Conference. Nice work bringing up his numbers, I could do that myself. $1M for a back-up is worth the money. If Salak is that good then he'll get his chance sooner than later.



I'd be very surprised if they did not grab another goaltender before the season started, specifically to contend for the back-up role in Chicago.



A lot of good teams have 3 goaltenders capable of coming in and playing. Some of them get buried in the minors for a while until they get a shot. Guys that this recently happened to: Crawford, Schneider, Montoya, Howard, Neuvirth, Rinne, Miller, Halak, Pavelec... and many many more. I don't see why everyone wants to rush anyone, if we had depth Salak would not be penciled in, he would have to fight for a spot and earn it.



I also understand he has played in the AHL before, posting good numbers two years ago in the Panthers organization. I'd still like to see him start in the A, prove himself to our organization and put that effort in. If he's good enough, which he is, he will get his chance. What is everyone afraid of? He has a two-year deal, he isn't going anywhere after next season.
 

R K

Guest
Niemis was never supposed to have that year. Doubt it helped much either as he was beat out of the starting job by Crawford. Don't agree at all. If he was the starting Goalie yes. But he won't be.
 

R K

Guest
Niemi proved nothing in the a tony. Other than craw beat him out of his job.
 

Ton

New member
Joined:
May 14, 2010
Posts:
3,991
Liked Posts:
124
Location:
Park Ridge, IL
I'm not sure what you disagree with.



Niemi is the perfect example, he was signed from overseas, came here to play, had some competition, played in the AHL for a year, then competed with Crawford for the back-up position in Chicago the following year. Salaks situation isn't even close to that, if no one else is signed/brought in he is an unproven player being handed a job. What is it that you disagree with? If Salak was good enough he would earn that spot regardless.



We were very lucky this past season that Crawford and Turco stayed healthy. Imagine what it would have been like if we had to rely on our 3rd string goaltender (Toivonen or Richards?), like Detroit did, for any stretch of time. It would be smart if they gathered a bit of depth, it really would. Again, I'm not sure how you disagree with that.
 

R K

Guest
I'm not sure what you disagree with.



Niemi is the perfect example, he was signed from overseas, came here to play, had some competition, played in the AHL for a year, then competed with Crawford for the back-up position in Chicago the following year. Salaks situation isn't even close to that, if no one else is signed/brought in he is an unproven player being handed a job. What is it that you disagree with? If Salak was good enough he would earn that spot regardless.



We were very lucky this past season that Crawford and Turco stayed healthy. Imagine what it would have been like if we had to rely on our 3rd string goaltender (Toivonen or Richards?), like Detroit did, for any stretch of time. It would be smart if they gathered a bit of depth, it really would. Again, I'm not sure how you disagree with that.





Niemi had no competition. He was originally signed to back up Khabi. No question. He was never to see the AHL. He ONLY saw the AHL because some asshat had to spend the rest of the Cap money and sign Huet. Niemi was told he'd be backing up Khabi. Before he signed on the dotted line. Salak is very similar EXCEPT he has some NHL experience already.





Now for your second point injuries. Every team in the league has to worry bout that. Halak and Conklin were both out for a stretch. The Blues had two rookie goalies from Peoria. It happens. Sure go get another goalie for Rockford. Good idea.



There is nothing wrong with Salak backing up Crawford. Injuries are the tangible that happen with every team. EVERY team has to worry about them and deal with them at some point.



Salak's position is VERY CLOSE to Niemi's. In fact they are so much alike you could say almost identical. Had HUET never been signed NIEMI would have never seen Rockford. Period! Did that year help him? Who knows he LOST his starting job there to Crawford. TWICE.



Your argument he's not ready has no water, because just like Niemi, he probably is, for the BACK UP role.
 

Chief Walking Stick

CCS Donator
Donator
Joined:
May 12, 2010
Posts:
48,267
Liked Posts:
26,780
So much for not wanting to play in the NHL.



Anyways... whoever scouts goalies for the Blackhawks is pretty damn awesome at his/her job.
 

roshinaya

fnord
Donator
Joined:
May 15, 2010
Posts:
3,533
Liked Posts:
440
Salak has pretty much the same amount of experience as Niemi had when he got the backup job. Similar amount of games in the FEL/SEL, AHL and NHL.
 

R K

Guest
Salak has pretty much the same amount of experience as Niemi had when he got the backup job. Similar amount of games in the FEL/SEL, AHL and NHL.





Exactly. I agree with Tony and would search for another goalie, for Rockford but have NO PROBLEM with Salak being the back up in Chicago. Just as I would have had no problem had Niemi backed up Khabi in year one like he was supposed too. It would have saved the hawks 4 years of 5mil per year.
 

R K

Guest
So much for not wanting to play in the NHL.



Anyways... whoever scouts goalies for the Blackhawks is pretty damn awesome at his/her job.





I'm suprised Salak was in the Frolik deal. Maybe Dale still has his heart in Chicago.
 

Ton

New member
Joined:
May 14, 2010
Posts:
3,991
Liked Posts:
124
Location:
Park Ridge, IL
Niemi had no competition. He was originally signed to back up Khabi. No question. He was never to see the AHL. He ONLY saw the AHL because some asshat had to spend the rest of the Cap money and sign Huet. Niemi was told he'd be backing up Khabi. Before he signed on the dotted line. Salak is very similar EXCEPT he has some NHL experience already.





Now for your second point injuries. Every team in the league has to worry bout that. Halak and Conklin were both out for a stretch. The Blues had two rookie goalies from Peoria. It happens. Sure go get another goalie for Rockford. Good idea.



There is nothing wrong with Salak backing up Crawford. Injuries are the tangible that happen with every team. EVERY team has to worry about them and deal with them at some point.



Salak's position is VERY CLOSE to Niemi's. In fact they are so much alike you could say almost identical. Had HUET never been signed NIEMI would have never seen Rockford. Period! Did that year help him? Who knows he LOST his starting job there to Crawford. TWICE.



Your argument he's not ready has no water, because just like Niemi, he probably is, for the BACK UP role.



Come on man, just try to focus here. I never said he isn't ready, and I never said he isn't capable of playing at this level. All I said was I'd prefer not to hand anyone a spot and get someone to compete with him for that back-up spot.



If this happened, could of, would of, this, that, none of that happened. Huet was signed, and Niemi was in Rockford, and he did compete with Crawford the next year for the back-up position. Their situations are nothing alike, it could of been similar, but it wasn't. I bet Niemi would also tell you himself that year in the AHL helped him prepare for the NHL since he had to compete with Crawford.



All that crap is moot point anyway. Just get another goaltender, I don't have a problem with Salak earning the back-up role in Chicago, none what-so-ever. As of now he is penciled in because we have no other options.
 

R K

Guest
Come on man, just try to focus here. I never said he isn't ready, and I never said he isn't capable of playing at this level. All I said was I'd prefer not to hand anyone a spot and get someone to compete with him for that back-up spot.



If this happened, could of, would of, this, that, none of that happened. Huet was signed, and Niemi was in Rockford, and he did compete with Crawford the next year for the back-up position. Their situations are nothing alike, it could of been similar, but it wasn't. I bet Niemi would also tell you himself that year in the AHL helped him tremendously.



All that crap is moot point anyway. Just get another goaltender, I don't have a problem with Salak earning the back-up role in Chicago, none what-so-ever. As of now he is penciled in because we have no other options.





**** you it's Sunday! I'm not focussing! Ass.



Niemi lost. Contract is what had Niemi here. There was NO competition in Niemis first year. None, zip, ziltch.



I do agree we need another goalie.
 

Ton

New member
Joined:
May 14, 2010
Posts:
3,991
Liked Posts:
124
Location:
Park Ridge, IL
**** you it's Sunday! I'm not focussing! Ass.



Niemi lost. Contract is what had Niemi here. There was NO competition in Niemis first year. None, zip, ziltch.



I do agree we need another goalie.



I'll just drop the whole Niemi thing since we'll never see eye to eye on that.



I wonder what Turco plans on doing... I can't imagine he has many options, I also can't imagine he would be comfortable playing in the AHL if it came down to that.
 

BlackHawkPaul

Fartbarf
Donator
Joined:
Sep 28, 2010
Posts:
5,997
Liked Posts:
2,338
Location:
Somewhere in Indiana
I'll just drop the whole Niemi thing since we'll never see eye to eye on that.



I wonder what Turco plans on doing... I can't imagine he has many options, I also can't imagine he would be comfortable playing in the AHL if it came down to that.



Turco has limited options?

I think there are plenty of teams that may pony up a small bag of change to have him either back up or be the intended #1.

The guy is a huge positive presence-- even if he's doing it from the bench.



Teams that could/may sign Turco:

Ducks (no one knows the status of Hiller or Emery)

Sabres

Flames

Avs (2 UFAs; 1RFA)

Redwings (Howard+Turco- Are we seeing the last of Osgood?)

Coyotes (Turco is a good fit for a team like this that will have 2 UFA goaltenders)



There are many other teams that you could fit in a scenario where Turco fits. I doubt he's done or will be donning an AHL sweater in 11-12.
 

Pez68

Fire Waldron
Joined:
Oct 31, 2014
Posts:
5,020
Liked Posts:
838
I would like to see the Hawks grab Greiss from the Sharks. He's a UFA. Would help with our goalie depth problem, and also give Salak some competition for the backup job...
 

Top