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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.
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.
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'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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.