The Bowman Reaction: Antti Niemi Or Niklas Hjalmarsson?

[Savoir_Faire_18]

As reported across all major sports websites, fan blogs, and twitter accounts alike, is the San Jose Sharks signing of Niklas Hjalmarsson to a $14 million, 4-year offer sheet.

In Blackhawk fan-dom, this means they have seven days to match the deal or be bitten.

 

[N3]

As much as it pains me to say it...Jelly > Niemi...Jelly has the potential to be a top pair Dman in a year or so....you dont just let that walk away

 

[Savoir_Faire_18]

Agreed... Hjalmarsson is going to be the man to be paired with Keith in the future. Wait... that is if he stays in Chicago. If not well, we will get to see him soon unfortunately.

 

[Capt. Serious]

Agreed with both.

Hammer is staying folks.

 

[N3]

There is a silver lining though...and that is if they dont match, I think its safe to say Seabs will get an extension...I just cant see the team letting both of them walk.

 

[Capt. Serious]

Talked to Chris Kuc there. (Prospect Camp) Really nice guy.

He told my dad & I he's not confident about Niemi coming back.

Just his two cents though.

 

[ClydeLee]

I'm for Hammer... I say they can keep them both if Neimi looses but if he wins big money I say no no Neimi.

 

[IvyPickin87]

i think you have to keep h4 he is a big reason along with the rest of the defenders niemi had such a good season. Our D can make any goalie look good. Not taking anything away from niemi he played well and got us a cup but not for the defensemen in front of the guy he would not be looking for big money now. Go with h4 and if we have to settle on another goalie so be it.

 

[DewsSox79]

disaster offseason

 

[Captain Iago]

Match the damn offer.

Bitchslap the **** out of SJ every chance possible.

 

[Livewire]

Our team finished with 52 wins and 112 points this season, one point away from being the #1 seed in the west. We accomplished all that with uncertainty at goalie throughout the entire season, and it was not until the final 5 games of the season that Niemi became the clear cut starting goaltender for our team. The reason being is we had the best defensive team in the NHL all year long as well as being the best puck possession team. We had the most shots on net and the least amount of shots against us this season, and Huet and Niemi had pretty good statistics across the board in this year.

Niemi stood on his head in 3 or so games this post season but I firmly believe even with Huet in net we are still celebrating a Stanley Cup in Chicago. There are very few goaltenders who are consistent year to year, in fact I could probably count them all on 1 hand. There is more certainty that next year and 3-4 years down the road Hjalmarsson will be the better asset out of the two, in fact I think 2 years down the road that 3.5 million per season will be an all out steal for Hammer.

 

[Savoir_Faire_18]

I wouldn't say disaster... Ideally every fan new that we were going to lose players. While we forget sometimes, hockey is a business to these guys. While we hope that they are playing for only the love of the game, it is simply fantasy. It is a business.

Besides the earlier trades dealing away Buff and Steeg, seeing as we all knew they were going, this was really the first huge slap in the face. Sort of the wake up call to what kind of trouble we really were in salary cap wise.

Regardless, our organization is stronger, and we really did get some contributors. Lets not forget the players that have been waiting to breakthrough and get a true shot. The future is bright in Chicago. Just hoping Hjalmarsson is there to be part of it.

 

[Captain Iago]

Oh, I should add...and hope the arbiter sees Niemi only a touch better than Rask (only because of the cup).

 

[Livewire]

Oh, I should add...and hope the arbiter sees Niemi only a touch better than Rask.

I hate to talk down the goaltender that just helped win us a Stanley Cup but Tuukka Rask is a far more valuable asset in terms of potential and current ability than Niemi. I have watched Rask for a few years now and he plays as big as anyone in net and has no glaring weakness, Niemi goes down too quickly and has trouble with off angle high shots. I have no idea how Rask only commanded 2.5 million on his extension this off season considering his performance this season and the fact that he took the starting job in Boston away from the reigning Vezina winner in Tim Thomas.

 

[Captain Iago]

I figured this was coming right after I posted it (hence the edit I did before you posted, LW)...

Agreed - in the eye of the arbiter the cup will have some meaning.

 

[Captain Iago]

I should better explain why I'd agree to match. I will concede that I think Hjammer is not worth 3.5 next year, I think he will be very close the year after. Then, in those final two years of the deal, he might very well be a steal at 3.5. Time will tell.

 

[Captain Iago]

Oh, and Niemi's case will be heard July 29, unless they come to terms on a deal (which is unlikely).

 

[Capt. Serious]

I love how Doug Wilson is talking like he's theirs now.

Bowman's won't let Hammer go. Kiss off Dougie.

 

[Got teeth? Keith doesn't.]

Our team finished with 52 wins and 112 points this season, one point away from being the #1 seed in the west. We accomplished all that with uncertainty at goalie throughout the entire season, and it was not until the final 5 games of the season that Niemi became the clear cut starting goaltender for our team. The reason being is we had the best defensive team in the NHL all year long as well as being the best puck possession team. We had the most shots on net and the least amount of shots against us this season, and Huet and Niemi had pretty good statistics across the board in this year.

Niemi stood on his head in 3 or so games this post season but I firmly believe even with Huet in net we are still celebrating a Stanley Cup in Chicago. There are very few goaltenders who are consistent year to year, in fact I could probably count them all on 1 hand. There is more certainty that next year and 3-4 years down the road Hjalmarsson will be the better asset out of the two, in fact I think 2 years down the road that 3.5 million per season will be an all out steal for Hammer.

I highly doubt we win the Cup with Huet as our goaltender the whole season and into the entire playoffs. I just can't see that happening at all.

 

[tbo41fan]

I highly doubt we win the Cup with Huet as our goaltender the whole season and into the entire playoffs. I just can't see that happening at all.

Me either.

I still bbelieve however than Niemi isnt that valuable where we would HAVE to match whatever he wins in arbitration. He did play against probably the best defense in the NHL