Turco Signed (1Y,1.3M), Hawks walk away from Niemi.

[noon]

[quote name="winos5"]"He's disappointed," said Zito of Niemi. "He's in a bit of shock. ...[/quote]



If Niemi is in shock over this, he's got no one to blame but Zito. Again, the fact that Niemi asked "Now what does this mean?" after the award -- plus allegedly being "in shock" at the outcome here -- strongly suggests Zito did not inform Niemi how arbitrations work and what were the possible outcomes. I smell malpractice.

 

[Pez68]

[quote name="roshinaya"]Not really surprised that it's Kerfuffle whining and moaning here. I've only seen him be doom&gloom, negative and whining around here.



Turco @ 1.3 is a great deal, regardless of his past years in Dallas. And by the comments he made, he seems really stoked to be a Hawk and I am sure he'll do his best to get that one last big payday before retiring. Playing behind the suspect defense of Dallas is sure to beat any one down and Crawford isn't exactly known to be a goalie guy.[/quote]



If Turco has a great season next year, I wouldn't be opposed to the Hawks signing him for another year or two with a pay raise.



Here's something for those talking about Turco's age to think long and hard about. How old was Khabi when he took us to the WCF in 2009? How many injuries has Turco had in his career, compared to Khabi and his constant nagging injuries and back problems? How many people wanted Khabi back after the 2008-2009 season, regardless of his age? Given all that, why are we worried about Turco's age again? Double standards are fun.

 

[The Count Dante]

Now, I will admit I have little clue to the agent/player relationship. And correct me if I am wrong, but Niemi chose his agent, yeah?



Everyone here is blaming Zito for it all but Niemi hired em. If I hire an attorney to handle my affairs and he sucks and blows it, would I not take some of that blame? Maybe Niemi is greedy. Maybe he said to Zito 'No, I am worth much more than that".



And we are all assuming the Niemi wanted to stay? Do we really know?



And ultimately, it doesnt matter anymore.



Instead we got a hungry Vet, proven franchise netminder, for perhaps the best deal I can think of for someone like this, who at least says all the right things, has the attitude, and gave up money and years to play with the Hawks.



Wish ya the best of luck Niemi, thanks for your play, hope you find what you are looking for in your career.

 

[mikita's helmet]

[quote name="Pez68"]



Yep, I agree with you [Chaps], though, apparently, we are in the minority. I guess I just haven't seen the "washed up" Turco that everyone else is claiming to have seen. He is still one of the top puck handling goalies in the league.[/quote]



I think it's an excellent move by the Hawks.

 

[Guest]

[quote name="noon"]



If Niemi is in shock over this, he's got no one to blame but Zito. Again, the fact that Niemi asked "Now what does this mean?" after the award -- plus allegedly being "in shock" at the outcome here -- strongly suggests Zito did not inform Niemi how arbitrations work and what were the possible outcomes. I smell malpractice.[/quote]



With Zito that would not surprise me one bit. From everything I've ever heard the guy is a Snake similar to the President of this Organization.

 

[ginnie]

Off The Record is just coming on. Up front - interview with Chris Kuc from the Chicago Tribune about the Hawks and Niemi.



Landsburg suggested that the Hawks could have kept Niemi if they really wanted to. Kuc said that the Cap was just that tight.

When asked about Turco's capabilities Kuc said that Turco doesn't need to be brilliant, and his puckhandling skills are perfect for getting the puck to the Dmen in Chicago.

 

[noon]

[quote name="THe Count Dante"]Now, I will admit I have little clue to the agent/player relationship. And correct me if I am wrong, but Niemi chose his agent, yeah?



Everyone here is blaming Zito for it all but Niemi hired em. If I hire an attorney to handle my affairs and he sucks and blows it, would I not take some of that blame?[/quote]



That depends on how the attorney blows it. If one of my clients was faced with an outcome about which he was surprised or shocked because I did not disclose to him that the strategy I recommended carried with it the distinct and foreseeable risk that that outcome could obtain, I wouldn't expect to keep that client. And I'd be worried about a malpractice action.

 

[Kerfuffle]

I wanted to share this with the board --> http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/ ... harrington



Excellent article showing how an agent can absolutely ruin a player. In the article, it shows how an unscrupulous agent, combined with player greed can be risky. Matt Harrington was a #1 draft pick in 2000 and long story short, he and his agent refused to sign deal after deal, always thinking there was something better out there. He went on to be re-drafted a total of 5 times and never signed. Today he installs tires for a living. Think Niemi got some bad advice? I do. Read the article - I think you'll enjoy it.

 

[Larmer83]

[quote name="Pez68"]Know what the worst part of this is? If not for Niemi and his stupid fucking arbitration, we probably keep Ladd.[/quote]

Probably not.

 

[mikita's helmet]

[quote name="LordKOTL"]However, something I'm waiting to see--I wonder what his mask will look like.



I've alwasy been a fan of mask-art, and I'm curious to see what he'll have playing for us.



I know minor on the list of important things...[/quote]



Perhaps an homage to his hometown hero, Tony 0.

 

[mikita's helmet]

[quote name="noon"]



If Niemi is in shock over this, he's got no one to blame but Zito.[/quote]



He oughta punch his fuckin' lights out.

 

[mikita's helmet]

[quote name="Pez68"]If Turco has a great season next year, I wouldn't be opposed to the Hawks signing him for another year or two with a pay raise.[/quote]



...and they could sweeten the deal with bonus incentives since Turco turns 35 next month.

 

[Guest]

[quote name="Larmer83"]

Probably not.[/quote]



If they could have gotten Niemi for 1.3 and Wilson had not fucked us on Hjarlmarsson I'd bet money they'd have been able to keep Ladd.



I'd also suggest Ladd may be back here in Chicago at some point.



IMO Ladd is still the biggest loss for this team so far this off season.

 

[whalerhawk]

I hope Niemi lands somewhere that he can be a starter and I hope he plays well enough to earn a big payday someday. From what I hear, he's a tireless worker and a good guy who probably just got some bad advice here. I hope Washington picks him up or another contender (not San Jose).



I would hate to see him flounder as someone's backup after all this.

 

[Guest]

[quote name="bookjones"]



That's always been his rep from what I recall!



Another plus is that the Hawks no longer have to worry about him standing on his goddamn head and making the Stars looks like worldbeaters when they play 'em next season, lol![/quote]



So much I would always go out of my way to make sure I chatted with him. NO matter what he would stop and talk, often to the time he had to leave. I am very excited to see him play in Chicago.



I would NOT how ever traded for him at the deadline last year. I felt and still feel Niemi would be fine for the Blackhawks. Unfortunately it did not work out that way.



That said goal is the least of my worries going into 2010-2011 now. Turco will face less quality shots and less shots over all than either goalie last year. Our defense is almost identical other than Sopel.



Who other than PK and shot blocking was often VERY slow and cause for goals against.

 

[LordKOTL]

[quote name="Kerfuffle"]I wanted to share this with the board --> http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/ ... harrington



Excellent article showing how an agent can absolutely ruin a player. In the article, it shows how an unscrupulous agent, combined with player greed can be risky. Matt Harrington was a #1 draft pick in 2000 and long story short, he and his agent refused to sign deal after deal, always thinking there was something better out there. He went on to be re-drafted a total of 5 times and never signed. Today he installs tires for a living. Think Niemi got some bad advice? I do. Read the article - I think you'll enjoy it.[/quote]



True, it could be said that Niemi did get bad advice from Zito. Fine, so, at this point, I would say he takes the best offer he can, fires Zito, makes an effort in his off-time to learn the business-side of hockey when it comes to player contracts, and finds another agent and works back up--and learns from your example--don't awlays assume there's a better offer out there.



Still, Even if he did get bad advice--it's no reason to boo him. I do hope he has a good career from hereon out and does fine--after all, he did help us to win a cup.

 

[Larmer83]

[quote name="R K"]



If they could have gotten Niemi for 1.3 and Wilson had not fucked us on Hjarlmarsson I'd bet money they'd have been able to keep Ladd.



I'd also suggest Ladd may be back here in Chicago at some point.



IMO Ladd is still the biggest loss for this team so far this off season.[/quote]

I agree with you that Ladd is the biggest loss.



What Pez wrote was that if not for the Niemi arb, the Hawks would be able to keep Ladd. Even if Niemi took the same $ as Turco, with Ladd's $2.35 Mil it would be a 20 man roster with Toivenen as back up and 470K in space.

 

[Guest]

His name will be on the Cup as a Chicago Blackhawk. I will never boo him. He was a HUGE part in why we won the Cup.



Unfortunately his agent and the Salary Cap, combined with Toews and Kane's bonuses, killed us this year.



Luckily we have found a very good replacement goalie and on paper appear to have the depth to handle most, if not all, of the losses up to this point.



Hawks will still defend their Championship. It's not easy to repeat. Last team was the one that beat the Hawks one of the two years they won!

 

[IceHogsFan]

[quote name="LordKOTL"]



True, it could be said that Niemi did get bad advice from Zito. Fine, so, at this point, I would say he takes the best offer he can, fires Zito, makes an effort in his off-time to learn the business-side of hockey when it comes to player contracts, and finds another agent and works back up--and learns from your example--don't awlays assume there's a better offer out there.



Still, Even if he did get bad advice--it's no reason to boo him. I do hope he has a good career from hereon out and does fine--after all, he did help us to win a cup.[/quote]



The ultimate FU from Niemi would be to hear of him signing with another with another agent!

 

[Guest]

[quote name="Larmer83"]

I agree with you that Ladd is the biggest loss.



What Pez wrote was that if not for the Niemi arb, the Hawks would be able to keep Ladd. Even if Niemi took the same $ as Turco, with Ladd's $2.35 Mil it would be a 20 man roster with Toivenen as back up and 470K in space.[/quote]



Well if Toews and Kane didn't get 4.4 mil in bonuses we'd not have been nearly as screwed. I'm sorry but having Turco, excites me. If Khabi had this team in front of him years ago when he was first signed we'd have won the Cup then too.