Re: NHL (Blackhawks included) offseason thread

[Garwilly]

This stuff should be on TV,, or at the least their website.

[Butterscup1679666578]

@NHLBlackhawks

 

GM Stan Bowman about to answer Niemi questions on conference call.

 

Bowman: Arbitrator will rule sometime Saturday. Hawks will have 48 hours to accept, walk away or trade the award.

 

Bowman: Decision will obviously be made based on what number is. Club has strategies mapped out on how it might go, but won't speculate.

 

Bowman: Off-season hasn't changed expectations. Core of team is still together. Excited about chance new and young guys will have.

[Magnetic Curses]

[expletive] the [expletive] off

[Butterscup1679666578]

Bowman: Of course would be a loss if Niemi doesn't return... But change is part of sports, especially with hard salary cap.

 

Bowman: In terms of free agents, are a lot on the market... If have to go down that road, will be prepared. Team in October will be ready.

 

Bowman: Focus been on preparing for Antti, but has had some talks with Huet's agent about next season... Something team will tackle later.

 

That wraps up Stan's conference call. Expect a recap soon on NHL.com and chicagoblackhawks.com.

Edited July 29, 2010 by Butterscup

[Butterscup1679666578]

This was totally press conference worthy

[Garwilly]

I withdraw my complaint. This clearly should not have been televised.

[Wilson A2000]

The Blackhawks lost money last year, even after all their success. Season tickets are going up 20% as a result. Rocky had to borrow money from the Wirtz corportion just to pay the bills at times. Yet Rocky says he won't pinch pennies like his dad.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0730-confidential-hawks-20100730,0,1613106.column

[UMFan83]

The Blackhawks lost money last year, even after all their success. Season tickets are going up 20% as a result. Rocky had to borrow money from the Wirtz corportion just to pay the bills at times. Yet Rocky says he won't pinch pennies like his dad.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0730-confidential-hawks-20100730,0,1613106.column

 

Jeez. If that is the kind of season that loses you money, with 41 sellouts of the biggest arena in the NHL (i think), ridiculous amounts of merchandise sales, 11 home playoff games and a Stanley Cup, then either the Hawks are greatly in trouble as an organization or the NHL CBA really really sucks.

[Wilson A2000]

1. The NHL's TV deal stinks.

2. The Hawks need to raise their ticket prices.

3. The Hawks shouldn't have to give half their playoff gate to the NHL.

 

Bill Wirtz really lost 30 million in 2007, wow. There has to be a ton of mismanagement there. I had no idea Wirtz and Co. did $1.5 billion in sales last year.

[jersey cubs fan]

The Blackhawks lost money last year, even after all their success. Season tickets are going up 20% as a result. Rocky had to borrow money from the Wirtz corportion just to pay the bills at times. Yet Rocky says he won't pinch pennies like his dad.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0730-confidential-hawks-20100730,0,1613106.column

 

Jeez. If that is the kind of season that loses you money, with 41 sellouts of the biggest arena in the NHL (i think), ridiculous amounts of merchandise sales, 11 home playoff games and a Stanley Cup, then either the Hawks are greatly in trouble as an organization or the NHL CBA really really sucks.

 

They really ramped up spending with Hossa, Campbell and the three longterm contracts (Hossa was paid more in 2009/2010 than his cap hit). They also overhauled the front office, having fired a coach and GM that were both under contract. 2008-2010 has been kind of like a giant marketing plan. They've spent a lot of money to get the interest back in the team.

[E.J.]

Niemi as good as gone?

[Magnetic Curses]

Niemi as good as gone?

 

whoever gives niemi 4 million per deserves to have to hide him in the minors.

Edited July 31, 2010 by Stannis

[17 Seconds]

who is even going to give him 4 million? wouldn't they have signed him to an offer sheet before if they were going to do that?

[Magnetic Curses]

i will enjoy seeing marty turco have a resurgence as a hawk, though.

[17 Seconds]

if someone signs niemi for 4 million (i ask again... who?), then fans are going to be expecting big things. that's what happens when you have "stanley cup winning goaltender...." before your name. there's going to be a lot of pressure. i'm really interested to see what niemi will do next season, especially if he doesn't have the benefit of our defense playing in front of him.

 

don't forget... niemi was average in the regular season, and was average overall in the postseason (would have been above average if not for his SCF performance)

[Magnetic Curses]

if someone signs niemi for 4 million (i ask again... who?), then fans are going to be expecting big things. that's what happens when you have "stanley cup winning goaltender...." before your name. there's going to be a lot of pressure. i'm really interested to see what niemi will do next season, especially if he doesn't have the benefit of our defense playing in front of him.

 

don't forget... niemi was average in the regular season, and was average overall in the postseason (would have been above average if not for his SCF performance)

 

i have no idea who.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Yeah I'm fully OK with taking Turco for half the price of Niemi's supposed 4 mill

[Guest]

$2.75M is the arbitrator number for Niemi.

[Magnetic Curses]

$2.75M is the arbitrator number for Niemi.

 

AHHHHHH. within reach, but just out of. meet with truco, see what he'll take before deciding on niemi.

[kujay]

If they can fit him in, pay him the award. It's just one year, and I'd like to see him for another year anyway before deciding if he's worth more long term. Turco would be a temporary fit too, and perhaps a bit cheaper, but obviously I'd rather than Neimi.

[seanimal]

i think you gotta try to keep niemi here

[Magnetic Curses]

i'd rather have turco, and they'll go with turco. and if i were him, i'd be super-excited to get a chance to play behind our defense. he might put up a sub 2 GAA again. i'd take a pay-cut for another chance at immortality.

 

niemi could make a lot of money playing behind seabrook/keith campbell/toftbo. if he goes anywhere else, he'll be exposed and lose big.

[Soul]

I'm torn on it. Can't decide whether I want to keep Niemi or try for a cheaper alternative.

 

Seems crazy, but October's really not that far away. This thing needs to be tied off one way or the other so we can move forward.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm torn on it. Can't decide whether I want to keep Niemi or try for a cheaper alternative.

 

Seems crazy, but October's really not that far away. This thing needs to be tied off one way or the other so we can move forward.

 

It probably will be by today or tomorrow. My interpretation of Bowman's comments is they want to let Niemi walk.

[UMFan83]

I think they will sign Niemi.....and then trade him at some point in the near future.