Re: NHL (Blackhawks included) offseason thread

[kujay]

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed forwards Evan Brophey, Nathan Davis and Hugh Jessiman, defenseman Jassen Cullimore, and goaltender Hannu Toivonen to one-year contracts.

 

http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=535475

I'm still trying to figure out how these things work in hockey. Does this mean the Hawks have just retained these guys and can play them in Rockford, or does this mean they are all Blackhawks and will count against the cap?

 

I think these are two-way contracts, so they will likely be assigned to Rockford and would only count against the cap if/when they are called up.

[Guest]

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed forwards Evan Brophey, Nathan Davis and Hugh Jessiman, defenseman Jassen Cullimore, and goaltender Hannu Toivonen to one-year contracts.

 

http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=535475

I'm still trying to figure out how these things work in hockey. Does this mean the Hawks have just retained these guys and can play them in Rockford, or does this mean they are all Blackhawks and will count against the cap?

 

I think these are two-way contracts, so they will likely be assigned to Rockford and would only count against the cap if/when they are called up.

Thanks.

[TruffleShuffle]

but seriously, what are these people going to say when niemi isn't even a starter next year?

 

i don't see many options at all for him

 

he sure as hell is better than michael leighton and brian boucher.

[Prizefight]

but seriously, what are these people going to say when niemi isn't even a starter next year?

 

i don't see many options at all for him

 

he sure as hell is better than michael leighton and brian boucher.

 

Shockingly, Philly's GM came out already and said they were not interested in Niemi. He better hope he can get a deal with San Jose or he's going to be in hockey hell.

[UMFan83]

Yeah he definitely priced himself out of opportunities I think. Could be wrong and some team might save him, but I don't think teams are going to pay for the Stanley Cup goalie monkier when many people assumed they would. Niemi played well at times in the playoffs, but on the biggest stage he didn't exactly have his best series for the most part other than like Game 2 and parts of Game 6. It was enough of a performance to get teams interested in him being the starter, but maybe not for $2.75M

[Butterscup1679666578]

I'll give him league minimum and he can backup Turco if he wants.

[kujay]

He could go play close to home in the KHL.

[TruffleShuffle]

but seriously, what are these people going to say when niemi isn't even a starter next year?

 

i don't see many options at all for him

 

he sure as hell is better than michael leighton and brian boucher.

 

Shockingly, Philly's GM came out already and said they were not interested in Niemi. He better hope he can get a deal with San Jose or he's going to be in hockey hell.

 

the philly inquirer said that to fit him under the cap, we'd have to send boucher and matt walker (d-man) to the minors. okay, so what's the problem???

[Magnetic Curses]

he had a sure-fire starting gig in Chicago, which he earned and which he wasn't satisfied with.

[Prizefight]

James Wisnewski got 3.25m from the Islanders?!? :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

 

We kept Hammer for a steal of a deal then

[kujay]

but seriously, what are these people going to say when niemi isn't even a starter next year?

 

i don't see many options at all for him

 

he sure as hell is better than michael leighton and brian boucher.

 

Shockingly, Philly's GM came out already and said they were not interested in Niemi. He better hope he can get a deal with San Jose or he's going to be in hockey hell.

 

the philly inquirer said that to fit him under the cap, we'd have to send boucher and matt walker (d-man) to the minors. okay, so what's the problem???

 

Matt Walker that used to be on the Hawks? Did they just sign him? I thought he was with Tampa.

[TruffleShuffle]

Matt Walker that used to be on the Hawks? Did they just sign him? I thought he was with Tampa.

 

he was part of the gagne trade/salary dump

[kujay]

Matt Walker that used to be on the Hawks? Did they just sign him? I thought he was with Tampa.

 

he was part of the gagne trade/salary dump

 

Ah okay. I didn't keep up with how he did last year, but he was solid enough for the Hawks two years ago.

[kujay]

I know the site is suspect (at best) for rumors, but this is a good rundown of the goaltending situation around the league and who might be willing to pick up Niemi. And it reinforces how badly he played his cards.

 

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Steven-Hindle/The-Niemi-Dilemma-Examining-Who-Has-Room-For-the-Stanley-Cup-Winner/98/29614

[Butterscup1679666578]

I think he ends up with the Sharks still.

 

Not that I have anything against Niemi, and I would've liked to keep him, but if he prices himself out of the league, or is forced to take a small contract as a backup on a shitty team, I'm going to laugh.

[Magnetic Curses]

I think he ends up with the Sharks still.

 

Not that I have anything against Niemi, and I would've liked to keep him, but if he prices himself out of the league, or is forced to take a small contract as a backup on a [expletive] team, I'm going to laugh.

 

i hope the sharks sign him at 3 mil or something just to watch the meltdown on fear the fin. that thread would be bookmarked.

[Flames24Rulz]

Yeah, Niemi should definitely consider firing Zito. He has himself in quite the situation right now.

[kujay]

Yeah, Niemi should definitely consider firing Zito. He has himself in quite the situation right now.

 

Seriously. I have no doubt Zito is sleeping on Doug Wilson's doorstep right now, begging him to give Niemi 2/$5M just to save some face.

[Soul]

Well, he had a gig on a contender and the Hawks definitely wanted him to return. They asked to work with the team's tough cap situation and he did not.

 

I understand wanting to get paid when the wave is cresting, but given the situation there was significant risk for him. Now he's got to live with it and hope he lands on his feet, which he still could. I hold no ill will, but wish it worked out differently.

 

I'm pretty happy with our plan B. We'll see if Niemi is as satisfied with his when it's all over.

[Magnetic Curses]

Well, he had a gig on a contender and the Hawks definitely wanted him to return. They asked to work with the team's tough cap situation and he did not.

 

I understand wanting to get paid when the wave is cresting, but given the situation there was significant risk for him. Now he's got to live with it and hope he lands on his feet, which he still could. I hold no ill will, but wish it worked out differently.

 

I'm pretty happy with our plan B. We'll see if Niemi is as satisfied with his when it's all over.

 

but hey, niemi is not comfortable playing for a contender, remember? at least, that's how zito was selling him to the hawks. apparently, he thinks there's more job security playing in a smaller market where he can start for the next 10 years without anyone noticing him. THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS YOU ASS

 

[expletive] off, man

[kujay]

Well, he had a gig on a contender and the Hawks definitely wanted him to return. They asked to work with the team's tough cap situation and he did not.

 

I understand wanting to get paid when the wave is cresting, but given the situation there was significant risk for him. Now he's got to live with it and hope he lands on his feet, which he still could. I hold no ill will, but wish it worked out differently.

 

I'm pretty happy with our plan B. We'll see if Niemi is as satisfied with his when it's all over.

 

but hey, niemi is not comfortable playing for a contender, remember? at least, that's how zito was selling him to the hawks. apparently, he thinks there's more job security playing in a smaller market where he can start for the next 10 years without anyone noticing him. THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS YOU ASS

 

[expletive] off, man

 

I don't remember reading Zito saying anything like that. If Niemi has trouble dealing with pressure, he has a funny way of showing it. Niemi is a weird duck. And it could just be because of the language barrier, but we have no idea what makes that guy tick. So it could be all Zito. Either way, I'm with Soul, I wish the guy success against everyone but the Hawks.

[jersey cubs fan]

Well, he had a gig on a contender and the Hawks definitely wanted him to return. They asked to work with the team's tough cap situation and he did not.

 

I understand wanting to get paid when the wave is cresting, but given the situation there was significant risk for him. Now he's got to live with it and hope he lands on his feet, which he still could. I hold no ill will, but wish it worked out differently.

 

I'm pretty happy with our plan B. We'll see if Niemi is as satisfied with his when it's all over.

 

but hey, niemi is not comfortable playing for a contender, remember? at least, that's how zito was selling him to the hawks. apparently, he thinks there's more job security playing in a smaller market where he can start for the next 10 years without anyone noticing him. THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS YOU ASS

 

[expletive] off, man

 

I don't remember reading Zito saying anything like that. If Niemi has trouble dealing with pressure, he has a funny way of showing it. Niemi is a weird duck. And it could just be because of the language barrier, but we have no idea what makes that guy tick. So it could be all Zito. Either way, I'm with Soul, I wish the guy success against everyone but the Hawks.

 

The story was early in the process. It sounded like a negotiating ploy to get the team to not think about hometown discounts, since Niemi's preference would be some small team. As though he had to sacrifice enjoyment to play for a contender that people paid attention to.

[17 Seconds]

Zito said he wants the Hawks to sign Niemi to one of those Duncan Keith, Marian Hossa lifetime guarantees, lock him up for 13 years or so. Of course he does, but you can bet the Hawks are not going to do it with so much yet to be learned about Niemi.

 

Zito talked to the National Post in Canada. "He's going to get his money," Zito said about Niemi. "But the term is going to have something to do with it, too."

 

Reporter Michael Traikos then came to Zito's aid by writing this speculation: "Indeed, if the Blackhawks believe Niemi is a franchise goaltender, then the best route is for the team to sign him to a cap-friendly deal with a lengthy expiration date. That is what Chicago did with defenceman Keith (US$72-million for 13 years) and Hossa (US$62.8-million for 12 years)."

 

Zito loved the sound of that. "Which would be smart," he responded. "If they share our enthusiasm for what he's done and what he would probably do."

"You have to make a smart hockey decision," Zito said. "Where does he want to play? Does he want to be part of this thing?

 

"This city, it's unbelievable now. But he might say 'no.' In fact, he's the kind of guy who might say, 'I don't like it.' "

 

"The other night, we were all going to dinner and I was like, 'Hey, we're going to one of these Mexican places, do you want to go?'

 

"Antti says, 'No. Too many people will see me.' "

[kujay]

^Oh yeah I remember seeing that quote about people seeing him.

 

I don't know, I have to imagine other players Zito has are taking a look at their options.

[UMFan83]

An article on ESPN.com (insider) seems to suggest that the NHL is going to go after Luongo and Hossa's contracts since they've now voided Kovalchuk's deal. I can't see how they would manage to void a contract that was signed a year ago and they supposedly investigated and allowed back then, but there are already reports they are looking into Lu's deal, and I think Hossa's deal is a bit outrageous.

 

Second question....as much as I love Hossa and appreciate his help in winning the Cup, would you be really that upset if the deal was voided?

Edited August 10, 2010 by UMFan83