Antti Niemi files for arbitration

[stevkrause 1,247]

I have hard time believing he would be awarded substantially less than Halak, Rinne, and Lehtonen. Those are the only comparable players eligible for comparison. And his stats were pretty similar. That would put him in the 3.5-4 million range. I think their only hope is that he wants to stay in Chicago and they get him signed before they get to arbitration.

Did he really perform below expectations though? He was the starter, in that he played and started more games than Niemi. He just lost the job by the playoffs. His save% was down, but his GAA is on par with his career numbers. He really hasn't been bad in Chicago. And it's not his fault that the Hawks paid him twice what he was worth.

I don't know that the PA would or could do anything, but you can't blame for Huet for not being worth $5.6M. He never has been, and Chicago had no good reason to expect him to be. He had a great handful of games in Washington, and Tallon grossly overpaid for him. Now they should have to pay the price.

Unfortunately, they won't, and there probably won't be any negative consequences.

Exactly - I didn't say the NHLPA was LIKELY to get involved, just that they COULD and would have a very good case if they chose to do so...

[softshoes 83]

So we can eliminate Huet taking the high road and giving the money back huh?

I know Chi made their own bed here but I grow tired of watching players(pick your league) holding out mid contract for a raise because they played above expectations but ownership has no recourse when they play below what's expected. Players got the short end of the stick since pro leagues formed but the pendulum has swung to far the other way.

There are enough greedy owners so I don't feel to bad for them but.......eh, my only relief is it's the Blackhawks.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

From nhl dot calm :

...

Hearings will be held in Toronto from July 20 to Aug. 4, with the specific dates to be announced Tuesday.

...

The article is date 07/06, so the dates will be announced on the 13th?

[HankthaTank 1,100]

2) Lose Niemi AND Hjalmarsson.

Looking like it is more than a possibility. I am lovingggg it.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

I'd keep Niemi rather than Hjalmarsson. I don't know why. Maybe because of that French guy.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

This situation just got more interesting here.

[HankthaTank 1,100]

This situation just got more interesting here.

Some crazy shizz needs to happen for them to get Niemi back.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Perhaps bidding goodbye to Sharp could be part of that craziness.

[HankthaTank 1,100]

Perhaps bidding goodbye to Sharp could be part of that craziness.

And more laughter shall ensue on my end. He is a very very underrated player on this team. He goes, they are torched.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

And more laughter shall ensue on my end. He is a very very underrated player on this team. He goes, they are torched.

Looks like it may have to come down to either Niemi or Sharp.

[Grim 5]

An arbiter just awarded Clark MacArthur $2.4M... and the Thrashers walked away.

I really don't think the Blackhawks are even in the same stratoshere in talks with Niemi.

[dragonballgtz 273]

An arbiter just awarded Clark MacArthur $2.4M... and the Thrashers walked away.

I really don't think the Blackhawks are even in the same stratoshere in talks with Niemi.

WoW $2.4M that's...wow...yeah

Even Flip put this guy on his ass. Not sure what he is know for.

[Guest Hatethedrake!]

I think it's possible the knuckle puck kid from the Mighty Ducks movies may be the Hawks goalie next year. Either him or the goalie from Slapshot.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

I read that wrong and nearly posted, "The f*** is going on when Clark MacArthur gets $4.2 million?"

Would it be more beneficial for the Hawks to keep Niemi and lose Sharp, or the other way around and go with Huet?

[Doggy 130]

I read that wrong and nearly posted, "The f*** is going on when Clark MacArthur gets $4.2 million?"

Would it be more beneficial for the Hawks to keep Niemi and lose Sharp, or the other way around and go with Huet?

If they go with Huet they'll have to lose Sharp anyway.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

Any chance they could lose Brent Seabrook?

[Doggy 130]

Any chance they could lose Brent Seabrook?

It would be far from Bowman's first choice. If someone gives him an offer sheet next off-season, it could well be worth a first-, second- and third-round pick to the Hawks. Maybe even two first and the others.

Sharp is a bigger cap hit, for two seasons, after which he'll become a UFA and they'll get zero in lieu of his absence. Plus, Bowman being the son of his father, I'm sure he believes in building from defense.

With this in mind, IMO it makes much more sense to move Sharp than Seabrook.

[chrisdetroit 189]

It would be far from Bowman's first choice. If someone gives him an offer sheet next off-season, it could well be worth a first-, second- and third-round pick to the Hawks. Maybe even two first and the others.

Sharp is a bigger cap hit, for two seasons, after which he'll become a UFA and they'll get zero in lieu of his absence. Plus, Bowman being the son of his father, I'm sure he believes in building from defense.

With this in mind, IMO it makes much more sense to move Sharp than Seabrook.

My prediction, they lose Niemi, keep Sharp and start Huet. And lose most of the bandwagon fans.

Balance has been restored to the Force...

[Doggy 130]

Might need to fix this one up a touch for you.

My prediction, they lose Niemi, keep Sharp and start Huet. Get penalized by the NHL for going over the cap and dress only 17 players. And lose most of the bandwagon fans.

Balance has been restored to the Force...

[Superman54 91]

Sharp has been told he wont get traded, and Hawks will sign him as long as its under 3 Million, which it should be.

[thedisappearer 291]

The Hawk's off-season has almost be sexually arousing to me.

[eva unit zero 271]

Sharp has been told he wont get traded, and Hawks will sign him as long as its under 3 Million, which it should be.

Sharp was already signed for $3.9m coming into the summer.

It's looking more and more like they'll trade Niemi and either sign a cheap vet like a Turco/Theodore for under $1.5m or just go with a tandem of Crawford/Toivonen.

[Grim 5]

It's looking more and more like they'll trade Niemi and either sign a cheap vet like a Turco/Theodore for under $1.5m or just go with a tandem of Crawford/Toivonen.

can they trade a player that goes to arbitration? can he be signed/traded before his hearing??

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Theodore a Hawk? I approve.

[thedisappearer 291]

Theodore a Hawk? I approve.

Or Turco, for that matter. Eva, you are delivering the bonerific rumors.