The Blackhawks suck

[roseboundhawk]

Not good, friends.

Huet is not good.

He will be the ruin of what should be a great next few years.

[roseboundhawk]

Forget I said anything!:)

[valp0guy]

Reap It!

[castichawk24]

That was a fun game to watch. Lots of high scoring games are on the horizon for this season, it appears.

[castichawk24]

another good W for the blackhawks. 4-1-1. niemi looks pretty decent in net. do you all think he will become the #1 starter? is there any possible way they trade for a goalie?

[scottsdalehawk]

another good W for the blackhawks. 4-1-1. niemi looks pretty decent in net. do you all think he will become the #1 starter? is there any possible way they trade for a goalie?

They have no cap room and nobody is going to trade for Huet's contract.

[roseboundhawk]

i don't think niemi is a starter. but i also don't think the team trusts huet and plays worse while he is in.

[castichawk24]

another nice win last night. huet looked very sharp. the only goal was off his own defenders skate.

2nd night in a row Hjalmarsson had one go off his skate. not his fault, but kinda coincidental/funny.

[Du Hawk Du Mich]

Niemi has a couple serious flaws that he has to correct before he's a #1. He, like Huet, goes down too early and doesn't get back up quick enough. His rebound control is bad too.

The last 8 periods of Hawk hockey have been phenomenal

[RecreationalGynecologist]

Niemi has a couple serious flaws that he has to correct before he's a #1. He, like Huet, goes down too early and doesn't get back up quick enough. His rebound control is bad too.

The last 8 periods of Hawk hockey have been phenomenal

That was the knock on Patrick Roy as well. Going down too early, but then again Huet is no Roy. I've got a pair of Blackhawks 14" pro stock Bauer hockey gloves..About the only thing Blackhawks related I have ha

[castichawk24]

Niemi has a couple serious flaws that he has to correct before he's a #1. He, like Huet, goes down too early and doesn't get back up quick enough. His rebound control is bad too.

The last 8 periods of Hawk hockey have been phenomenal


they were saying last night on the broadcast that Huet is trying to change his mechanics right now to not go down so early. i honestly have no idea about any of it, but i'm hoping he is better when he gets comfortable with his new mechanics.

either way, it is so much fun to watch a team this great. (and Hossa hasn't even hit the ice yet)

[castichawk24]

the goal huet gave up last night was absolutely fucking ridiculous.

[RecreationalGynecologist]

Huet is a streaky goaltender

[RecreationalGynecologist]

LOL Huet is bad

[RecreationalGynecologist]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii-08G6C6wI

[Du Hawk Du Mich]

I'm not sure that I understand the thought process behind reworking a goalies mechanics after he's been in the league for however many years huet has been, but then again the hawk organization hasn't been a bastion of good decisions for as long as I can remember. What's even more puzzling is that they're working on his glove hand, which wasn't even his problem. Call me a pessimist, but I wouldn't bet on this expiriment to work on his mechanics turning out successful.

[RecreationalGynecologist]

Well, that freak goal did go in glove side ha

[castichawk24]

boobs!!!!

[Edgecrusher7711]

boobs!!!!

Damn jacket is in the way.

[castichawk24]

no kidding

[roseboundhawk]

they should have done that when they sucked i would have watched more.

[castichawk24]

huet has been pretty good lately, btw. which is the main things the hawks need to be worried about, imho.

[roseboundhawk]

injuries absolutely killing 'em so far, and they're still in first (barely).

They just need to coast into the playoffs healthy.

[castichawk24]

RzHqNVgMkCg

3-0 in the 2nd period over the leafs, and huet has been standing on his head once again.

[HawkLax6]

The Maple Leafs are awful this year.

[castichawk24]

that doesn't take the joy out of the blackhawks skull fucking them and having a few whiskey treats.

[HawkLax6]

that doesn't take the joy out of the blackhawks skull fucking them and having a few whiskey treats.

I know. I was just stating how bad they are this year.

[castichawk24]

that doesn't take the joy out of the blackhawks skull fucking them and having a few whiskey treats.

I know. I was just stating how bad they are this year.


I know.

[roseboundhawk]

they even won a fight tonight.

[castichawk24]

they even won a fight tonight.


firing on all cylinders.

[castichawk24]

miss illinois!!!

[Edgecrusher7711]

That was not a good 3rd but we'll take the win.

[roseboundhawk]

Big news guys! Toews and Kane sign 5 year $6 mm deals, Keith possibly 13 years $5+ mm. Hawks are are approx. 5 million over next years cap. Bye-bye Campbell, and probably others.

Also, Hossa back soon.

[castichawk24]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/chi-18-blackhawks-chicago-nov18,0,3362152.story


very nice.

[RecreationalGynecologist]

Anyone interested in some pro stock Blackhawks hockey gloves??

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b76/epstud74/Hockey%20Stuff/NBHSDPPRO4ROLLS3.jpg

[Edgecrusher7711]

Big news guys! Toews and Kane sign 5 year $6 mm deals, Keith possibly 13 years $5+ mm. Hawks are are approx. 5 million over next years cap. Bye-bye Campbell, and probably others.

Also, Hossa back soon.

No way they'll be able to move Campbell. They will have to trade Sopel, Barker and Buff though. And they won't be able to resign Madden or Ladd. The one I care about is I hope they can find a way to resign HJalmerson. I think he's going to be really good.

Other than that having these 3 plus Seabrook and Hossa as a core for the next half decade is a very good place to be. Although the price tag on Toews is a tad high.

[imissjoeyrange]

Could someone explain the ridiculous lengths of some of these NHL contracts (I know Hossa got 8 and is too old to play 8 years at that cost). I don't know shit about the NHL salary cap and I find these things interesting.

[Edgecrusher7711]

Could someone explain the ridiculous lengths of some of these NHL contracts (I know Hossa got 8 and is too old to play 8 years at that cost). I don't know shit about the NHL salary cap and I find these things interesting.

In simple terms so I'm generalizing...

The cap hit for an NHL contract is basically the money divided by years (it's not actually the full number it's a percentage). So what they're doing is front loading the contract so the player is happy. They then add the really cheap years on the end so they have many options. The player retires cheap, he's easy to trade, he stays on for cheap or they cut him.

It's a win/win for the big markets. They can get around the cap restrictions put in by the NHL to help out the other 70% of the league. Detroit and Chicago have really taken advantage of this the last 2 years. The league is getting pissed about it and wasn't happy about the Hossa contract and their were rumblings of a punishment for the Hawks. So the Keith contract could be interesting.

Edit...actually they need the player to retire at the end because the cap hit is obviously way higher than what he's making at that point so he's hurting them by still being around. This is why they do it with slightly older players (Hossa, Pronger, Zetteberg and not Kane, Toews).

[roseboundhawk]

Hawks look gooooood.

[Kerky]

I was pissed when I saw that I had missed 2 goals in the 2nd, and then lo and behold I get to watch 3 more zip by. Calgary fans are not too happy.

[roseboundhawk]

in the last 4+ periods the Hawks have outscored the Flames 12-1

[imissjoeyrange]

Could someone explain the ridiculous lengths of some of these NHL contracts (I know Hossa got 8 and is too old to play 8 years at that cost). I don't know shit about the NHL salary cap and I find these things interesting.

In simple terms so I'm generalizing...

The cap hit for an NHL contract is basically the money divided by years (it's not actually the full number it's a percentage). So what they're doing is front loading the contract so the player is happy. They then add the really cheap years on the end so they have many options. The player retires cheap, he's easy to trade, he stays on for cheap or they cut him.

It's a win/win for the big markets. They can get around the cap restrictions put in by the NHL to help out the other 70% of the league. Detroit and Chicago have really taken advantage of this the last 2 years. The league is getting pissed about it and wasn't happy about the Hossa contract and their were rumblings of a punishment for the Hawks. So the Keith contract could be interesting.

Edit...actually they need the player to retire at the end because the cap hit is obviously way higher than what he's making at that point so he's hurting them by still being around. This is why they do it with slightly older players (Hossa, Pronger, Zetteberg and not Kane, Toews).

It seems like it would be tempting for the player to stick around at the end though, even though they are completely washed up and not worth any salary, even if it is much reduced from the first years of the deal. Are these contracts guaranteed?

[Edgecrusher7711]

Could someone explain the ridiculous lengths of some of these NHL contracts (I know Hossa got 8 and is too old to play 8 years at that cost). I don't know shit about the NHL salary cap and I find these things interesting.

In simple terms so I'm generalizing...

The cap hit for an NHL contract is basically the money divided by years (it's not actually the full number it's a percentage). So what they're doing is front loading the contract so the player is happy. They then add the really cheap years on the end so they have many options. The player retires cheap, he's easy to trade, he stays on for cheap or they cut him.

It's a win/win for the big markets. They can get around the cap restrictions put in by the NHL to help out the other 70% of the league. Detroit and Chicago have really taken advantage of this the last 2 years. The league is getting pissed about it and wasn't happy about the Hossa contract and their were rumblings of a punishment for the Hawks. So the Keith contract could be interesting.

Edit...actually they need the player to retire at the end because the cap hit is obviously way higher than what he's making at that point so he's hurting them by still being around. This is why they do it with slightly older players (Hossa, Pronger, Zetteberg and not Kane, Toews).

It seems like it would be tempting for the player to stick around at the end though, even though they are completely washed up and not worth any salary, even if it is much reduced from the first years of the deal. Are these contracts guaranteed?

Yeah...kinda...

The NHL has become the first of the major North American leagues to implement a hard cap while retaining guaranteed player contracts. Guaranteed player contracts in the NHL differ from other sports, notably the NFL, where teams may opt out of a contract by waiving or cutting a player. NHL teams may buy-out player's contracts, but must still pay a portion of the money still owed which is spread out over twice the remaining duration of the contract. This does not apply for players over 35 at the time of signing, in this case a team cannot buy out the player's contract to reduce salary. Any other player can be bought out for ⅓ of the remaining salary if the player is younger than 28 at the time of termination, or ⅔ of the remaining salary if the player is 28 or older.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salary_cap#Salary_cap_in_the_NHL

[roseboundhawk]

Best record in the NHL, and a 40 goal scorer playing for the first time this week.

Wednesday: Hawks at San Jose with the best record on the line.

[RecreationalGynecologist]

The Blackhawks do need to change a few things in their style if they want to win the Cup. They do a good job of keeping the puck out of their own zone (a credit to their defensemen) and maintaining the puck on the power play, but for christs sake, shoot the damn puck. It seems like Kane and Toews lose are trying to wait around for the perfect play when 90% of NHL goals are of the garbage variety. (rebounds,deflections etc) Shoot the damned puck.

[Edgecrusher7711]

The Blackhawks do need to change a few things in their style if they want to win the Cup. They do a good job of keeping the puck out of their own zone (a credit to their defensemen) and maintaining the puck on the power play, but for christs sake, shoot the damn puck. It seems like Kane and Toews lose are trying to wait around for the perfect play when 90% of NHL goals are of the garbage variety. (rebounds,deflections etc) Shoot the damned puck.

Yeah those two seem to do that quite a bit. Although I can't kill Kane on it because he's such an amazing passer. Normally Toews does a little better job. Last night was weird. Normally they're just flooding the goaly with shots (6th in the league in shots on goal) but it seemed like last night they were playing not to lose. It worked but it was unlike any game they've played in the last month when they've be owning people.

Can't wait to see Hossa in this lineup.

[castichawk24]

hossa in the lineup tonight. playing with kane and toews line. 0-0 vs. the sharks in the 1st period. winner will have the best record in the nhl to date.

[castichawk24]

short handed goal by brouwer puts the hawks up 1-0 late in the first. very nice.

[roseboundhawk]

un-be-lievable. :shock:

[Edgecrusher7711]

Beatdown mother f'n city!

Welcome to the party Hossa! 2 goals so far. This team is so fun to watch.

[valp0guy]

Anytime you can chase off Nabokov, it's a good night.

[Kerky]

I think this thread title needs to change, or maybe it is bringing good luck. Too bad we didn't get the shutout.

[roseboundhawk]

thread title's got to stay at this point.

I started this thread when we were down 5-0 to Calgary, in the game we won 6-5.:)

[castichawk24]

well. if the blackhawks aren't the gigantic favorite to win the west i'm sure who would be. this team is absolutely filthy. to have all the injuries they have had to this point and still have the best record in the NHL. wow.

[Kerky]

well. if the blackhawks aren't the gigantic favorite to win the west i'm sure who would be. this team is absolutely filthy. to have all the injuries they have had to this point and still have the best record in the NHL. wow.

I am a rookie fan, (started following hockey in earnest last year), and need to go out and get me a jersey to watch appropriately in my man-cave. The only question is home or away.

[castichawk24]

well. if the blackhawks aren't the gigantic favorite to win the west i'm sure who would be. this team is absolutely filthy. to have all the injuries they have had to this point and still have the best record in the NHL. wow.

I am a rookie fan, (started following hockey in earnest last year), and need to go out and get me a jersey to watch appropriately in my man-cave. The only question is home or away.

the red sweaters are awesome, IMHO.

and, and if you go with a name on the back, they have hossa locked down for 12 years, and keith for 11 years. :rollfloor:

[roseboundhawk]

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2009/12/blackhawks-to-announce-new-deals-for-kane-toews-keith.html


The Blackhawks will announce the contract extensions of Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith during a Thursday afternoon news conference.

The signing of all three of the Hawks' stars at the same time was first reported in the Tribune on Nov. 17.

Kane and Toews are reported to receive identical five-year, $31.5 million deals ($6.3 million per season) and Keith a 13-year contract for $72 million ($5.54 million per season).

The players were to be restricted free agents following the season and general manager Stan Bowman had been negotiating with the trio since before the 2009-10 season began. The Hawks had hoped to announce the signings prior to their recent six-game Circus Trip, but final details were still being worked out.

One of the hiccups was said to be the Hawks' lack of tagging room, which would have put them over next season's salary cap if the deals had been announced. Bowman has been manipulating the payroll all season and cleared more room under this year's cap (part of the tagging room formula) when the team waived Andrew Ebbett on Nov. 21. Since that time, the Hawks have carried just one extra player on their roster (defenseman Jordan Hendry) and that may have paved the way to have the required room to announce the deals.

The news conference is scheduled for Thursday at 2 p.m. at the United Center.

[castichawk24]

how about that shootout last night? huet was huge, but dear god make a shot.

[Du Hawk Du Mich]

88/19 are overpaid if those numbers are true. If the Hawks were going to pay that much per year, their deals shouldn't take them into unrestricted free agency.

[scottsdalehawk]

the question becomes now, what core players will the hawks have to trade to stay under the cap after those extensions? i'm sure they'd love to move campbell but nobody is taking on that contract. my guess is barker along with others are moved by the deadline.

[Edgecrusher7711]

the question becomes now, what core players will the hawks have to trade to stay under the cap after those extensions? i'm sure they'd love to move campbell but nobody is taking on that contract. my guess is barker along with others are moved by the deadline.

Barker, Sopel and Buff should be the ones to go for sure. Also doubtful that they'd be able to resign Ladd and Madden this summer. Hjalmerson is the biggest question for FAs.

[scottsdalehawk]

the question becomes now, what core players will the hawks have to trade to stay under the cap after those extensions? i'm sure they'd love to move campbell but nobody is taking on that contract. my guess is barker along with others are moved by the deadline.

Barker, Sopel and Buff should be the ones to go for sure. Also doubtful that they'd be able to resign Ladd and Madden this summer. Hjalmerson is the biggest question for FAs.

Barker has good value, they maybe be able to get an asset (draft pick for him).

[FMHoosier]

well. if the blackhawks aren't the gigantic favorite to win the west i'm sure who would be. this team is absolutely filthy. to have all the injuries they have had to this point and still have the best record in the NHL. wow.

I am a rookie fan, (started following hockey in earnest last year), and need to go out and get me a jersey to watch appropriately in my man-cave. The only question is home or away.

the red sweaters are awesome, IMHO.

and, and if you go with a name on the back, they have hossa locked down for 12 years, and keith for 11 years. :rollfloor:

WHITE

http://sportsmaven.files.wordpress.com/2007/02/blackhawks-beat-canucks-2-7-07.jpg

[Du Hawk Du Mich]

the question becomes now, what core players will the hawks have to trade to stay under the cap after those extensions? i'm sure they'd love to move campbell but nobody is taking on that contract. my guess is barker along with others are moved by the deadline.

Campbell is obviously on the list to be moved, and I think he can be.

If not, Sopel gets traded or plays in Rockford.

The Hawks have more than enough guys that can put the puck in the net, so I wouldn't be surprised to see Sharp going. Don't forget that Bolland should be back next year, so there's no need to keep as many scorers around.

I don't see Barker moving, even though he's terrible in his own end. His potential is just too high to move when he's in year 1 of a 3 year deal. I'm pretty sure he'll still be an RFA when his deal's up too.

Is Buff's back alright? It sure doesn't look like it out there. Brouwer looks like he's turning into a player, and he can take Buff's role if necessary, allowing Bickell to take Brouwer's roll.

[scottsdalehawk]

the question becomes now, what core players will the hawks have to trade to stay under the cap after those extensions? i'm sure they'd love to move campbell but nobody is taking on that contract. my guess is barker along with others are moved by the deadline.

Campbell is obviously on the list to be moved, and I think he can be.

If not, Sopel gets traded or plays in Rockford.

The Hawks have more than enough guys that can put the puck in the net, so I wouldn't be surprised to see Sharp going. Don't forget that Bolland should be back next year, so there's no need to keep as many scorers around.

I don't see Barker moving, even though he's terrible in his own end. His potential is just too high to move when he's in year 1 of a 3 year deal. I'm pretty sure he'll still be an RFA when his deal's up too.

Is Buff's back alright? It sure doesn't look like it out there. Brouwer looks like he's turning into a player, and he can take Buff's role if necessary, allowing Bickell to take Brouwer's roll.

Not sure how you get anyone to take Campbell's contract.

You could be right on Sharp, he's a nice player and doesn't make a ton of money.

[Du Hawk Du Mich]

There aren't a ton of teams that could take on Campbell's contract, but there are a few things that make me think that he can be moved -

Scott Gomez was moved this offseason, and his contract was worse than Campbell's. On any team outside of Montreal, he's a 2nd line center making more than $7mm/year.

The majority of teams don't have defensemen that can move the puck like the Hawks. Campbell looks bad out there, because his strengths are dwarfed by Keith's. You could put Campbell on any of about 25 other teams in the league, and he would be the best puck-mover and powerplay pointman that they have.

GM's haven't forgotten that he can be great on the powerplay. He doesn't even get powerplay time in Chicago - Kane can stir the drink from the sideboards, and Keith can do it from the point.

[scottsdalehawk]

There aren't a ton of teams that could take on Campbell's contract, but there are a few things that make me think that he can be moved -

Scott Gomez was moved this offseason, and his contract was worse than Campbell's. On any team outside of Montreal, he's a 2nd line center making more than $7mm/year.

The majority of teams don't have defensemen that can move the puck like the Hawks. Campbell looks bad out there, because his strengths are dwarfed by Keith's. You could put Campbell on any of about 25 other teams in the league, and he would be the best puck-mover and powerplay pointman that they have.

GM's haven't forgotten that he can be great on the powerplay. He doesn't even get powerplay time in Chicago - Kane can stir the drink from the sideboards, and Keith can do it from the point.

Excellent point on Gomez, forgot about that. So would Chicago move Campbell just to dump salary or would they be looking for actual value in return? We could use a puck moving defensemen here in Phoenix.

[Du Hawk Du Mich]

If he gets moved, it's solely for cap room. There really isn't a position I can think of that the Hawks would need immediate help - maybe an enforcer type. The Hawks have a couple prospects that they drafted in order to turn into Keith-type puckhandling defensemen.

He has some kind of no movement clause that lets him give the Hawks a list of 7 or 8 teams that he would approve a trade to. I think the Hawks first ask for this and try to make a deal for nothing but picks or prospects in return. If that doesn't work out, I think the next step would be to waive him and see if anybody picks him up (the Hawks can circumvent his list this way). If that doesn't work, the Hawks could go back to that list of 7 or 8 teams and take a bad contract back in return that doesn't last another 6 years like Campbell's does - and they can buy that player out. If the Hawks can't make a deal like that, they've gotta look at waiving him, sending him to Rockford, then calling him back up to see if anybody will take him at half the cost. If all that fails, which I don't think it would, there's always the option of just putting him in Rockford until somebody wants him.

[scottsdalehawk]

from tsn.ca
Blackhawks Update

With the Chicago Blackhawks set to announce long-term extensions for Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith at 2 p.m. (CT) on Thursday, there is much speculation they will have to make a move to free up "tagging room" (salary cap room for next season) before they can make the extensions officials.

While that is a possibility – some think Brent Sopel and his $2.33 million salary could be traded or waived at a moment's notice tomorrow – it doesn't appear to be an absolute necessity.

As we reported more than a week ago, the Blackhawks likely have just enough "tagging room" right now to fit in the three extensions. But to do so would leave the Blackhawks in a ridiculously tight position in terms of making any future moves. So tight, in fact, that they may be totally hamstrung in terms of bringing in any player who is under contract for next season.

For example, what if one of the Hawks' netminders – Cristobal Huet or Antti Niemi – went down with an injury? The Hawks would normally call up No. 3 man Corey Crawford, but he's under contract for next season and it's not inconceivable that the Hawks would not be able to make that move. In the bigger picture, with the Hawks being a Stanley Cup contender if not a mid-season favourite at this point, Chicago wants to have some flexibility to add a player at the trade deadline.

So whether it's before tomorrow's contract announcements or sometime after the fact, the Blackhawks are expected to move a current roster player who is under contract next season. Sopel continues to be the most logical choice to move, but it's not an absolute necessity to get it done in the next number of hours.

It could happen, but it's not imperative. Not yet anyway.

[roseboundhawk]

news conference on csn.

[Kerky]

Rosebound et al, do you think it better or like to have a jersey with player's names or blank? What is the preferred fan method for jersey styling that is not too douchebaggery?

btw, good game last night against the rangers even though the Swede goalie had a great game, the Hawks finally broke through. I hope they hold onto Big Buff in the long-term. Campbell should be the guy to go to make cap space.

[Kerky]

Hawks offense is still in a rut. 2 man advantage twice with nothing to show for it. I wonder if Kane is concussed, like Toews. At least he got his goal on bobblehead night before going out.

[Kerky]

Slick play by Hossa, gloved it, dropped it and hit it in mid-air for a goal.

Stay tuned for the 3rd, it looks to get a bit chippy, particularly with the Hawks having a 3 goal lead.

[roseboundhawk]

did kane get hurt? not on TV here.

[Kerky]

did kane get hurt? not on TV here.

Yes, he went down on an awkward tripping penalty and hit his head on the ice. Not much new info since then except he hasn't come back. He had a cut from his helmet on the forehead but even if he needed stitches he could have made it back to the bench.

btw Eager and Konpka went at it in the 2nd, and I expect more in the 3rd. Toews got a late hard hit that should have been interference and almost cracked his head on the ice again as well. He came up smoking mad.

[RecreationalGynecologist]

Buff seems to be playing well this year

[roseboundhawk]

Detroit sucks.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/hockeynight/2009122004;_ylt=Aq8ajNL6RsbnaQ.Ag0Ke6Ug5nYcB

[MikeyJoe]

Went to my first Blackhawks game on Wednesday. It was fun, even though I had no idea wtf was going on.

[roseboundhawk]

consider me jealous.

this team just dominates the puck sometimes.

[castichawk24]

huet with 2 straight shutouts.

[Kerky]

Niemi with another shutout and back to back blankings of the Scarlet Feathers.

[RecreationalGynecologist]

Interesting, Byfuglien is now sporting the DASC skates. I suppose at 255lbs he needs the stiffer boot

[castichawk24]

Niemi with another shutout and back to back blankings of the Scarlet Feathers.


either way the hawks are set.

[castichawk24]

alone in first in the West. niemi with a shutout wednesday versus the wings, and huet with 1 goal against in a 4-1 victory tonight. what a defense.

[Kerky]

Their defense seemed to relax once they got the 4-2 lead over Nashville tonight, but still managed to pull out the win. They have been surprisingly good in back to back matchups.

[castichawk24]

best record in the NHL!!!

[roseboundhawk]

We're #1! We're #1! We're #1!

[roseboundhawk]

Fuck the Blues.

[roseboundhawk]

http://www.thevancouverite.com/pictures/nelson-muntz.gif

[Kerky]

Fuck the Blues.

Tkchuk (sp) took one for the team. Glad to see the Hawks give as much as they took and still prove they are the better team.

[Kerky]

What was the deal with Buff against the guy for the Ducks? They dropped gloves right at the beginning. Were they texting each other before the game?

[Kerky]

WTF happened tonight against Minnesota? I think they all went half asleep with a 5-1 lead into the third, at least I hope so. Hopefully, I did not jinx by buying my jersey online tonight. No time to rest as they come home to the Ducks tomorrow.

[Kerky]

Goaltending is going to be this team's achilles heal. Huet is just not a championship goaltender, a guy you can ride while hot in the playoffs.

[roseboundhawk]

Let down game at the end of a long road trip. Oh well, moving on.

[Edgecrusher7711]

Goaltending is going to be this team's achilles heal. Huet is just not a championship goaltender, a guy you can ride while hot in the playoffs.

Lots of people keep saying that. They also said it about the Wings and Osgood. The Hawks have the best D in the league. They also have a good offense. Right now they're the best team in the league. Teams with other weaknesses need goalies to steal them games.

[Edgecrusher7711]

Nice write about about the Hawks...

. It's OK to admit we were all wrong about the Chicago goaltending.

It was a fairly simple assessment to make before the season: That the Blackhawks were a Cup caliber team but that the shaky pairing of Cristobal Huet(notes) (2.25, .900 but 23 wins) and Antti Niemi(notes) (1.99, .920 in 16 starts) was a fatal flaw that would cost them dearly when the games counted more. Recently, noted goaltending expert Jeremy Roenick(notes) opined that the duo wasn't good enough to win, and the Blackhawks closed ranks because neither goalie has been outright awful this season overall.

Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago sees the goalie situation like this:

Between Jeremy Roenick's comments on ESPN 1000 and Cristobal Huet's recent struggles, the goalie controversy reared its ugly head again. I completely understand, as you do too, what Roenick is saying, but I'll say this: The Hawks have been ranked first almost all season (2nd right now) in goals against average. I would bet Marian Hossa's paycheck it would be the first time in NHL history a team that led the league in GAA would go out and trade for a goaltender. I realize their style of play has to do with their defensive rankings as much as anything, but that's the point. If the Hawks play their game, they won't need a goalie to steal a series. Maybe a game, but is Huet or Antti Niemi really going to play so poor in four out of seven games? I could be wrong but I don't think so.

Neither do we, and we also know that neither Huet or Niemi will play over 70 games plus the Olympics, which immediately means they'll be more well-rested than Nabokov. And yes, the whole "but they've never won a playoff series" is an important argument ... right up until the point they win one, which is approximately the first round in April.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Why-Chicago-will-ultimately-conquer-the-San-Jose?urn=nhl,216357

[RecreationalGynecologist]

I'd wait til the playoffs to see how Huet fares. He was abysmal in the post season for Montreal.

[roseboundhawk]

Hawks trade Barker to Minn for Kim Johnsson and 09 1 round pick. Good deal for Hawks.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=309956

Johnsson's contract is up this year.


Rec, you're a Wild fan right? thoughts?

[RecreationalGynecologist]

Goaltending is going to be this team's achilles heal. Huet is just not a championship goaltender, a guy you can ride while hot in the playoffs.

I've been saying this for a long, long time

[Edgecrusher7711]

Hawks trade Barker to Minn for Kim Johnsson and 09 1 round pick. Good deal for Hawks.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=309956

Johnsson's contract is up this year.


Rec, you're a Wild fan right? thoughts?

Good for the Hawks for sure. Barker was an expensive waste of space at this point.

[RecreationalGynecologist]

Hawks trade Barker to Minn for Kim Johnsson and 09 1 round pick. Good deal for Hawks.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=309956

Johnsson's contract is up this year.


Rec, you're a Wild fan right? thoughts?

I'm a Canadiens fan, but go to the Wild games. I've never figured out Johnssn. He's very puck saavy, can move it up the ice and come up w/the puck in the corners, but for an offensive defensemen, he does not put up a lot of points. He's just a solid pro who can eat up ice time. He'll add a lot of depth to the Chicago blue line and should help out on the PP when needed. I'm more pissed about the Wild giving up Leddy than Johnsson. I think Barker adds more value. He's younger than Johnsson and will be a nice addition.

I wish the Wild would have at least tried to get Cullen from the Panthers as well. They need another center in the worst way.

[RecreationalGynecologist]

Hawks trade Barker to Minn for Kim Johnsson and 09 1 round pick. Good deal for Hawks.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=309956

Johnsson's contract is up this year.


Rec, you're a Wild fan right? thoughts?

Good for the Hawks for sure. Barker was an expensive waste of space at this point.

Johnsson is 34 years old. I think he'll be in Chicago a year or two before moving on. He's an expensive addition, but maybe he'll fit in more with Chicago's style of play. He wont have to log as much ice time either.

[imissjoeyrange]

Hawks trade Barker to Minn for Kim Johnsson and 09 1 round pick. Good deal for Hawks.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=309956

Johnsson's contract is up this year.


Rec, you're a Wild fan right? thoughts?

Good for the Hawks for sure. Barker was an expensive waste of space at this point.

Johnsson is 34 years old. I think he'll be in Chicago a year or two before moving on. He's an expensive addition, but maybe he'll fit in more with Chicago's style of play. He wont have to log as much ice time either.

Barker is expensive for 2 more years, Johnsson is only expensive for the rest of the season.

[RecreationalGynecologist]

A younger player is usually a better value
Johnsson is extremely dependable though.

[Du Hawk Du Mich]

The first thing you're going to notice about Barker is how slow his feet are

[RecreationalGynecologist]

The Wild need a strong shot from the point. Barker can move and will get better skating-wise with time. He'll have to in Minnesota under Richards.

[Du Hawk Du Mich]

I'm not sure about his skating. I think what you see is what you're going to get. Skating was a big part of the development of the guys that came through the system during Barker's time between Brouwer, Buff, Keith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson, Bolland, etc., and Barker was the only one that never got it.

His shot is excellent. It's a nice, hard, low one.

I don't know if it's true, but he's been rumored for a long time to have a drinking problem.

[RecreationalGynecologist]

He is a hockey player after all

[roseboundhawk]

Johnsson scores! first period and shot as a Hawk!:)

[roseboundhawk]

Niemi getting his 4th straight start.:neutral::neutral:

[scottsdalehawk]

boom shaka laka

[puravida]

thanks for playin'

[roseboundhawk]

Hawks got some bad luck on the powerplays. Good to dominate most of the game even though it was meaningless.

[castichawk24]

holy shit what a performance by neimi on that PK by the Hawks. 2-0 in the 3rd vs. the Coyotes. Tied in 1st with them in points with 2 games less played. Big game.

[roseboundhawk]

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h273/IowaTD/bhawks.jpg

[castichawk24]

boom shaka laka!

[roseboundhawk]

Legendary Thread.

[roseboundhawk]

The Chicago Blackhawks made a blockbuster trade with the Thrashers on Wednesday, the Stanley Cup champions moving Dustin Byfuglien, Ben Eager, Brent Sopel and a prospect to Atlanta for a first-round pick, a second-round pick, prospect Jeremy Morin and veteran forward Marty Reasoner, a source told ESPN.com.

The first- and second-round picks that Chicago gets in the deal were acquired by Atlanta in the trade that sent Ilya Kovalchuk to New Jersey last February.

The prospect Atlanta is getting from Chicago is Akim Aliu.

The deal is pending a call to the league for approval. The Blackhawks have not confirmed the trade.

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nhl/news/story?id=5320715

Also, Duncan Keith won the Norris Trophy.

[Kerky]

The Chicago Blackhawks made a blockbuster trade with the Thrashers on Wednesday, the Stanley Cup champions moving Dustin Byfuglien, Ben Eager, Brent Sopel and a prospect to Atlanta for a first-round pick, a second-round pick, prospect Jeremy Morin and veteran forward Marty Reasoner, a source told ESPN.com.

The first- and second-round picks that Chicago gets in the deal were acquired by Atlanta in the trade that sent Ilya Kovalchuk to New Jersey last February.

The prospect Atlanta is getting from Chicago is Akim Aliu.

The deal is pending a call to the league for approval. The Blackhawks have not confirmed the trade.

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nhl/news/story?id=5320715

Also, Duncan Keith won the Norris Trophy.

Not surprising that cap space had to be freed up. Other alternatives would have been Versteeg, Sharp or Bolland. They got a good price for Big Buff, although I will miss him. Keith winning the Norris was all but a given. Good for him.

[scottsdalehawk]

i think the hawks did very well in that trade. buff had a great playoff but hes a 3rd liner. sopel is solid but the hawks needed cap relief. they also pick up a 1st round pick and a good prospect in morin.

[MikeyJoe]

That looks like a great trade.

[Crash Davis]

That looks like a great trade.

+1

[imissjoeyrange]

I wonder how many Byfuglien jerseys have been sold in the past 3 months...that is the funny part of this.

Sopel is supposed to represent the Blackhawks by riding in the Pride Parade with the Stanley Cup this weekend. I wonder if he'll show up.

[Du Hawk Du Mich]

Why would you make a trade with a GM that has all the motivation in the world to bend over the Hawk organization?

[MikeyJoe]

Why would you make a trade with a GM that has all the motivation in the world to bend over the Hawk organization?
Because you're a professional and you make the moves that are in the best interest of your team, and that was a great trade for the Hawks?

[RecreationalGynecologist]

The Blackhawks benefited greatly from Buff's presence in front of the net during the playoffs. They really dont have anyone else who can do that. Maybe they'll draft another big yet quicker forward.

[PlannedSickDays]

Fraser deal official

[Edgecrusher7711]

Fraser deal official

No loss there.

[Edgecrusher7711]

The Blackhawks benefited greatly from Buff's presence in front of the net during the playoffs. They really dont have anyone else who can do that. Maybe they'll draft another big yet quicker forward.

Yeah, the problem with Buff is he only did that in the playoffs (some of the time). But the rest of the season he was a waste of space. The bigger issue was that some team is going to offer him money based off of his post season and there's no way the Hawks should pay a 3rd liner that kind of cash.

Btw I wouldn't be surprised if the next move is moving Bolland. And maybe they can get another GM drunk and trick him into taking Huet.

[RecreationalGynecologist]

I'm not sure how much $$ they'd save cap-wise by dumping Huet. He's a serviceable backup IMO and that is always valuable. He's not mentally tough enough to be a #1 goalie I think.

Bolland played well in the playoffs and the Blackhawks need a guy like him. Chicago could benefit from the draft and maybe a defensive defenseman.

[Hawk_Kegmasters]

Reap it!

[Crash Davis]

The Chicago Blackhawks made a blockbuster trade with the Thrashers on Wednesday, the Stanley Cup champions moving Dustin Byfuglien, Ben Eager, Brent Sopel and a prospect to Atlanta for a first-round pick, a second-round pick, prospect Jeremy Morin and veteran forward Marty Reasoner, a source told ESPN.com.

The first- and second-round picks that Chicago gets in the deal were acquired by Atlanta in the trade that sent Ilya Kovalchuk to New Jersey last February.

The prospect Atlanta is getting from Chicago is Akim Aliu.

The deal is pending a call to the league for approval. The Blackhawks have not confirmed the trade.

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nhl/news/story?id=5320715

Also, Duncan Keith won the Norris Trophy.

Not surprising that cap space had to be freed up. Other alternatives would have been Versteeg, Sharp or Bolland. They got a good price for Big Buff, although I will miss him. Keith winning the Norris was all but a given. Good for him.

Hawks may end up keeping Sharpy/Bolland, but it sounds like Versteeg is next. A week or so ago, I saw a list of about 10 players that would probably be gone. There haven't been any surprises so far.

[Du Hawk Du Mich]

Why would you make a trade with a GM that has all the motivation in the world to bend over the Hawk organization?
Because you're a professional and you make the moves that are in the best interest of your team, and that was a great trade for the Hawks?

It's not a terrible trade given the situation, but I'd hardly call it great.

[Edgecrusher7711]

I'm not sure how much $$ they'd save cap-wise by dumping Huet. He's a serviceable backup IMO and that is always valuable. He's not mentally tough enough to be a #1 goalie I think.

Bolland played well in the playoffs and the Blackhawks need a guy like him. Chicago could benefit from the draft and maybe a defensive defenseman.

Eh Bolland was good last year and horrible this year. His playoff play was a bit overblown.

Huet is way too expensive to be a backup but I'll be stunned if they can move him.

[Edgecrusher7711]

Why would you make a trade with a GM that has all the motivation in the world to bend over the Hawk organization?
Because you're a professional and you make the moves that are in the best interest of your team, and that was a great trade for the Hawks?

It's not a terrible trade given the situation, but I'd hardly call it great.

I think you're a bit high on Buff.

[roseboundhawk]

Huet will go to the minors or europe, he makes over $5 mill so that will solve most of the remaining cap woes, along with trading Versteeg.

[Du Hawk Du Mich]

Because you're a professional and you make the moves that are in the best interest of your team, and that was a great trade for the Hawks?

It's not a terrible trade given the situation, but I'd hardly call it great.

I think you're a bit high on Buff.

Buff is a certainty, we know what he is and isn't.

Outside of the top 5 or 10 picks, the odds of finding a player that is going to be a productive pro are very slim.

The NHL draft is a crapshoot, and the Hawks just traded a guy that could have very easily been awarded the Conn Smythe essentially for the 24th pick in the draft. That's a fail.

[Edgecrusher7711]

It's not a terrible trade given the situation, but I'd hardly call it great.

I think you're a bit high on Buff.

Buff is a certainty, we know what he is and isn't.

Outside of the top 5 or 10 picks, the odds of finding a player that is going to be a productive pro are very slim.

The NHL draft is a crapshoot, and the Hawks just traded a guy that could have very easily been awarded the Conn Smythe essentially for the 24th pick in the draft. That's a fail.

Well the pick and Jeremy Morin who looks pretty decent. But everybody and their dog knew the Hawks had to clear cap. They did great considering...

http://www.secondcityhockey.com/2010/6/23/1533464/so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-fish

[roseboundhawk]

It's not a terrible trade given the situation, but I'd hardly call it great.

I think you're a bit high on Buff.

Buff is a certainty, we know what he is and isn't.


Yep, hes a 30 point per season 3rd liner.

[Du Hawk Du Mich]

I think you're a bit high on Buff.

Buff is a certainty, we know what he is and isn't.


Yep, hes a 30 point per season 3rd liner.

That completely dominated 3 playoff series' over the last two years

[roseboundhawk]

I wish he could have stayed as well but guess what? They had to get rid of somebody and better him than Bolland or Sharp (who coincidently both have more playoff points than the guy who dominated 3 series).

[Du Hawk Du Mich]

I'm not arguing that they shouldn't have gotten rid of him given the circumstances. I'm arguing that the return is low for what Buff did and for what he's capable of.

[MikeyJoe]

I'm not arguing that they shouldn't have gotten rid of him given the circumstances. I'm arguing that the return is low for what Buff did and for what he's capable of.
I think the return is almost exactly right, and shows that generally speaking GMs are more intelligent than fans and aren't as likely to overpay for a guy because he "showed up big time!!!" in the playoffs.

[Du Hawk Du Mich]

This isn't just about showing up in the playoffs. He's got an incredible combo of size, speed, and hands.

Every GM in the league knew that the Hawks had to move salary this week so that they could find the cap room to qualify Niemi, Hjalmarsson, and Ladd. The Hawks couldn't even qualify Hendry before this trade.

[MikeyJoe]

This isn't just about showing up in the playoffs. He's got an incredible combo of size, speed, and hands...
That gets him around 30 points per year in the regular season.

Look, I'm not saying he was a garbage player. I'm saying that they had to move somebody, and I'm glad that the Blackhawks didn't make the mistake of falling in love with and overrating their own guys like a lot of teams seem to do when it comes time to move money around. They got good value for him, and a lot of the NHL writers that I've read think Atlanta got taken in this deal.

[scottsdalehawk]

This isn't just about showing up in the playoffs. He's got an incredible combo of size, speed, and hands.

Every GM in the league knew that the Hawks had to move salary this week so that they could find the cap room to qualify Niemi, Hjalmarsson, and Ladd. The Hawks couldn't even qualify Hendry before this trade.

So what you are saying is Buff is at least a second liner? I'll take the under on 40 points from him next year and he will be getting 2nd line minutes on a bad Atlanta team.

[Edgecrusher7711]

This isn't just about showing up in the playoffs. He's got an incredible combo of size, speed, and hands.

Every GM in the league knew that the Hawks had to move salary this week so that they could find the cap room to qualify Niemi, Hjalmarsson, and Ladd. The Hawks couldn't even qualify Hendry before this trade.

Whoa buddy let's not get carried away.

[roseboundhawk]

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nhl/news/story?id=5344689

The party is definitely over.

Faced with serious salary cap issues, the Chicago Blackhawks traded away another contributor to the Stanley Cup title team, shipping Kris Versteeg to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday.

The Leafs also received forward Bill Sweatt for forwards Viktor Stalberg, Chris DiDomenico and Philippe Paradis.

Versteeg, 24, had 20 goals and 24 assists in 79 regular-season games for Chicago. He had six goals and eight assists in the playoffs.

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/viktor_stalberg

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/chris_didomenico

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/philippe_paradis

[imissjoeyrange]

It sucks to watch the team get torn apart so soon after the title, but I guess it was worth it.

Isn't Stalberg just speed and little else?

[Crash Davis]

Thought the Blackhawks might be done dealing. Rumor: Andrew Ladd to Thrashers for pick/prospect.

[roseboundhawk]

Thought the Blackhawks might be done dealing. Rumor: Andrew Ladd to Thrashers for pick/prospect.

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/ivan_vishnevski

Thashers #2 prospect(according to that site)

and a 2nd round pick

[castichawk24]

The Blackhawks sure didn't waste anytime clearing their roster up.

Are they still looking to dump Huet somewhere/

[Edgecrusher7711]

The Blackhawks sure didn't waste anytime clearing their roster up.

Are they still looking to dump Huet somewhere/

Yep. He's all but gone. I have a sneaky feeling they're dumping even more than needed so they can target a FA themselves.

[castichawk24]

Nice.

It is amazing how well run the organization is run compared to a) A couple years ago and b) the Cubs.

[roseboundhawk]

They had to get rid of them because their salary cap is lower than everyone elses due to Kane and Toews earning bonuses last year.

[MikeyJoe]

Nice.

It is amazing how well run the organization is run compared to a) A couple years ago and b) the Cubs.
The absolute biggest mistake a GM can make is falling in love with his own guys, and we've seen plenty of that in this town. Thank god that the new Blackhawks management is not afflicted with that disorder.

[roseboundhawk]

This year will be a slight slide backwards, but in '10-'11 they will have 12-15 in cap space with only Seabrook to sign out of the major players. Plus after these trades they now have the best system in the league.

[roseboundhawk]

Hawks signed an enforcer.:p:shock::)

f1cvOiKuxH8&feature=channel
qx5WwrlVsUk&feature=channel

[Crash Davis]

Burish signs w/Stars....looks like Madden is next. Still suprised Huet is still around.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/ct-spt-0702-blackhawks-chicago--20100701,0,3572046.story

[Kerky]

Burish signs w/Stars....looks like Madden is next. Still suprised Huet is still around.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/ct-spt-0702-blackhawks-chicago--20100701,0,3572046.story

Huet may be playing in Rockford.

[Kerky]

Hawks signed an enforcer.:p:shock::)

f1cvOiKuxH8&feature=channel
qx5WwrlVsUk&feature=channel

1 goal and 1 assist last year to go with 90 penalty minutes

[Edgecrusher7711]

In what could be a fairly stunning turn of events, the San Jose Sharks have reportedly signed Ham Sandwich (Niklas Hjalmarsson for those new to the feather) to a 4-year, $14 million offer sheet. That’s a cap hit of 3.5 and the cost for the Sharks would be a 1st round and 3rd round pick. The Hawks have a week to match or receive the compensation. This is a fairly large decision.

I think you can cancel any Doug Wilson Heritage nights in the near future.

http://fifthfeather.wordpress.com/2010/07/09/sharks-sign-sandwich-to-offer-sheet/

[MikeyJoe]

I don't understand the NHL cap very well - so that's saying that if the Hawks don't match that offer, they lose Hjalmarsson but get another 1st and 3rd round pick?

[Edgecrusher7711]

I don't understand the NHL cap very well - so that's saying that if the Hawks don't match that offer, they lose Hjalmarsson but get another 1st and 3rd round pick?

Yeah, he's a restricted FA.

[MikeyJoe]

I don't understand the NHL cap very well - so that's saying that if the Hawks don't match that offer, they lose Hjalmarsson but get another 1st and 3rd round pick?

Yeah, he's a restricted FA.
Seeing as they were likely to take a step back next year anyway, that actually doesn't sound like a terrible deal for them then.

[Edgecrusher7711]

I don't understand the NHL cap very well - so that's saying that if the Hawks don't match that offer, they lose Hjalmarsson but get another 1st and 3rd round pick?

Yeah, he's a restricted FA.
Seeing as they were likely to take a step back next year anyway, that actually doesn't sound like a terrible deal for them then.

Yeah, that's a large cap hit too. I love Hjalmarsson but damn. Very tough decision.

[Edgecrusher7711]

Second City says keep him and waive bye-bye to Niemi. I'm still torn.

For those who can't count it breaks down to 3.5 a year, which is obviously high, but not ridiculously so. I got the impression the Hawks were trying to get Hammer in for about 2.5, 2 was always a pipe dream, and this is only 1 million more. Frankly, I'll be shocked if Hammer isn't matched. That would probably grease Niemi's wheels out of town, but I know which one I'd rather have.

http://www.secondcityhockey.com/2010/7/9/1561270/if-you-cant-beat-us-steal-us

[Du Hawk Du Mich]

I'd like to know how it got to this point with Hjalmarsson. Were the Hawks ignoring him until they could get through Niemi's arbitration?

[Edgecrusher7711]

I'd like to know how it got to this point with Hjalmarsson. Were the Hawks ignoring him until they could get through Niemi's arbitration?

They wanted to get him at 2.5. I'm think they're stunned that somebody offered this. That's a shit load to give up. Especially for the Sharks who have no room. I think the Hawks will accept this and keep Ham but shit I'd almost let him go just to watch the Sharks try and manage this.

[RecreationalGynecologist]

The Wild felt that they did not need the luxury of two large enforcers in Boogaard and Scott. Scott probably is going to be a healthy scratch for at least 1/3 of the games in Chicago though.

Boogaard and Scott are luxury items. Guys who dont play every night, but 6-8 250lb guys that can be counted on to be enforcers when needed.

[Du Hawk Du Mich]

I'd like to know how it got to this point with Hjalmarsson. Were the Hawks ignoring him until they could get through Niemi's arbitration?

They wanted to get him at 2.5. I'm think they're stunned that somebody offered this. That's a shit load to give up. Especially for the Sharks who have no room. I think the Hawks will accept this and keep Ham but shit I'd almost let him go just to watch the Sharks try and manage this.

I like Hjalmarsson as much as anybody, but the Hawks aren't in a position to be overpaying for defensive defensmen that don't have size.

If you look around the league at guys that are essentially defensive defensemen, 3.5 is WAY out of the ballpark.

The problem is the compensation coming back. A 1st and 3rd from San Jose is essentially a 2nd and 4th. That's not going to cut it for where the Hawks are, especially since next year's draft is supposedly weak.

The Hawks are stuck here. They don't have a choice and have to match it.

Then the question becomes, what happens if/when the arbitrator sees Niemi's comparable as Halak and gives him close to or over 3 million? That ruling's not going to happen until August and puts the Hawks in a real bind. Crawford is Huet-lite in every sense, and Toivonen sucks.

They're going to be stuck trying to sign Theodore or Turco on a one year deal, and both of those guys suck just as much as Crawford and Toivonen now.

[Du Hawk Du Mich]

I'll add that Matt Walker at 1.7 is looking like a steal right now

[roseboundhawk]

Niemi's not even close to comparable to Halak. However, if they sign Hjalmarsson, Niemi at 2.0 is still too much.

[Du Hawk Du Mich]

Niemi's not even close to comparable to Halak. However, if they sign Hjalmarsson, Niemi at 2.0 is still too much.

Niemi's stats are arguably better, and he's won a cup. The arbitrator's going to go off concrete things, so Niemi has every right to get close to that 3.7 number.

[Kerky]

I have to lean towards keeping Niemi over the Swede. Plus I think San Jose is playing chicken. Stick them with this contract and then watch them squirm.

[MikeyJoe]

RT @ ESPNChicago (https://twitter.com/ESPNChicago) BREAKING NEWS: Blackhawks to match offer to Hjalmarsson http://bit.ly/ESPNChicago

[MikeyJoe]

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/07/blackhawks-to-match-offer-to-hjalmarsson.html

[Crash Davis]

Before I opened the thread, I thought the Hawks were losing another player. Glad to see they brought Hjalmarsson back.

[HawkLax6]

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nhl/news/story?id=5426100

[MikeyJoe]

$2.75? Let him go.

[roseboundhawk]

Rumors of signing Turco in the next few days.

[Kerky]

$2.75? Let him go.

Why? It is only for a 1 year deal. Doesn't this still just barely fit under the cap? I would rather have Niemi than Turko

[Du Hawk Du Mich]

$2.75? Let him go.

Why? It is only for a 1 year deal. Doesn't this still just barely fit under the cap? I would rather have Niemi than Turko

He's an UFA after this year and after watching this process, his agent is a good bet to be a pain in the ass again. If they can trade him today and get even a draft pick, they should trade him.

[MikeyJoe]

ESPN Chicago reporting that the Hawks walked from Niemi, signing Turco.

The Hawks continue to remain the most professionally run franchise in the city.

[imissjoeyrange]

ESPN Chicago reporting that the Hawks walked from Niemi, signing Turco.

The Hawks continue to remain the most professionally run franchise in the city.

I heard a report last week (on ESPN 1000) that they claim to still be losing money. Did anyone else see/hear that?

[MikeyJoe]

ESPN Chicago reporting that the Hawks walked from Niemi, signing Turco.

The Hawks continue to remain the most professionally run franchise in the city.

I heard a report last week (on ESPN 1000) that they claim to still be losing money. Did anyone else see/hear that?
Yeah, ticket prices were too low. I think they were near the bottom of the league in ticket prices, which was obviously out of sync with all of the expansion they were doing. They're raising them 20% this year.

[imissjoeyrange]

Goaltender Marty Turco's deal with #Blackhawks (http://twitter.com/search?q=%23Blackhawks) is one year for somewhere between $1 million and $1.5 million. Good cap hit for the Hawks.

http://twitter.com/ChrisKuc

[MikeyJoe]

Goaltender Marty Turco's deal with #Blackhawks (http://twitter.com/search?q=%23Blackhawks) is one year for somewhere between $1 million and $1.5 million. Good cap hit for the Hawks. http://twitter.com/ChrisKuc
WAY better than twice that for Niemi.

[ISUFan98]

ESPN Chicago reporting that the Hawks walked from Niemi, signing Turco.

The Hawks continue to remain the most professionally run franchise in the city.

And all it took to change things was for Bill Wirtz to die.

[Kerky]

I still like Niemi better than Turco, but not for twice the money. I also do not think Chalmarsson is worth the money.

[BBK]

Goaltender Marty Turco's deal with #Blackhawks (http://twitter.com/search?q=%23Blackhawks) is one year for somewhere between $1 million and $1.5 million. Good cap hit for the Hawks. http://twitter.com/ChrisKuc
WAY better than twice that for Niemi.

Turco had more goals allowed, but had a higher save percentage during the regular season .913 > .912. This was a great decision by the Blackhawks. Too many Chicago teams have this horrific habit of falling in love with their players, rather than thinking about what is best for the team. Getting a goalie with nearly identical statistics and saving a million plus is smart decision.

[MikeyJoe]

Too many Chicago teams have this horrific habit of falling in love with their players, rather than thinking about what is best for the team.
Hi.

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRqpyUnP86ytfdkgx9zmRExEt8M1BBpw HbAgB3sTyvUcGWivn4&t=1&usg=__GgVXM26V1MXgS6zncacXjQ33FEk=

[BBK]

Too many Chicago teams have this horrific habit of falling in love with their players, rather than thinking about what is best for the team.
Hi.

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRqpyUnP86ytfdkgx9zmRExEt8M1BBpw HbAgB3sTyvUcGWivn4&t=1&usg=__GgVXM26V1MXgS6zncacXjQ33FEk=

http://www.mouthpiecesports.com/blogmedia/2008/12/hendry.jpg

I concur.

[MikeyJoe]

Hendry's problem is that he falls in love with other people's players and gives them way too much effing money.

[BBK]

Hendry's problem is that he falls in love with other people's players and gives them way too much effing money.

That is true, but the Zambrano and Derrek Lee contracts were bad extensions.