Although it's a good story, Niemi to the Sharks has no legs
by Matthew_Taylor on Aug 2, 2010 9:38 AM PDT
in Armchair GM
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Today, Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman announced that he was walking away from the arbitration award given to his Cup-winning netminder Antti Niemi. In his place, Bowman signed NHL veteran Marty Turco to a one year, $1.5MM contract. The move, which was forced by the Blackhawks severe cap issues, is one that's gained significant media attention. In that media frenzy many have suggested that the Sharks, now without netminder Evgeni Nabokov, will pursue Niemi heavily.
I just don't see it happening.
I get the media's interest in such a move. Sharks General Manager Doug Wilson, after his team was eliminated at the hands of Niemi and Blackhawks in the Western Conference Finals, made a play for restricted free agent Niklas Hjalmarsson. Although many tried to play the "revenge" angle, it was simply a shrewd move by a shrewd general manager; he tried to pry a young, skilled defenseman that fit a team need from a team dealing with cap issues. Those were Wilson's motives, plain and simple. Rubbing salt in Chicago's cap wounds was simply an added bonus. Here's a direct quote from Hjalmarsson's agent, Kevin Epps, which restates Wilson's motives for signing Hjalmarsson:
"From San Jose's point of view, they really liked the fit and decided to really try to get that player. I think the whole process was to get the player, it wasn't to screw the other team - which I don't think happens regularly, but sometimes that's what ends up happening. The case here is (the Sharks say) we need a player to fill Rob Blake's shoes and we had this amount of money to add him to the core group. Let's do it. I think it was thought through a lot more than sometimes the other ones are."
Which is why the notion that Wilson made the offer simply to put Chicago further into cap troubles is ridiculous. Wilson has consistently proved himself as responsible with the cap; we all may question some of his signings, but give the man credit for having a plan and sticking with it. He saw defense as a team need, and tried to take advantage of Chicago's situation. Any conspiracy theory past that point has no legs. I can guarantee that he didn't have Niemi in mind when he offered the money to Hjalmarsson, and I doubt that signing Niemi will be anything more than a quickly passing notion. He may kick the tires, but he's won't be driving the car off the lot.
There's a few reasons why I don't think Wilson will bite on Niemi. Although Evgeni Nabokov was given his walking papers earlier this offseason, the Sharks went out on the very first day of free agency and signed their starter, Antero Niittymaki. Although Niittymaki hasn't proven himself as a bona fide number one, Wilson's comments after signing the Finnish goalie suggests a real faith in Niittymaki to get the job done.
"We didn't waste a lot of time, because I knew there were other teams who were interested, and I wanted him to know how serious we were about him. He was the first guy on our list, and we had decided that as a staff maybe 10 days ago, maybe two weeks. There were other guys we thought about, but he was at the top of our list."
In Niittymaki, the Sharks got the player they wanted. Why then, would they now go after Niemi? If they truly wanted Niemi from the beginning, wouldn't they have made the offer to him, instead of Hjalmarsson or Niittymaki? Yes, they would have. With Niittymaki now in teal, and Thomas Griess proving that he's a capable NHL backup in limited time last year, the Sharks have their goaltending tandem. The only option now, if Wilson was indeed interested in Niemi, would be to move Greiss back to the minors and sign Niemi to split time with Niittymaki. That's also not going to happen.
Although the Sharks haven't won the cup their history, Wilson has consistently modeled his squad after cup winning teams. After Detroit won he tried to get tougher. After Pittsburgh won he brought in more skill and speed. Now, after Chicago has won, he's made defense and affordable goaltending his focus.
"If you look at the trends in this league the last four or five years in particular and the dollars that are dedicated to that position, teams are having success with lower-paid goalies. If you're dedicating $5 [million] or $6 million, that's coming out of somewhere else."
If Wilson were to sign Niemi, it would push the Sharks above the threshold Wilson set for himself earlier in the offseason. And, even though the team is relatively set for next year, the GM likely wants another defenseman and a penalty killing forward to replace the loss of Manny Malhotra to Vancouver. There are other needs, and a contract for Niemi would make any other move practically impossible. The just over four million dollars in cap space is a welcome thing to a Sharks team who was up against the cap all last season. It's unlikely they give up that space to fill anything other than a position of need.
The one point I haven't even brought up is that I don't even believe that Niemi is that skilled of a goaltender. His save percentage in the playoffs was identical to his .910 save percentage in the regular season. He was prone to frequent struggles, and benefitted from an amazingly strong defensive corps. I'm not confident that he's worth the $2.75MM he was awarded.
As fun as it is to think of Wilson as a scheming, conniving, backstabbing GM who pulled the old switcheroo on Chicago, the theory just doesn't have any legs. Like it or not, Wilson and his team of scouts picked Niittymaki as Nabokov's successor in San Jose. If Niittymaki falters, maybe we look back and say that Wilson made a mistake. But in actuality, it's the weakness of the current defensive unit that will be the Sharks undoing, not the failure to sign Niemi.
Go Sharks.
All quotes in this article were obtained from David Pollak's Working the Corners Blog and the San Jose Mercury News.
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The one point I haven’t even brought up is that I don’t even believe that Niemi is that skilled of a goaltender. His save percentage in the playoffs was identical to his .910 save percentage in the regular season. He was prone to frequent struggles, and benefitted from an amazingly strong defensive corps. I’m not confident that he’s worth the $2.75MM he was awarded.
THANK YOU!
This is the one part of this whole media speculation that makes the irritated the most. Why would we even want Niemi??? He’s not that good. In my book, both Niittymaki and Greiss are more talented. Niemi just happened to play behind the greatest defense in the league…and still wasn’t impressive. Dude is a rebound machine, and without a super elite D corps to clear out the crease for him, he’d be giving up way way more goals.
The Sharks need to spend their leftover cap space as you indicated above, on defense and PK. Anything else would be a waste of resources, and I’m confident DW knows this.
Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tweet Tweet.
Good-bye Niemi. I am content with our goalie situation. While checking the Second City’s site, I found it interesting that Campbell is getting paid $7.142m, while everyone else is at or under 7m for the 2010 season, I believe. No wonder that team is facing salary-cap hell right now.
yeah
we boo the guy but he’s probably single handedly the reason why chicago will likely not win another one
by DucksSuckQuackQuack on Aug 2, 2010 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions
Having thought about it for a while, I really don’t care if DW does sign or does not sign Niemi. If he signs him, great. Blackhawks will be pissed and Niemi is super motivated to beat them every time we play them in the regular season and in playoffs. The road to the SCF still lies through Blackhawks in the West. Niemi is also extra insurance in case Nitty plays like he’s played in the NHL in the last three years. If DW doesn’t sign him, then I’m fine with it too. There is extra salary cap, and that’s being fair to Nitty and Greiss.
DW doesn’t need to hurry either way. The team as it is now will still have no trouble making playoffs on the shoulders of HTML alone. They won’t content for no. 1 seed, but I don’t care about that. Playoffs is another matter, but he’s got till February to make his moves. I imagine that’s why he’s taking his sweet time and is messing with our heads.
Fear the Fin - where Russians are underappreciated.
Whoever thinks DW would ever go after Niemi is a moron. Can’t believe this article even needed to be published.
"San Jose is where I want to be at the end of the day, and there's an opportunity now to make it there. It is where my heart is." - Jamie McGinn, 2/22/10
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
by Mr. Plank on Aug 2, 2010 10:06 AM PDT reply actions 3 recs
Thanks Partner.
Fear the Fin: Sharing Joe Thornton's love of wooly mammoths since 2009.
by Matthew_Taylor on Aug 2, 2010 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions
(shakes head at every reporter who was Tweeting that this morning)
"San Jose is where I want to be at the end of the day, and there's an opportunity now to make it there. It is where my heart is." - Jamie McGinn, 2/22/10
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
Four teams called though this morning to talk to him, according to his agent.
Who would the teams be? Flyers? Stars? Who else?
Fear the Fin - where Russians are underappreciated.
Flyers and three European teams. /s
Fear the Fin: Sharing Joe Thornton's love of wooly mammoths since 2009.
by Matthew_Taylor on Aug 2, 2010 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions
okay so it was being tweeted … cause I haven’t seen that it was news / rumored to SJ until this post … (sometimes being out of the loop is a good thing)
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" -- Benjamin Franklin
same
and i agree with the latter
by DucksSuckQuackQuack on Aug 2, 2010 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions
Lozo on NHL.com wrote about it, for what it’s worth. Being out of the loop is looking more attractive to me every day… :)
In Dinglebarn We Trust
i’ll live if i never hear about niemi or kovalchuk again
by DucksSuckQuackQuack on Aug 2, 2010 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Rec'd
Perfectly stated.
Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tweet Tweet.
by ZeroIndulgence on Aug 2, 2010 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions
Agreed, Mr. Plank.
The more amazing thing to me was that Turco signed for a measily $1.5M. I’m not really sure I buy into the discount goalie thing, but it sure has put major rain oth the top-end G-men.
Looks like Nabby did make the right choice, even though it came at a different cost.
"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club
ZOMG SIGN NIEMI!
HE HAS CUP EXPERIENCE AND HEART!!!
Or whatever.
This article just makes me more depressed that Nabby bolted for the KHL so early, especially since a decent job opened up and was filled by Turco.
Blasphemous as it is, I wanted Nabby back in the NHL somewhere silencing his critics who think he’s a choke job and a failure. But oh well. Life goes on.
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Imagine if it was Nabokov who signed in Chicago.
How many of you would have joined me in the jump from the Golden Gate Bridge?
Fear the Fin - where Russians are underappreciated.
As I've said before
After seeing Joe Montana wear #19 and Jerry Rice in Silver and Black, nothing is sacred. Plus, pretty much automatic cup for Nabby, which would have suited me just fine.
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
The idea of Nabokov signing with Chicago makes me glad the KHL exists and can give out lots of money to star NHL players.
American Heroes: Joe Pavelski, Buster Posey, David Backes
Proud member of the "Doug Wilson for Governor" Club
Fools and Sages
Thank natural gas prices and Gazprom for sponsoring SKA where there is no internal budget or any intent for profit.
Wouldn’t that be nice?
Fear the Fin - where Russians are underappreciated.
Must be like being a fan of the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox. Well, without being spawn of the devil, that is.
American Heroes: Joe Pavelski, Buster Posey, David Backes
Proud member of the "Doug Wilson for Governor" Club
Fools and Sages
Gazprom is much worse then whoever owns the Yankees or the Red Sox.
They’re doing the same thing in Russian soccer with Zenit St Petersburg being able to buy pretty much whoever doesn’t mind moving to Russia for a lot of cash.
The best part – Gazprom is partly owned by the government. There is a good possibility that part of the salary of Nabokov is borne by Russian taxpayers.
Beautiful concept, isn’t it?
Fear the Fin - where Russians are underappreciated.
Hahaha, that’s amazing. I mean, the Yankees have a little of the “funded by taxpayers” thing going on with their new ballpark (which is partly being funded by the city), but not on a national scale.
But, I admit, I would not be happy if it turned out that my tax dollars (err, my parents’ tax dollars) would be funding the Yankees or the Capitals or something like that.
American Heroes: Joe Pavelski, Buster Posey, David Backes
Proud member of the "Doug Wilson for Governor" Club
Fools and Sages
At least withe the ballpark, it brings extra tourism revenue into the area.
How does an average taxpayer benefits from Nabby playing in Russia except they don’t have to get up at 3am to watch games?
In fact, as a Spartak fan, I’m pissed because the era of Gazprom sponsoring sports meant the end of championships for my soccer and hockey clubs.
At least I don’t pay taxes in Russia.
Fear the Fin - where Russians are underappreciated.
*Raises hand*
That is, if the initial heart attack didn’t get the job done.
But, honestly, I can’t see Nabby taking that much of a salary hit and not offering it to SJ first. I really don’t think $1.5M was ever on the table for him.
As for the KHL, truth is, he’s setting up his retirement, and no one can blame him for that. Lord knows I’ll be watching SKA games in the fall.
As for Turco, I don’t know why he took that huge drop, unless there are steep bonuses for performance. Either that or he has gambling debts that would make Joe Pecci blush.
It’s really a sad, day, though, when the best two netminders in the NHL get screwed out of salary or out of the league, IMO. And the Niemi thing? Great way for Chicago to set the tone for anyone they negotiate with in the future: “Hey, we’ll use you, abuse you, and toss you on the road like a Vegas call-girl.” Not the image I’d want.
"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club
Why does no one believe the Sharks are going to be going with Nitty and the kids? It seems like all the GMs have learned that it’s not worth paying a lot for a goalie but none of the reporters can accept it.
I'm just saying: I'm pretty sure this means deaf people are devil worshipers.
Battle of California
I'll believe totally in the cheap goalie....
…after I see a year of it working. Not before.
Any slack I give this year will be due to the Padding rule changes.
And we still need D-men like Lindsay Lohan needs another 8-weeks in jail.
"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club
As I tweeted, signing Niemi makes no sense. One of the reasons why DW went with a 1A goalie like Niitty is so that the Sharks can flex their much-touted goalie pipeline. Greiss had no chance to get in a groove behind Nabokov, and would have no chance to start, period if they signed Niemi. There’s no room in the AHL for Greiss with Stalock and Sexsmith both deserving to be there, and he has proven himself to be too good for the ECHL.
As TCY and ZeroIndulgence pointed out over twitter, one of Stalock, Sateri, or Sexmsith could be traded and (in the case of Stalock and Sexsmith) open up a space in the AHL. But, unlike last season, this season Greiss is waiver eligible so the Sharks have the potential to lose him for nothing. And while goalies are certainly being undervalued, there is sure to be a team to pick up a two-time Olympic starting goalie signed for $500K, if only for the experience and cheap contract.
Argh, this became more convoluted than I meant. Anyways, the gist is, Niemi isn’t going to be a Shark, because we’ve got a bunch of goalie prospects that need a chance in the NHL that haven’t gotten on because Nabokov was a start hog.
American Heroes: Joe Pavelski, Buster Posey, David Backes
Proud member of the "Doug Wilson for Governor" Club
Fools and Sages
Your argument would require one thing for it to make sense
People would have to understand the Sharks ORGANIZATION, and the fact that it is more than Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. That’s a stretch for most hockey reporters west of Denver.
Also, we’re chokers, and Niemi won a Cup with an original six team, so naturally, the Sharks should be falling all over themselves for the chance to shine his skates.
Furthermore, as TCY points out, Niemi is probably not that good without Keith and Seabrook. Hell, I could win a cup behind those two!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Hmmn...
Furthermore, as TCY points out, Niemi is probably not that good without Keith and Seabrook. Hell, I could win a cup behind those two!
Dude, the traffic cone they use between the pipes in the pee-wee league could win a cup behind Keith and Seabrook.
"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club
My poor Jason Demers article… I justtified dropping it on a Sunday to myself because it would be up Monday. I’m sorry Jason.
Fear the Fin: Sharing Joe Thornton's love of wooly mammoths since 2009.
I totally agree
Not gonna happen and certainly wouldn’t want it to happen.
However, I don’t really like describing DW’s moves as constantly mimicking the previous cup winner. While I do think there was some truth to modeling ourselves after Detroit, I don’t think every year DW is going, “OK, who won the cup last year? Let’s now try and change our team to look like them.”
Yes he may follow trends in the NHL like opting for a cheaper goalie, but I don’t think that’s necessarilly b/c he’s trying to be like Chicago.
Idk, it just bugs me describing it like that…
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
I think Doug Wilson believes in his guys
The contracts for Marleau, Thornton, Pavelski, Clowe and Setoguchi reflect his opinions of those players. Similar things can be said of Boyle and Vlasic.
It’s probably most accurate to say he’s looking for the right strategy to make the team into a winner WITH those guys.
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
I agree…
and I think there is good reason to beleive in those guys… After last PO’s I think they are getting better, especially Pavs and Clowe…
The D on the other hand….
by skilletboy on Aug 2, 2010 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions
So Niemi is a bad idea.
Is it too late to get Turco? …KIDDING
Proud member of the "Bring back Semenov" Club !!
by idunno723 on Aug 2, 2010 11:38 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
SIGN NABBY!!! Oh…wait.
Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tweet Tweet.
by ZeroIndulgence on Aug 2, 2010 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions
We need Niemi, Nabby AND Niitty!!!
Nnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
"Sorry guys, I’m not going to try and hit (Douglas) Murray anymore. It doesn’t work." - Steve Ott, Dallas Stars.
by SwisherThresher on Aug 2, 2010 11:54 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
3N?
ROTFL
"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club
Nabby, Nitty
and Nemo (that’s one of his nicknames in Chicago)
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
YOU
ARE CONTEMPTIBLE!
oh, wait…
"Sorry guys, I’m not going to try and hit (Douglas) Murray anymore. It doesn’t work." - Steve Ott, Dallas Stars.
by SwisherThresher on Aug 2, 2010 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions
...are going to freeze your ass off in CHI this winter?
"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club
by Noctro on Aug 2, 2010 8:19 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Hate to be the OT buggaboo
But Xtra Sports 860 is expected to provide a recap of today’s Sharks/Oil/Thunder news conference. Special guests included. Start time: 12:20pm PT.
carry on…
"Sorry guys, I’m not going to try and hit (Douglas) Murray anymore. It doesn’t work." - Steve Ott, Dallas Stars.
by SwisherThresher on Aug 2, 2010 11:50 AM PDT reply actions
JJ and the Mouth, live NOW at the Stockton Arena
15min: Dan Rusanowsky
30min: Rick Olczyk, Oilers assistant general manager
"Sorry guys, I’m not going to try and hit (Douglas) Murray anymore. It doesn’t work." - Steve Ott, Dallas Stars.
by SwisherThresher on Aug 2, 2010 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Guess I'm missing why this is such a big deal,
other than the run between arenas will be shorter.
"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club
Are we really going to send a guy down to the ECHL
Who has AHL experience? Demers and the cap situation aside, is there any other reason for this besides keeping tabs on our lower ranked prospects easier?
And even that would be arguable, as the AHL affiliate has proven more than competent in that respect.
- Passes around the bowl of Stalock stew.
"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club
Its Still Defense We Need
There is no way the Sharks can be serious contenders with the defense that they have now. DW needs to spend the rest of the cap money on defense. We have no speed on defense whatsoever, so if the defense isn’t fixed, it won’t matter who the goalie is.
boyle's known as one of the better skating d-men
understand that it’s one guy but that is something
by DucksSuckQuackQuack on Aug 2, 2010 11:54 AM PDT up reply actions
It's been his stated intention to bring in another D-man
And he’s also stated it will likely only happen through the trade front now.
We’re in a bit of a quandry, because we need size on defense, and yet we also need mobility. I’m really hoping this is Vlasic’s year to shine. I was very down on him much of last season, but his play towards the end, as well as his playoff performance really sold me. We need more in his mold. Smart, mobile, and able to use the body not as a battering ram, but as a scalpel, forcing guys outside and using the boards to his advantage.
Murray also needs to have a turn around. All the things he did so well at the beginning of the season (effectively clearing the crease, protecting the puck in the corners and making a solid first pass) really went away. As a whole, the defensive unit’s minutes were not well managed. Much of that had to do with age and injuries.
This is again why I think Vlasic is key this season, and might make any addition look good, because he frees the D up to play the minutes they SHOULD play.
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
As a whole, the defensive unit’s minutes were not well managed.
Which is why I’m a fan of picking up Kaberle, or someone in his mold. Limiting Boyle’s minutes (and by extension his D partner) would be a very good idea, IMO.
Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tweet Tweet.
by ZeroIndulgence on Aug 2, 2010 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions
He Can't Do It Alone
Boyle is fabulous, but he is 35 and can’t do it alone. Vlasic is the only other good skating defensemen we have, other than Demers who is a kid with very little experience.
yeah dont get me wrong
I get your point, we definately need D. But I think we are still definite contenders with the current roster
by DucksSuckQuackQuack on Aug 2, 2010 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions
I'd quibble some semantics
And say we’re a playoff team. Contender… eh, once bitten twice shy. But your point is well taken.
/stupid argument
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Bleh, so the Blackhawks can now fit their team under the cap without even having to waive Huet?? Or if they do waive them they’ll have plenty of cap space to resign John Madden and maybe pick up another player like Lee Stempniak.
God damnit Turco…
No, he’s still waived and they’re still only going to be able to average about 900k-1M per player to finish filling out their roster.
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
Well i meant they wouldn’t have to bury him in the minors. 900k to 1m per player for your bottom 6 isn’t bad. Is our bottom 6 any different?
They still have to bury Huet, no amount of good deals from anybody will change that without moving Campbell’s salary.
On defense? Yes :P
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
Niemi is not needed
As has been said many times…Greiss needs a chance and hopefully Niity will be somewhat decent even with our horrendous defense.
Go Sharks!
I Trust DW To Make The Right Move At The Right Time
I think DW is sitting back taking this all in and seeing where things shake out. Remember he has until the trade deadline during the season to make final decisions on the team he wants to have for the playoffs next year.
I think we all understand by now, that the regular season is only so important, its about positioning yourself for a long playoff run at the trade dealine.
I agree. Wouldn’t surprise me if no more moves were made until the season starts.
Churning and burning, they yearn for the cup.
Twitter! rmorse05
So apparently the Stock Thunder is now our official ECHL affiliate league.
Sounds good. Maybe we can send players to the ECHL if we think we might need them for an upcoming game, instead of sending them all the way back to Worcestor.
I think that was because there was expected to be a huge snow storm in the Boston area, so they weren’t sure if Demers could come back to San Jose in time.
Now, they can just do it whenever they please. Nice.
American Heroes: Joe Pavelski, Buster Posey, David Backes
Proud member of the "Doug Wilson for Governor" Club
Fools and Sages
The Sharks are now the Thunder's primary affiliate
Last season it was the Oilers.
"Playing Detroit in the playoffs is like paying your taxes. You either pay now or pay later." - Suisun Dan
My Twitter
Beat to death at this point....
but, most Sharks fans were claiming Neimi was a weak-link for the Hawks last PO’s and now suddenly he is the answer for us??!! WTF!?
by skilletboy on Aug 2, 2010 1:02 PM PDT reply actions
Most Sharks fans don’t think Niemi is the answer for us. It’s those on the outside of Sharks fandom who think that Niemi is going to San Jose.
American Heroes: Joe Pavelski, Buster Posey, David Backes
Proud member of the "Doug Wilson for Governor" Club
Fools and Sages
Further proof
That facebook is full of stupid people
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
We still need stronger, more physical defensemen. I am glad they have Campbell at 7 Mil a year. He sucks. He was a complete underachiever in SJ, and if you watch him he is lazy. I was bummed when SJ made him a hired gun. Glad he is gone. We also need an enforcer. Bad.
I suspect Frazer McLaren will be our enforcer this season. And at 550k, the price is right.
However, I’d dispute that we even need one. I understand the value of the enforcer types, but in today’s NHL, with the instigator penalty, and the overall speed of the game, enforcers are becoming more of a liability on the roster than an asset…at least IMO. McLaren can at least skate a bit and has decent hands.
Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tweet Tweet.
by ZeroIndulgence on Aug 2, 2010 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Not in the Eastern Conference!
Caps, Rags, Philly, Islanders all signed or resigned enforcers.
Caps – DJ King (STL)
Rags – Boogaard (MIN)
Philly – Shelley (NYR)
Philly – Carcillo (Re signed)
Islanders – Konopka (TBL)
Brutal!!
Some teams in the West Beefed up too
Flames – Ivanans (LAK)
Coyotes – Bissonette (Re-signed)
Although the West in General is looking a little less punchy now.
Who exactly on the Sharks is going to throw down with Shelley or any of the rest? Maybe McLaren.
If he doesn’t what does it mean for the Sharks? More ice time for guys like Jody Shelley. Are we afraid of what they’ll do to any of our players?
I didn’t think so.
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
I think it's a weird situation
For the most part I think you could live without an enforcer, and there are a ton of benefits of rolling a more skilled 4th line.
The flipside of course if if we were to run a more skilled 4th line, they would most likely be smaller, Worcester guys who would get pushed around.
Carcillo is more of an agitator at this point than an enforcer. And the Boogard signing is laughable. At least the rangers shipped out Brashear to the Thrashers.
by BruinsSelectSeguin on Aug 3, 2010 6:05 AM PDT up reply actions
I think the rest of the media forgets that we already have signed a goalie this offseason.
That or they think that Doug Wilson is indeed a scheming, conniving, backstabbing GM.
Don't let the name deceive you, I'm not just a Sharks fan but a Lakers, 49ers, Angels, Giants (and to a lesser extent) Capitals, and Titans fan.
by SharksFanEst.1994 on Aug 2, 2010 4:45 PM PDT reply actions
Nah, they just don't care about correctness...just page hits on their ads.
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ZOMG! NIEMI TO THE SHARKS!
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by ElvisVF101 on Aug 2, 2010 5:04 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Dude. He can still block the puck with his head. WTF. ;-)
"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
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As for my thoughts on this rumor:
In that media frenzy many have suggested that the Sharks, now without netminder Evgeni Nabokov, will pursue Niemi heavily.
The mere fact that the sports mainstream even dares to compare Niemi to Nabokov is somewhat insulting.
Ok. Drop the “somewhat.”
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Agreed
A decade long career,as well as being one of the NHL’s elites, there is no comparison
by NabbyTillTheEnd on Aug 13, 2010 11:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Nieme to the Sharks is not gonna happen,
But it would be nice
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-1
he has too many loose pucks. If it weren’t for the D-men he had, the whole series would have been different.
Say what you want, but Nabby, Turco, and Luongo are on that puck when it comes at them. Rebounds are rare. Not so w/ Niemi.
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Huet and the NHLPA
If I were Cristobal Huet, I would file a grievance through the NHLPA when the Hawks try to stuff him and his salary down in the AHL. I don’t think I understand all the ins and outs of such a thing, but deciding that you don’t like a player’s contract any more because of your other dumb salary cap moves doesn’t seem like a sufficient reason for demoting him.
They could simply say he didn’t make the team. It’s not hard to believe that you can find 2 goalies better than Huet.
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
Except they’re structuring their team as if it’s a foregone conclusion that he’s not on the roster. I know Huet isn’t worth his contract, but I’m more questioning the tactic of taking NHL-caliber players and stuffing them in the minors to get under the cap.
The Hawks could buy out Huet, but part of his contract would still count against the cap, and they don’t want that. It just seems like a way of screwing a particular player out of playing in the NHL for non-playing reasons.
You could argue that if he played up to his contract this would not have happened, his contract is bad but it was getting unseated by Niemi that made him expendable, if he was the goalie that lead them to the cup I find it hard to imagine that they stuff him in the minors the next year.
Who’s gonna finish this off? I am going Boyle. - FML! No more OT Predictions from me!
Niemi only became the starter late in the year, right before the playoffs. Huet was the #1 for most of the year. And they thought so much about Niemi that they let him walk.
I’m not a Huet fanboy or anything, but I do think he’s getting a raw deal here. He literally has no control over his destiny, because regardless of his play, he’s not playing for the Hawks or anyone else in the NHL for another two years.
Andrew Raycroft and Vesa Toskala?
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by Kevin Sellathamby on Aug 3, 2010 5:30 AM PDT up reply actions
why would the NHLPA file a grievance?
he’s still going to get paid. as long as that happens, i doubt they have a problem with it.
Because he’s not going to be playing in the NHL, and the Hawks are intentionally not buying him out. In other words, it doesn’t matter how well he plays in camp, he’s going to the AHL. And in the AHL, it doesn’t matter if he posts a 0.4 GAA/.987 SVG down there, they won’t bring him up.
The NHLPA deals with more than just financials.
I see where you are coming from but for the remainder of this CBA its something the players are going to have to live with, since this is something that could potentially effect the majority of players should the cap dip I think this is going to be something the PA will try to do something about.
However for the time being their hands are tied, we did the same thing to Kyle McLaren and Ottawa eventually did the same thing to Cheechoo
Who’s gonna finish this off? I am going Boyle. - FML! No more OT Predictions from me!
yours is more of an emotional argument
then a logical one. there is plenty of precedent for what the blackhawks will do. only if they try to cheat him out of the money will the NHLPA do anything.
it may not seem fair from the perspective of a sharks fan. but it is, there’s nothing in his contract that says he has to play in the NHL, just that the hawks have to pay him. i’m sure he’s not looking forward to starring for rockford, but he’s probably happy getting his gigantic paycheck.
On the contrary, there’s very little precedent for stuffing a player in the minors for years to get out of cap trouble. Usually those players get bought out or traded (with the original team paying part of the salary), but his cap hit is so high, neither will happen.
I fully understand why the Hawks are doing this, and I guess Huet can cry into his $5 million/per, but I don’t see how you can say it’s fair and on the up-and-up. Want proof? Show me a quote from anyone in Blackhawks management that says, basically, “Huet’s an NHL caliber player, but we won’t allow him to make the team because his salary is too high.” We all know that’s what the real story is, but they won’t admit it.
well, let's put it this way....
what would you like to bet that the NHLPA files a grievance?
I think san jose should sign Niemi and trade Niittymaki
I remember Niittymaki in Philly he was pretty bad.
look at these stats
2006-07 Philadelphia Flyers NHL
GP A PIM Min GA EN SO GAA W L T Svs Pct
52 0 2 2943 166 8 0 3.38 9 29 9 1401 0.894
But don't forget, bad D can screw a netminder's stats.
DW went after him for a reason. Let’s see what he has in mind before crucifying Niitty.
You also should look GAA% vs which D-men on ice to really start to see interesting patterns.
"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
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That was a terrible Flyers team that went 22-48-12 and to lay that at the feet of Nitty would be pretty unfair. I don’t recall Nitty ever being on a good team. As for Niemi I’ll repeat what I have said this whole time, he was a product of his defense if Niemi kicked half of those rebounds out to the point with our defense and not Chicago of last year and those pucks are in the net.
Who’s gonna finish this off? I am going Boyle. - FML! No more OT Predictions from me!
He has been on one good team. Niittymaki lead Team Finland to the silver medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics, and in that process, he posted 3 shutouts in 6 games and was named tournament MVP. To me, that more than makes up for being on mediocre or poor NHL teams. He’s got some years under his belt, he is Olympic proven, and he is still fairly young and about to come into his prime if not already in it. I believe Niittymaki can keep us in the game all the way to the Cup.
by zack007attack on Aug 4, 2010 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Stop Niitty picking.
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by idunno723 on Aug 3, 2010 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Niemi is decent but the only reason he was able to get the arbitration he was was because of the cup win. As we all know from watching the playoffs, he was decent at best in all the playoffs except for against San Jose. That was his standout series. Nashville could have taken that first series though if they didnt do a few boneheaded things, Vancouver lit him up hardcore the 2 games they won. Philly was having no issues with him really. Chicago’s defense and depth are what won them the cup. Niemi will drop back down especially when you get a team that isnt remotely as strong on D in front of him.
So, the Merc got into this rumor today
Joy.
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I knew this guy didn’t even watch a Sharks game last year when he mentioned that signing Jed Ortmeyer was still a priority this offseason.
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I wish it was =[
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This rumor is like James Bond
WHY WON’T IT JUST DIE?
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