The Goalie Market / Updated Chart

[WharfRat]

Today's the day.....could very well be a last minute deal for $2.75 Million to avoid arbitration. Then again, they could go to arbitration and accept any ruling (even if it's high) if they have a potential trade involving a goalie in the works as well. This is as about as exciting as hockey gets at the end of July.

[The Fog]

Not feeling to confident as I was yesterday about Niemi signing before the deadline. I am thinking now they will let Niemi walk. Probably not going to be a good day for The Fog squad today. Golaies are not my friend in this pool.

[WharfRat]

Double reverse jinx will do you no good!

[WharfRat]

I'm hearing rumors of Ladd signing before arbitration for around 2.35 Million.
yup..... http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2 ... -ladd.html


Heard nothing of Niemi.

I'm going to guess he gets awarded $3.4 Million. Hawks accept decision, sign him, then trade his ass!!!

[The Fog]

Haha. Sometimes the double jinx works.

[The Fog]

Well, now I have to wait another 48hrs. Riding all the ups and downs like a rollercoaster with this guy,

The arbitrator that heard evidence from both sides now has 48 hours to render a decision on what Niemi's next contract should be and then the Blackhawks will have 48 hours to determine if they want to accept the terms or let Niemi walk into unrestricted free agency.

[The Fog]

Antti Niemi’s arbitration award will be released at some point before tomorrow afternoon. There really isn’t any Chicago can retain him unless the arbitrator makes a very surprising decision. Look for San Jose or Philadelphia to go after Niemi if Chicago is forced to walk away

[Beaver]

Look for San Jose or Philadelphia to go after Niemi if Chicago is forced to walk away

Philly could only do it by sending salary back the other way or making another (stupid) trade. Still, with Homer you never know. There are still rumours that he recently offered Turco $6M over 3 years but Turco balked. Could be an old story though.

Between Niemi at $3M+ and Leighton at $1.55M I'd just as soon take Leighton. I'm sure Holmgren is thinking the same thing.

[WharfRat]

Between Niemi at $3M+ and Leighton at $1.55M I'd just as soon take Leighton. I'm sure Holmgren is thinking the same thing.

Yes, Yes indeed. I would have to concur wise Beaver.

[The Fog]

C'mon the suspense is killing me. Not feeling confident after reading this.

Sources are saying Antti Niemi could be getting between $3 and $4 million from arbitration, which won’t be a good number for the ‘Hawks. Before arbitration the ‘Hawks offered Niemi a 3 year, $8 million deal

If they really offered him 3yr at 8m, why didn't he jump at that? Especially after seeing what FA goalies received this summer. Stupid Agents!!!!!

Some Bowman quotes that have more questions than answers.
Bowman said that he has spoken with Huet's agent, but the issue of Huet's future with the #Blackhawks will be addressed in August.
Bowman has talked to some teams about trading Niemi ... but says it's no different than talk about other players
Bowman: "We're going to try to make it work...There are numbers that we have in mind that will make it more easy to fit [Niemi] in."

[The Fog]

If the Blackhawks walk away or trade Antti Niemi, they have a verbal agreement with Marty Turco for 1 year, $1.5 million.
This would be bad for me an excellent for Van Horne.

[FROGGIE]

$2.75 million for Niemi. What that means...who knows
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=535282

[The Fog]

Now I have to wait another 48hrs for the Hawks to make their decision. I think I need few cold beers! 2.75m might be doable for Chicago. That is close to the reported 3yr 8m Chicago had offered. Trying to stay positive.

[Van Halen]

Clarke MacArthur gets $2.4 million from an arbitrator and a Stanley Cup winning goaltender gets $2.75 million.

Uh, sure, that makes a lot of sense to me.

Not saying Niemi deserved more, although he probably did, the difference between the two awards doesn't make sense.

Would have made the Turco deal more of a certainty had Niemi been awarded more, now I'm thinking the Hawks might accept it, although saving 1.25 million on the cap hit might be attractive.

[steelhawk]

Deslauriers now signed, so he'll have to fight with Khabibulin and Dubynk for starts in Edmonton:
http://oilers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id= ... L|EDM|home

Some remaining goalie questions:
1) Will Blackhawks accept Niemi contract or go with desperate UFA veteran in net?
2) Will Habs be able to get Price under contract?
3) Will Preds go with youthful backup to Rinne or grab a veteran for the spot?