I can say with certainty that he intended to walk away with either Hjalmarsson or Niemi. I'm not just saying this because it makes logical sense.

But I find it funny, for a guy that doesn't like the Hawks he's had a lot of former Hawks on his team over the past few years.
- DarthKane

I can say with pretty much certainty...He knew the Hawks would match on Hammer and he along with most of the NHL thought the Hawks would find a way to sign Niemi.

Getting Niemi for $2 mill was a gift for Wilson.
If Niemi was his target to begin with he could have offer sheeted him instead...

I think Niemi fell into his lap and turned out to for less money.

Niemi not gettting resigned was all on the Hawks front office as they made a different choice....Dragged their feet and he had no choice but to go to arbitration.

I can say with pretty much certainty...He knew the Hawks would match on Hammer and he along with most of the NHL thought the Hawks would find a way to sign Niemi.

Getting Niemi for $2 mill was a gift for Wilson.
If Niemi was his target to begin with he could have offer sheeted him instead...

I think Niemi fell into his lap and turned out to for less money.

Niemi not gettting resigned was all on the Hawks front office as they made a different choice.
- Al

Niemi wasn't his original target, but he knew know that if the Hawks matched the Hjalmarsson offer that Niemi would be an option and a quick target.

There was no way Niemi was going to sign with the Hawks for $2 million and Wilson got a deal for sure.

Edit: Didn't the Hawks and Niemi go to arbitration and Wilson couldn't have offer sheeted him?

Niemi wasn't his original target, but he knew know that if the Hawks matched the Hjalmarsson offer that Niemi would be an option and a quick target.

There was no way Niemi was going to sign with the Hawks for $2 million and Wilson got a deal for sure.

Edit: Didn't the Hawks and Niemi go to arbitration and Wilson couldn't have offer sheeted him?
- DarthKane

I am not sure of timing but that was on Hawks too as they came in low on Niemi and he had to go to arbitartion. ....but Niemi would be an option and a quick target. Is correct....

I wrote about the fact the Hawks could lose both that summer before the playoffs were over.

Wilson needed a Dman....He lost a good one that year, can't recall the name.

I guess my point is Wilson knew what he was doing and got lucky...He did need a goalie too

I do know both sides thought Niemi was the difference in that series.

I do know for a fact the Hawks could have re-signed Niemi for the same $2 mill as Wilson.

If a player went through the arb process and the original team didn't match...If the player was signed by another team for 20% less than arb award, which was the case, the original team could match.

But by that time the chips were all on Turco and Crawford....Because that was the plan.

I am not sure of timing but that was on Hawks too as they came in low on Niemi and he had to go to arbitartion. ....but Niemi would be an option and a quick target. Is correct....

I wrote about the fact the Hawks could lose both that summer before the playoffs were over.

Wilson needed a Dman....He lost a good one that year, can't recall the name.

I guess my point is Wilson knew what he was doing and got lucky...He did need a goalie too

I do know both sides thought Niemi was the difference in that series.

I do know for a fact the Hawks could have re-signed Niemi for the same $2 mill as Wilson.

If a player went through the arb process and the original team didn't match...If the player was signed by another team for 20% less than arb award, which was the case, the original team could match.

But by that time the chips were all on Turco and Crawford....Because that was the plan.

- Al

I thought Niemi was asking for a lot more than $2 million. He was awarded $2.75 million so I would think he would have asked for more than $2 million during the arbitration.

Either way, its a shame Niemi left. I can't complain too much because Crawford is playing well.

I am not sure of timing but that was on Hawks too as they came in low on Niemi and he had to go to arbitartion. ....but Niemi would be an option and a quick target. Is correct....

I wrote about the fact the Hawks could lose both that summer before the playoffs were over.

Wilson needed a Dman....He lost a good one that year, can't recall the name.

I guess my point is Wilson knew what he was doing and got lucky...He did need a goalie too

I do know both sides thought Niemi was the difference in that series.

I do know for a fact the Hawks could have re-signed Niemi for the same $2 mill as Wilson.

If a player went through the arb process and the original team didn't match...If the player was signed by another team for 20% less than arb award, which was the case, the original team could match.

But by that time the chips were all on Turco and Crawford....Because that was the plan.

- Al

Rob Blake retired.

I thought Niemi was asking for a lot more than $2 million. He was awarded $2.75 million so I would think he would have asked for more than $2 million during the arbitration.

Either way, its a shame Niemi left. I can't complain too much because Crawford is playing well.
- DarthKane

So has Emery

So has Emery
- mrpaulish

Yes he has...he's played just as well.

I thought Niemi was asking for a lot more than $2 million. He was awarded $2.75 million so I would think he would have asked for more than $2 million during the arbitration.

Either way, its a shame Niemi left. I can't complain too much because Crawford is playing well.
- DarthKane

The award was $2.75 but is independent of what he may have wannted from the Hawks...Supposedly that was his mkt value and it turned out to be less but still much more than Hawks wanted to pay.

The talk of 4-5 mill was crazy...There wasn't a mkt for goalies and they knew the Hawks were stuck....

My source said he never was offered $2 mill...

Logically that makes sense becasue they could have had Nimei on the rebound for two mill....And I head that before he went to arbitation.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

Rob Blake retired.
- TrueGrit

Yes Sir!....Big loss for them.

Yes he has...he's played just as well.
- DarthKane

The real test for both goalies is how they perform in the playoffs.

Ott is an idiot. You can have him. His act would get old fast here.
- TrueGrit

Agreed. We have shaw and holland to be an 'ott'

I think the boys are coming in motivated for this one, 4-2 Hawks in a dominating performance. Other predictions?

Anyone remember Dave "Charlie" Manson? Loved that guy!!! Stopped fighting towards the latter half of his career because he actually learned how to be an effective hockey player...go figure
- Murph76

My favorite 'non-star' hawk...18 goals and 352 pims one year...they don't make them like him anymore

Agreed. We have shaw and holland to be an 'ott'
- miked23

Neither of whom wins anywhere near 58.6% of their face offs.

Neither of whom wins anywhere near 58.6% of their face offs.
- Ogilthorpe2

Combined their percentages equal that!!

Neither of whom wins anywhere near 58.6% of their face offs.
- Ogilthorpe2

Exactly.

Let's get a W y'all

Hayes'r from Kaner....1-cob TOMAHAWK

Nice pass - great patient shot Hayes.

And another 3rd line goal.

Nice pass - great patient shot Hayes.
- StLBravesFan

Revenge is sweet....Shawzer!!!!

Shawzer converts a beauty 2 on 1...Ric Flair WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Phucking Leddy is crushed from behind and NO CALL

speed kills...

Saad with a head up his a s s d'zone turnover....Avs fire wide...phew.