Blackhawks sign goalie Antti Niemi

by Killion on Jun 30, 2009 12:05 PM CDT

According to hockey buzz - the Blackhawks signed a deal with Antti Niemi today. No word on the terms of the deal yet but it could mean Crawford is no longer going to be in the Hawks organization or he's going to have to stay another year in Rockford. With Mora's report, the goalie situation has become one giant mess. I can't imagine they'd re-sign Khabby unless they were 100% sure they could get rid of Huet. But I would have said the same thing last year about signing Huet. If one of the top two go this could be a sign the Hawks want to make Niemi the #2.

Antti Niemi

#31 / Goalie / Chicago Blackhawks

Height: 6-1

Weight: 213

Born: Aug 29, 1983

	GP	MIN	W	L	T	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2008 - Antti Niemi	3	141	1	1	1	0	8	3.40	59	51	.864	0

Neither Niemi nor Crawford were terribly impressive in their brief call ups but Crawford played admirably when he got a quick shot against the Red Wings.

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Ugh

Crawford is on the outs. Clear the organization has lost faith in his ability. But Niemi??? Good grief. Niemi blows.

$136 million payroll for a .500 style ballclub. Good work Jim.

by BLou on Jun 30, 2009 7:49 PM CDT reply actions

Niemi? Re-signed? Why?

Is it just me or does this back-up goaltenders situation turning into one giant fiasco? Does this mean Tallon and the crew think Niemi is up to the task or is something else up their sleeve like a Clemmenson signing? I’m totally puzzled right now that’s for sure. What about Biron? or that kid Gustavsson that has everybody talking right now or are the Hawks brass worried he might be another Fabian Brunnstrom? Who knows.
It seems to be a clear as the exit stragedy out of Afghanastan. By the end hopefully for the hawks sake it works out whatever their plan is.

by hawks61 on Jun 30, 2009 9:09 PM CDT reply actions

Well

Crawford is much better than Niemi. He may have trade value. Keep Niemi to season him. But remember we signed the kid goalie from Yale…..that may be the real future.

Now follow me here….imagine if there is a deal cooking for Frenchy, and it comes to pass. I see an immediate deal for Khabi, and Roloson as the best number two. Sign Khabi for $3MM, sign Roloson for $3MM (that is what the Oilers extended to him for one year). Goalies are now cup capable for next season, and we save $6MM in cap.

Then we sadly see JHC move on…. more cap savings, but we don’t know what may be coming in a potential deal for Huet.

I have bashed Dale some this year, but I think there is a LOT going on behind the scenes that we are not privvy to that could pleasantly surprise us all.

by Return of the Roar on Jun 30, 2009 10:49 PM CDT reply actions