Hawks sign free-agent Potulny
The Blackhawks have added more veteran depth with the signing of free-agent forward Ryan Potulny.
TSN Canada reported the Hawks signed Potulny to a one-year, two-way contract that would pay the former Edmonton Oiler $500,000 should be make the NHL club.
Potulny had 15 goals and 17 assists in 64 games for the Oilers last season and was minus-21. Seven of his goals came on the power play.
Potulny’s is the second curious signing in the last two weeks for the Hawks, who also added former Edmonton winger Fernando Pisani as a free agent.
While it appeared there would be a number of spots open at forward for prospects such as Jack Skille, Bryan Bickell, Kyle Beach, Jake Dowell and a few others, that might not be the case anymore.
The Hawks report to training camp next week, taking the ice for the first time on Sept. 18.
Not much to comment on with Potulny, although I think it's a decent move considering all things. I missed you guys through the summer and looking forward to another great year from the Hawks. It's going to be a bit of a challenge I think, especially early with all the new influx of players but I think we're still going to be a pretty tough top 5 western conference opponent.
Looking forward to all the fighting, name calling, mom dropping, and the rest that seemed to rock this blog last year. lmao.
P~
The Potulny signing is more of a signal to what a Cap-strapped GM must do:
Find many possible solutions, long term and short, to help bridge the gap between the transition from overstocked/over paid Cup champion team to one where it's thick stable of draft selections(who wouldn't/can't make the club at 20-21years of age) gets a chance to see if they are MORE than bottom line players.
Unlike everyone else, I envision each and every IceHog, new UFA signee, and graduated amateur as a guy who will be asked to fit WITH the upper core. Granted some may never have top line savy, but a balanced attack is how the opposition is put off-balance (Remember the Toews-Kane line separation to finish off Philly? They do!
I think we have known for a bit that what is left in Rockford is not some-huge upsided buried stash of players ala 1950-60s Montreal teams.
If Jack Skille was a dominant big-time scorer his contract wouldn't have kept him away...someone else would have been let go...the better fit stays.
That is not to say Skille cannot play. Once you actually get to the highest level and adjust to the speed/tenot, you cannot count anyone out.
I don't see any outside signings as indictment Jake Dowell all-around game. I have been watching the sport long enough to know committed and determined players can improve and become more than 4th liners.
Believe me, the Blackhawks would be more than pleased if Stalberg, Makarov, and Beach also became guys that could consistently hit the back of the net. So far all the newbies and "vets" in Rockford (Potulny, Taffe, Jessiman and the other AHL journeymen) will be part of a stream of one at a time call-ups after they are able to settle in and select a nice compliment around the NHL players with one-way contracts.
Clearly this weekend's Prospects Tourney displays not a great many players who we may view as possible 2nd line prospects, and the beauty of having just so many good younger "almost ready" players is ... if they do not show big major scoring numbers after they arrive - they will STILL provide upgrades and more competition to the new developing 3rd & 4th refurbish.
Oh, I am excited...for the new climb, and all the new load of blog rips/ over hypes of the newbies.
How you meld with the other two guys up front and the two backliners on the ice can make or break confidence, so it is so it seems a bit pre-mature for we fans to start making line-up decisions.
I am wondering if any of the bloggers here are going to audition for the new Canada hockey musical SCORE ?
Rockford signed Former Wings 7th round pick centre Zack Torquato (tor-KWAH-doh), wing Andy Bohmbach (BAHM-bak) and defenseman Scott Fletcher for Toledo and IceHog auditions.
Sault Ste. Marie native Toquato is a 195 lb. six footer with a few PIMs who had 93 points in 68 games in his last OHL year (he is 21), had a brush with the law, and it lead guilty to misdemeanor assault and battery charges, two years probation + 250 hours community service.
Well wiz, I really couldn't have said it better, except that after al these years of playing both in the NHL and Internationally, I of course new all of this and then some. Most of the schleps on this blog read 2 lines on the NHL site, then come here and start busting out all kinds of goofy, but very funny scenarios. Espically hockeypuck, Eternal Fields, Orchard creek, Canes Dad, Stnch72, jackukel, steve from Chicago, hockey22…..
They fail to realize the immense value I bring to the blog & how I upgrade this blog to a completely professional level. I have years upon years of hockey knowledge, from being an elite player, coaching the current stars , future hall of famers and Stanley Cup winners of today and beynd. There are really only 2 people that realize my value as a global hockey force and “A” lister to the worlds leaders and power brokers. My top guns and blog defenders Reg Dunlop & Realwiz.
With your arrogant and unrealistic attitude. I know you are not the real Jeff Shantz and its too bad because you sure make him look bad. You come up with some pretty far out stories and I do find you entertaining at times, you obviously know a little bit about hockey but the truth is that you and Ben Ben are in the same category of people who need professional help.
When I was 30 pounds overweight, 44 years old and playing beer league with Bill McCreary (THE Bill McCreary who leveled Gretzky), I was a better player than you and I had forgotten more than you will ever know about hockey.
I say this because I know you aren't serious. In fact, I'm not sure what you are. Not really offensive per se. But I'm also not sure it's very amusing anymore either.
Just, meh.
That is all. Go stock some spark plugs in aisle three.
I almost took the bait , too, but refrained. I've been popping in and out of here all summer, and it amazes me that this person (for lack of a better adjective) has continued this stupid Shantz shtick up ALL summer long.
It's actually pathetic.
I learned that if you argue with the village idiot, there are now 2 village idiots. Although I don't always agree with everything you have to say, you add something here. Save your knowledge and your time for hockey, rather than responding to freaks just looking for attention.
If you don't give them what they want, they go away. Eventually.
Thank god you do not post often as you are boring as hell and are no more than a copy cat who can't think for himself. As haywire as Shantz is at least he is entertaining and his posts are from within his warped self. You are no more than a wanna be, maybe Canes Dad on a Hawk blog is what gets me, I don't know. I apologize to you if you are still in grade school.
Hello CapToews -- your writing style and (lack of) intellect make you stick out like a hillbilly at a Mensa meeting - no matter what your new nickname is.
By your scale, if I'm in grade school then you're (note the contraction of you are = you're) a primate - and that may be giving you too much credit. That means monkey, by the way. No charge for the basic grammar lesson that you should have had in the 2nd grade.
Congrats, you just joined my Village Idiot list - which means you have become invisible.
To Tim: Really a shame how a handful of goofs have really dragged down a pretty good blog. If you read our comments and care about this thing, you may want to get involved.
Mr hawkeye toll me you 2 wunt to be Benny frind. Benny happy now benny have new friends yaaaaaaa weeeeee I jump fer joy on my bed I hope I no wake eternil feelds he sleep sleep with man frum forest preserve beeny see dem get out of old van with rust and cirtins on windows.
Will you play games with benny captin toes I like kurplunk an race with hot weels zoom zoom zoom eternal will make pudding for us an waffle but don’t make him mad he will burn us an shave our heads an take our shoes away so we cant run run. Thank you fer making us frinds hawkeye will you play with us too pleeze come over an play do you have hair bye bye benny
You make mistake Ben Ben, Canes Dad want to be your friend. He has lots of hot wheels to play with you and Canesdad will save you from Eternal because I know he will run to Tim's house and get help for you. I am too busy to play with you Ben Ben as I have many lady friends that I have to keep them regulary serviced so they will not get squeaky sound. Canesdad would reely lik to bee yor frind, he telled mee so at hawkes practce de odder day. U will weelyu lik him. a nudder guy who weel like Ben Ben is Jeff Shantz who is very busy but will tak time off from him busy schedule to take Beb Ben to movies, I know u will like him for dat. Hawkeye is good guy, he like hawks very much, Canesdad puppy think I big Toews fan, I guess he figured it out because of his number, him is pretty smart guy. I think Eternal will try and hurt canesdad cause he is puppy maker and likes to play with his thingie in his bedroom thinking of bad tings, not normal things, lik yor brudder. Tell Jeff yu lik booberry ice creem and he will by y sum. Jeff will show u some important people he knows at dat store he workat, he put parts on shelf and talk tol lot of peeple.
Who the heck is Captain Toews on this blog???? Anyway I am new to this blog and just wondering what your problem is?? Calling me names makes you feel pretty tough behind your computer. I would even give you the first free punch if you are willing before I would knock some sense into you. Please go run to Tim for help you moron. This blog has some pretty good contributions from many posters unlike yourself and I suggest if you don't like it anymore to stay off this site. Maybe you can be Ben Ben friend and save him from Eternal Fields? I am sure Ben Ben will be happy to be your friend, on the other hand maybe he does not like you either!
Makes for good entertainment and a fun blog. Just laugh it off CanesDad, not much else you can do. Shantz is kind of funny actually, and it can be pretty good reading at times even if he does belong in a Psych ward. As for the other little fellow.....just let him yap.
Free blogs should be treated the right way. With freedom of opinion. Once you start getting all big government censoring everything......no longer a reason for a blog.
I hate censorship more than I hate embeciles.
You just have to deal with the imperfections. Kind of like how I deal with my girlfriends.
P~
The old 'forgotten more than you will ever know' saw . . . The fact that you are using this on our very own schizophrenic troll is rich . . . Some are content to let their knowledge and experience show in their words, thoughts and actions. You seem intent on convincing everyone. Odd.
Also, Jac, I'm curious . . . do you have a problem with the working class? Some of your comments seem rather disdainful of those who toil in the blue collar or retail realms. It seems to be your putdown of choice. Kinda reeks of elitism . . .
And you still owe me five bucks. You assured us all Vigneult would be fired, going so far as to take my bet. And I believe he is still very much employed. Swing and a miss on that one. Surely a man of your stature does not renege on bets.
Oh, and maybe we can compare stats soon as I might be giving you a run for your money. Stay tuned.
That was a great hit. Whatès the story on why that was McCreary`s last game.
He wasn't very good! As I recall McSorley went after him then. I don't think he was blackballed as much as he just wasn't really NHL caliber.
Apparently he is also the ref's cousin. I only played a few games with him. Some of the guys I played with played with him the following year and got to know him better. Really nice guy. And very good (albeit old like me) by our standards.
We had a guy who was in his early to mid 30s who played D at Kent State who I skated a forward line with who was FRICKING AMAZING. I means the ice opened up like the Red Sea. He also played in some other leagues at that rink (Brighton, MI) with guys like the Helminen Brothers. Those were amazing games just to watch.
We also had a guy who was a goalie in the OHL and the IHL who played D for us. Fights going from the rink to off the ice between guys in their late 30s and early 40s! I got launched by a guy who went about 275 when i came thru center with my head down, broke my hand breaking my fall on the ice.
Good times.
Thanks for taking the time to respond.
I watched that game and the thing I always remembered was how pissed-off Gretzky was. Long time ago so I may be a bit off, but I seem to recall him slumped on the bench really out of it for at least a few minutes, but then coming around and chirping non-stop at McCreary and the Leafs. I even seem to recall the HNIC announcers being somewhat embarrassed by Gretzky when it was so obviously a clean hit.
That's one thing you gotta love about Captain Jonny--he took the hit from Mitchell like a man (I even heard that Mitchell called him while he was out because he felt for him given his own concussion problems which was nice).
Great anecdotes about your men's league games.
Cheers.
There's a handful of dopes on this board who think they are God's gift to hockey knowledge yet probably haven't laced up a pair of skates since pre-school. Some of these douches operate as though this is their own personal hockey reservoir and that all new posters have to be granted their approval to be on here. Fortunately, Tim Sassone is one of the best hockey minds in the country and this is HIS blog. Fortunately also there are a decent number of true knowledgeable hockey fans who post here. I choose to ignore the other doorknobs who believe their hockey knowledge is on par with Scotty Bowman for the primary reason that they invested $150 on a Hawks sweater.
This Ben Ben douche? Disturbing on many levels. A cry for help by some 20-something Internet dweeb who still lives with Mom and otherwise has 12 windows of southeast Asian porn sites open on his screen.
Goniou: You have put it well.
I just want to say, I usually have thought through things before I comment. Not sure if you have a distaste for RealWiz or Jacukel, but they see and hear a lot of hockey each year. RealWiz breaks down video, countless hours, and has an outstanding record in rating junior prospects. I realize some of us can come across as know it alls. You, my fellow blogger, come across sometimes with fighting words when maybe you could phrase things in a different way and still get your point across. You do have good insight, and I do always read your posts. As for Potulny, at worse he helps with development of prospects @ Rockford by being the glue for a big AHL scoring line. He is good insurance for Bolland's health sake, and he can rotate with an energy role/defensive role in Dowell. BTW, I think (not sure) Dowell has some playmaking ability, so he is a cut above departed Fraser & Burish.
I just want to see if you or anyone else has a response to my thoughts on the center position for this team. It is after RealWiz commented to me how I have this fixation on how I'd love to see the Blackhawks get a big sized center, and he mentioned how Kazri (Maple Leafs) has worked hard on weights and is this big, fast center who could possibly be one of the top rookies this season. BTW, picture this: Kazri, Versteeg, Kessell skating all over the place, and a bunch of grinders playing defense. Well, if too much riverboat hockey, you know Burke is no stranger to the word "trade."
Anyway, I like a big center ideally as the #3 or #4 primarily since the size factor helps often defend or neutralize the other team's top center (more so in road contests). A big size center who will battle and can skate can help cover for perhaps a lack of top flight ability. So while I like Bolland, for example, I'd love to see a Paradis or someone develop into a center who has better size and battles harder. This would be ideal, as Bolland can move back and forth between the role he plays. I don't know that Paradis is even ready for the NHL, and if he were to make it this year, it would be as a checker, always battles and plays both ways and maybe a LW instead of center. Another thing about the direction of this team: I believe the best move would be (were it possible down the road) is a big scoring center, but has to be able to make his linemattes better. This would be a formidable one-two centerice punch. So in my ideal world we add a top scoring center and another center who is big, battles, skates well (could mean Bolland leaves).
Presently the best scenario is when Bolland and a Paradis would excel in bottom line roles. In fact, I liked Bolland best when w/ Versteeg and Ladd in much of the playoffs. The line was agitating and capable at both ends of the ice. Some reasons why we won the Cup include both the third line as well as moments where Big Buff shone. Our other areas to watch: with so many promising d-men in the system, we need to let them develop and patchwork the third pair for at least one year. So it is a make it or faill year for Vishnevsky. And can Scott play well enough in a third pair? Eventually when a young d-man is able to do certain things well enough at the NHL level, is when a Campbell or a Seabrook or a Hjalmarsson could conceivably be moved. Or that is at least how Bowman's will likely see it through.
The next regular d-man comes from the prospects? If so, I want to see first for the meaness and physicality (as in, can and will pound on-rushing forwards with a check) capability of a Birch, Olsen than offensively the Leddy, Lalonde (even Holl or Lavin if they develop). Next year I suspect Leddy and, possibly, Birch could move up. Denis-Pepin is very intelligent, reads plays well, has giant wingspan and was taught how to use his stick. I envision him as part of a third pair. Connnelly has to be really good, because we already have one small d-man in Keith. As for other d-men prospects not mentioned, there is too much guessing still as to their development. I admit to being intrigued by Carlson's speed, smarts and doesn't get caught out of position, yet will throw a check (only based on one game I saw).
With so many prospects I would surmise sooner or later we draft or trade for a goaltender prospect. Who knows, maybe Richards or Simpson will develop nicely. Like RealWiz, I love to talk about prospects. Difference is, he doesn't get carried away projecting their future. When I see holes on the NHL team and or possible difficult money decisions on the horizon, I'm just sort of hypothesizing about the future. I'm not a know it all, but this is fun to talk hockey. I wish I had the time and dedication to play in a fantasy draft league (like CHF does?). I actually met Bob Frost, inventor of the realistic, dice, charts etc al board game (if you replay an entire season, veracity of stat's is amazing).
Potulny was a minus 21 and his team had a goal differential of a minus 72. 12 players on the Oilers had a minus 15 or more.
Byfuglien, who has been venerated by some on this blog, was a minus 7 on a team that had a plus 59 goal differential. He was one of only two regulars with a minus rating.
The Hawks had a goal differential of 131 goals better than the Oilers in an 82 game season. That is more than a goal and a half per game!!!!!!!!!
How good your team is a huge factor. So do not read too much into it.
15 goals in 64 games with the Oilers?
That means he's good for about 20 with the Hawks. How is this puzzling? He is fast and can kill penalties. He has more goals than Mike Comrie or Asham.
I love it.
(without them publicly saying it).
"Our bottom two lines have only two guys (Bolland and Kopecky) who we're confident can play a full season at the NHL level without hurting us through mental mistakes, defensive lapses, etc.
We are intrigued by a guy like Makarov (but absolutely not sold); we like Bickell, he can fill in here and there and probably skate a regular 4th line, but after that, we have no one who we have a ton of confidence in— including Jack Skille. Dowell is a very marginal NHL player, at best. Beach is in no way NHL ready. So we're going out and getting the Pisanis, Taffes and Potulnys who we know can do at least some things with some success on the NHL level— to cover us, especially if none of the youths can do the job. We still think we can win this year. We might have a better chance with vets in those roles than unproven kids."
Some might not like the above. But that's what's going on.
Due to never ending injuries over the lonnnggg season an NHL team can never have too much depth. Cheap signings like these aren't going to hurt you any. I still think the Dowells, the Bickells and the Beaches are going to get plenty of opportunity to make this team since it is possible that one of their upsides far exceeds what a Potulny will give you. Bickell in particular seems on the verge of a breakout. The coaches last year had no problem putting him on a line with Kane and Toews during the regular season and he played decent against Nashville when the team needed a bit of guidance in the playoffs.
But like Niemi last year, there's no telling what any of these young guys will do until they see several months of NHL ice time. The predictable mistakes of youth is why I see this as a transitional year.
...are you so confident that Dowell is a marginal NHL player? I'm not saying he's not, just wonder what makes you so sure because this isn't the first time you've said it? To me, he seems like a guy who's paid his dues and at the very least has earned a long look at the NHL level to prove you right or wrong.
He's 25 years old and he's played 23 NHL games (mostly on mediocre Hawk teams when they had injuries) and scored 5 points.
Could be his year to actually stick with the club. Never know. But i thnk the "stockpiling" of guys with more NHL experience and more proven NHL ability says something about the confidence the brass has in the Rockford youths.
Not saying they've written them off per se. I am saying they're not sold on them either. Nor should they be.
I think (and I could be wrong) what he means is that Dowell could have a Matt Bradley type career. Hard worker and good guy to have around but kind of always on the roster bubble for good teams. I hope he does as well as Bradley as I think he is a nice fit for this team.
I think he is a better NHL fit than Colin Fraser was, at least in my books.
But isn't this essentially trying to determine who is the ugliest girl in Bulgaria?
I'll say this, Q, Havy and the rest know a lot more than you or I, and they had Fraser on the team for two years ahead of Dowell.
Dowell is a very poor man's Adam Burish. I'm sure he's a really nice kid. And kudos to him if he makes the club. But if I'm a Hawk fan, I want the best guys on the ice. Right now, if I have to choose between a guy with proven NHL skills like Pisani (who can kill penalties) or Potulny (who has some decent hands) and Dowell, I probably go with the guys with NHL cred.
Right on the money
Agreed....But don't underestimate a player (Dowell) who is hungry, willing to listen, and whom doesn't look for the glory. He is the sort of energy guy who makes the team because...we need that sort of player. Isn't Dowell at lest average on face offs? I know he shifted to Rw at times when on a defensive line centered Brophy.
Hey Puck, you noted something real important. Willing to listen, or take direction. Making final cuts for a coach is always tough. And there was always a few kids I was unfamiliar with. So to determine who I would take of the kids I didn't know I had a complicated and real stupid drill. If a kid blew it off, I didn't want him (or her). Parents would always ask "hey coach, what are you looking for- speed or size?" Well ya, ya want all of that you can get. But the players I took were the ones that took direction and tried to apply it the best. Of course the NHL is not kids hockey and is all about winning no matter what. But NHL rookies still have a lot to learn when they arrive, and the ones who adapt the quickest are usually the ones who take the direction the best.
This is another good signing. He can play with the hawks or in rockord. I agree with goniou this is how teams will be constructed with the cap 7-10 core guys and the fill in guys for cheap. Should be intereting to see the rookie tournament and see if Beach can perform well. No excuses that he is playing with sub talented players like was said at prospect camp. All the blackhawks prospects for next year will only get one or two games up with the big club. They all need to develop.
hope to have some type of report when Tim blogs after that game or the tourney. The John Labatt Centre should be rocking for the opening game vs Leafs' Nation. Really looking forward to seeing Beach and Lalonde as i fully expect to suit up in the opener.
Kyle Beach isn't making this roster. Ditto Lalonde. Also you might want to check your google map on the actual name of the professional ice rink in Toronto.
But of the two, Lalonde has a better shot.
Listen, they might give Beach an early season look-see.
But let's get real. If anyone here (including the Great Jeff Hands Of Stone Shantz) thinks Beach is ready to play defense (yes, I know he's a wing) in the NHL, they are on crack. And if a guy can't play defense (and his name isn't Kane), he's not playing for the Chicago Blackhawks.
Scoring 59 goals in junior is impressive. But it's junior and he was basically overage (though not technically). Those kids are smaller and much slower than anything he will face in pro hockey— either in the AHL or the NHL.
Let's all remember, the real Jeff Shantz scored 39 goals in the W one year.
Beach might be there in 2011-12. If Brouwer pots 25 this year and plays his game, someone's going to pay him $3-4 million a year next year and it won't be the Hawks.
Enter Beach. We better all hope he's ready.
I like the "never say never" approach. Honestly, Beach and Lalonde aren't shoe ins to make the team, but they have a shot. You can't deny that skilled guys occasionally step it up and make the NHL earlier than expected. A big factor will likely be, who is healthy and who isn't. If any regulars suffer injury in the pre-season/training camp then some doors open up sooner than expected.
I'd guess that if someone were to play limited number of minutes as a third pair d-man, Vishnevsky has to be very bad, and Hendry is inj. Hendry first, experienced (one year) Connelly is next, then maybe Lalonde IF he has a good stretch and reports are that he is improving/learning. And if Vishnevsky or Hendry is in the lineup, they would rather use a Boyton or even Denis-Pepin type first and not two similar skaters in Lalonde/Vishnevsky. You'd be praying mighty hard on defense if those two were a pair! In one year MAYBE Lalonde is ready and maybe Denis-Pepin could step in on a third pair. Then, whom among regular d-men is gone? It's all immaterial until any rookie d-men closes the gap significantly and can play well up here in the big show. BTW Vishnevsky can really scoot and he shoots really hard -- he'll get some goals for sure.
John Labatt Center? Please tell me where in Toronto that may be? Air Canada Center maybe?
-21 in 64 games? I have to wonder why he couldn't have taken the money he spent on these two minimal players and signed Niemi. Maybe he's got another trade in the works. If not, this just seems boneheaded to me.
have 3 players for the price of Nemo's arb award:
Turco @ $1.3M
Crawford @ $800k
@ $500k
That's why.
It's total roster space, not what a particular player could bring. Hammer's OS from SJ basically signaled the end of the Nemo period once his selfish agent decided to go to Arb.
Blame Nemo's agent for him not being here, not Stan & the front office.
When you get right down to it, Hammer is more valuable in a team-defence system the 'Hawks execute so well. Lead the league in SOGa with less than 25 and SOGd with more than 9.
It's called...depth...And, if Niemi really wanted to play here, he would have signed the three-year contract Bowman offered before chosing arbitration...
It is crystal clear that the Hawks didn't think it prudent to make a major investment in Anniti Niemi. Hence they walked away from even being on the hook for an "affordable" $2.75 million this season.
I'll trust the judgment of Stan Bowman, Coach Q and staff. Not over-reactionary fans who don't understand reality of the salary cap and/or what makes for a good long-standing NHL goalie.
Niemi was awarded 2.75 million in arbitration. That means the Hawks had to pay him that number. He didn't even get that on the open market as a free agent. The numbers just didn't work out. Ron Wilson forced Bowman's hand by putting in that offer sheet for Hjalmarsson at 3.25 mil per year.
While I do believe that Niemi is a solid goalie, you're going to see that much of his success was a product of good defense and limited shots. The Hawks are trying to follow the Detroit model. Keep the core together, get a decent/cheap goalie, and play good defense while scoring lots of goals. It worked there and the pieces are in place for it to work here too.
Stop crying about him being gone. Bowman did all he could to keep the "core" of this team intact. Niemi is/was/never will be part of that core.
What did we learn from the Khabibulin and Huet contracts? Paying big money for a goalie is a foolish idea.
Furthermore, Turco is a phenomenal puck handler and is going to be a valuable asset for the Hawks transition game this year.
something he's NEVER done. Niemi proved it as a rookie and should have been co-MVP with Tazer. I understand why Niemi's gone but i wished we could have found a way to keep him but he and his agent overplayed their hand. It's too bad a team in the East didn't sign him first because he can still come back to burn us, especially in the playoffs.
The guy is a legit #1 goaltender in the NHL, he doesn't have anything to prove. He has put in years with a team that couldn't get him there and He is here because he wants to win. Niemi may have won a cup with a loaded team, but he still has a lot to prove before I'd cry too much about his departure. Letting him go might turn out to be the best move of the off season. Not to say that's my prediction, but only time will tell.
The Dallas teams had 112 points and 107 pts in two of his seasons and they got bounced in the 1st round. Turco has played for very solid teams and has never taken that team to the cup or even conference finals. He has proven his worth in the regular season but the playoffs are a whole different beast.
He took the Stars to the conference finals against the Wings in 2008. Lost in 6 games.
-2002-03...went 6-6 with a 1.89 GAA, and a .919 sav (Dallas was the #1 seed)
-2003-04...went 1-4 with a 3.32 GAA, and a .849 sav (Dallas was the #5 seed)
-2005-06 ..went 1-4 with a 3.38 GAA, and a .868 sav (Dallas was the #2 seed)
-2006-07...went 3-4 with a 1.30 GAA, and a .953 sav (Dallas was the #6 seed)
-2007-08...went 10-8 with a 2.08 GAA, and a .922 sav (Dallas was the #5 seed)
Playoff Career: 21-26, 2.17 GAA, and .914 sav
Luongo has NEVER taken the Canucks past the 2nd round, but I bet half the guys on this board would want him......
The -21 stands out at first glance but consider how bad the Oilers were last year. That in an of itself will elevate a players +/- rating. Fifteen goals in 64 games is not that bad especially from a 3rd/4th liner.
He couldn't sign Niemi because the rest of the roster wasn't filled out and you still need room for injury callups, etc.
Hawks needed a three-year deal for Niemi because of the cost certainty/cap hit. One year at $2.75M is no good because you're then in the same situation next summer and starting off at a number that's already too high -- and what if he plays really well? You have to kiss Seabrook goodbye.
It's not as if the Sharks locked him up, either. They have three netminders to choose from and some real choices to make next summer with Setoguchi and Pavelski.
Playing mostly on the bottom two lines for a last-place team isn't shabby. Good hands are a plus -- but it's the rest of his game that will be under the scope. Pisani will kill penalties with Bolland, Toews, Hossa, Sharp, and one of Dowell, Bickell, or Kopecky.
I'm actually most excited about Morin.
The NHL has moved to a model where the top teams will have 7-10 "core" players surrounding by cheap young talent and/or veteran journeyman. Stan Bowman is telegraphing by these recent moves that he too isn't sold on Bickell, Skille and Dowell to be legitimate 3rd or 4th line contributors over a full season. So he has bought some cheap veteran insurance.
Kyle Beach? I have very hard time seeing how he makes this roster. His cap hit is the problem. Plus I'm of the opinion that he is overrated (at least at this point) and believe Bowman shares my opinion.