While the Bruins were dealing with the signing of Blake Wheeler, other teams in the NHL were making moves throughout the week in preparation for the upcoming season.
The Chicago Blackhawks goaltender, Antti Niemi, was awarded $2.75 million by an arbitrator on Saturday. The Blackhawks have 48 hours to make one-of-two choices:
- They have 48 hours to walk away from signing Niemi, the rookie goaltender who helped the Blackhawks to their first Stanley Cup Championship in 49 years.
- or, the Blackhawks sign Niemi to a one-year, $2.75 million contract, the amount that was awarded to him by the arbitrator.
Niemi's stats for the 2009-2010 regular season: 26-7-4 2.25 GAA and a .912 SV%
Niemi's stats for the 2010 playoffs: 16-6 2.63 GAA and a .910 SV%
The San Jose Sharks were also busy this past week. The Sharks re-signed Devin Setoguchi to a one-year deal...amount unknown.
Setoguchi's stats for the 2009-2010 regular season: 20 G 16 A and 36 PTS
Setoguchi's stats for the 2010 playoffs: 5 G 4 A and 9 PTS
Other Notable Signings:
Alexander Frolov: LW From: L.A. Kings To: N.Y. Rangers
2009-2010 stats: 19 G 32 A 51 PTS
Matt Moulson: LW Re-Signed: N.Y. Islanders
2009-2010 stats: 30 G 18 A 48 PTS
Alexei Ponikarovsky: LW From: Pittsburgh Penguins To: L.A. Kings
2009-2010 stats: 21 G 29 A 50 PTS
Tomas Fleschmann: C Re-Signed: Washington Capitals
2009-2010 stats: 23 G 28 A 51 PTS
Ian White: D Re-signed: Calgary Flames *avoids arbitration*
2009-2010 stats: 13 G 25 A 38 PTS
Other News:
The New York Islanders acquired defenseman James Wisniewski from the Anaheim Ducks for a conditional third-round pick in the 2011 draft.
Wisniewski 2009-2010 stats: 3 G 27 A 30 PTS
Ilya Kovalchuck's fate could potentially be decided this Wednesday when arbitrator, Richard Bloch who will make one of the following decisions:
- He can rule in favor of Ilya Kovalchuck, making the NHL approve the 17-year $102 million contract with the Devils,
- or, He can rule in favor of the NHL, making their decision to void the contract offer by the Devils official, immediately sending Kovy back to the unrestricted free agent pool.
They gotta sign Niemi... 26-7-4 is so solid for a rookie goalie. And I don't care what the critics say about him... the kid got valuable Cup experience as a rookie. He's a winner.
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree. Why give up a proven rookie who helped lead them to a Stanley Cup?
ReplyDeleteAlso, we gotta expect the Kovy deal to be voided out officially this time. We may see a new deal around 5-10 years with upwards of $100 million OR like I said to DRob we could be surprised by a 1 year $6.5 million deal just to get him inked up. I don't expect anyone else to jump in the bidding since the LA Kings were the only other team who showed interest.
Also, before the start of the NHL Season I'm going to make a post analyzing teams and making predictions for playoffs and some dark horse that I think may have a surprising season.
ReplyDelete