Your 2010 Trade/UFA/RFA Rumor Chart Update
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Quick Hits for your afternoon here...
* There are many amazing stories behind told about the behind-the-scenes working of the Blackhawks going back to the firing of Dale Tallon and the year prior and the Niemi gamble is just one of them. Hard to know what or who to believe in Chicago, so i am steering clear of much of it right now....only to say that one team president said to me, upon hearing the news the Hawks were walking away from Niemi, "Thank God they won a Cup" and "Why didn't they even listen to their captain, Jonathan Toews, who stated clearly the importance of Niemi."
* I will not jump on the "doom and gloom" bandwagon for the Hawks. I admit, I am not a fan of the latest perception that a team doesn't need a dominant goalie to win...and personally, I like Turco and do see the talent which remains in Chicago as being enough for the team to contend. All I will say is that never before have we seen the salary cap in action to such an extreme and why the system needs to be looked at soon in a way that could potentially allow for certain situations. I will have a "Great Debate" question on this soon.
* As for Niemi, teams are already positioning themselves and juggling their own caps to try and fit him in. I was told today by three teams they "would not rule out Niemi" but all the teams admit to having to make cap adjustments first and foremost. Teams who won't rule out Niemi include: Ny Islanders, Philadelphia, and San Jose...also hearing Washington, Edmonton and LA as possible destinations. As one team guy said, "A proven Cup winner who could have had double digit shutouts last year if he played more than half the games (Niemi had 7 in 39) is something many teams have to consider. He is especially good in tight and down low, which will work for teams in the Atlantic who play to the net more then the Central may have."
* On Modano, word is he may sign an "over 35 Cap Friendly Deal" as early as tonight with the team we have been talking about since he left the Stars: The Red Wings....however the Kings have been mentioned as well
* The Sabres have put Tim Kennedy, who received a $1M arbitration ruling, on waivers. Kennedy scored 10 goals and 16 assists in 78 games last year with the Sabres. Kennedy is on the small side, but can flat out play. The Sabres are reportedly interested in quite a few other players (Stempniak, Savard mainly) and my guess is this a move to sign one of them. I don't expect that Kennedy will clear waivers tomorrow..I fully expect a team to grab him at the bonus price. 10 goals for a million bucks is not terrible and in fact I would be shocked if he made it past the Leafs tomorrow.
* In Kovalchuk news... Well not really news, but more or less taking the temperature of the NHL rumor mill today, I am shocked by how many people are saying they are hearing Kovalchuk could likely end up signing in Russia if the arbitration goes a certain direction...I still am holding to Kovalchuk remaining a Devil. A reader asked me "How touch and go is it?" and while I wouldn't call it "touch and go" it does feel more uncertain and unchartered than I think many are alluding to.
On Bobby Ryan...
There is one other big NHL story which could be resolved in the next few days...The Bobby Ryan situation may be coming to a head here shortly...that is at least the strong sense I am getting..I am working on a new blog about this after I talk to a few sources in the next day or so..
more to come..
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