All Entries Tagged With: "Niemi"
Shaw and Stalberg Make an Impact
The Blackhawks stayed determined, played a solid sixty minutes of hockey and came away with another home ice victory. The 4-3 score was flattering to the San Jose Sharks. If not for some spectacular saves by Antti Niemi and a soft goal allowed by Corey Crawford the outcome would not have been close. In the [...]
Hawks Defeat Pesky Islanders
It took the Blackhawks almost nine full years to win on Long Island as they came away with a 3-2 overtime victory on Thursday evening. The ingredients for a hard fought road win were evident. Marian Hossa was the best player in the game. Ray Emery outplayed his counterpart Al Montoya. The Hawks’ special teams [...]
Not So Soft Hawks Face A Stiff Challenge
There is still enough fight left in the Blackhawks to beat any team on a given night, when they play effective hockey. This is especially so when the opponent doesn’t win board battles and can’t slow down the Hawks’ attack. The San Jose Sharks might regret not taking advantage of a shorthanded Hawks’ squad on [...]
Hang On Tight…It’s Too Late To Worry
During the last few games there have been times this group resembled last year’s Blackhawks. The resemblance never seems to last a complete game although this club is finding ways to be successful. What needs to be realized is there are not any more new reinforcements, whatever will be, will be. What also has to be [...]
Seabrook Doesn’t Need To Rush
Instead of rehashing what has been rumored around the internet let’s take a slightly different perspective on the Brent Seabrook contract extension saga. To start, let’s realize Seabrook is in the driver’s seat. The negotiations seem to be progressing at a snails pace, which shouldn’t be a surprise. The Blackhawks can’t replace Seabrook internally and [...]
Memories and Warning Signs
As the year comes to an end memories come to my mind. Five years ago, when I began to blog, the Hawks were following the same script as they did for years. Players better suited to play on third line were jammed into top line spots, and others on the roster always seemed to be overmatched. [...]
“Rested” Hawks to Face Sharks
Tonight the Blackhawks will look to continue their road trip with a victory over the Sharks. Last season the Hawks swept their two games in San Jose. Chicago’s only loss in the season series came at home just before Christmas. The Sharks snagged a 3-2 win, aided by a costly Kris Versteeg turnover. Funny how certain things aren’t [...]
Predictions for the Season! What if…
Are the Red Wings too old? Have the Blackhawks lost too many players? Will the Kings, Coyotes and/or Avs slide back down? Can Calgary or St. Louis return to the playoffs? How bad is Edmonton? Is Nashville a serious threat? All of these questions…and more…are answered in this season preview.
Season Preview with Pierre LeBrun
In this exclusive MayorsManor interview LeBrun shares his opinions and discoveries from visits with the Kings, Coyotes, Sharks and Canucks. It’s part season preview, part hodgepodge, as he ranks team captains, picks goalies, talks Modano, Thornton and Luongo…plus all sorts of other fun stuff.
The Niemi Blame Game
Finally Antti Niemi has a new home and it’s time to share some final thoughts on his departure. There are many Blackhawk fans which believe every salary shedding roster move made this summer will work out just fine. Some find reasons to justify why certain players won’t be missed. Maybe all will be fine in [...]
No Tag Day Needed For Niemi
In what has been a whacky NHL summer it appears the craziness hasn’t stopped. It has been reported by Hockey Buzz that Antti Niemi is close to agreeing to terms with a new team. Unless something goes upside down the story appears accurate. More important, and somewhat of a surprise is that my whispers indicate [...]
DAILY RUMORS: Rejecting the Notion the Florida Panthers are Pursuing Antti Niemi
We at HockeyIndependent.com want to be your resource and filter for what is going on in the NHL. We try to disseminate the noise in the blogosphere. We don’t look to to attack those sources, but to question the veracity of the rumor with cold logic, hockey smarts and knowledge. To do that… we have [...]
What If ?
When trying to find a logical explanation it is always comes down to what one believes and how much the situation really matters to them. For die hard NHL fans, as well as Blackhawk faithful here are some things which should matter. As the habitual NHL apologists continue to defend the poorly written CBA…. What [...]
Disappointing But No Surprise + Conference Call Remarks
As a Blackhawk fan I’m disappointed in the decision to walk away from Antti Niemi and sign Marty Turco. As someone who tries to convey what’s happening while using some judgment and instinct to connect the dots, this comes as no surprise. The Hawk sign Turco for a speculated $1.75 million and save $1 million [...]
Niemi or….Turco or Theodore or Price????
Does Antti Niemi stay or go? My objective opinion is Niemi will continue to improve and the Hawks should try to keep him. That said, my gut feeling is the team may still go in a different direction. Niemi was popular among his teammates and that might be the best thing going for him. Initially [...]
Reality Check
Blackhawks fans should understand Stan Bowman would probably love to retain the services of Antti Niemi. Equally as important, most likely more so, is the appearance Bowman is comfortable if Niemi is not on the Hawks roster in October. If what has been mentioned to me is correct, Blackhawk management was more than willing to take [...]
Niemi’s Arbitration Decision Expected On Saturday
In an early evening conference call Stan Bowman commented the arbitration ruling should be handed down on Saturday. He indicated the Hawks have a strategy in place dependent upon the dollar amount of Niemi’s award. Bowman expects the team to compete once again for the Stanley Cup and is confident in the new additions. He fully [...]
Niemi Watch
Will Antti Niemi be back in Chicago for the 2010-2011 season? If you were thinking about buying a Niemi jersey to wear while watching him battle for the Blackhawks at the United Center….I would hold off on making the purchase. As has been stated here on a few occasions Niemi is playing with a shorter [...]
Niemi At Risk…Will Hawks Move in a Different Direction?
Antti Niemi’s arbitration hearing is set for July 29, and the Blackhawks third annual Fan Convention begins the following day. It would be best for Hawks management to have Niemi’s contract put to bed by next Tuesday. In that way all media focus can be placed on the Fan Convention which will be a huge celebration [...]
DAILY RUMORS: Why Antti Niemi Cannot Receive An Offer Sheet
We at HockeyIndependent.com want to be your resource and filter for what is going on in the NHL. We try to disseminate the noise in the blogosphere. We don’t look to to attack those sources, but to question the veracity of the rumor with cold logic, hockey smarts and knowledge. To do that… we have [...]