Let's Drop the Puck

Back to work for NHL players Friday as training camps open league-wide. Players will report to their respective teams for physicals and testing then hitting the ice tomorrow. 

The end of this interesting off-season was capped off by rookie camps and tournaments with many of the rookies/prospects earning a roster spot for main camp. The Vancouver Canucks hosted a YoungStars tournament in Penticton, British Columbia, my old stomping grounds when I attended an international tournament at the Okanagen hockey school. Fans were treated to some very entertaining games and were able to catch a glimpse of many first-rounders including Taylor Hall and Cam Fowler. Anaheim, San Jose, Calgary, and Edmonton were among the teams that were invited by Vancouver. 

For the players already with positions secured with the big clubs, some will sport a sweater with a new logo in the front for the first time ever - Mike Modano, Marty Turco, and Alex Frolov are to name a few. How will these players prove they still have what it takes to make impacts on their new teams?

Expectations will be high for Ilya Kovalchuk after his contract saga that resulted in rejections, investigations, a mandate on future long-term contracts, and fining his new team the New Jersey Devil for $3 million plus some draft picks. Kovalchuk's $100 million contract will certainly send a current Devil packing in order to move the team under the cap - you have to wonder how that's going to impact the Devils' locker room dynamic. I personally think the whole situation is setting itself up for a bust, but that's me. 

The Washington Capitals will do their best "San Jose Sharks" and "San Diego Chargers" impressions as it won't matter how their regular season finishes, they'll be measured in post-season success. Capitals' forward, Niklas Backstrom, told the media yesterday that after going up 3-1 against the Canadiens, the team relaxed which ultimately lead to the come-from-behind win by Montreal. 

Pre-season games will start next week and the regular season will begin the first week of October. It's finally starting to feel a lot like hockey season. 

Hawks pass on Niemi; Sign Turco

Not surprisingly, the Blackhawks have walked away from signing Antti Niemi to the $2.75 million arbitration awarded to the Finnish goaltender. Instead, the Hawks have agreed to a terms with Marty Turco on a 1-year $1.3 million contract. Turco has played the past 9 seasons with the Dallas Stars and is a 3-time All-star.

Niemi becomes the 8th Blackhawk to depart from the team this off-season since winning the Stanley Cup. The likelihood of this outcome was fairly clear when GM Stan Bowman matched the 4-year $14 million offer sheet for defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson last month.  The organization feels that with preserving their young core, they can go deep with a solid net-minder such as Turco.

I agree with the Blackhawks' decision to let Niemi go as a UFA. Sure, he played well and posted some very solid numbers but I feel the driving factor there was the defense in front of him. Niemi's size allows consistency when facing the first shot on net, but rebounds are an area which he struggles if his defense can't clear the puck or buy him recovery time.

Chicago will definitely bury Cristobal Huet, along with his $5.62+ million cap hit, in the AHL leaving them with just over $3 million in cap space with still 5 roster spots to fill so there's more work ahead for the defending champs.

The market conditions for goalies this free agency along with cap management issues in Chi-town contributed to Niemi's departure. Where will he end up? The KHL? If I'm Ottawa Senators' GM Bryan Murray, I might think about dumping the injury-ridden Pascal Leclaire in the minors and signing Niemi.