[icepuck]

There was just another one with Blackhawks goalie Niemi being awarded another $2.75 million to his contract.

What I simply can't understand is that he and/or the team have signed a contract. That contract clearly states how much they'll get paid and/or pay.

As we all know the arbitration can go both ways as far as the players gaining or losing money. Exceptions? Players can do it as many times as they want to the team, and/or their future, yet teams only once to the player.

You sign a contract you should stick to it dammit. :yep:

[slobnoxious]

icepuck, on 31 July 2010 - 10:19 PM, said:

There was just another one with Blackhawks goalie Niemi being awarded another $2.75 million to his contract.

What I simply can't understand is that he and/or the team have signed a contract. That contract clearly states how much they'll get paid and/or pay.

As we all know the arbitration can go both ways as far as the players gaining or losing money. Exceptions? Players can do it as many times as they want to the team, and/or their future, yet teams only once to the player.

You sign a contract you should stick to it dammit. http://www.sportsrefuge.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/yep.gif

But Niemi wasn't under contract after the season. He was a restricted free agent and the only reason for that is he missed the age cutoff by one year. That is why this arbitration ruling is only for 1 season. Niemi will be 27 at the end of next season and thus be unrestricted.

However, if the Hawks decide not to offer that 1-year, Niemi will become an unrestricted free agent now.

[icepuck]

slobnoxious, on 01 August 2010 - 01:37 PM, said:

However, if the Hawks decide not to offer that 1-year,
Niemi will become an unrestricted free agent now.

That should pretty much be the way it goes IMO. His contract is up, offer him a new one and let it be. He decides yes or no.

Why should a team/player be forced into something?