The Blackhawks are eagerly waiting for an arbitrator's decision on Antti Niemi, as the Chicago Tribune reports the awarded salary will determine the goalie's future with the team.
Niemi's case was heard yesterday morning in Toronto, with a decision to be announced Saturday.
Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman will decide whether to walk away from the ruling or accept the contract once one is announced.
"We have 48 hours with which to accept the award or walk away from the award or trade (Niemi)," Bowman told the Tribube. "It will be one of those three scenarios. It's going to depend on what the number is. We've mapped out different strategies."
It's believed Niemi and his agent, Bill Zito, are hoping for a salary over $3 million, on a one-year deal, while the Hawks are hoping for a deal worth less than $2.5 million.
"There are numbers we have in mind that would make it easier to fit him in versus really difficult to fit him in," Bowman said. "We're just going to have to wait and see."
The Blackhawks have several options if they decide to walk away from the ruling, with free agents like Marty Turco and Jose Theodore still available. Sources tell TFP Turco is someone the Hawks are already interested in.
"There are a lot of goaltenders on the market we're evaluating," said Bowman, hinting a trade is also a possibility. "I wouldn't be doing my job if I weren't preparing for the different outcomes that can happen."
Files from:
Chicago Tribune
