read all about, back when it was posted in late July:
http://www.dobberhockey.com/index.php?option=com_jfusion&Itemid=93&jfile=showthread.php&t=72764
Here’s conspiracy theory time for ya:
GM A is in win-now mode but looking for a strong starting goalie who would come at a mid-range price. His team also has a good track record with Finnish goalies. Having struck out in the Halak sweepstakes, he pinpoints Niemi as a potential target. Problem: No way in hell the Hawks ship Niemi to him – they are conference rivals who could very well meet in the playoffs, and he doesn’t really have the assets to trade for him either. They also announce that they will match any offer sheet targeting their RFAs.
So he hatches a plan.
Phase A: Acquire a cheap FA goalie who could be a starter but hasn’t really been proven yet – one who other GMs believe you would be willing to go with as your starter, who if your plan fails you could live with being your starter, though you would prefer as your backup.
Phase B: let Niemi file for arbitration. The gambit here: This would allow Niemi to get out of the Hawks for nothing if they walk away from his arbitration award, but by the time that happens other teams who could use a goalie will have either taken care of their need otherwise (STL, TBL) or reduced their cap hit by filling out in other positions (PHI), so that by the time Niemi arbitration award comes in, he is the only starter option other than CHI out there.
Problem: He’s also strapped against the cap; in fact, the Hawks moves in late June/early July have cleared them enough cap space to possibly sign Niemi, really giving them more cap room than he himself has. They won’t need to walk from an arbitration award unless it is beyond what he himself is willing to pay for a starter. In other words, you need to reduce the likelihood of the Hawks accepting an arbitration of the kind you would have been willing accept.
so in comes phase C: Sign ANOTHER Hawks RFA to an offer sheet. Preferably a D, because you could use one too. They said they would match it, so call their cards. If they don’t match the offer sheet, you’ve called their bluff and walk away with a young D. If they match, you’ve forced to use on Hjalmarson cards they were going to use on Niemi.
Result: Niemi now knows there are only three places in the NHL he could have a starting job in – CHI, SJS, and PHI – and of those, SJS can afford the biggest contract. Wonder where he goes first if CHI walk from his award?
Note: The rumor that CHI may be interested in Theo could be a negotiating ploy – hey Anti, we do have alternatives on the market. But ironically, it plays to the advantage of a Niemi to SJS scenario (he Stan, I got alternatives too).
Fun and games.