interesting comment on HockeyBuzz.com....
"This week the Hawks cleared a little more cap space in their attempt to get closer to being able to sign Niemi. A little closer...I will say this, as I said in the Podcast yesterday, I firmly believe the Hawks fans are VASTLY underrating the importance of retaining Niemi. The Hawks have lost so many key role players this summer and if they lose their goalie as well (who was much better than people give credit) they risk the danger of repeating the Tampa Bay Lightning mistakes after they won their Cup. The similarities are all there."
remember that after winning the Cup in 2004, the Lightning retained their "core" of Vincent Lecavalier, Brad Richards and Martin St. Louis BUT lost their goalie Nikolia Khabibulin to the Blackhawks (in a move that "ruined both teams") AND important roll players like Fredrik Modin.
the Blackhawks retain their core of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook BUT have also lost some top "roll players" like Dustin Byfuglien, Ben Eager and Kris Versteeg.