The waiting game sucks.  But, until the arbitrator rules on Antti Niemi's case, there isn't much else to do. 

By now you've read all the analysis.  We all know the story of Niemi, the Finnish wonder who was driving a zamboni 3 years ago, never even got an invite to try out for the Finnish national team, played in the AHL last year, won the backup job this season by virtue of Corey Crawford having a two-way contract and then finally winning the starting job from Cristobal Huet in March and winning the Stanley Cup.  Suffice to say, the arbitrator isn't going to find much in the NHL files under "Similar Cases".  While most of us hoped a last minute deal might be reached between the Niemi and the Hawks, it didn't happen, and now it's all in the hands of the arbitrator.

So, on with the uniformed speculation, what are the possiblities here?

1. The Hawks Win:  Niemi is awarded a contract of less than $2.5 million, giving the Hawks the chance to sign him and keep him (possibly doing some further roster juggling along the way).  This wouldn't be all bad for Antti either, since he'd have another year playing behind a pretty good season, followed by the chance to be an unrestricted free agent.

2.  Niemi Wins:  Rumor has it Niemi's agent Bill Zito is asking for something in the area $4 million.  If the goaltender is awarded a contract of that size, the Hawks will be forced to walk away from it, and Niemi becomes an unrestricted free agent one year ahead of schedule, albeit after most teams have already settled their goaltending situation.

3.  The middle:  This is why I think Zito and his client would have been best served to try and get a contract that puts them under the Hawks cap prior to the hearing.  If the arbitrator decides to split the difference between the two cases (which in the NHL they are allowed to do, unlike major league baseball), Niemi could potentially lose control of his own destiny.  If the salary is in the area of $3 million or so, the Hawks could accept the tender and then trade Niemi to the team of their choosing.  In all likelihood the Hawks would ship him out of conference, and probably not to a good team, leaving Antti with a less than optimal situation leading in to his UFA year.

Although presumably the Finn could just say "fuck it" and join Evgeni Nabokov in the KHL. 

Ah, screw it.  You know what never gets old?  Matt Cooke getting punched in the face.