San Jose, CA (Sportsbooks) - The San Jose Sharks are set to sign former Chicago Blackhawks cast-off goaltender Antti Niemi to a one-year, $2 million contract, according to multiple reports in both cities. The cash-strapped Blackhawks let Niemi walk rather than pay an arbitrator's decision to award the Finn a reported $2.75 million contract for the 2010-11 season. In an unusual aftermath, the 27-year-old Niemi became an unrestricted free agent less than three months after leading the 'Hawks to their first Stanley Cup since 1961. He split time during the regular season with Cristobal Huet and was 26-7-4 with a 2.25 goals-against average, seven shutouts and a .912 save percentage -- then went 16-6 with a 2.63 GAA and two shutouts in the playoffs. The Sharks, meanwhile, needed insurance against the loss of veteran Evgeni Nabokov, who signed to play in Russia. San Jose signed fellow Finn Antero Niittymaki to a two-year contract in July and holdover Thomas Greiss is also in the mix. |
