[Trade] Stars acquire rights to Niemi and sign him (3 yrs, $4.5 mil AAV)

[sureLoss]

Elliotte Friedman @FriedgeHNIC
DAL acquires negotiating rights to Antti Niemi.

Pierre LeBrun @Real_ESPNLeBrun
Stars acquire rights to pending UFA Antti Niemi for pick 193

[Imported_Aussie]

Lehtonen on the move now? Goalie Musical Chairs this offseason!

[Da_Chief]

The goalie carousel is making my head spin.

[Bar-Down]

Does this open the door for Hiller to SJ?

[Stud_McCool]

Why?? Lehtonen > Niemi

[dissentowner]

Niemi is not an upgrade on Lehtonen.

[sureLoss]

Maybe Flames get something for Ramo's rights?

[sureLoss]

http://starsblog.dallasnews.com/2015...vestment.html/

The Stars today are expected to announce a three-year deal for Antti Niemi in excess of $4 million a year. The 31-year-old net-minder made about the same for San Jose last season and he can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, so it’s market value for his talents.

[Knut]

I think Dallas wants to do a 1a/1b with Lehtonen. Both goalies play better in more limited games and Lehtonen has big injury concerns. Both finish and are friends i think.

[sureLoss]

Elliotte Friedman @FriedgeHNIC
DAL signs Niemi three years, $4.5M AAV.

[getbak]

That's $10.4 million they have committed to goaltenders for the next 3 seasons.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Hesla

I think Dallas wants to do a 1a/1b with Lehtonen. Both goalies play better in more limited games and Lehtonen has big injury concerns. Both finish and are friends i think.

It's not a bad idea if you can't find a clear number one as you just roll with the hot goaltender no different than what Hartley was doing with the Flames.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Good deal for Dallas. I think Lehtonen will be on the move now.

[wingmaker]

And yet, 10+ million spent on goaltenders, neither of whom are elite, is a lot. Especially for a budget team like Dallas.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Good deal for Dallas. I think Lehtonen will be on the move now.

Nill has said he got Niemi to play with Lehtonen. Lehtonen and Niemi will be a solid tandem for Dallas.

[Poe969]

I'm guessing Hiller to the sharks by the end of the day.

[tvp2003]

Does that put a clear ceiling on what Ramo might get on July 1, both in terms of salary and term?

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Does that put a clear ceiling on what Ramo might get on July 1, both in terms of salary and term?

They're not the same ballpark. Niemi has a cup and Vezina nomination.

Ramo has little chance of getting a starters contract nevermind those dollars

[mrdonkey]

Originally Posted by Poe969

I'm guessing Hiller to the sharks by the end of the day.

Makes no sense for SJ not to wait until July 1 to see what they can get done. For all we know the Sharks go out and sign Ramo without giving up anything.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

Makes no sense for SJ not to wait until July 1 to see what they can get done. For all we know the Sharks go out and sign Ramo without giving up anything.

Makes little sense for the Flames as well. I don't think they trade Hiller without knowing for sure they can find a better replacement.