Niittymaki finds a role with Bolts

by James Mirtle on Jul 10, 2009 9:24 AM CDT in Free Agency Comment 5 comments

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed free agent goaltender Antero Niittymaki today, Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton announced. "We fully recognized the need to add an experienced back-up goaltender this summer and today we feel we’ve accomplished that goal," Lawton said. "Not only is Antero already an established number two in the NHL who can steal games, but we feel he is very capable of working with Mike Smith to give us a formidable 1-2 punch in goal."

>> team release

Well, a couple days after it looked as though Niittymaki's NHL days were all but done, he's back as an NHL backup, likely at a steep discount from the preliminary contract he signed in the KHL earlier this week. It's a solid signing for the Lightning, who look to be far superior in goal and on the blueline next season.

As for that KHL gig in Atlant, Martin Gerber and Kevin Weekes are rumoured to be in the running. (According to overseas reports, anyway.)

0 recs | Comment 5 comments | Add comment | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Good signing for both players, IMO. But this really makes life difficult for Marty Biron.

Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.

by saskhab on Jul 10, 2009 10:13 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

There is some buzz today that Biron has/will get an offer from the Los Angeles Kings. But it is just buzz, perhaps a Philly based blogger can confirm or deny?

by cubanpuckstopper on Jul 10, 2009 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That would be a good decision by the Kings.

Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com

by James Mirtle on Jul 10, 2009 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So long as it’s not the rumored 25M over 5 years deal he was supposedly seeking. He still hasn’t proven to be a legitimate #1 and the Kings don’t need another Dan Cloutier…

by Habs on Jul 11, 2009 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LA...

didn’t they rotate between Quick and Ersberg for most of the latter part of their season? Since one would get hot then grow very cold and then the other would come out and play hot for a few then get cold.

Biron actually would fit in here, with starter exp. and exp. in general, it would help both goalies out (Ersberg and Quick) and with his personality, it would help calm them down in tough moments during the season (I’ve heard he does a lot of work with bringing in the younger players into the League). LA’s got plenty of money and a lot of growing potential. I like where this team is heading in the next few seasons, Biron would make a decent/solid pick-up for the Kings.

by PhillyPhan85 on Jul 10, 2009 12:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs