Antti Neimi’s future prospects in NHL
One of the best goalies in the business, Antti Niemi has surely made some goalies doubtful of their starting position for the upcoming season. Niemi is a free agent now, and any coach would love to have him as an addition to his roster.
This season, he not only managed to get hold of the Stanley Cup but came up with exceptionally good performances that made him quite popular. Niemi can be a vital asset to any team he joins. Antti managed to maintain a 9.12 percentage save at the end of the season, making him highly desirable by numerous coaches. Some people regard him as a greedy person but in response Antti says, “I believe compensation after a title victory is not greed but the player’s basic right.” He states to the people, who question his intentions that a team that achieves the trophy due to his endeavours but fails to pay him, is greedy itself.
There are a large number of goalies who are in conflict with their management and with high chances of replacement. Moreover, there are many managers who are eyeing Niemi for their teams. Here we will discuss the goalies in the NHL, whose career is under a potential threat from Antti and the teams he might end up joining.
Carey Price
First in this list of goalies is Carey Price. It is reported that Carey declared that compensation he receives isn’t right for a goalie and an addition of 3 million dollars should be made to the amount. According to the NHL sources, the chances of Price getting a raise are quite low. In contrast to this, Niemi’s demand is shockingly high and if he were to come in, the Canadians would be able to pay Antti even more than the champion goalie demands at the Hawks.
Antero Niittymaki
The San Jose Sharks are a potential winner of upcoming season but currently they are not in a position to take their game to the next level that would let them savour the Stanley Cup. Now with the departure of Nabokov, their goalie, they are in search of a hot-shot for the upcoming season. Although the Sharks are considering signing up the six time NHL season player, Antero Niittymaki, who averages fewer than 2.76 goals; his arrival won’t guarantee a title for the Sharks this season. The Sharks therefore want to sign Niemi, a Stanley Cup champion. The team and the managerial department are hoping for Antti’s entry into the team; it’s up to the GM of the Sharks to take the initiative.
Philadelphia Flyers
Another option for Niemi to consider is Philadelphia Flyers, where he can strengthen the Flyers in the department of defence. Speculation is that both the finalists, the Flyers and the Hawks, end up swapping their goalies. Although the GM of the Flyers stated that the Flyers are happy with the defence and their goalie, and are for additions, the chances of deal taking place are high.
Washington Capitals
Another team in the hunt for a good goalie is the Washington Capitals. The Capitals currently lack an outstanding goalie, lowering their chances of winning the title. If the Capitals manage to bring Niemi to Washington, they would surely be one of the best teams of the NHL and highly-anticipated for the title.
LA Kings
One of the powerhouse teams of the NHL, LA Kings have been signing large number of players and plan to do more. They not only want to win the title; LA Kings desire an unprecedented success. The Kings were unable to pull off the deal that would have brought Kovalchuk to Washington, so now they are looking forward to hiring Antti. With Niemi’s confidence sky-high after winning the Stanley Cup, this talented goalie would surely multiply the chances of the Kings winning the Cup.
Antti Niemi’s future plans are still unknown to his fans, as they eagerly wait for an official statement put forward by the top-notch goalie. Usually, managers try to hunt players that are cheap yet productive. Niemi however is one option, who according to experts is a bit expensive, but can lead a team to the Stanley Cup.
Tags: