NIEMI SIGNS NEW DEAL
Habs goalie to get $950,000
When Antti Niemi revived his career with the Canadiens last season, there was no doubt that he had done enough to land a contract when he was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
But there was a surprise twist Tuesday when the Canadiens announced that the 34-year-old goaltender had signed a one-year, one-way contract with a cap hit of $950,000.
With the signing, the Canadiens are heading into next season with three goaltenders on one-way contracts. Carey Price will be starting an eight-year deal with an annual cap hit of $10.5 million, while Charlie Lindgren will be on the first year of a three-year deal with a $750,000 cap hit.
The decision to bring Niemi back is an indication that the Canadiens have doubts about whether Lindgren is ready for prime time.
Lindgren, 24, won his first five NHL starts, but he struggled this past season while filling in for Price. He had a 4-8-2 record with the Canadiens along with a 3.03 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage. His AHL numbers were more troubling. He had an 8-19-2 mark with a very bad Laval Rocket crew along with a 3.39 goals-against average and an .886 save percentage.
Lindgren expressed optimism when he talked to Gazette colleague Stu Cowan after the Rocket’s season ended.
“Without a doubt my goal is to be up in Montreal next year,” said Lindgren. “I think I’m ready. I’m going to work hard this summer and have a really good camp. If I come back here in Laval, I’m going to be positive about it and keep working hard and do whatever it
takes to get to that next level.”
“Just because I signed a threeyear contract doesn’t mean I’m given anything,” added Lindgren. “I know I’ve got to earn everything. I’m ready to go for the summer. I look forward to working really hard ... I want to be a Montreal Canadien next year.”
Lindgren signed a three-year deal despite the fact Price had signed his long-term deal.
“My mindset is just worry about myself and what I can control,” Lindgren told Cowan. “Obviously, Carey’s a really good guy to learn from and I’ve already learned a ton from him the past couple of years. There’s a lot of resources I have in this organization to learn from. In the two years I’ve been here, I think I’ve grown tremendously.”
Lindgren also had words of
praise for Niemi, who is at least his short-term rival for a job.
“First off, he is a really good goalie,” said Lindgren. “Not just a really good goalie, he’s a really good guy. So of course I was supportive of him. I want the best for Antti as well. He’s first class. He really took me under his wing and I learned a ton from him.”
Niemi’s career was on the rocks last fall. After being bought out by the Dallas Stars, he signed a oneyear deal with Pittsburgh. The Penguins waived him after he lost his only three starts. He was picked up by Florida, but was waived again after two shaky starts. The Canadiens claimed him on Nov. 14.
Niemi’s comeback was one of the feel-good stories for the Canadiens as Price struggled in the NHL and prospects Lindgren, Zach Fucale
and Michael McNiven had disappointing seasons in the minors.
The change in scenery proved beneficial for Niemi, who was reunited with goaltending coach Stéphane Waite. They had worked together in Chicago where Niemi won a Stanley Cup in 2010. Niemi
posted a 7-5-4 record with a 2.46 goals-against average. He also had a .929 save percentage, which was just behind league leader Carter Hutton (.931) of the St. Louis Blues in that category.