NHL: Goaltender Antti Niemi signs with San Jose

Goaltender Antti Niemi has signed a one-year $2 million deal with a familiar foe, San Jose. It was only months ago that Niemi and the Blackhawks swept the Sharks in the Western Conference final, eliminating them from the 2010 playoffs.

It's not often that the goaltender who leads his team to a Stanley Cup in June is left unsigned come August or September, but unfortunately after being rewarded a one-year $2.75 million at salary arbitration the Blackhawks needed to pass on resigning him much due to their salary cap woes. Although Niemi backstopped the Blackhawks throughout last year's playoffs en route to a Stanley Cup posting a 16-6 record and a .910 save percentage, he has still yet to prove he can carry the load as a full time starting goaltender. Playing just 39 games in 2009-2010, Niemi collected 27 wins and recorded a .912 save percentage and a 2.25 goals against average. Joining Niemi in San Jose is former Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender, Antero Nittymaki and the two will be expected to earn their playing time. "Antti's play last season speaks for itself," Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson said in a statement. "Our goal this summer was to create the best goaltending unit we could and we feel we have successfully done that.