The Florida Panthers claimed goaltender Antti Niemi off waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie. The move comes after the Penguins placed Niemi on waivers the day before, making him available to the other 30 teams.
Panthers claim Antti Niemi off waivers after placing Roberto Luongo on IR
Florida is taking a shot on Niemi to help shore up its goaltender depth.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Florida needed goaltending depth after placing starting netminder Roberto Luongo on injured reserve over the weekend due to a right hand injury. At the time, coach Bob Boughner said Luongo was day-to-day. As McKenzie notes, the decision to add Niemi might be an indication that Luongo’s injury is more severe than initially suspected.
Niemi, 34, joined the Penguins during the offseason on a one-year, $700,000 contract. He struggled in three appearances with Pittsburgh, allowing 16 goals with a .797 save percentage. That’s a quick way to shuttle yourself out of town when you’re playing for a back-to-back Stanley Cup champion.
The Panthers will have James Reimer starting between the pipes in Luongo’s absence, so Niemi steps in as the new backup. He replaces Harri Sateri, a 27-year-old journeyman who had been playing for Florida’s AHL affiliate in Springfield.
The main appeal to Niemi at this point is his familiar name. He won a Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2010 and serviceably filled the role as the Sharks’ starter from 2012-15. However, he’s posted a .896 save percentage in 88 games (76 starts) since the beginning of the 2015-16 season.
Florida didn’t have to give up anything to acquire him, so the risk on their part is minimal. But as SB Nation’s Mary Clarke wrote when he was placed on waivers, there’s a good chance this doesn’t help the team that much. You can read more about the Niemi signing and the Panthers at Litter Box Cats.
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