The Lightning makes a pitch for goalie Antero Niittymaki

This would be an interesting situation. Antero Niittymaki, formerly of the Flyers, was not given a qualifying offer because of some concerns about hip problems the past few seasons for which he had surgery in September 2008. There are also reports he is being courted by Russia's Kontinental Hockey League, though no signing has been announced.

Lightning GM Brian Lawton has decliend to say who the team is after, but said an offer has been extended and a decision is expected soon.

Niittymaki, 29, is an intriguing player, and was 15-8-6 with a 2.76 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage in 32 games last season in which he made $1.375 million. The thinking in Philadelphia, though, seemed to be that his body (remember the hip problems) could not handle a full season as a No. 1. That is why the backup job to Mike Smith could be attractive.

Niittymaki is an excellent side-to-side player and is extremely quick. He has a tendency to go down early and is vulnerable over the shoulder. But when he is on, and with his experience, he could probably carry a team for 10 days to two weeks if needed.

So, we'll see where it leads. Maybe nowhere. Maybe to Russia, but perhaps to Tampa Bay.

Comments

[Casper]

Olin, I’ve been too distracted for Lagoon drinking. Yes, it is quite crowded out there.

I am equally amazed by Varlemov’s brief success. Used to be, a goalie didn’t ripen until he had either side of 30 years age in sight. Patrick Roy was a merely adequate chump until 1988. He improved through the rest of his 20’s and hit Valhalla in his 30’s.

I personally don’t believe a goalman is adequately supportive of his Cup winning club until he’s faced nigh on a million shots in the first third of his lifetime. If they start in Pee-Wee, that’s fine; perhaps they will overachieve in their mid 20’s. It is the soon-to-be-burned-out fluke that sustains success at the highest level starting at age 18-22.

That is why I don’t want our kids rushed. But I too, get impatient and would like a sneak peek at the ‘Next One’. Then send them back for more schooling.

I don’t buy green bananas, but would dearly love to be around in ten years watching kids like Helenius and Tokarski hit their prime. The game will be different; many guys will take their million$ and walk away early, from the game on knees that still function.
Can’t say as I blame them, much.

Oops! Looks like we have our goalman.

Who dat defense coach?

66 DTG

Go Bolts!

[SmittyFan]

Now we have the "Smitty-Niitty" combo. I see someone in marketing already coming up with something clever there...

[gus georgiou]

just announced Nittamaki as back up goalie signed!!

[olin]

...I understand about bringing a goalie into the big's slowly etc.....but what can you say about Simeon Varmalov with the Cap's??? he is only 21 and same age as Helanius, look what Varmalov did for the cap's in the playoff's- he was awesom. If Nitti(awaiting the announcment) or Smitty falter's or injury related pop up, give Riku a shot as well as Tokarski. Get 'em broke in. See how they handle it. Is what we HAD to do with McKenna last season, and we found out about him, even though he is a nice guy. What you think Casper? Catching any phish over to the inlet? I was over for a POF party to the Crowne Plaza a month back, went oast the house I built there in Melb shores...and over the SI bridge. ALOT of people and boats, compared to when I lived down there. Where have you been Marki-mark and funkie bunchie. Looking forward to meeting Hedman tomorrow...

[Randy C]

hyj,

Mike Smiths last game in net was against Nitty at the Palace. Nitty had way to good of a game, Think we lost by 3 or 4 goals. After that game I saw him 5 or 6 times on center ice and wished we had him back then. He is definitely a couple steps ahead of Ramo last season, with an improved D the results would be way better than Ramo last year.

[Northern Exposure]

I guess you can count Nitty in. From what I've heard it's a one year contract or maybe two years. Congrats etc.

[hyjyljyj]

"Randy, I think Niitty would be sufficient. If both goalies go down, Helenius will get a baptism by fire, or we'll call Ed Belfour, but I feel a heck of a lot better about our chances than I did last year."

From this end it's tough to feel better about our chances when our #1 still has dizziness and dots, our supposed Finnish wunderkind backup has defected to Europe, and we're talking with a straight face about Belfour and Niittymaki. Mak's numbers aren't bad recently, I just recall always being delighted when the Flyers were up next because you knew we were going to be able to beat that guy and win the game nearly every time

[Randy C]

Casper,

I don't know much about Rick Wilson, I do know Dallas has always been solid defensively. I just hope we don't wait till the last minute to get a coach signed.

[PD]

Gee If Lawton acts fast, he can grab CUJO.
Should have signed Clemmensen as job 1.

[Casper]

Nah, you’re right. Maybe 19 out of the first 40 = 19-16-5. I’d still say he’d bag only 11 out of those 40.
All I want for Christmas (33 games?) is 36 points!

I would rather not be told such a quality defense coach *could* be coming here. Wake me when he’s here; otherwise it’s like the continual hitting in the head with a ball-peen hammer. Finally I can stop and feel better but first, before the end of pounding *could* occur, I must hit my head a bit longer using the handle of the hammer. It doesn’t hurt as much but is still, madness.

Come on down, Rick Wilson! Man, Dallas must be reeling losing Tippett and now having to go forward with Craw-daddy. Coach, get out of there and come to The Bay, please!

67 days, Ajax. Safe trip Flasher!

Go Bolts!

[Boltflasher]

Sitting here in DFW on my way to hot Vegas...I see still no announcement on Nitty? ....I would be ecstatic with a .500 record, baby steps...

[Randy C]

Don,

I haven't felt this good about our chances to compete since the season before our cup. Our forwards should have some familiarity with each other and I think our 3-4 lines have the chance to be vastly improved with their exposure to the NHL last season. The new guys on D should mesh quicker than if they were forwards learning each other. A real camp and a system ready to put in place with coaches ready to teach it will also make an improvement. Lots to look forward to.

[Don in St. Pete]

Randy, I think Niitty would be sufficient. If both goalies go down, Helenius will get a baptism by fire, or we'll call Ed Belfour, but I feel a heck of a lot better about our chances than I did last year. Top to bottom an NHL d corps for the first time since 04'. While I'd still like to see another top six forward, we are already likely to be better offensively because of an improved transition game and the ability to implement a stronger forecheck, because of the improved D.

[Randy C]

Casper,

Do you really think the Bolts will start 19-11-0? I don't see that strong of a start even with a healthy Smitty. It will take time for these guys to gel, I would be ecstatic with 15-8-6. The times I have seen him play he has been strong, he smoked the Bolts last year. Despite the hip, this could be our best choice IMO.

[Not the Marlboro Man]

Better Nitty than signing Manny Legace! They should have kissed Ramo's butt and brought him back. We have an insipid little trend of starting a good work but not finishing it, then let some one else utilize the strengths and talents that we develop.

[Casper]

This just isn't my day!

Did Nick Boynton just sign with Anaheim for Krajicek money?

For the last 2 years I've sniveled about.......forget it!

[Casper]

Niittymaki? The streaky goalie with the hip labrum repair?
Geez, if you put Prospal in goal....
Let me quote my buddy Opus from Bloom County on this choice: “PPPPPPHHHHHFFFFFFTTTTTTTT….(cough)!!!!”

I know we all had wet dreams about getting Josh Harding. I stepped out of reality considering Dan Ellis. But Antero (its okay to use his first name. He’s likely on his way here and we use first names like we’re all drinking buddies…) coming here is absolutely Feasteresque! No, no, no, heck no dad gummitt!

I say again, we best prepare to have somebody carry the load through November. I’m not even from Missouri and I can say ‘show me’ to Mike Smith and the rah-rah’s. I love the guy but horse sense dictates he might be climbing too steep a mountain to get back at all in 2009.

We need somebody who can steal 19 of our first 30 games---that ain’t going to be the guy still seeing black dots, come on now. I don’t seriously believe Niitty will get us eleven out of the first thirty. I have the same queasy feeling as when Marc Denis’ mural was unveiled.

For such a favor, Atlant Moskow Oblast owes us big, on this one.

Our honchos need to dig deeper in their imagination----and not necessarily the checkbook. The names have been bandied about, how many calls were actually made?

Go Bolts!

[hockeydan5]

It doesn't matter there is no transfer agreement in place between the KHL and NHL. That's why Radulov left Nashville.

[The Voice of the Turtle]

Sources in Finland and Russia report that Niittimaki has signed an agreement with Atlant Moskow Oblast (KHL) for "about a million dollars," but no official announcement has been made. That was Ray Emery's team last year.

It is not clear through my research that there is a clause that allows his cancellation of the contract if the NHL option arises.

However, as there has been no official announcement yet, Niittimaki's availability, one might assume, still remains in question.

[TJ]

TBLightning on Twitter advising that Victor Hedman has signed his rookie contract with the Bolts. We can officially say "Welcome to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Victor!"

[Patrick]

This sounds very promising. I am a little worried that we will have two goalies with injury history, but what are the odds both could be seriously injured in a season? Uh well ok, what are the odds it could happen to us two years in a row?

[Don in St. Pete]

I read that his KHL deal had an out clause if an NHL job was available to him.

[ZERO]

2way - That's correct. According to Jon Jordan (of Hockeybuzz), that's why there's a holdup. I think the expectation is that he might backout of the KHL deal.

[2WayCenter]

Somebody who keeps his profile on Wiki says he signed with KHL today. Insider?

On July 9th, 2009 he signed with Atlant Mytishchi of the KHL.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antero_Niittym%C3%A4ki

[BrianB23]

Agreed on Smaby! I just hope Niittymaki's injury prone days are behind him. We saw Smith go down easily enough, god forbid we lose Antero to another hip injury.

Can't say as I agree with olin's sentiments on Vrbata though. He's done, washed up, had his chance and missed the boat, at least here in Tampa. Dump his salary so we can sign a scoring winger

[olin]

...and for sure don't trade him- for he is our #5-6. I will sign up to watch him play more than Krajieck. He takes the oncoming rush guy's out at the blue line

[olin]

...Nitti would make a great backup if not our #1 if Smitty can't go full time- split them the time. I'm happy with this move. Give Vrbata a shot. And for dang sure get Smaby signed.

[Don in St. Pete]

Jon Jordan is tweeting that Nitty to Tampa is about done. He says to watch for a tweet from the Bolts any minute.

[Thunderbug]

Send Malik and a bag of used pucks to KHL -- that oughta seal the deal... even if we have to pick up the postage!

[Don in St. Pete]

Brian, I don't think Malik will ever play in the NHL again. Even the KHL probably doesn't want him. Nitty would make a decent backup for us and would probably come at the right price.

[BrianB23]

You know, I really thought Scott Clemmensen would be the perfect fit for our team, but you make an excellent argument for Niittymaki here Damian.

I suppose I could get behind this. Anyone know what the deal is with Marek Malik?? The Hockey News and several other websites list him as still being on the roster, and with no other news on him, is he coming back?