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Canadiens Sign Niemi to 1 Yr, One Way Deal @$950k

May 22, 2018, 11:04 AM ET [1061 Comments]
Brandon Smillie
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Montreal Canadiens announced today that they are bringing back 34 year old, Stanley Cup champion goaltender A Niemi got one more year at $950k.




The contract is a one way deal so should the Canadiens send him down and he manages to clear waivers he will not be an issue on the teams salary cap roster.

Niemi definitely showed he still had game after he arrived in Montreal posting a 7-5-4 record in 19 appearances with a .929 SP% and a 2.46 GAA. Niemi was one of the few who still gave his all right through to game 82 and he certainly earned one more go round the league.

The odd part of this scenario is the fact the Canadiens also have C Lindgren beginning a new, 3 year contract for the 18-19 season at $750k per year.

According to CapFriendly, they estimate Lindgren having one more waiver exempt season in the NHL before he could be plucked for nothing. If this is the case then it's clear that M Bergevin and Co. have solidified the goaltending situation for next year in that Niemi likely backs up Price until he is moved and Lindgren can be brought in.




Lindgren having waiver exemption for his first season of the 3 year pact makes this all possible so if the worst case scenario happens again, the Habs will have two more than capable replacements for at least one more season.

But let's not jinx next season already, I'm sure Price will have sorted out whatever was troubling him last season and move forward like the consummate professional he is. It's good to know that a couple fail safes are in place just in case though.
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