Montreal Canadiens: Team targets for Antti Niemi
By Omar L
The Philadelphia Flyers made a move for a goaltender last night which could throw a wrench in trade plans for Antti Niemi by the Montreal Canadiens.
Saturday night’s game for the Montreal Canadiens put a little extra stock in the ‘Trading Antti Niemi‘ fantasy. The veteran got the start over Carey Price in a game that a lot of people would be watching. Considering his contract status and relatively decent play, attempting to move Niemi made the most sense. That could still be a possibility for the Habs, but it may be more difficult now.
TSN and Sportsnet may have been upset, but a name was removed from their trade bait lists last night. Petr Mrazek, a pending RFA, was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers for a conditional fourth-round pick in this year’s draft and a conditional third-round pick next year. Conditions on picks are always the way to, go right?
According to Capfriendly, the 2018 fourth is bumped up to a third if Mrazek players five regular-season games and the Flyers make the playoffs. Additionally, if they make the Eastern Conference Final and the 26-year-old plays six post-season games, the pick becomes a second-rounder. Just to add a little cherry on top, if Philadelphia chooses to resign Mrazek, the Red Wings get a third-round pick in 2019. Otherwise, they get nothing.
With Mrazek off the market, the selection and interest for goaltenders are a little slim. Niemi to the Flyers, if the Habs were dancing around that idea, was one that made a lot of sense with their injuries in goal. Mrazek, however, is younger and making a turn around from a very poor start to the season.
The chances that the 34-year-old stays in Montreal after the 3:00 PM on Monday has risen, but it’s possible a team moves to shore up their goaltending to make a run. Ironically, the New York Islanders could be interested. Jaroslav Halak and Thomas Greiss have been alright for the Isles over this season. That being said, a lot of games have been lost due to poor goaltending, mostly on Greiss’ end who is sporting a .891 save percentage.
With the Islanders right outside a playoff spot and their horrible goals against total (219 which is the most in the league), they may be a team to improve on one of their netminder positions. Granted, Greiss is injured right now as the Islanders placed him on injured-reserve after tweaking something. Christopher Gibson was recalled from the AHL on an emergency loan, but it doesn’t look to be too serious (in terms of the injury).
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There are some wrenches in a Niemi to Brooklyn trade though. Greiss has term on his contract which has him making $3.33 million per season. Because of that, Garth Snow may be hoping to have the goaltender that he invested, in turn, things around OR that could give him even more incentive to move him if he has his thoughts set on the 32-year-old. However, the Habs wouldn’t and shouldn’t pick up a contract like that. Carey Price and Charlie Lindgren are the goaltending in Montreal.
Perhaps the Islanders make a deal for Niemi anyway and try to figure out the means of a fit later on. However, New York tried to run three goaltenders before, and that didn’t work out too well for them. It’s a lot of spit-balling when it comes to trade for the veteran, but even though his numbers took a hit after the game against the Vegas Golden Knights (now .915 save percentage), he can still warrant a pick somewhere.
Marc Bergevin obviously has to find a partner in this, but he should try his best to convert Niemi into something. The Habs aren’t going to bring him back in the offseason, so if they can get some kind of asset for a player they got off waivers, management may deserve another small nod of acknowledgement from the fanbase.
Do you think the Habs will try to trade Niemi? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.