Montreal Canadiens: Is Antti Niemi working towards a contract extension?
By Omar L
After another strong performance for the Montreal Canadiens, Antti Niemi could very well be fighting for more time in Montreal that exceeds this season.
Ahead of the Trade Deadline, Antti Niemi looked like a player the Montreal Canadiens could move at the deadline. The concussion to Carey Price complicated things making a plan to move the veteran goaltender out of Montreal unlikely. However, ever since that poor start against the Vegas Golden Knights, Niemi has looked as steady as ever. Last night’s game was a prime example as the 34-year-old stopped 27 of 28 shots piled on by the New York Islanders.
The best of the night had to have been the three shorthanded breakaways the Habs allowed. Yes, that wasn’t a typo, there were three of them. What made the stops even more significant was that the Habs were only down by a single goal at that point in the game. It would be pretty deflating to get scored on with an extra attacker not to mention the boost it would give the Islanders in a game they needed to win.
However, Niemi stopped the rest of the shots he would face for the night, the Islanders drop their fourth in-a-row, and the Montreal Canadiens get the win. As good as it is to see Niemi continue to play well in a Habs uniform, the tank supporters are not thrilled. The fact of the matter is that despite the way the rest of the season will go, everyone on the team has something to play for.
For some, it’s to make an impression, for others, it’s to prove that they have more to give than what was seen this year. It’s a little bit of both for Niemi. Keep in mind; he is an unrestricted free agent this summer. He’s fighting to prove that he was what it takes to be a goaltender in the NHL, be it as a backup or a 1B.
Which barks the question, do the Habs throw a contract extension to Niemi on or before July 1st? If this question were asked a couple of weeks ago, it would be shut down immediately. The three-year deal to Charlie Lindgren almost confirms that the backup spot on next year’s team is his to lose. But what if the Habs choose to bring Niemi back on say a one-year deal and leave the young goaltender to be the starter in the AHL again.
It wouldn’t benefit Lindgren that much as he’s already proven that he can play at the NHL level, but it would ensure that he gets a fair share of starts. As much as we want to believe that the 24-year-old could get more starts than you’re average ‘backup,’ the decision will come down to Claude Julien, and he’ll always be up against Price. It’s no slight on him, but Price, in a new season with a new mindset, will get the starts.
Additionally, the demand on goaltenders comes and goes throughout the regular season. If the Habs bring Niemi back and another team needs a stopgap, a deal could be worked out, and Lindgren gets the call.
Niemi has surely earned a new contract with any team in the NHL including Montreal. Bringing him back may go against the youth movement that seems to be going on, but it also wouldn’t be a move that would hurt the team, especially if his play doesn’t take a step back.
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