The way Antti Niemi figured, Pittsburgh would be perfect. He’d resurrect his NHL career here while providing a reliable backup option for Matt Murray, simultaneously making the Dallas Stars look dumb for buying out the final year on his contract.
Things did not exactly work out that way.
Or remotely close.
Niemi was bad. Like, Ponderosa-steak-bad. In three starts, the 34-year-old played to a 7.50 goals-against average and .797 save percentage. By late October, the Penguins had seen enough and placed him on waivers.
Florida claimed Niemi but didn’t keep him long. He wound up with the Canadiens and is expected to back up Carey Price Wednesday at at PPG Paints Arena.