Antti Niemi: Signs Three-Year Extension With Stars

Niemi signed a three-year, $13.5 million contract extension with the Stars on Monday, Elliotte Friedman of Hockey Night in Canada reports.

Analysis:

Niemi was expected to become the top goaltender to hit free agency this summer, but the Stars beat the rush for his services by acquiring him at this past weekend's NHL Entry Draft and negotiating a new deal with him. He likely becomes the primary netminder in Dallas ahead of incumbent Kari Lehtonen, who saw a steep drop-off in his performance last season. The 31-year-old Niemi probably reached his peak a couple seasons ago, but he turned in a respectable campaign in 2014-15, posting a 2.59 GAA and .914 save percentage while collecting 31 wins. The Stars boast plenty of offensive firepower to keep the wins coming for Niemi this coming season, but his ratios project to be little more than league average.