Hey! Free Goalie! Niittymaki Available
Is this our Conk replacement? Per a Bob McKenzie tweet:
Anyone want a goalie? SJ has put netminder Antero Nittymaki (sic) on waivers.
Niittymaki is a talented goaltender. Much more talented than Conklin unfortunately.
Is it worth it? Find out my thoughts and others after the jump.
Niitty's been a 1B or #2 guy for most of his career, showing signs of greatness, yet also the incredible ability to let the weak one in. I remember thinking in his Philly days that he's probably the most flexible goaltender I've seen, which contributes to both the big saves and weak goals. I think he's still got a hell of an upside, even at age 31. Yet, I'm not sure he's the right guy to backup Jimmy. Conk seems to have turned the corner from terrible to acceptable lately. While I don't expect much more from the bearded fellow, I don't know if Niitty is the kind of upgrade we need. Unless we can get a dependable, even kealed backup, a Biron, Nabokov, or Enroth, I'd rather stick with Conklin. Even on the cheap like Niitty would be.
If the Iles pick him up, we might be able to get another grab at Nabokov right? I'd be alright picking him up after this crapfest tonight.
1 Like
I'm not sold that Conklin has cured what ails him. Whenever he starts I still tend pencil us in for a loss unless we score 5. He looks out of position consistently and his rebound control is atrocious. I have nothing against Conkblock, I'd love for him to return to form, but I'm not seeing it. So a goalie on the cheap? Yes please.
True. Idk its gonna be hard to guess what kennys gonna do before the trade deadline or if he likes his team enough to not do anything. Really hope stuart don't leave though esp for the sharks
1 Like
@RobMyownWorstenemy let's hope not, 22 million dollars a year DEFINITELY won't work with our cap space.
At least Nitty is a modern pro-fly style who can actually stop something. Theres still a way to go before I'll be convinced by Conks with his lazy, old man style. I wouldn't be against this.
Ha, it's not exactly fantasy hockey. Islanders have first shot at him anyways.
Or they could get niittymaki off of waivers and trade him and conks for nabakov before the trade deadline. Prolly wouldn't happen but itd be cool
I'm still hoping Nabokov will become free and we'll be able to puck him up like originally intended, but if Conks continues to not suck, that may just remain a fantasy.
I would have to agree. The other upside to Conk is the fact that he's been there and done that. Even with Jimmah playing amazing it still helps to have a veteran backup to keep Jimmah grounded.
This is the lightning's wet dream. They have been TERRIBLE in net so far. I'd guess they are probably gonna pick him up on the cheap.
I'm not so sure they will. They were the ones that let him walk and he hasn't exactly been so hot since leaving the bay. I very well could be wrong though. I always liked Nitty @Josh Howard
