Top 10 moves of the offseason

10. G Antti Niemi, Dallas Stars

Apr 9, 2015; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Derek Roy (8) tries to get a shot past San Jose Sharks goalie Antti Niemi (31) during the third period at Rexall Place. Sharks won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports

The Stars made a statement in the offseason that they wanna win now by acquiring Antti Niemi, Johnny Oduya, and Patrick Sharp. The top 6 looks poised to be one of the most productive next season. The emergence of John Klingberg along with a cast of solid D give the Stars an underrated blue-line. In goal, the Stars look to begin the season with somewhat of a tandem between Antti Niemi and Kari Lehtonen.

If you were to ask a Sharks fan their opinion of Niemi, more often than not it won’t be too favorable. The truth is, the Sharks back end has been a problem for a long time now. Niemi was set up to fail before he ever put his feet on the ground. He steps into a situation with a more defensively responsible Dallas Stars squad. Kari Lehtonen is coming off a horrible season and is brutally overpaid. Expect Niemi to take hold of that starter role from an inconsistent injury prone Lehtonen. Stars management might be hoping both these guys battle and perform so they can move Lehtonen’s lucrative contract with a no trade clause. Buy-out wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibilities if Kari has another season like last year.

Niemi comes in at #10 because it’s a little murky and unclear how much he’ll be depended on this upcoming season. He should get the majority of starts, and brings along some valuable playoff experience. This former Cup winner is hoping to bring Lord Stanley’s holy grail down to Texas.