Dallas Stars (Antti Niemi/Kari Lehtonen)
When Dallas made the decision to dedicate more money to goaltenders than any other team, the hope was that extra rest would help keep Lehtonen healthy, while giving the Stars a dependable option each and every night.
In 21 games started in 2015-16, Lehtonen has 13 wins, with a 2.82GAA and .908 save percentage. Combine his lengthy injury history with a $5.9 million dollar cap hit through 2017-18 that carries a no-trade clause, and you’ve got a sticky situation. There’s little chance any team is willing to take on that contract.
Antti Niemi has started 30 games for Dallas in 2015-16, winning 19 games, with a 2.44GAA and .911 save percentage. The newcomer is exactly what Dallas needed to take that next step becoming Western Conference powerhouses. Niemi is also signed through 2017-18, but carries a far more affordable $4.5 million dollar cap hit.
It’s conceivable that Dallas could continue to feature the duo for the remainder of each goaltender’s contract. Antti Niemi has already proven a Stanley Cup champion with Chicago, so Dallas knows what they have in both goaltenders. The only reason Dallas decides to move in another direction is if the team runs into salary cap constraints (which is sounding more likely with a weak Canadian dollar).
Solution: Buy-out Kari Lehtonen
Although the Stars were able to fleece the Thrashers for virtually nothing, Atlanta was borderline ready to give him away. A career plagued with injuries, it’s time to move on from the once elite goaltending prospect who never quite panned out. Given his lucrative cap hit, the money could be well spent elsewhere.
Next: Detroit Red Wings