The Sharks' pursuit of one player may have led them to the acquisition of another, as the San Jose Mercury News reports the club may be going after goalie Antti Niemi.
Last month, the Sharks signed Chicago defenseman, and restricted free agent at the time, Niklas Hjalmarsson to a four-year, $14 million offer sheet. The Blackhawks quickly matched the offer, inching their payroll closer to the salary cap.
As a result, the Hawks were forced to walk away from Niemi's one-year, $2.75 million contract awarded via arbitration, making the netminder an unrestricted free agent.
According to the Mercury News, the Sharks may now be interested in Niemi.
San Jose's former No.1 goalie Evgeni Nabokov has left for Russia, signing a long-term contract in the KHL.
The Sharks replaced Nabokov by signing free agent goalie Antero Niittymaki, though various reports suggest the team is toying with the idea of adding another goaltender.
With approximately $3.5 million in available cap space, the Sharks are also believed to be in the market for a veteran defenseman to replace Rob Blake, who retired on June 9.
Files from:
San Jose Mercury News
