Stars Acquire Niemi

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The Dallas Stars acquired the rights to pending unrestricted free agent goaltender Antti Niemi from the San Jose Sharks for the No. 193 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.

Niemi, 31, went 31-23-7 with a .914 save percentage and 2.59 goals-against average in 2014-15 for the Sharks. If the Stars do not sign Niemi, he will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He cost $3.8 million against the salary cap last season and made $4 million in salary.

“Antti is a proven goaltender, who has played and succeeded at the highest levels,” Stars general manager Jim Nill said in a statement. “He’s one of the hardest working goalies out there and we look forward to working towards an agreement.”

Niemi spent five seasons with the Sharks after helping the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 2010. He appeared in at least 60 games in the four full seasons and 43 games in the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season.