Antti Niemi emerged as the No. 1 backstop for Chicago as the NHL season wore on. (Getty Images)Chicago Blackhawks goalie Antti Niemi has been awarded $2.75 million US in salary next season in a decision by an arbitrator.
The Blackhawks will have 48 hours to decide on whether to accept the award for the goalie who helped lead them to their first Stanley Cup in nearly four decades.
Accepting the decision will likely result in even more pruning at some point for Chicago, who are pushed hard against the $59.4 million cap. The Blackhawks have already said goodbye since their Cup win to Kris Versteeg, Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd, and Adam Burish, among others.
Chicago's tight cap situation also resulted in them having to fend off an aggressive play for Niklas Hjalmarsson from San Jose, who would figure to be contenders for Niemi's services should the Blackhawks walk away from Saturday's ruling.
Niemi earned $826,875 last season, his first full campaign in the NHL.
The Finn took over as the team's top goalie from Cristobal Huet by the end of the season. He went 26-7-4 in 39 games with seven shutouts, a 2.25 goals-against average and .912 save percentage.
Niemi went 16-6 in the playoffs with a 2.63 goals-against average, .910 save percentage and two shutouts.
General manager Stan Bowman said on Thursday that the process with Niemi and his agent had been amicable.
"Obviously, Antti was a successful player and a big part of our team," said Bowman. "But when it comes down to the business side, you have to look at comparable players and their situations."
Corrections and Clarifications
- The original version incorrectly identified one of the departing Blackhawks as Troy Brouwer. It was in fact Adam Burish. July 31, 2010 | 7:25 PM ET
