Dallas GM Jim Nill on goalie tandem: 'You can't get any better'
Last season, the Dallas Stars were forced to rely on starter Kari Lehtonen for most of the season despite any injuries he suffered and back-to-back games. By the end of the year, Lehtonen ranked sixth in the NHL in most games by a goalie (65), marking the second consecutive year in which Lehtonen played 65 games. The result? All that playing time seemed to take a toll on Lehtonen, who dropped way below his career save percentage of .914 with a .903 mark last season.
So the Stars found some help for Lehtonen this offseason in the form of former Sharks starting goaltender Antti Niemi. Since Niemi played in 61 games last season, the question in Dallas is who will be the starter next season for the Stars.
According to general manager Jim Nill, Niemi and Lehtonen will most likely split netminding duties, a set-up which Nill said will give Dallas an upper hand in its division.
"I think it's going to work well," Nill said in a radio interview with The Ticket. "Like I said, we're fortunate because of our cap situation that we can do it. I know that if other teams had the cap room, they'd do it. You can't get any better than having two No. 1 goalies in your lineup.
"The league is so close. If you can win an extra two or three games because you have a rested, healthy, very competitive No. 1 goalie that you can put in any time, it's going to make a big difference."
(h/t The Dallas Morning News)
