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Antti Niemi News

Antti Niemi(G)|FA
Injury
Injury
Antti Niemi’s status is still unclear, although it’s looking more and more like Niemi is nearing a return. He was the first goalie off of the ice on Thursday, and McLellan expects to know Thursday afternoon which goaltender will start against the Ducks at the Honda Center.

Sounds like Niemi remains close to returning but won't be rushed back. Last season, Niemi won 35 games while sporting a 2.38 GAA and .920 SV%. With Antero Niittymaki already out, Thomas Greiss should continue to man the crease.

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CSN Bay Area 2011-10-13T16:48:01.000Z
Antti Niemi
Antti Niemi(G)|FA
Injury
Injury
For what it's worth, Niemi getting the bulk of the work at #SJSharks practice this morning.

Certainly an encouraging sign that Niemi could return shortly. Coach Todd McLellan is not expected to make a decision on his starting goalie until Friday so stay tuned for a further update.

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David Pollak 2011-10-12T15:07:34.000Z
Antti Niemi
Antti Niemi(G)|FA
Injury
Injury
Niemi, who would be the starter if healthy, still hasn’t participated in a full practice with his teammates. That could change on Wednesday or Thursday when the team skates at HP Pavilion, but it’s looking more and more likely that the 25-year-old Greiss will be in for at least Friday night’s game.

Niemi's lack of practice with the team is less-than-encouraging to his chances of playing this weekend. Stay tuned for a further update on his status.

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CSN Bay Area 2011-10-12T14:04:48.000Z
Antti Niemi
Antti Niemi(G)|FA
Injury
Injury
This year, though, he is fervently noncommittal. Even on his starting goaltender, who looks more and more like Thomas Greiss rather than Antti Niemi due to Niemi's still-cranky knee.

Sounds like Niemi remains close to returning but won't be rushed back. Last season, Niemi won 35 games while sporting a 2.38 GAA and .920 SV%. With Antero Niittymaki already out, the two options for the Sharks would be Thomas Greiss or Harri Sateri if Niemi suffers a setback; the former likely starts the season opener.

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CSN Bay Area 2011-10-07T11:51:46.000Z
Antti Niemi
Antti Niemi(G)|FA
Injury
Injury
Niemi starts/finishes each practice 30 minutes early. Coach says if he's ready, he is the starter. Know more tomorrow. #SJSharks

At this point consider Niemi close to fully healthy, ready to start the season as the Sharks' starting goalie. Last season, Niemi won 35 games while sporting a 2.38 GAA and .920 SV%. With Antero Niittymaki already out, the two options for the Sharks would be Thomas Greiss or Harri Sateri if Niemi suffers a setback.

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Brodie Brazil 2011-10-06T16:35:46.000Z
Antti Niemi
Antti Niemi(G)|FA
Line Change
Line Change
Both Niemi and Havlat were “non-roster” players on the official roster that Wilson had to file with the NHL by noon. But that allows for day-to-day movement, the GM said, and either could be in the lineup Saturday night.

At this point consider Niemi close to fully healthy, ready to start the season as the Sharks' starting goalie. Last season, Niemi won 35 games while sporting a 2.38 GAA and .920 SV%. With Antero Niittymaki already out, the two options for the Sharks would be Thomas Greiss or Harri Sateri if Niemi suffers a setback.

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Working the Corners 2011-10-05T18:59:36.000Z
Antti Niemi
Antti Niemi(G)|FA
Injury
Injury
“If he tells us he’s playing and he’s cleared (by the training staff), he’s playing,” McLellan. “If we don’t get that clearance from him and from the doctors, then he won’t.”

At this point consider Niemi close to fully healthy, ready to start the season as the Sharks' starting goalie. Last season, Niemi won 35 games while sporting a 2.38 GAA and .920 SV%. With Antero Niittymaki already out, the two options for the Sharks would be Thomas Greiss or Harri Sateri if Niemi suffers a setback.

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Working the Corners 2011-10-04T21:23:53.000Z
Antti Niemi
Antti Niemi(G)|FA
Injury
Injury
Niemi, by the way, is practicing again with the Sharks full squad this morning

At this point consider Niemi full healthy, ready to start the season as the Sharks' starting goalie. Last season, Niemi won 35 games while sporting a 2.38 GAA and .920 SV%. With Antero Niittymaki already out, the two options for the Sharks would be Thomas Greiss or Harri Sateri if Niemi suffers a setback.

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Mark Emmons 2011-10-03T15:26:26.000Z
Antti Niemi
Frazer McLaren(LW)|
Injury
Injury
Frazer McLaren also had his first real practice of the preseason today, going full tilt for the first time since off-season hip surgery. McLaren says he good to go and, if the training staff agrees, Mclellan says the big left wing will play Saturday night in Phoenix.

McLaren has 32 games under his belt as a Shark over the past two seasons and could be in the mix for a roster spot. Could be a good source of PIM as his totals could reach 150+ with enough games played.

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Working the Corners 2011-09-30T19:50:56.000Z
Frazer McLaren
Antti Niemi(G)|FA
Injury
Injury
The Sharks aren’t promising that Niemi will be their starting goalie when the regular season opens Oct. 8, though they do treat that as a real possibility. If it doesn’t come to pass, they don’t see any reason he wouldn’t be good to go by the second game of the season, six nights later.

Niemi could be ready for the season opener at this point and was even probable to start tomorrow night before coach Todd McLellan ruled it out. Last season, Niemi won 35 games while sporting a 2.38 GAA and .920 SV%. With Antero Niittymaki already out, the two options for the Sharks would be Thomas Greiss or Harri Sateri if Niemi suffers a setback.

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Working the Corners 2011-09-30T19:47:40.000Z
Antti Niemi
Antti Niemi(G)|FA
Injury
Injury
Niemi stayed on ice for duration of #SJSharks practice, his longest outing yet.

Niemi could be ready for the season opener at this point and was even probable to start tomorrow night before coach Todd McLellan ruled it out. Last season, Niemi won 35 games while sporting a 2.38 GAA and .920 SV%. With Antero Niittymaki already out, the two options for the Sharks would be Thomas Greiss or Harri Sateri if Niemi suffers a setback.

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Brodie Brazil 2011-09-30T16:02:35.000Z
Antti Niemi
Antti Niemi(G)|FA
Injury
Injury
Niemi was facing shots from the group for the first time, then left the rink.

Niemi could be ready for the season opener at this point. Last season, Niemi won 35 games while sporting a 2.38 GAA and .920 SV%. With Antero Niittymaki already out, the two options for the Sharks would be Thomas Greiss or Harri Sateri.

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Working the Corners 2011-09-27T15:25:07.000Z
Antti Niemi
Antti Niemi(G)|FA
Injury
Injury
“We’re going day-to-day. We’re not going to put him in a situation where he’s not comfortable and doesn’t have a chance to be successful. If he tells us that’s the day and he wants to play and he’s good and the training staff agrees, he will.”

Niemi could still start the season opener on October 8th. Last season, Niemi won 35 games while sporting a 2.38 GAA and .920 SV%. With Antero Niittymaki already out, the two options for the Sharks are then Thomas Greiss or Harri Sateri.

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Working the Corners 2011-09-24T16:52:03.000Z
Antti Niemi