Again, this was another move I saw coming for the last few weeks. His hip injuries have ruined his value in the NHL and no teams are willing to take a chance on him.

http://www.fromtherink.com/2009/7/8/...-headed-to-khl

I expect him to play very well in the KHL and depending on what type of decision guys like Kiprusoff and Lehtonen make on their Olympics participation, he should get a very good shot at being "the man" for Team Finland.

He was the Team MVP and Tournament MVP for the 2002 Olympics in Italy. He was incredible.

shame. could have been a good one.

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@matsthomassen

One or two good seasons overseas and you will see him back in the NHL.

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QHL Stanley Cup champion 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09
www.thephysicsofhockey.com

If he can play an entire season without ANY hip or injury problems and does have a decent showing in the Olympics, he would have a good chance of coming back. If Ray Emery can do it by splitting time and posting slightly worse stats than VITALY KOLESNIK, and if Andrew Raycroft can find a place to play, then I'm pretty sure Antero Niittymaki can come back to the NHL as well. He'd just have to accept a two-way deal or a lot less $$ than what he expects.