The Philadelphia Flyers have signed Finnish goalie Eetu Makiniemi to a one-year, two-way contract.
This deal, announced recently, gives the Flyers more options in goal for the upcoming season.
If Makiniemi plays in the NHL, he will make $775,000, and if he plays in the AHL, he will earn $200,000.
This is a smart move for the Flyers, as it gives them a backup option in case they need it.
Makiniemi first joined the Flyers’ training camp on a tryout contract. Last season, he played for the San Jose Barracuda in the AHL and the Wichita Thunder in the ECHL.
Throughout it all, his time in these leagues showed he can handle playing at different levels.
While with the Wichita Thunder, Makiniemi played three games, ending with a 1-2-0 record, a 3.39 goals-against average (GAA), and a .907 save percentage (SV%).
During his time with the Barracuda, he played in 18 games, achieving an 8-8-0 record, a 3.14 GAA, and a .900 SV%.
Although his win-loss record wasn’t outstanding, his solid save percentage proves he can be a reliable backup when needed.
Now, the Flyers have better goalie depth with Makiniemi signed.
Currently, the main goalies for the Flyers are Samuel Ersson and Ivan Fedotov.
They are expected to handle most of the goaltending duties, but injuries can happen at any time in hockey.
It’s safe to say that Makiniemi has had an interesting career.
He was once considered a top goalie prospect for the San Jose Sharks.
Then, he came to the Sharks in a trade from the Carolina Hurricanes involving the well-known player Brent Burns.
Makiniemi was seen as a key part of that trade and quickly rose up in the Sharks’ system.
However, his time with the Sharks was affected by injuries.
Still, he managed to play two NHL games during the 2022-23 season.
In his first-ever NHL start, he stopped 23 of 25 shots against the Anaheim Ducks, which shows he has what it takes to perform at the highest level.
During his 18 games with the Barracuda last season, Makiniemi recorded eight wins and three shutouts.
His ability to quickly get three shutouts shows he has strong skills and can step up in high-pressure moments.
While his 3.14 GAA and .900 SV% aren’t the best in the league, they show he’s dependable, especially for a young goalie still adjusting to professional hockey.
Given the current situation, Makiniemi’s signing is critical for the Flyers.
One of their top goalie prospects, Alexei Kolosov, isn’t reporting to training camp, leaving the Flyers short on goalies, especially in the AHL.
So, Makiniemi helps fill that gap and gives the Flyers some much-needed depth.
This one-year contract could be an important step for Makiniemi.
While he will likely spend most of the season playing in the AHL with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, a strong performance there could open up chances for him to play in the NHL.
Makiniemi could become a bigger part of the Flyers’ plans if he stays healthy and continues to improve.
