Antti Niemi's time in Dallas is over after the Stars announced Tuesday they have bought out the remainder of the goaltender's contract, which had one year and $4.5 million left on it.
Two thirds of Niemi's salary ($3 million) will be spread out over the next two seasons and the team will incur an annual salary cap hit of $1.5 million.
The 33-year-old Finnish player was 12-12-4 record with a .892 save percentage and a 3.30 goals against average in 37 games (30 starts) last season for the Stars, who missed the playoffs after finishing 34-37-11.
In May, the Stars acquired former All-Star goalie Ben Bishop from the Los Angeles Kings for a 2017 fourth-round draft pick.
Niemi spent two seasons in Dallas, posting a 37-25-11 mark with a .900 save percentage and a 2.92 GAA.
He has a career 227-125-51 record with a .913 save percentage and a 2.49 GAA in 423 career games (406 starts) over nine NHL seasons.
Niemi began his career with the Blackhawks in the 2008-09 season, spending two seasons with Chicago and winning a Stanley Cup championship with the team in 2010.
He signed as a free agent with the Sharks in September 2010 and played five seasons with San Jose, leading all NHL goalies in victories (24) in the 2012-13 season.
On Monday, the Stars acquired expansion draft pick and defenseman Marc Methot from the Vegas Golden Knights for a 2020 second-round pick and goalie Dylan Ferguson.
