Flyers have no interest in Niemi

The Flyers do not have any interest in the latest goalie on the free-agent market, Antti Niemi, general manager Paul Holmgren said on Monday.

After a sensational regular season, Niemi, a rookie, helped the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in June. Niemi was subpar in the Finals as the Blackhawks defeated the Flyers, four games to two.

The Blackhawks decided to cut ties with Niemi after they signed free-agent Marty Turco for $1.3 million on Monday. That was less than half the amount it would have cost them to sign Niemi, who was awarded $2.75 million in salary arbitration.

Niemi, 26, who is now an unrestricted free agent, probably will sign for less than that with another team.

But Holmgren is happy with Michael Leighton, Brian Boucher, and Johan Backlund, three goalies expected to battle for the top spot during training camp. Leighton, who recently signed a two-year deal for a total of $3.1 million, is the favorite to win the job.

The Flyers are about $327,000 under the $59.4 million salary cap and would have had to demote some players - perhaps Boucher and defenseman Matt Walker - to make room to sign Niemi.

During the regular season, Niemi had a 2.25 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage. Leighton's combined regular-season numbers with the Flyers and Carolina: a 2.83 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage.

Leighton, 29, struggled in the Finals (3.96 GAA, .876 save percentage), as did Niemi (3.41 GAA, .882 save percentage).

- Sam Carchidi