Goaltending finalized with 2-year deal for Niittymaki

There were enough reasons at the end of the Flyers' season to think there was some substance to rumors that Antero Niittymaki would not be coming back to the Flyers or that he might stay in Europe to play.

He had a down year; he was facing offseason hip surgery; and Marty Biron, who was acquired in a trade with Buffalo during the season, was signed to a contract that made it clear he was going to be the starting goalie for at least the next two seasons.

Niittymaki's concerns were legitimate, and he expressed them to general manager Paul Holm-gren during recent contract discussions.

"When I was talking to him he asked me, 'I am going to play just five games, how much will I play?' I told him that how much he played would be up to him," Holmgren said.

"There was no animosity in his question. He just wanted to know what his role was going to be. I told him I didn't see Marty Biron playing 77 games and that he was going to have a role but how much he played would depend on him.

"And he said, 'OK. That's fine. I'm going to beat him out anyway.' "

Yesterday, the Flyers announced they had re-signed the restricted free agent to a 2-year deal worth $2.45 million, locking up their goaltending for the next two seasons. With both Biron and Niittymaki under contract, the Flyers can move forward and address the needs they have at forward and defense with the draft coming at the end of next week and the free-agent market opening July 1.

Niittymaki will have his work cut out for him, but he is sure to play more than five games. He had his torn hip labrum repaired immediately after the season and is in full recovery and training in Finland for the coming season.

"He had the surgery done right away," Holmgren said. "He stayed around for about a month doing rehab and then he was given the green light to do everything."

Holmgren said he is not worried about Niittymaki because he knows he has a very competitive nature and will be healthy to start the season.

Niittymaki, who turns 27 Monday, had a 9-29-9 record and a 3.38 goals-against average in 52 games during the Flyers' worst-ever, 22-48-12 season. He was injured in training camp and had to have his hip treated with cortisone to keep playing.

"Everyone had a down year last season but we know he wants to be the best goalie he can be," Holmgren said.

"We believe that Antero is a very good young goalie. He is only 26 years old and we feel that he is still on the upswing. We feel that our goaltending, along with Marty Biron, is strong, and we are excited to have both of them under contract."

Unrestricted free agent Robert Esche is certain not to return. *