The Hawks have allowed goalie Antti Niemi to become a free agent. On Saturday, an arbitrator awarded Niemi a $2.75 million contract.
Officials say the team cannot take on that contract because of salary cap restraints. So Niemi is now free to sign with another team.
The Hawks have signed former Dallas goalie Marty Turco, 34, for a lot less money.
Niemi was 26-7 with a .912 save percentage. He also had seven shutouts, ESPN reported. Turco went 22-20 last year in his 10th season with the Dallas Stars and had a .913 save percentage.
