Makiniemi (abdomen) signed a one-year contract with TPS of Finland's Liiga on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Makiniemi has been in North America since the tail end of the 2020-21 campaign, but he saw just two games of NHL action with the Sharks in 2022-23. He underwent abdominal surgery in November while with AHL Lehigh Valley. Makiniemi would have been a Group 6 unrestricted free agent this summer, but he'll head home to Finland rather than settle for what would have likely been a two-way deal at best with an NHL club.

Makiniemi will undergo sports hernia surgery next week and will be sidelined 3-4 months, Bill Meltzer of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Makiniemi's injury decreases the Flyers' organizational goaltending depth. Cal Petersen will likely take over as AHL Lehigh Valley's starter in the short term, but Aleksei Kolosov could end up in that role once Samuel Ersson (lower body) is ready to play for the big club again.

Makiniemi was assigned to AHL Lehigh Valley on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

During his lone preseason appearance, Makiniemi stopped 13 of 14 shots across 31:14 of playing time in Monday's 5-0 loss to Montreal. In 18 regular-season outings for AHL San Jose in 2023-24, he posted an 8-8-0 record with a 3.14 GAA and a .900 save percentage. He will probably spend most, if not all, of the upcoming campaign in the minors.

Makiniemi signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Flyers on Tuesday, per PuckPedia.

EDGE Analysis

Makiniemi was in camp on a professional tryout agreement, but after one preseason game, the Flyers gave him some job security. The 25-year-old is still likely to be ticketed for the AHL this year unless an injury arises for Samuel Ersson or Ivan Fedotov.

Makiniemi will be the starting netminder in Monday's road preseason game against Montreal.

EDGE Analysis

Makiniemi is looking to win a role within Philadelphia's organization after signing a PTO with the club in August. The 25-year-old was a fourth-round selection by Carolina in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. The Finnish goaltender has very little NHL experience -- he has made only two appearances with San Jose during the 2022-23 campaign and split time between the AHL and ECHL in 2023-24.

Makiniemi signed a professional tryout agreement with the Flyers on Thursday, per his agency.

EDGE Analysis

Makiniemi split last season between the AHL and ECHL affiliates in the Sharks' organization. At the AHL level, he recorded a 3.14 GAA and a .900 save percentage with three shutouts in 18 games. The Flyers appear to be doing their part to shore up their goaltending depth for the preseason, and Makiniemi could get an AHL contract or two-way deal should Aleksei Kolosov end up going on loan to the KHL's Dinamo Minsk.

Makiniemi, who was poised to become a restricted free agent Saturday, signed a one-year, two-way contract with San Jose on Wednesday, PuckPedia reports.

EDGE Analysis

Makiniemi will come with a $775,000 cap hit if he plays at the NHL level in 2023-24. He saved 29 of 32 shots over two games with the Sharks last season. At the AHL level, he had a 2.96 GAA and a .900 save percentage in 22 outings with the Barracuda.

Makiniemi was returned to the AHL's Barracuda on Wednesday, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Makiniemi was summoned by the Sharks on Tuesday to serve as Aaron Dell's backup for that evening's game because Kaapo Kahkonen (concussion) and James Reimer (illness) were unavailable. Makiniemi's demotion might indicate that Kahkonen or Reimer will be available for Thursday's contest against Vegas. Makiniemi has a 2.96 GAA and a .900 save percentage in 22 games with the Barracuda this season. He also has a 2.13 GAA and a .906 save percentage in two contests with the Sharks in 2022-23.

Makiniemi was called up from AHL San Jose on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

In a corresponding move, the Sharks placed Jonah Gadjovich (upper body) on injured reserve. Kaapo Kahkonen (undisclosed) was projected to be in the lineup Tuesday against Pittsburgh after leaving Sunday's game against Washington. Makiniemi may have been recalled as insurance. Aaron Dell is slated to start Tuesday and James Reimer (illness) remains day-to-day.

Makiniemi was assigned to AHL San Jose on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

The Sharks activated James Reimer (lower body) from injured reserve in a corresponding move. Makiniemi won his first NHL start last Friday with a 23-save performance in a 6-1 triumph over Anaheim.