NHL Rookie Playoff Sensations

Stepping into the starting role during the postseason, with only 42 games of NHL experience, the 26-year-old Finnish netminder (whose age made him technically ineligible for the Calder Trophy) helped Chicago end its 49-year Cup drought. Steady and dependable (he sparkled with a 44-save 2-1 win over the Sharks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final), Niemi went 22-16-6 with a 2.63 goals-against average, a .910 saves percentage and two shutouts during the Blackhawks' championship run. A salary cap squeeze forced Chicago to part with several players after the season, and after Niemi was awarded a $2.75 million salary by an arbitrator, the Blackhawks decided to let him sign a one-year $2 million deal with San Jose in September2010.