Eetu Makiniemi signs PTO contract with Flyers

With training camp just under three weeks away, the Flyers are continuing to fill out their roster. They've added another goaltender to the mix, signing Eetu Makiniemi to a professional tryout contract.

While the Flyers have not officially announced the news, it's safe to say that the news is true considering the source is Makiniemi's agency.

Makiniemi has only been in North America since the 2021-22 season, appearing in both the AHL and ECHL. He made a brief NHL appearance with the San Jose Sharks, playing in two games during the 2022-23 season. In total, Makiniemi only has 59 total games of professional experience. If he is to stick around, it will likely be in the AHL with the Phantoms.

In 54 career AHL games, Makiniemi has posted a 2.77 GAA and a .906 SV%. He also has seven shutouts during that time. His two NHL games were decently solid, though one was a relief appearance. In his only career start, he gave up one goal and faced 24 starts to earn his first career victory. That came back in December against the Anaheim Ducks. In his other outing, he gave up two goals on eight shots against the Vancouver Canucks.

Makiniemi signs PTO ahead of Flyers training camp

Under a PTO contract, a player can only appear in 25 games before the team needs to decide on whether they will sign the player or not. That is why most of these types of contracts are signed during the preseason so the player can appear in lower-stress games for the team to get an idea of their next move.

Signing Makiniemi, another goaltender, to a PTO is another interesting decision from the organization. Sam Ersson and Ivan Fedotov are the clear goaltending duo for the NHL squad. Behind that, there is Cal Petersen and potentially Alexei Kolosov. That is where this move could have more meaning behind it.

The Flyers have continued to stress that they expect Kolosov to be in attendance for training camp. But why sign another goaltender to a PTO if you expect him to be there? You'll already have Ersson and Fedotov. Carson Bjarnason is likely to be in attendance as well. And that's if they don't invite any other goaltenders, either from rookie camp or those on AHL deals.

It's looking more and more likely that the Flyers are now giving themselves a backup plan in case Kolosov sticks to his words and does not attend camp. That is where things will get extra interesting because he is not allowed to play anywhere else while under contract with the Flyers.

But this opportunity gives Makiniemi another chance in front of an NHL team. The 2017 fourth-round pick has been a backup with each team he's been a part of. If he plays well during training camp and the preseason, he could potentially earn a starting role down in Lehigh Valley.