Antti Niemi and the 10 Top Performers with New Teams This Year

Despite a somewhat uneventful offseason that lacked blockbuster moves, a handful of guys have made a difference for new organizations this season.

With the 2011 NHL Playoffs right around the corner, it's time for these newcomers to start earning their pay checks.

The playoff picture is as murky as it has been in years, so every piece to the puzzle will be essential for those teams still fighting for their lives.

Here are the ten best newcomers this season.

Disclaimer: Players were eligible for this list if they joined the team prior to the 2010-2011 season, or in the early part of the season.

10. Jaroslav Halak, St. Louis Blues

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ST. LOUIS, MO - FEBRUARY 11: Jaroslav Halak #41 of the St. Louis Blues makes a save against the Minnesota Wild at the Scottrade Center on February 11, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

After his immaculate playoff run in 2010, Jaroslav Halak was a high profile acquisition for the Blues last offseason.

While he has not recaptured his playoff form, Halak has been one of very few solid components for a mediocre St. Louis team. 

Halak is the type of goalie the Blues can build their team around for the future.

9. Jose Theodore, Minnesota Wild

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UNIONDALE, NY - MARCH 02: Jose Theodore #60 of the Minnesota Wild tends net against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on March 2, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Wild 4-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Jose Theodore has come on strong for the Minnesota Wild during 2011.

Niklas Backstrom has been shaky between the pipes this season, so Theodore's play has been all the more valuable.

Minnesota hopes he has enough left to get them one of the final playoff spots in the Western Conference.

8. Andrej Meszaros, Philadelphia Flyers

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PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 05: Andrej Meszaros #41 of The Philadelphia Flyers makes a save against the Buffalo Sabres during their game on March 5, 2011 at The Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The addition of Andrej Meszaros has solidified Philadelphia's already formidable defensive unit as one of the NHL's best.

Meszaros has a plus 23 this season to go along with his 22 points.

The Flyers are in possession of the top seed in the East with the playoffs on the horizon. A deep and dependable defensive unit is vital to a deep NHL Playoff run. Meszaros adds to the depth of Philly's unit.

7. Clarke MacArthur, Toronto Maple Leafs

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TORONTO,CANADA - MARCH 12: Clarke MacArthur #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs is all smiles after scoring his 20th goal of the season in a game against the Buffalo Sabres on March 12, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Claus Anderse

One of the key pieces to Toronto's rebuilding effort is Clarke MacArthur. The 25 year old winger has collected 52 points this season and looks to be a fixture at his position for years to come.

The Leafs are still in the playoff hunt, but even if they fail to qualify the future is bright. MacArthur, like the rest of this Toronto team, has plenty of room to grow.

6. Andrew Ladd, Atlanta Thrashers

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 12: Andrew Ladd #16 of the Atlanta Thrashers warms up before playing the Philadelphia Flyers on March 12, 2011 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Andrew Ladd has made a monumental impact on his new team. Not only does he have 53 points to his name, he is now the captain of the Atlanta Thrashers.

Ladd has been a key leader for the Thrashers, who are in the midst of a rebuilding effort. 

The 25 year old winger is the centerpiece around which Atlanta can construct their roster.

5. Guy Boucher, Tampa Bay Lightning

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 25: Head coach Guy Boucher of the Tampa Bay Lightning works on the draft floor during the 2010 NHL Entry Draft at Staples Center on June 25, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Guy Boucher has done a tremendous job in his first season as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Boucher's young team held the lead in the Southeastern Division for much of the season, and are still holding onto a playoff spot.

Boucher deserves a lot of the credit for Tampa Bay's success. Of course, having Steven Stamkos at his disposal hasn't hurt.

4. Dwayne Rolson, Tampa Bay Lightning

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NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 02: Goalie Dwayne Roloson #35 of the Tampa Bay Lightning makes a save during an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on March 2, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

The Tampa Bay Lightning were said to be a goaltender away from contending for a division title. Well, they got their man in Dwayne Roloson via an early season trade.

Roloson has recorded four shutouts for the Lightning and has them battling for a division title. He may be on his last legs, but Rollie the Goalie appears to have one more playoff push in him.

3. Antti Niemi, San Jose Sharks

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DALLAS, TX - MARCH 15: Goaltender Antii Niemi #31 of the San Jose Sharks in goal against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on March 15, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The San Jose Sharks were plagued by inconsistent goaltending in the past with Evgeni Nabokov. The Russian netminder never seemed to be able to get the job done in the postseason.

Enter Stanley Cup winner Antti Niemi.

Niemi has slowly grown into his role as the main goaltender in San Jose. The Finish goaltender gives the Sharks a legitimate shot at winning the Stanley Cup.

2. Alex Tanguay, Calgary Flames

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GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 10: Alex Tanguay #40 of the Calgary Flames skates with the puck during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on March 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Flames 3-0. (Photo by Christian Pe

Alex Tanguay has been a great addition for the Calgary Flames.

His 56 points are good for second best on the team, and he has developed into a leader for Calgary. They are fighting to sneak into the eight seed in the Western Conference.

If Tanguay continues his pace, the Flames could make some noise in the playoffs.

1. Dustin Byfuglien, Atlanta Thrashers

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 12: Dustin Byfuglien #33 of the Atlanta Thrashers skates against Jody Shelley #45 of the Philadelphia Flyers on March 12, 2011 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The lone All-Star on this list, Dustin Byfuglien switched both teams and positions this season.

The 6'4'' 250 pound Minnesota native has not made the switch without some bumps in the road, but his 50 points are an impressive number.

Moreover, he has helped change the culture in Atlanta by providing a physical presence at the blueline.