More Penguins News . . .
Hall: Adam Hall has signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are rapidly becoming the Penguins ‘discard team’. He signed a 3-year, $1.8 million contract. Not a huge loss for the Penguins.
Conklin: Ty Conklin has been signed by the Detroit Red Wings on a 1-year, 750K contract. I am really surprised by this deal. I would assume that Conklin will play back-up to Osgood, but I was hoping that a team would have seen his potential as a starting goalie with his performance for the Pens this year.
Godard: Out with Laraque, in with Godard. The Penguins signed Eric Godard from the Calgary Flames. Godard notched up 17 fights last season for the Flames, but is not known for much else! Given the choice, I would have stuck with Laraque, but I guess it probably came down to financial considerations.
I know we had a side conversation about this, but I thought it could perhaps be beneficial for the blogosphere as well…
I suspect that Detroit is looking at splitting time again between there goaltenders. This means that Conklin could see 30-35 starts next season. I don’t think Pittsburgh could promise the same with a healthy Fleury in net.
I assume Conkling (and his marketing team) thinks that he needs another season of relative success to erase anyone’s memory of the final Edmonton days. That said, why not go some place for a year with a team guaranteed to give you plenty of ice time and a better than average chance of having good numbers?
I am rocking the typos lately…
I agree, Enabler – I mean, we were talking about a guy who, during Fleury’s absence, had the top GAA and Save percentage in the league. It just makes no sense why a team wouldn’t put him in the spotlight, other than some fear that he may become the Conklin of old. And for 750K??? Sheeesh.
For that salary, Team Ty has to think there is some jewlery coming with it. He certainly could have gotten more out of a team elsewhere. Then again, if you are maybe looking at 3 years at $1.2 a season and getting shelled constantly, maybe it is beneficial to take a light contract for a year and maybe go hunting next year when you can see what other teams are shopping.
Of course, there ia always the chance that, as a result of this contract and a good performance, he turns into the next Osgood/Legace and is granted a lifetime love-hate contract with Detroit fans everywhere…
Yeah, and I guess this year’s free agency market was quite heavily loaded with goalies anyway, some would say “more proven” goalies. Certainly not much chance of getting shelled much in a game in Detroit, and there’s always the chance that he was thriving on that in Pittsburgh!