Faceoff Factor

Comments

1. David Scott

   Jun 22, 08:28 PM

   Isn’t there an unwritten rule that one of the two teams playing in the Winter Classic MUST sign Conklin?

2. Justin Maffei

   Jun 22, 08:39 PM

   Haha, we’ll have to see this coming season. Either that or the team he signed with is doomed to second place.

3. bag o' pucks

   Jun 22, 08:54 PM

   I think a veteran will be signed to a two-way deal, much like Conks in ’07. He would either make the big club or be a #1 in WB/S. The nice thing about Curry is he can simply be qualified to a one-year, two-way deal at a cap hit of $.55M. Curry’s regular season numbers have been very solid for two years. His playoff numbers have left more to be desired, despite being 18-12, his sv% dips to .896 in post-season action.

4. Albert

   Jun 22, 09:31 PM

   Conklin, Anderson, and Clemmensen should all receive large pay increases (over $1M, maybe significantly more)—I don’t see them as viable backup options.

   All 3 are higher quality than Garon.

   P.S. – Actually, if I’m the GM in Philtadelphia, I sign Conklin and one of the other two, create a stiff competition, and vastly improve my team’s netminding on the cheap.
   Good thing for the Penguins that the Flyers value “toughness”—even in a goalie—and signed Emery to be their #1. Perhaps they will never learn….

5. Justin Maffei

   Jun 22, 10:37 PM

   None of them are a #1 goaltender in my opinion. Whether the rest of the league believes that will be a large deciding factor. However, in a league which doesn’t have much of a market for Nikolai Khabibulin, I don’t see those guys getting an opportunity in many places. TFP thinks that Khabibulin may actually get most of his interest from the KHL.

6. Justin Maffei

   Jun 22, 10:37 PM

   None of them are a #1 goaltender in my opinion. Whether the rest of the league believes that will be a large deciding factor. However, in a league which doesn’t have much of a market for Nikolai Khabibulin, I don’t see those guys getting an opportunity in many places. TFP thinks that Khabibulin may actually get most of his interest from the KHL.

7. Justin Maffei

   Jun 22, 10:38 PM

   Sorry for the double post. Not really sure how that happened.

8. Albert

   Jun 22, 11:11 PM

   None of those guys are elite, but combining 2 for a reasonable cap hit…could be a good approach for a team with problems b/w the pipes.

   Last year’s stats:

   Clemmensen (in 40 games) 25-13-0-5 with a 2.39 GAA and .924 save %

   Conklin (in 40 games) 25-11-0-4 with a 2.51 GAA and .917 save %

   Anderson (in 31 games) 15-7-0-0 with a 2.71 GAA and a .930 save %

   Those are all excellent #s. Pick your preferred two and a quite a few teams would upgrade their shaky netminding.

   Fortunately…Philly is banking on a proven headcase.

9. Justin Maffei

   Jun 23, 12:47 AM

   My guess is they all sign for slightly over $1M. They might go for a team for whom they can push for a starting position, or they might want to try and ride the winning wave.

10. DaBich

    Jun 23, 06:22 AM

    I was shocked to read that Philly signed Emery…but hey, that will only help us! lol

11. Moq

    Jun 23, 08:24 AM

    The free agents mentioned, Anderson, Conklin, and Clemmensen, may have higher salary aspirations based on their performances last season.

    Apart from promoting Curry, you could try to sign someone like Yann Danis or Joey MacDonald from the Islanders. UFAs, cheap and decent numbers despite facing a lot of rubber. Other options are Raycroft, Weekes or Brent Johnson. The latter did a good job in Washington until his injury.

    MacDonald or Johnson would be fine with me.

12. Matt Bodenschatz

    Jun 23, 11:13 AM

    I think John Curry has his name all over the backup goalie position. With that being said, the Penguins, in my opinion, should do as others suggested above and pull a “Conklin,” by signing an affordable veteran to compete in camp, then get demoted if he doesn’t beat out Curry.

    Brent Johnson is ideal, as he is a career backup who knows his role and plays it well. I also like Stephen Valiquette, Brian Boucher, and Kevin Weekes.

13. CoCoAce

    Jun 23, 01:34 PM

    How about Biron if Philly lets him walk. He’s an average poor man’s starter and no one seems to want him for the starting job anymore. If Philly lets him go, then he most certainly will not command much money, but is stable enough to take over for a month or so when MAF is hurt mid season as has been the case the last two years.

14. SprJudd

    Jun 23, 01:52 PM

    The problem with looking at guys like Ty Conklin and Scott Clemmensen is that both guys would like to be starters in the NHL – or at least split time with a decent proportion. Would guys like that be willing to take a possible cut in pay and time for a shot at a Cup? Maybe so, but don’t bank on it.

    @MOQ – I agree with you that Yann Danis or Joey MacDonald are good guys to look at. I also think Brent Johnson would be ideal too. Guys who know they are backups, can play for longer stretches if needed, and who won’t be terribly expensive.

    The problem I have with Curry being the automatic backup netminder is that Fleury would be the veteran presence in goal. Yes, he’s won a Cup and made 2 deep playoff runs, but he’s also only 24 and I think could use more of a veteran presence to help carry the load. I am not trying to say Fleury can’t handle the rigors of the season or anything (he very obviously can), but I have always been wary of not having a grizzled vet. And with Fleury missing substantial time each of the last few seasons with injuries, I wouldn’t want John Curry and his 3 games of NHL experience to be the guy carrying the load…if he can’t hack it, I wouldn’t want Shero to have to give up assets to bring in a guy who can.

15. Eric Politowski

    Jun 23, 06:50 PM

    Curry will do well next year as MAF’s back-up. He looked good to me in the few games he started last season.

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