Faceoff Factor

Penguin Notes: Recchi, Fleury And Conklin

Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins

Dec 8, 12:06 AM | Hype this story!

Marc-Andre Fleury could miss at least a week of hockey after spraining his ankle in Thursday’s game against the Vancouver Canucks.

As a result, the Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled Ty Conklin from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL on an emergency basis.

Since the move is categorized as an emergency recall, Conklin does not have to pass through re-entry waivers.

Conklin once served as an NHL starter and appeared to have a promising career, but, after a major gaffe that saw him put a puck in his own net during the Stanley Cup finals several years back, his career has trended downward.

The 31-year-old appeared briefly with the Buffalo Sabres last year, and signed with the Penguins as a free agent over the summer.

He lost the backup goalie job in training camp to Dany Sabourin, who will become the temporary starter until Fleury’s ankle is ready for game action.

In 18 games this year with the “Baby” Penguins, Conklin has recorded an 11-7 record, with a .919 save percentage. Statistically, he is ranked sixth in the AHL, behind goalies such as Michael Leighton (1) and Tuukka Rask (3).

Recchi Update
Just as Conklin joins the team, Mark Recchi most likely will officially leave the team.

According to Pittsburgh Sports Insider, the Atlanta Thrashers are the team most likely to win the “Recchi sweepstakes,” so to speak.

Though this news is not confirmed, it is essential to point out that PSI has an excellent track record with such predictions, leading us to believe this is the most likely scenario.

Recchi’s 2007-08 contract is worth $1.75 million, and the Penguins will be on the hook to pay half of the remaining salary if Recchi is claimed by another team on re-entry waivers.

In 19 games this season, the veteran has scored two goals and six assists. And, though he appeared to have little left in the tank, Recchi still believes he can contribute to a team in the NHL.

Faceoff Factor will have news on this story tomorrow as his waiver period, and likely his tenure as a Penguin, comes to an end.