Good Blues News: Conklin Comes Aboard
This is a nice move by the Note. He’s got a two-year deal and he WILL push Chris Mason for work.
He has played on winning teams and done quite well. Conklin outplayed Chris Osgood last season in Detroit, but Ozzie finished well enough to get the playoff nod.
Of the available goaltenders, he ranked in the top two or three. Craig Anderson, another high-end free agent, signed with Colorado.
Blues fans should be excited by this move.
Elsewhere in the NHL . . .
Marian Hossa got a 12-year, $62 million deal in Chicago. This news is not as good for Blues fans. Ouch.
Hossa will offer a nice upgrade over Martin Havlat, who had a big 2008-09 season after overcoming a spate of injuries. Havlat might head to LA now.
After the Lightning make a big play on Mattias Ohlund, landing him with a seven-year deal, the Thrashers moved to take Pavel Kubina (and his contract) off the hands of the Maple Leafs.
WIth Rick Dudley helping Don Waddell make the personnel calls, the Thrashers are interested in Nik Antropov - most recently a Ranger.
Toronto landed Rangers tough guy Colton Orr with a four-year, $4 million deal. Also, GM Brian Burke is reportedly chasing free agent Swedish goaltender Jonas “The Monster” Gustavsson.
Also, he was trying to lock up free agent defenseman MIke Komisarek.
The name of that Swedish goaltender just made my day. That’s awesome.
Hockey Guy, you’re correct…NOT good for the Blues…(Hossa signing)…but it’s just for now. THEY SIGNED HIM UNTIL HE’S 42!!! That is simply insane. I’m sure the money drops dramatically towards the latter years, but still…
I would be more worried if they signed him for 4 to 6 years…and while he’ll be great for 4 or 5 more years…I really don’t see him being too much to handle beyond that…it’s just way too risky with such a long contract.
This is terrific news for the Blues. Goaltending cost the Blues at least 10 valuable points last season. Another great job by management. The Hawks getting Hossa is not good, but 12 YEARS? Sure there is a huge upside, but that deal has the potential for long term disaster.
I’d wager they’ll play Mason until it’s too late in the season for Conklin to make any difference. Mason is a number two goalie at best.
Another good signing by JD and co. in getting Conklin but, that Hossa signing stings big time. Hopefully that long term deal will hurt the Hawks more than help. After reading all the ins and outs of the salary cap and FA signings, etc. you have to be smart about your moves.
I would love to see a Black and Blue Western Conference Final in the next few years. That would be insane!!!!
Let’s Go Blues!!!!!
Great to see our move to get the new goalie. And not real worried about Hossa, honestly. He seems to “float” during big games…and a 12 year deal for anyone not named “Crosby” or “Ovechkin” is a huge mistake IMO!
I think the Hawks got Hossa’d. Maybe that hit to the cap will really hurt them in the next few years. And who stays healthy for 12 years?
Good news on Ty he was great in Detroit and will be even better here, I may have to get rid of my life long collection of Detroit gear and switch to the Blues, they are making some nice moves this year.
Conklin is a terrific signing. The Blues have suffered greatly the last two years not having a competent backup. He’s no Hannu Toivenen, thank goodness, and could easily be the 1A goaltender, at a very low price.
Ty who? This is a 1 goalie town. Enjoy the pine and the 2.6 million while backing me up.