The Blues have signed backup goalie Ty Conklin to a two-year contract.

Conklin, 33, will earn an average of $1.3 million as the backup to starter Chris Mason.

“We took care of a need,” Blues President John Davidson said. “Ty is very excited to be a part of the Blues.”

Conklin went 25-11-2 with a 2.59 goals-against average and a .909 save-percentage last season with the Detroit Red Wings. In his 25 victories, Conklin had six shutouts.

Detroit had mild interest in re-signing Conklin, but his agent, Kurt Overhardt, informed the Red Wings that Conklin could likely double his $750,000 salary elsewhere. At that projected price, the Red Wings weren’t interested, partly because they were only $4 million under the cap before today and partly because they didn’t want to upstage starter Chris Osgood, who is making $1.4 million per season.

I’ve talked to reporters in Detroit today who say that St. Louis is a good fit for Conklin. He’s a character guy who can challenge for the starting job. One reporter told me that there was sentiment in Detroit for Conklin to start ahead of Osgood in the playoffs.

For more information, click here for Conklin’s bio . . .

JR

JR