With free agency now being just over a month into it and the regular season starting in about two months from today it is very interesting how many goalies are still unsigned and in trade rumours and how many teams do not seem to have their goaltending situation resolved. Teams such as the Oilers, Flyers, Blackhawks, and Bruins all are presumed interested in making goaltending moves still.
In Edmonton, it has been an interesting last month with their goaltending situation. Goaltending which has been an ongoing issue for the club since the spectacular performance Dwayne Roloson put on in the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals. With Khabibulin under contract still, while also Deslauriers and Dubynk it was a bit of a shock when the Oilers announced they have signed UFA Martin Gerber to a two way contract. This signing has led to speculation that Gerber was signed as insurance in case Khabibulin ends up in jail in Arizona for his DUI charge?
Other reports are suggesting the Oilers are desperately trying to get out of the rest of Khabibulins contract and are looking for loop holes or potential trade partners. Oilers General Manager Steve Tambellini is denying all reports and is stating the signing of Gerber gives the team flexibility and options as well as a solid goaltender for their American Hockey League team. With three 1 way contacts signed plus the veteran Gerber signed there will have to be some type of transaction before the regular season gets underway.
In Philadelphia the goaltending continues to be the number one concern and water cooler topic for this organization. With Niemmi being a UFA now with the Blackhawks not accepting his arbitration case there has been rumours the Flyers will make a pitch for him. This is quite hard to believe considering the Flyers are stating they are content in net with Boucher and Leighton and additionally have limited cap space.
The Blackhawks were last week made the bold decision to go with veteran Marty Turco instead of Niemmi are still not giving up hope that they can get rid of Huet and his contract before the season begins. Latest rumours have Huet going over to Europe and trying to rejuvenate his career over there for a year and get back to his form when he was a Montreal Canadien. Although this is a possibility it will be quite difficult as it is quite similar to the Nylander case in Washington. Another option would be seeing Huet down in the AHL where it is also presumed Wade Redden will seem himself this year in New York.
Boston would love to see Tim Thomas contract come off their books but at this point there seems to be too many obstacles for this to be achieved. Thomas has a no movement clause and has publicly stated his desire is to remain a Bruin. Thomas’s age, and contract amount also make his trade stock very low.
There still is time before training camp and the regular season but it can be argued that around ten teams still have some sort of goaltending dilemma to sort out. Furthermore, some once #1 goalies such as Theodore, Legace, and Toskala are still looking for NHL contracts. What makes these decisions even more difficult is teams have won the Stanley cup the last few years with a true number one goalie such as Fleury in Pittsburgh, but other teams have won with an unproven goalie such as Niemmi in Chicago.
Regardless there are some key decisions to be made and many GMS who will be placing their focus on their goaltending now before the season gets underway!
Tags: nhl free agents, nhl goalies, nhl goaltenders, nhl signings