Off-Season News: Free Agent Round Up
Here are some of the free agent goaltenders on the summer market. Most interesting is the situation in Toronto and Boston. With a few seasons of mediocrity at best, Toronto's original-six team has struggled to gain any serious runs for the Cup. Their goaltending has been a revolving door since Curtis Joseph and their Offense has been held up by the shoulder's of Sundin. Even though Toronto has Toskala, it will be interesting to see who they take as backup, giving that goaltending is such an integral part of their team.
Also of note is Manny Fernandez. The guy has been very good in the 2000's, and I don't think he gets the respect he deserves. Should he have split playing time with Vezina winner Tim Thomas; not really, but this does not mean he couldn't have been a starter on any other team. I wouldn't be surprised if he joins as a backup with another team and earns some playing time next year, although this all comes down to how much he is asking for.
Manny Fernandez Boston 16-8-3 2.59 GAA
Tim Thomas is firmly in place as the starter in Boston, so Fernandez will have to look elsewhere if he has any hopes of getting a job. He's played more than 44 games in a season just once in his career (2005-06, with Minnesota).
Olaf Kolzig Toronto 2-4-1 3.66 GAA
"Olie the Goalie" has 303 career wins -- but he's 39 and coming off an injury-plagued season. To extend his career, Kolzig will need to find a team with a young starter that needs an experienced backup/mentor.
Curtis Joseph Toronto 5-9-1 3.57 GAA At 42,
Joseph may have a hard time getting a chance to extend his regular-season victory total past 454.
Manny Legace St. Louis 13-9-2 3.18 GAA
One season after making the All-Star Game, Legace spent the last half of 2008-09 in the minors after Chris Mason took the No. 1 job. At 36, his options get slimmer by the day.
Kevin Weekes New Jersey 7-5-0 2.42 GAA
Had the first winning season of his career in 2008-09, but he couldn't hold the starting job in New Jersey after Martin Brodeur was injured and will likely have to go elsewhere.
Joey MacDonald N.Y. Islanders 14-26-6 3.37 GAA
Like ex-teammate Yann Danis (who signed with New Jersey), MacDonald had some terrific nights -- and some duds -- during an up-and-down season on Long Island.
Marc Denis Montreal (in AHL) 27-18-02.46 GAA
Journeyman backup is looking for a job after a solid season with the Canadiens' AHL affiliate in Hamilton. Denis has more than 300 games of NHL experience, but has spent almost all of the last two seasons in the minors.