Blues sign Ty Conklin (2 yrs @ 1.3 per season)

[strocklen083]

per Strickland via Hockeybuzz

No direct link yet...

updated: http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/hockey ... y-conklin/

[Ruutu15]

Reported on TSN TV.

Not a bad signing for you guys

[SIU LAW]

(finals)

[philco_3]

Winter Classic year after next...

[Hullie]

Ozzie
Manny
Conks

Jimmy Howard anyone?? This does mean that Howard will back up Osgood now.

He got about half that money per year in Detroit. Good for him. I like him. Servicable back-up and perfect teammate.

[SIU LAW]

Tell me about it. What's with the string of ex-Wing goalies. Avoid the taint of pure evil.

[Oz-iz-God]

Solid signing.

I'm always surprised by how old some of these goalies are. Conklin's 33? I was surprised Manny and Mason were as old as they were.

I guess it's a testemant to how long it takes most goalies to develop. By the time you really know who they are, they seem to be in their late 20's already.

I can't imagine we'll ever be horrified by this deal (i.e. not Brewer, Jackman, McKee, Backman, etc...) and that's about as high as I place the bar anymore.

[cprice12]

I like it. Low risk, high reward.

[WaukeeBlues]

Winter Classic year after next...

[kodos]

Meh. He should be a servicable backup. But meh.

[BSNoseblunt]

I like this signing as long as they considered Josh Harding first and determined he would cost too much (assets or money). Harding has the tools to challenge Mason as the starter, whereas Conklin is what he is - a solid backup.

[strocklen083]

I like this signing as long as they considered Josh Harding first and determined he would cost too much (assets or money). Harding has the tools to challenge Mason as the starter, whereas Conklin is what he is - a solid backup.

Well and we don't need anyone to challenge the starter this year. We saw how that experiment turned out last year. We needed a solid backup and that's exactly what we got. I also like how he signed a 2 year deal. Which means if Mason doesn't resign then we have 1/2 of a solid tandem in line to split duties as we ease a young guy into the starter's role.

[BSNoseblunt]

I like this signing as long as they considered Josh Harding first and determined he would cost too much (assets or money). Harding has the tools to challenge Mason as the starter, whereas Conklin is what he is - a solid backup.

Well and we don't need anyone to challenge the starter this year. We saw how that experiment turned out last year. We needed a solid backup and that's exactly what we got. I also like how he signed a 2 year deal. Which means if Mason doesn't resign then we have 1/2 of a solid tandem in line to split duties as we ease a young guy into the starter's role.

I disagree. Harding is the type of young goaltender that could be eased into a starting role. Why not try that option during the last year of Mason's contract? I'm not saying Conklin is a bad signing, but he's not a guy that has any future with the team in a role other than backup.

[strocklen083]

I disagree. Harding is the type of young goaltender that could be eased into a starting role. Why not try that option during the last year of Mason's contract? I'm not saying Conklin is a bad signing, but he's not a guy that has any future with the team in a role other than backup.

Because Harding is going to cost you a.) roster players or b.)draft picks. He's not a UFA, so there will be some type of compensation involved. Obviously Minnesota wanted more than we were willing to offer. Plus we've got two young goalies (Bishop, Allen) that will be ready soon anyhow.

[Oz-iz-God]

I disagree. Harding is the type of young goaltender that could be eased into a starting role. Why not try that option during the last year of Mason's contract? I'm not saying Conklin is a bad signing, but he's not a guy that has any future with the team in a role other than backup.

Because Harding is going to cost you a.) roster players or b.)draft picks. He's not a UFA, so there will be some type of compensation involved. Obviously Minnesota wanted more than we were willing to offer. Plus we've got two young goalies (Bishop, Allen) that will be ready soon anyhow.

Just like Schartz, Barulin, Bachs....Cash, etc...

Ultimately I agree with you. It sounds like we kicked the tires on Harding and he was just too costly in terms of players/picks. If that was the case, good on JD for not panicking and overpaying (while making a very good signing to boot).

But to count on Allen or Bishop to be our GOTF is folly until he's actually doing it.

[section319]

Meh. He should be a servicable backup. But meh.

THIS.

[JPonder94]

I would have liked to see Clemmensen over Conklin. But, like I said in chat and on the FA thread, he probably wanted to yield some more offers and JD didn't want to wait around.

Conklin will do well when he plays. At least Mason won't have to play 82 games this season.

[STL JA]

I wanted Harding.

Welcome to St. Louis, Conklin... Wash that Red Wing shit off.

[stlmark]

I like this signing. Good move Ty.

[#1ELPBluzFan]

Lets' just hope Mason and Conklin don't have to nurse a lot of injuries.

I think this a great opportunity for the young/developing goalies (i.e. Bishop) to get valuable ice time in Peoria, instead of riding the pine in StL.

Isn't the main key to development getting ice time??