Blue Jackets Sign Goalie Mathieu Garon
by Andy Newman on Jul 1, 2009 8:20 PM EDT
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PrintFor the Blue Jackets second move, they've added goaltender Mathieu Garon to back-up Calder Trophy winner Steve Mason.
The Blue Jackets have signed free agent goaltender Mathieu Garon to a two-year contract worth $1.2 million per season, The Dispatch has learned.
Garon, who will serve as Steve Mason’s back-up, was 8-9-0 with a 3.12 goals-against average and .894 save percentage in 19 games with Edmonton and Pittsburgh.
In 204 NHL games – 186 starts – Garon is 94-83-10 with a .905 save percentage and a 2.84 goals-against, along with 14 shutouts.
Garon backed up the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguin squad, and saw a little bit of ice time in the finals giving relief to Marc-Andre Fleury.
Overall, Garon has a pretty solid record for his career, and should be a nice addition to the Blue Jackets line-up.
I would certainly consider today a success for the Blue Jackets. They filled two specific needs with players that can fit nicely into those roles. I look forward to seeing how Scott Howson plans to acquire a defenseman. Names like Dennis Seidenberg and Francois Beauchemin are still available as of this moment, or it could be very possible to see him put together a trade package for a defenseman.
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Why Is This Move Necessary?
LaCosta and Lalande may be young, but they’re older than Mason and have more experience playing in the AHL (with good numbers). Why not let one of them be the backup and spend that extra money on D or more help for Nash?
Mason needs an NHL veteran that can help mentor him. For all this talk about LaCosta, people need to realize Mason is just 20 years old. He still needs help to grow, mature, and improve his game. We have Dave Rook to be his goaltending coach, but he won’t be around everyday. Garon will.
LaCosta is still unproven. Lalande could be a good backup in another year or two, and he will get to prove himself in camp and probably some call-ups throughout the season.
Nothing against LaCosta, he did well in his 2 games up here, but most scouts never had him pegged as an NHL caliber goalie. Clearly he’s proving them wrong, but my point is, give him time. Most goalies don’t see full-time NHL action until 24-25 years old. We’ve been spoiled with Mason.
And God forbid, if Steve Mason gets injured, do you really want our playoff hopes resting on the shoulders of yet another unproven rookie? Let’s face it, we got lucky last year. Almost no goalies do what Steve Mason did.
Garon just won a Stanley Cup with the Penguins. I’m sure he’ll have some advice for Mason and the rest of the Blue Jackets.
LaCosta and Lalande will get their shot, but there’s no rush
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sadly
i tried to argue in favor of LaCosta one day…no one went for it…
"be where you are when you're there"
by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 2, 2009 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Don’t take the comments the wrong way, either. LaCosta is a great young goalie and is looking like he might be better than anyone gave him credit for. But there’s absolutely no need to rush him. Developing more in Syracuse, working part-time with Jackets goalie coach Dave Rook will help him tremendously. If he’s this solid now, he’ll be that much better in another year or two.
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not that i was taking them personally
I just figured it was an in-house solution, as opposed to spending money on a free agent
"be where you are when you're there"
by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 2, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree! If there’s anyway we can manage to get Cam Barker…
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what about Anton Babchuk? He had a great year for Carolina…don’t know what he would be asking a lot but i think its worth a shot…Schneider is also on my list…his career stats are awfully impressive, in my opinion. 16th all time in goals scored for D-men, and with a strong year, could be as high as 10th.
going to be an interesting day 2…
"be where you are when you're there"
If we get anyone from Carolina, I hope it’s Dennis Seidenberg.
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