Detroit Interested in Ty Conklin?
Ty Conklin has played some strong hockey in the two games since the All Star break. Sunday afternoon he started his third consecutive game for the first time this season and looks to be establishing some rhythm. This is good timing for the veteran goaltender who the Blues will certainly try to move at the trade deadline. Sources tell me the Blues have already made the determination that they will not re-sign the soon to be 35 year old.
Sources indicate the Blues have had conversations with the Detroit Red Wings who appear to have some interest with the return of Chris Osgood still unclear. Osgood underwent sports hernia surgery on January eleventh and is expected to start skating before the February 28th trade deadline. There is still no guarantee the Stanley Cup winner returns to action this season even though Osgood is confident he’ll be back before the playoffs.
The Red Wings would like to add some insurance at the goaltending position to protect themselves at the very least. We all know they struck out on Evgeni Nabokov who they signed a few weeks ago only to lose on waivers to the New York Islanders. Speaking of Nabokov, wouldn’t it make sense to join the Islanders to give himself a chance to be moved at the deadline?
Detroit obviously knows Conklin who carried the load two years ago when Osgood went down with a different injury. There is some comfort on both sides.
The Blues understand Conklin isn’t expected of bring back much in terms of return value but they might as well take what they can get if they aren’t keeping him beyond this year. The Red Wings scouted the Blues victory over Edmonton last Friday and witnessed Conklin’s 29 save performance.
Conklin turned aside 36 shots in Sunday’s 4-3 overtime loss to Tampa Bay.
The Blues would turn to former third rounder Ben Bishop to backup Jaroslav Halak if/when Conklin is moved.
More to come,
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Especially since they'll get next to nothing for them. The upside would be all Detroit's.
Wouldn't he have to clear waivers before being eligable for a trade? I thought that was the case. If so, there is no point in him playing for the Islanders if he doesn't want to. Except, if he wants to play next year in the NHL, he needs to prove he is not just a big baby who pouts when he doesn't get exactly his way.
Andy, come on. Whatever return the Blues could get for Conklin is NOT worth losing him for the playoff push. If we had to use Bishop these last two games we probably would have had 0-1 points rather than 3. He isn't ready, and Conklin is JUST what the Blues need behind Halak. We aren't going to get Datsyuk in return, and no return is worth losing Conklin for the rest of the season. The season isn't over, and he has already proved to be invaluable for the push...don't just trade him away because you can.
There's enough veteran presence in the locker room. We have a lot of veterans who aren't doing a good job leading this team from the get go. A lot of these younger kids show more hunger as it is.
Get a high pick, trade what you can and hope for the best. Next year we'll be much improved as far as skill and heart on the wings. We got screwed by injuries this year and still it would have been tough anyway with the lack of scoring depth. YOU HAVE TO HAVE THREE SCORING LINES TO COMPETE IN THIS LEAGUE. NOT two and a third. Our young defensemen look great as well. flag this comment