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Post by Zoom Waffles on Feb 13, 2009 14:13:03 GMT -5
From HU's front page:
As Martin Brodeur's return to the ice grows nearer, so does the end of a fairy tale season for Scott Clemmensen. Having played just 29 NHL games since being drafted in 1997, Clemmensen was used to being second string behind goalies like Martin Brodeur, John Vanbiesbrouck, and Chris Terreri. This year, when Brodeur went down with the first significant injury of his storied career, Clemmensen performed admirably, with a .920 save percentage and 2.30 GAA. Clemmensen has lead the Devils all the way to second in the Eastern Conference. But now the story is coming to a close. What's next for the great backup? With a contract set to expire this year, Clemmensen may find he's a desired commodity around the NHL -- as a starter. And with Kevin Weekes on the roster, the Devils may just let Clemmensen explore other options while developing their future star, Jeff Frazee. Frazee is ranked fifth among AHL goaltenders, and second among rookies behind Nathan Lawson of Bridgeport (a beneficiary of the DiPietro injury).
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Post by kingsfan24 on Feb 13, 2009 16:17:05 GMT -5
Now Clemmer could demand a couple million in the open market and I'm sure there are teams that may be willing to give him a shot 1st two teams that come to mind is Ottawa and Atlanta.
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Post by Zipper14 on Feb 13, 2009 16:43:20 GMT -5
I don't think anyone will trust Clemmensen with a full time starting job next year. Sure he's had a great year, but I don't think anyone will trust him to play 65+ games for him.
I do see him being brought in in a 1A/1B situation, maybe with a young guy, like Harding in Minnisota or one of the guys in LA.
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Post by fukufuji on Feb 14, 2009 0:21:05 GMT -5
I have a feeling he'll accept a backup roll and remain with the NJ devils.
Did Clemmenson really play a couple of games for Toronto last year? I totally don't remember that but Yahoo says it is so.
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Post by kingsfan24 on Feb 14, 2009 0:47:02 GMT -5
Now I think it's safe to say Clemmensen won't be in LA cuz there are plenty of goalies here and Quick and Ersberg have prove they can handle the workload. Main reason LaBarbera was dealt was to relieve some of the logjam we have between the pipes in our system.
Now Fukufuji is right there's a possibility that he will be modest enough to accept his role w/ New Jersey and be patient. He seems like a humble guy because he was bounced from New Jersey once and sometimes that's enough to alienate a player to never come back, but he did and stole the show when he had the chance.
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Post by Zoom Waffles on Feb 14, 2009 12:06:04 GMT -5
but NJ's not going to offer him any more than a million bucks. They have a perfectly capable backup in Weekes who they can sign for $800k... why should they pay Clem anymore? They obviously don't feel TOO attached to him, since they dealt him to Toronto last year (or let him walk? I don't recall).
If anyone decides to throw this guy an offer sheet over $1 mln, i really think he'd consider it.
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Post by Wolfpack on Feb 14, 2009 15:25:42 GMT -5
If I'm clemmenson, I'm viewing this as my chance to be a starting goalie somehwere. How can he turn that down? Every hockey player dreams of a starting role in the NHL. He's got to put himself in the best position to achieve this. I say he moves on next year or NJ deals him once Marty regains his form. It would be a ballsy move for NJ to trade him at the deadline, but depending on who they get in return, a move that could give NJ a good chance at the cup.
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Post by Zoom Waffles on Feb 14, 2009 15:49:54 GMT -5
great point... and like i said before, weekes is a capable backup.
if marty shows he's back in form before the deadline, it could be an option. is anyone really going to be looking for a goalie at the deadline though?
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