Looks like Marc-Andre Fleury will have another goalie backing him up for the rest of the season. The Penguins acquired Mathieu Garon from the Oilers today in exchange for Dany Sabourin, minor leaguer Ryan Stone and a fourth round draft pick, according to the Edmonton Oilers' site. (Pens post came later)
Can't say it's a huge upgrade. I for one was a bit discouraged by Sabourin's play while Fleury was out. I was saying all along that a .500 record would be ideal while Fleury rehabbed but deep down I wanted more.
Sabourin and Therrien were pretty tight. In fact Sabu was a product of the Penguins' system before the Canucks picked him up off of waivers in 2006. Obviously Therrien was confident enough to bring him back in 2007 as Fleury's backup, but I think l last year's Ty Conklin show really put a damper on things.
Which leads me to wonder - why didn't the Pens lock up Conklin and dish Sabourin back in July? I know there were some contracts and such to work out, but it seems like a squandered opportunity to me. Especially when you consider how well Conklin is playing this season:
Hurts to think Conklin could've held his own better than Sabourin while Fleury was out.
In either case, Sabu is back off to Alberta and I can't say it's all that heartbreaking. I'm just wondering if the Penguins offered too much for Garon...