Devils Sign Goaltender Kevin Weekes

[Thrillhouse]

The Devils have signed free agent goaltender Kevin Weekes, Devils' CEO/President/GM Lou Lamoriello has announced.

“Kevin Weekes has played more than 300 career NHL games and will bring added experience as a backup goaltender to Martin Brodeur,” said Lamoriello.

Weekes, 32, posted a 4-6-2 record with a 3.39 goals-against average in 14 appearances last season with the New York Rangers.

The 6-1, 215-lb. netminder has appeared in 323 regular-season games over eight full NHL seasons with Florida, Vancouver, the NY Islanders, Tampa Bay, Carolina, and the NY Rangers, registering 19 shutouts, as well as a 2.90 GAA. Weekes recorded a career-best 23 wins and and six shutouts in 66 appearances with Carolina Hurricanes in 2003-04.

The Toronto native was selected with Florida's second pick, 41st overall, of the 1993 Entry Draft, and played his junior hockey with Owen Sound and Ottawa (OHL).

[blackngold]

is this the end of the road for clemmensen?

[JKidd]

Being Marty Brodeur's backup is one of the easiest jobs in all of sports.

[HoliksGhost]

Originally Posted by blackngold

is this the end of the road for clemmensen?

Not sure what's going on with this one... out of left field... could be part of something else to come or maybe not...?

[NJDevils17]

that move makes no sense. clemmensen is basically free while weekes will probably get payed more than the league minimum. he's only going to play 5 games maybe.

[NJD Oliwa]

WTF?

Not sure what to make of this one...

It's nice to have a backup thats a little more reliable than Clemmensen but at what price?
This could also be a sign that Lou wants Marty to rest some more during the regular season and down the stretch so that he's good to go for the playoffs.
It could also just be a signing to use as trade bait later on if a hole develops that needs to be filled.

[NJD Oliwa]

AST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (CP) - The New Jersey Devils signed goaltender Kevin Weekes to a US$1.375-million, two-year contract Thursday to back up superstar starter Martin Brodeur.

Weekes, 32, was 4-6-2 with a 3.39 goals-against average in 14 games for the New York Rangers last season.

He's likely to see even less action in 2007-08, as Brodeur appeared in 78 contests last season, going 48-23-7 with a 2.18 GAA.

``Kevin Weekes has played more than 300 career NHL games and will bring added experience as a backup goaltender to Martin Brodeur,'' said Devils GM Lou Lamoriello.

Weekes has appeared in 323 regular-season games over eight full NHL seasons with Florida, Vancouver, the New York Islanders, Tampa Bay, Carolina, and the Rangers. The Toronto native recorded a career-high 23 victories and six shutouts with Carolina in 2003-04.

Well thats good news at least. They aren't paying a lot for him. A good pick up even if he only plays 7 games a year.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=212831&hubname=nhl

[danski]

Maybe Brodeur wants to play a little bit less and they actually need someone that can play consistently at the NHL level.

[DevsFan30]

Brodeur wasn't "Brodeur-like" in the playoffs so they are probably going to have him play a few less games next season. Lou probably didn't have enough confidence in Clemmensen so he wanted a more experienced goalie at a little higher price.

[hazard5]

do the Rangers have to go sign a backup now?

-and by that i mean, did Lou do this to hamstring the Rangers from having the salary to compete for Souray?

[blackngold]

Originally Posted by hazard5

do the Rangers have to go sign a backup now?

-and by that i mean, did Lou do this to hamstring the Rangers from having the salary to compete for Souray?

maybe they think montoya is ready to be their backup

[intricateproces]

well,looks like Clemmensen aint coming back......

Now its up to who are the Devils banking to be their goalie of the future

[Purely_Purinton]

As of now the backup job is Valiquettes, I don't think they're gonna have Montoya rotting on the end of the bench, the only way I see him coming up is if there's an injury.

As for the Devils, I guess it makes sense if they're looking to lighten the load on Brodeur, Weekes is an above average backup and there won't be any fans to boo him in Jersey so looks like it's a good fit to me.

[Isles4life]

I kinda feel bad for Weekes. He may be injury-prone and inconsistent, but he deserves the chance to play more than 8 games a season.