Kings Re-Sign Jackman and Garon

[VodkaFish]

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Kings have re-signed restricted free agent right wing Tim Jackman to a one-year contact and restricted free agent goaltender Mathieu Garon to a one-year contact, Kings President/General Manager Dean Lombardi announced today.

Jackman, 24, recorded five points (2-3=5) and 33 penalty minutes in 18 regular season games with the Manchester Monarchs, the Kings’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, this past season. He also recorded an additional three points (0-3=3) and 20 penalty minutes in seven post-season games with the Monarchs. The Kings acquired the 6-4, 210-pound native of Minot, North Dakota, from the Phoenix Coyotes for center Yanick Lehoux on March 9, 2006, and assigned him to Manchester that same day.

Prior to the trade, Jackman had zero points and 21 penalty minutes in eight regular season games with the Coyotes and 20 points (7-13=20) and 127 penalty minutes – which led his club at the time of his trade – in 50 regular season games with the San Antonio Rampage (AHL).

Jackman was originally selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the second-round (38th overall) in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft and acquired by the Coyotes along with left wing Geoff Sanderson for left wing Jason Chimera, defenseman Cale Hulse and center Mike Rupp on October 8, 2005. He has three points (1-2=3) and 37 penalty minutes in 27 career NHL regular season games with the Coyotes and the Blue Jackets.

Prior to turning pro, Jackson recorded 53 points (25-28=53) and 178 penalty minutes in 73 games over two seasons (2000-02) with Minnesota State – Mankato of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

Garon, 28, established NHL regular season career highs in games played (63), wins (31) and shutouts (4) while recording a 31-26-3 record, a 3.22 goals-against-average and a .894 save-percentage with the Kings this past season. The 6-2, 192-pound native of Chandler, Quebec, also became just the fourth goalie in club history to win 30 games in one season, joining Mario Lessard (35 wins in 1980-81), Rogie Vachon (33 in 1976-77) and Felix Potvin (31 in 2001-02). Additionally, Garon’s 31 wins ranked 10th overall in the NHL.

Garon was named the NHL’s Defensive Player of the Month for December with a 9-3-0 record, a 2.40 goals-against-average and a .924 save-percentage. He allowed three or fewer goals in 11 of his 12 starts that month and made a season high 42 saves at Anaheim on December 16, 2005. He also posted five-game winning streaks three times during the 2005-06 season and he recorded back-to-back 1-0 shutout wins against Dallas and Vancouver on April 1 and April 3, respectively. He also went 4-1 in shootout decisions with a save percentage of .812 (16 shots/13 saves) and he was successful against all three penalty shots he faced during the season.

Originally selected by Montreal in the second-round (44th overall) in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft, Garon was acquired by the Kings as part of a three-way deal involving the Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators on June 26, 2004. The Kings acquired forward Radek Bonk from Ottawa for a third-round choice in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft and then traded Bonk and goaltender Cristobal Huet to Montreal for Garon and a third-round choice (Paul Baier) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Garon has a 47-46-3 record, a 2.93 goals-against-average, a .902 save-percentage and eight shutouts in 106 career NHL regular season games with the Canadiens and the Kings.

[Isles4life]

How much of a shot will Garon be given this year?

[Cat Smasher]

With Dan Cloutier now a member of the Kings, the 28-year-old Garon will have to battle for the right to be Los Angeles' number one netminder again in 2006/07, despite winning 31games for the club last year. While Garon did post 4 shutouts, his 3.22 GAA and .894 save percentage, so don't be surprised to see him as the number two goalkeeper for the Kings.

[intricateproces]

at least Manchester will have 1 guy who will drop the gloves next year

[Jensen]

Originally Posted by intricateproces

at least Manchester will have 1 guy who will drop the gloves next year

Actually they will have two since they signed Raitis Ivanans.

[Sandmachine]

I was under the impression Jackman had a above average skills for a fighter and had a chance at making the NHL as somewhat of a regular. Not true?

[intricateproces]

Originally Posted by Jensen

Actually they will have two since they signed Raitis Ivanans.

sweet,didnt know that

[oldtimegoodtime]

Jackman is willing but rather useless fighter.

[canuck2]

Jackman proves that college trained players generally shouldnt try fighting. He was terrible in his fights last year with the Coyotes.

[intricateproces]

in the few bouts i saw him in(ahl), he stood his ground and looked like he could be a decent middleweight. At least he was willing, espically on a Manchester team where no one would drop em