Rangers Re-Sign Goaltender Kevin Weekes

[Thrillhouse]

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has re-signed restricted free agent goaltender Kevin Weekes.

“Kevin has demonstrated continued improvement in each of his last six National Hockey League seasons,” stated Sather. “His years in Carolina were marked by several standout performances and we feel he can provide stability and leadership to our goaltending position while several of our young prospects develop.”

Weekes, 30, appeared in 66 games with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2003-04, posting a record of 23-30-11, along with a 2.33 goals against average. He established new career-highs in appearances (66), wins (23), shutouts (6) and goals against average (2.33), while his six shutouts tied for sixth in the NHL and tied a Carolina franchise record. Weekes also posted a new career-best shutout sequence of 183:16 from October 22 to October 30. He is now one of just two goaltenders in NHL history to improve his goals against average in six consecutive seasons (Curtis Joseph – min. 10 games played).

The 6-0, 195-pounder has appeared in 277 career games with the Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes, posting a record of 78-136-33, along with a 2.86 goals against average and a .904 save percentage. In 2002 post-season action, Weekes helped lead the Carolina Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup Finals, appearing in eight post-season matches, while posting a record of 3-2, along with a 1.62 goals against average and two shutouts. His 1.62 goals against average and .939 save percentage were second in the league during the 2002 playoffs. Weekes also established a Carolina franchise record for shutouts in one playoff season with two. In addition, he appeared in 156 games for the Carolina Monarchs of the American Hockey League (AHL) and the Fort Wayne Komets and Detroit Vipers of the now-defunct International Hockey League (IHL), posting a 69-60-20 record along with a 3.37 goals against average.

Prior to turning professional, he spent three seasons (1992-1995) with the Owen Sound Platers and Ottawa 67’s of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), appearing in 104 career games and posting a career record of 35-54-10, along with a 4.63 goals against average.

A native of Toronto, Ontario, Weekes was originally Florida’s second round choice, 41st overall, in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. He was traded to Vancouver from Florida, along with Ed Jovanovski, Dave Gagner, Mike Brown and a 2000 first round draft choice (Nathan Smith) in exchange for Pavel Bure, Bret Hedican, Brad Ference and a 2000 third round draft choice (Robert Fried) on January 17, 1999. Weekes was acquired by the Islanders on December 19, 1999 from Vancouver, along with Dave Scatchard and Bill Muckalt in exchange for Felix Potvin and 2000 second (Teemu Laine) and third (Thatcher Bell) round draft choices. He was obtained by Tampa Bay from the Islanders on June 24, 2000, along with the rights to Kristian Kudroc and a 2001 second round draft choice (Matthew Spiller) in exchange for 2001 first (Raffi Torres), fourth (Vladimir Gorbunov) and seventh (Ryan Caldwell) round draft choices. On March 5, 2002, he was acquired by Carolina from Tampa Bay in exchange for Shane Willis and Chris Dingman.

[Odjick29]

Kevin is an inconsistent goalie but if he plays with confidence he is pretty solid...

[DaleHunter32]

when the hell is Blackburn gonna be ready?

[Gygax]

Due to the nerve injury he suffered while lifting, Dan Blackburn's career is pretty much over. While he is attempting a comeback, he has been forced to use two blockers. A real tragedy.

Use the search to find out more about this.

[Mr.Jack]

This is as solid of a goaltending the Rangers have had since Richter went down, I doubt its longterm since Montoya is waiting in the wings. And hopefully the Rangers don't rush the guy into the NHL like Blackburn. They already lost LaBarbera, so a Dunham/Weekes duo will probably mean another struggling season for the Rangers.

[KiddYidd]

So, whats the deal? Are the Rangers planning on using Weekes and Dunham as a tandem? What about Montoya and the Swedish fella? A re they going to get a chance to compete?

[Mr.Jack]

So, whats the deal? Are the Rangers planning on using Weekes and Dunham as a tandem? What about Montoya and the Swedish fella? A re they going to get a chance to compete?

Montoya's still in college i believe and the Oilers traded back for Jussi Markenen

[HordiBrusk29]

Dunham is an UFA.

[Gygax]

Originally Posted by Mr.Jack

This is as solid of a goaltending the Rangers have had since Richter went down, I doubt its longterm since Montoya is waiting in the wings. And hopefully the Rangers don't rush the guy into the NHL like Blackburn. They already lost LaBarbera, so a Dunham/Weekes duo will probably mean another struggling season for the Rangers.

The Rangers have already announced Dunham is gone via free agency so he is not an option. LaBarbara was a very good AHLer, nothing more. He was less than impressive in any of his callups with the Rags, actually he was brutal. Weekes will start the season as the #1. Highly regarded Henrik Lundqvist will be in camp as will Al Montoya. Montoya has one year of college eligibility left but I believe signing the contract which he did forgoes that year. I'd predict we see Weekes as #1 with Lundqvist as #2 to start the year. Montoya will likely be in Hartford getting as much PT as possible.

[habsfighter15]

What ever the case is the Rangers don't have solid goaltending this season. Maybe they should've gotten Cujo.

[HordiBrusk29]

Originally Posted by habsfighter15

Maybe they should've gotten Cujo.

The Rangers want to improve their goaltending. Not make it worse.

[Mr.Jack]

If Weekes can play as well as he did in his last year with the Hurricanes, the Rangers could fight for the final playoff spot. Its a two-year deal, $1.9mil in the first year and $2mil in the second year.

[bigjack]

Let me clear up a few things.
Dunham is gone, Labarbra will be given a good opportunity in camp according to Tom Renney. Montoya is signed and along with the swedish kid will get a chance in camp but probably play in Hartford. Blackburn according to Sather is making some progress and they'll wait until training camp to see if he is healthy enough to play at the NHL level or if his career is over.
The Rangers finally have a fulltime goalie coach and feel Labarbra and Weekes have the first crack at playing in NY. There is always a trade possibility also and they also have another kid in college named Chris Holt who they are high on. The goalie situation finally looks ok even with the Blackburn injury.

[BroadwayBlueshirts94]

Originally Posted by Mr.Jack

This is as solid of a goaltending the Rangers have had since Richter went down, I doubt its longterm since Montoya is waiting in the wings. And hopefully the Rangers don't rush the guy into the NHL like Blackburn. They already lost LaBarbera, so a Dunham/Weekes duo will probably mean another struggling season for the Rangers.

Dunham's a ufa he's a goner probably will catch on elsewhere as a backup. According to Sportsdesk Weekes signed a 2 year 3.9 mill dollar contract.

[BroadwayBlueshirts94]

Originally Posted by habsfighter15

What ever the case is the Rangers don't have solid goaltending this season. Maybe they should've gotten Cujo.

Why? It's not like they're contenders, and he's got little to nothing left.