When talking about backup goaltending options, we’d be foolish to ignore players that Peter Chiarelli and/or Todd McLellan trust. For Chiarelli, there are a few options open to him via free agency whom he is familiar with. One of those options is Chad Johnson, who we talked about yesterday and who played for the GM in Boston back in 2013-14.
Another option? Anton Khudobin, who played for Chiarelli in Boston back in 2011-12 and 2012-13. The 30 year old netminder is slated to hit the open market on July 1st.
Why Is He Out There?:
The Anaheim Ducks are loaded in net. The team has John Gibson as their goalie of the future at the NHL level and they have him under contract for another three years. Gibson simply isn’t going anywhere and will occupy one of the Ducks NHL roster spots in net.
Frederick Andersen is a pending RFA and is established as an NHL starter. He may be trade bait, but the Ducks could elect to keep him and roll with the two youngsters again next season.
Meanwhile, in the system, Anaheim has Matt Hackett and prospect Kevin Boyle under contract for next season. Khudobin, who played in the AHL this past season, simply does not fit in with the Ducks anymore.
What Does He Do Well?:
Just as I did with Chad Johnson yesterday, I will allow The Hockey News to describe Khudobin to you via their scouting report, which can be read here.
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Khudobin has NHL experience and has played quite well for stretches over the last few years. While in Carolina (2013-14, 2014-15) he actually pushed Cam Ward for the starting role. In 2013-14, he posted an extremely strong .926 SV% in 36 games. He came back to earth with a .900 mark in 34 contests in 2014-15, prompting his trade to Anaheim last June.
This past season, Khudobin posted a .909 SV% in nine games with the Ducks, but he clearly never looked comfortable in his new home.
Throughout his NHL career, Khudobin has been wildly inconsistent, clocking in anywhere between .900 and .926 on the SV% chart. That’s quite a large net cast by the 30 year old veteran. Flashes of strong play (2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14) have shown that he can play at the NHL level, but he hasn’t been able to do that enough to stick. He’s certainly a tweener goalie.
Where Will He Play / Where Should He Play?:
Obviously, Anton Khudobin would be the backup goalie if Edmonton signed him this off-season. Barring a major collapse by Cam Talbot and a massive surge by Khudobin, there is almost no way that the veteran could pass Edmonton’s new man in the net.
In reality, that is exactly where Khudobin belongs, as a backup goalie. There is also a chance that he sees time as the number three in the Oilers system should Brossoit show improvements in training camp.
What Will He Cost:
After his stellar 2013-14 season, the Hurricanes inked the goalie to a two-year deal worth $2,500,000 per season. After spending a large chunk (31 games) of this past season in the AHL, it is safe to say that a pay cut is coming for this goalie.
A one-year deal somewhere around the $1,000,000 mark is likely to get Khudobin to sign this summer. There really isn’t a market for veteran who played in the AHL last season.
Closing Argument:
Without doubt, Peter Chiarelli will be shopping for a goaltender this off-season. The team needs some sort of insurance in case Laurent Brossoit isn’t ready this fall, and a veteran would be ideal. Anton Khudobin may be an ideal candidate for a number of reasons. He’s a veteran, is familiar with Chiarelli and can serve as the number two or three option in Edmonton.
If the Oilers want to go with a cheaper option who can be sent down the AHL and be used as insurance, then Khudobin might be the perfect fit for the club. He should certainly be affordable come July 1st.
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