Today the Pittsburgh Penguins announced that they traded for goaltender Mathieu Garon of the Edmonton Oilers.  In exchange, the Oilers got former Penguin backup Dany Sabourin, forward Ryan Stone and a fourth round pick in 2011 (Pens.com).

San Jose Sharks' Patrick Marleau (bottom R) scores a goal against Edmonton Oilers' goalie Mathieu Garon during the second period of their NHL hockey game in Edmonton January 9, 2009. REUTERS/Dan Riedlhuber (CANADA)

Garon has seen better years than the current one.  However, he is just one season removed from outstanding numbers in Edmonton.

This year the 31-year-old goaltender has a 6-8-0 record with 3.17 GAA and .895 SV%.  Those numbers compare to Dany Sabourin’s current season marks of a 2.85 GAA and .898 SV%.  That goes along with a record of 6-8-0.

The trade seems a bit odd and I’ll tell you why.

Garon alone doesn’t seem to match up to everything the Oilers got in return.  Ryan Stone, a talented forward at the AHL level, leaves the Penguins’ organization.  With both goaltenders’ numbers being pretty much the same, with Sabourin getting a slight edge, adding Stone gives the Oilers a distinct trade advantage.

Now add on top of that the fourth round draft pick in 2011 and the Oilers get a steal.  The question that come sto my mind it … why?

Why get rid of a young, mediocre goaltender for an old, mediocre goaltender in the first place?  Then add the extras to it and it’s hard to see where the Pens were coming from when they agreed to the deal.

Garon does have the potential to do better, but I believe he needs to be in the starting role to have more success.  He’s not going to get that chance in Pittsburgh considering the fact the Marc-Andre Fleury has been signed as the long-term solution in net.

The Post-Gazette sees it this way:

… a move apparently designed to give starting goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury a little more competition …

The Tribune-Review had this quote from the Oilers organization:

“Addressing our goaltending situation was a high priority for us,” Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini said. “Moving forward, we believe we’ve accomplished that as well as acquiring some valuable assets for our organization.”

Still a little confusing even after hearing those things.

Garon probably does have more potential to push Fleury and maybe having a vetern on the bench and around Fleury will help him break out of his inconsistencies.  Stone was most likely never going to develop in to anything in the NHL.  And, lastly, the fourth round draft pick would be years in the making to make it to the NHL … if lucky.

Hopefully Garon can come in and pick up some of the slack.  Wouldn’t it be nice if a minor move like this helped to spark the team.

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Chris | PPT

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