CALGARY FLAMES PRESS: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Flames sign Theodore, and Iginla to an offer sheet.
The Calgary Flames are pleased to announce the free agent signing of goaltender Jose Theodore. Theodore played last season for the San Jose Sharks, where he had a record of 45 wins and 17 losses, with a GAA of 2.13 and a save percentage of .910.
GM Kershaw commented on the signing. "We feel that Jose is one of the best goalies out there, and it was fortunate that in the cap era, a team like San Jose can let a player like this go. We really felt that the team needed a star player at the position. After losing Roberto Luongo to free agency the year before we felt that Andrew (Raycroft) was not in the position to handle the every day responsibility. We feel this is a fantastic situation for him to back-up and learn from Jose."
When responding to critism that the offer was too large and that Theodore was past it, the General Manager said "You forget that Jose is just a couple of season removed from a Vezina in the NHL, and that he is only 30, an age where many goalies come into their own."
With back-up goalies Seb Caron, Mike Morrison and Jason Labarbera on the roster, expect one of those to be moved as well.
In other news: The Flames have signed forward Jarome Iginla to an offer sheet at the league max. Iginla, who is property of the Ottawa Senators, played in 82 games last season, scoring 34 goals and 60 points, while playing on the second line behind Jaromir Jagr.
The GM was confident that this was a good move, despite the fact that the team now has four RW'ers capable in playing in the top six forwards - with Hejduk and Michael Ryder recently signing a contract extensions, and Fedotenko still in the fold - and the fact that the team will have cap problems with both Iginla and Theodore on the roster.
"Jarome is regarded as one of the top players in the world - and we think the best power forward in the game, something this team lacks. We traded Jarome for Luongo, and lost Luongo as an RFA. The compensation in that deal was 5 1st round picks. We sign Jarome and lose 4 1st round picks, so thanks to the new CBA things are coming around full circle, and we gained a 1st rounder in the process. We also have multiple first rounds picks in every year except the fourth year of the deal, so we have those picks to play with." said the GM, "As for the cap space.. we will have to move a high priced salary, and a salary in the million dollar range. And don't forget, Ottawa has every right to match the offer sheet."
The player with the heaviest salary that is likely to be moved is defenceman Brian Leetch, especially with youngsters Steve Eminger and Zbynek Michalek ready for full time NHL duty. In addition, players like Zednik, Sergei Brylin or PJ Axelson could see their days as Flames numbered.