I just think Condon's performance last year is being romanticized based on the way the season turned out. He did a solid job, but nothing extraordinary, and played behind a very structured and defensive minded team. He has been a fringe NHLer his whole career, I don't expect him to all of a sudden develop into a starting caliber goalie at age 27-28. He's a solid backup to me, nothing more nothing less, and his contract should resemble that.
Chad Johnson has played 30-40 games the past two seasons at a relatively effective level that is comparable to what Condon did this past season. Plus Johnson has always been a solid backup. So I'm confident he could replicate what Condon gave us and will give us going forward. I actually think Johnson is a better goalie than Condon, so if the Sabres are getting him at $1.9M AAV, then it just further reinforces my belief that we overpaid for Condon.
Let's see what some of these goalie deals start coming in at over the next few days. I have no problem with the team paying a little more for a "super backup" with starting potential who may play up to 40 games and eventually take over for Andy.
Problem is, I don't see Condon as that type of guy. Quite honestly, I don't see much difference between the talent level and potential of guys like Condon, Johnson, Kinkaid, etc. - I think they're all just standard backups.