Panthers Sign Goaltender Clemmensen to Three-Year Contract

The Florida Panthers added some goaltending depth to their line-up hours after losing Craig Anderson via free agency by signing Scott Clemmensen to a three-year contract worth $3.6 million. The deal averages out to $1.2 million per season. Clemmensen was forced into the starting position last season with the New Jersey Devils after Martin Brodeur was sidelined with an arm injury for four months. In 40 games last season with the Devils, Clemmensen posted an impressive 25-13-1 record with a 2.39 GAA and a .917 save percentage. Not a bad signing for the Panthers, as Clemmensen proved last season that he could handle the starter’s role when called upon. He gives the team a solid back-up goaltender if Vokoun should struggle or miss time with an injury.

Devils Lose Brodeur for 3-4 Months After Elbow Surgery

The New Jersey Devils learned on Tuesday that goaltender Martin Brodeur will miss the next 3-4 months after elbow surgery to repair torn bicep tendons. Brodeur sustained the injury over the weekend in what the team was originally calling a bruised elbow. He is expected to return by the end of the regular season. Backup goaltender Kevin Weekes is expected to see the majority of the starts in Brodeur's absence. Scott Clemmensen was recalled by the Devils to backup Weekes. Brodeur was poised to rewrite the NHL record book this season in the all-time wins and shutouts column. He needs seven victories to tie Patrick Roy's record of 551 wins and also needs five shutouts to tie Terry Sawchuk's record of 103. This is a serious blow to the Devils, as Brodeur played the majority of the games in goal for the team. While Weekes is a more than capable goaltender, he has seen little action over the past few seasons. Clemmensen has seen even less NHL action over the same time period. If Weekes and Clemmensen falter in net for the Devils over the coming months, the team may be forced to make a trade to avoid missing the playoffs.