Sergei Belski – USA TODAY Sports
Just one day after seeing Miikka Kiprusoff turn in one of his best performances of the season in what was likely the last home game of his career, the Calgary Flames have made a deal that guarantees them at least one veteran goaltender for next season. Joey MacDonald signed a one-year deal with the Flames on Saturday, which could prove to be a great insurance policy if Kiprusoff really does decide to retire.
MacDonald was signed by the Flames after he was placed on waivers by the Detroit Red Wings. He stepped in for an injured Jimmy Howard in Detroit last season and posted an 8-5-1 record with a 2.16 goals-against average before being sidelined with a back injury. After rehabbing during the lockout, he was ready to return but without a spot to play on a Red Wings team that had added Jonas Gustavsson in the offseason. The Flames had just seen Kiprusoff go down with an injury, and found out quickly that MacDonald could help their team.
MacDonald has played in 18 games for the Flames this season, the second-most games he has played in an NHL season in his career (2008-09, 49 games for the New York Islanders). In more than 100 games for the Flames, Red Wings, Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs he has 38 wins and a career 3.02 goals-against average. Without a great supporting cast in front of him, he has still managed a 7-7-1 record with a 2.91 goals-against average this season. Things may not improve much for the Flames next season, and while MacDonald alone won’t be the solution in net signing him for next season is a great step in the right direction.
Jonathan Katje is an NHL senior writer for Rant Sports. You can follow him on Twitter or add him to your circles on Google Plus.
