In Lou We Trust

TSN is reporting that the New Jersey Devils have signed goaltender Kevin Weekes. As Lou Lamoriello states in the article, Weekes was signed primarily to be an experienced back-up goaltender for Martin Brodeur.

Well, this is likely the end of Scott Clemmensen's career in New Jersey unless he wants to sign with Lowell. Don't be fooled by Weekes' numbers from last season, Weekes is a capable goaltender. He was a starting goaltender a couple years back for Carolina prior to the lockout and did pretty well. He's only been the back-up in New York due to the emergence of Henrik Lundqvist. Needless to say, Weekes will once again be a back-up for Brodeur.

The question that should be asked is whether the signing of Weekes means Brodeur will play less than 70 games. I've stated before that I think it would be best to let the best goaltender in hockey decide how many games he wants to play. However, it would not be the worst thing in the world for Brodeur to get a rest and Weekes to get 15-20 starts - as Weekes is a much more experienced and proven talent than Clemmensen. Knowing what I know about Weekes, I have no problem with him getting starts provided he gets ice time more regularly then Clemmensen has got over in recent seasons. Of course, the Devils can have Brodeur play 70 games or more provided Brodeur has no problem with playing that much (and all indications during his career show that it is not a problem). But I don't think Weekes can be like Corey Schwab, play once in a six week span and still provide quality goaltending (I don't think many goaltenders can do that, much less want to).

$1.375 million over two years (I hope I'm reading the article right that it's $1.375 million over two year) for a quality back-up goaltending option is a great price. Even if Weekes sees less than 10 games in action, the Devils did not pay a lot for a solid insurance option; let's be realistic, if Brodeur goes down due to injury, the Devils are in serious trouble - period. If Weekes plays a relatively decent amount of games and does well in net, giving the best goaltender in the NHL more rest, then it's a great bargin.

What's more, Kevin Weekes' has his own website with his own (very catchy) theme song. (Someone on HFBoards pointed this out. Thanks.)

As an aside, if you need further proof as to why Lou Lamoriello is excellent at being a general manager, consider the past few days. He's addressed team needs by signing free agents without overpaying them - keeping Johnny Oduya, Karel Rachunek, Dainius Zubrus, and now Weekes. More amazingly, he's doing all this with a vacancy at the head coaching position - these guys are signing with New Jersey without knowing who will coach them in the coming season. That is simply astonishing, in my opinion.