Kings Acquire Cloutier from Canucks

[rinkrat]

The Los Angeles Kings have acquired goaltender Dan Cloutier from the Vancouver Canucks for a second-round pick in the 2007 NHL Draft and a conditional pickin 2009, Kings GM Dean Lombardi announced on Wednesday.

“Dan is a proven number one goaltender who gives us stability at a critical position. His game has continued to evolve and I believe his best years are ahead of him. Most importantly, he brings leadership and a competitive fire that translates through to his teammates,” said Lombardi.

Cloutier, 30, played in 13 games this past season with the Canucks, posting a 8-3-1 record, a 3.17 goals-against-average and a .892 save-percentage. He was limited to 13 games due to a knee injury suffered on November 20, 2005 that put him out for the remainder of the season.

[meman]

Why is it that the Kings feel they have to take on other teams Goaltending problems (Fiset, Potvin, Checmanek, Cloutier). When they get Boo'd out of one town we feel the need to trade draft picks for them. I hope they let Garon play, He's a way better Goalie.

[88fingerslukee]

I don't like Cloutier at all, but we didn't give up a WHOLE lot to get him.

I think Garon is a better goalie but I also believe he needs to be pushed. What better than a dude who was a #1 somewhere else to force Garon's hand?

I hope this helps but I'm highly skeptical.

I hope it's not a given that Cloutier will be the number one goalie when training camp opens. He's going to have to earn it over Garon & LaBarbara (or anyone else) based upon pre-season performance.

[jofa6000]

I%u2019m speechless, with all the goalies we could've gotten we went and got a has-been and leftovers from other teams. What-a-hell is DL doing to this team.

[jlhamon]

any other has-beens on the market? I think there's still some cap space available to blow away...
I'm REALLY hoping Lombardi pulls it off and we're spending next May and June pulling our collective foot out of our mouth!

[jcharris99]

Personally, I like this deal. We didn't give up much for Cloutier and he will definitely push Garon. I know he has a rap as being soft in the playoffs but hell, let's deal with that problem when we get there. He was a solid regular season goaltender for Vancouver and he adds depth to the position. Getting him without giving up a roster player is a good move in my book.

Originally Posted by jcharris99

Personally, I like this deal. We didn't give up much for Cloutier and he will definitely push Garon. I know he has a rap as being soft in the playoffs but hell, let's deal with that problem when we get there. He was a solid regular season goaltender for Vancouver and he adds depth to the position. Getting him without giving up a roster player is a good move in my book.

Ya we gave up 2 Future Roster players.

[K 4 L]

Im guessing this means DL is either gonna trade Garon, or thinks he is only worthy to be a backup?

Well, for a team that needs a a goalie, how about a trade w/ Garon/Belanger/Miller ... we COULD get a really good scorer in return for those 3 packaged together.

Then out of the whole situation we can have Cloutier and Labarbera, and a good forward while getting rid of Miller and Belanger.

I like the move. Garon was not consistent and LaBarbara doesn't look like an NHL caliber goalie, although I still like him. Cloutier will at the least push Garon to be a better goalie, at best Cloutier will win the #1 job and be the team MVP. We can all hope.

[jcharris99]

Originally Posted by KingsFan24

Ya we gave up 2 Future Roster players.

...maybe. A 2nd rounder and a conditional 2nd rounder aren't sure fire players by any means. Good point though.

Cloutier can really fight. I wonder if Ron Hextall was pushing to get this guy? Hextall was a fighting goalie too. I wouldn't mind seeing Bryzgalov or Gigure getting pummeled by Cloutier in a Kings sweater.

[KINGSFAN1]

the Kings are makin some good acquisitions and hopefully dean knows whats hes doin blake is a great defenseman tht will help are defense and power play cloutier has had success in da past and will carry on to us alyn mcauley is like EBEL maybe well see him go and thornton is a physical player and willsie can score once in a while hopefuly dean will surprise us by makin more acquisitions and well visit lord stanley and bring it to LA

GO KINGS GO

[Stemmer]

We went after Blake because we lost out on the Chara sweepstakes. Come on Blakey is going on 37 in Dec and when his contract is done he'll be 39. I like Blake but one of 10 years ago would have been better. As for the Cloutier, never really had much confidence in his abilities. Has really struggled with giving up bad goals at inoppportune times. I guess Crawford knows what he has and Lombardi and co are putting their collective stamp on this franchise. What they need to get are real front line players...like a Naslund,& Ohlund...I hear something.... it's Lombardi and he's conjuring up another deal...I always liked Lombardi I just never thought he was a great architect...usually when a GM gets hired from another organization he brings players with him...I'm wondering why Lombardi didn't sign Lars Jonsson,surely he had to have known the Flyers were interested in getting him. We could've had another good young D-man to work into our aging defensive corps.

[MARCELDIONNE16]

DAN CLOUTIER IS A GREAT GOALIE... but he had a knee injury in november 2005... he could practically kiss his career goodbye. its a low risk trade, only a second round pick (and a conditional third round pick if they make the playoffs)so i say great, this way he is trade bait, for wingers which the kings are in dire need of. plus itll make room on the depth charts and get guys in the system, especially Matt Zaba, Barry brust and Fukufuji, not to mention Zatkoff and Bernier. As for LaBarbera, it seems as though he bounced back from that family crisis and can challange garon for the backup seat, as garon challanges cloutier for the starting spot. all in all i believe the kings have gone from one of the worst goaltending teams to one of the best. more power to 'em!