Vokoun Out Indefinitely. Where Do The Pens Go From Here?

So after the pre season game against Columbus yesterday we found out that backup goalie Tomas Vokoun will be out indefinitely after finding a blot clot in his pelvis.  He left the morning skater early after finding swelling in his leg.  With Vokoun on the shelf till God only knows when, the Pens will be going to Jeff Zatkoff as the back up to Marc Andre Fleury.  Zatkoff spent the last 2 years in Wilks Barre.  Zatkoff has very little NHL experience so it begs the question, "Will the Pens look for a back up goalie?"  If that answer is yes we take a look at 4 candidates who could fill that void.

1. Jose Theodore

Theodore is 37 so he's near the end of his career and spent the last 2 seasons with the Florida Panthers.  He was drafted 44th overall by Montreal in 1994.  He's played 648 games in the NHL totaling 286 wins and 254 losses.  He also has a career save percentage of .909 and a Goals Against Average of 2.68.  Theodore would make sense in the fact that he would bring some veteran leadership to the locker room and he knows how to win.  He would be a solid back up.  The downside is he is 37 and near the end of his career so you may only get one season out of him.

2. Rick Dipietro

Rick Dipietro.  Yeah that guy.  Dipietro showed flashes of brilliance in his career but lately it's been mostly downhill for him.  He has 130 wins and 136 losses over his career.  Out of the 4th goalies we are gonna list DiPietro is our least favorite.  Like we said, it's been all downhill for him recently plus he is very prone to injury.  And lets be honest.  This is really the only thing Rick Dipietro is know for:

And remember kids.  Suicide jokes are funny.

3. Johan Hedberg

Hedberg spent the last few years with the New Jersey Devils after bouncing around to multiple teams in the NHL.  Hedberg was a solid backup to Marty Brodeur.  Hedberg is 40 and near the end of his career like Theodore so you may only get one year out of him as well.  The one reason we would want Hedberg to come to Pittsburgh is from a nostalgia stand point.  What are we talking about you ask?  Let us refresh your memory...

 "Mooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose"

Hedberg is a former Penguin who won some big time games back in the day.  If called upon could he do it if Fleury still can't get his head right?  Who knows.  Still.  This isn't the goalie we'd want the Pens to sign.  He is a close 2nd to this man.....

4. Ilya Bryzgalov

Yes.  Ilya Bryzgalov.  Who most recently played for the Flyers.  Probably a forgettable time for him but for everyone else it was unlimited comedy.  Yes Bryzgalov is a head case....BUT.  He's 32 so he still has years in front of him.  He has also shown signs of brilliance during his time as a Phoenix Coyote.  To us Bryzgalov makes the most sense.  He has years left to play.  Hes not fragile and injury prone like Rick DiPietro.  Plus he's proven that he can play and win which could take some pressure off of Fleury.  Plus Signing Bryz would be the ultimate troll move by the Pens.  And you know if the Pens sign Bryz, he's going to shut out the Flyers.....In Philadelphia.

So there you have it kids. 4 legitimate options for the Pens at back up.  Hopefully the Pens do the right thing and give everyone what they want and sign Ilya Bryzgalov.

Also...If you haven't yet...sign up for the Heyyyyy Fannnssss GM Connected League on X Box 360.  A list of teams already taken is in a previous post so go back and check  out which teams are available.  To claim a team just shoot @YouMeAndDupuis or @kingling43 a tweet on twitter with the team you want and your X Box gamertag.

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Go Pens