Lots of buzz surrounding Florida goalie Scott Clemmensen after the Panthers recalled Jacob Markstrom from the AHL to back up Jose Theodore tonight versus the Penguins.
Coach Kevin Dineen says Clemmensen, who had knee surgery during the preseason, is being held out with “soreness.”
“It’s just a chance for us to keep making sure that I’ve got guys feeling 100 percent,” Dineen said, as per NHL.com. “If it was later in the season, our decision-making would be different than it is. I was going to go back with Theo tonight and felt that the extra day or two off the ice would benefit [Clemmensen] more than having him out there practicing today and backing up tonight.”
Fair enough, coach.
Wait, you sure it has nothing to do with Clemmensen being traded? Possibly to Toronto?
That’s what the Sun Sentinel is wondering.
Clemmensen, 34, is a prime trade candidate. He’s cheap ($1.2 million cap hit); his contract expires at the end of the season; and based on Tuesday’s shutout versus the Dallas Stars, he can still get the job done.