Late Monday the Hawks announced that they had traded a 7th round pick in this June's draft for Calgary cast off, 6'6" 29 year old Henrik Karlsson. Karlsson is a former San Jose Shark free agent signee, who was later traded to Calgary. The Hawks assigned him to Rockford. He will join newly recalled Kent Simpson as the forth goaltender on the Icehogs roster.
Don't pull your happy pants on just yet, because this is a depth move. Karlsson and Leland Irving were basically told they their services were no longer need and they were put on waivers last week. If the Hawks were really that hot for Karlsson, they could have scooped him up, sans draft pick, then. This makes one think, if this guy was an undesirable in Calgary, just how much will he provide for the Hawks? None, basically.
I'm not entirely sure just why the Hogs need FOUR goalies, but that is just what mess they have. Carter Hutton is expected to possibly be suspended after getting involved in the bench clearing brawl Saturday, and getting ejected. According to Chris Block from The Third Man In, backup Alec Richards looked deplorable after relieving Hutton, Saturday. Hawks prospect Kent Simpson was already recalled from Toledo and played in a 6-3 loss to Texas Monday afternoon, while Hutton was scratched. I have to think that Simpson will be sent back to Toledo, and Karlsson will take over the backup duties if Hutton is suspended.
You can officially add me to the head scratcher list.
Henrik Karlsson shuts the door 11/4/11
Henrik Karlsson thinks fast 12/21/10
Henrik Karlsson point-blank saves 10/22/10
Henrik Karlsson sliding pad save 10/10/11