Jackets acquire Irbe

[eatwonton]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (CP) - The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired goaltender Arturs Irbe from the Carolina Hurricanes for future considerations on Wednesday.

Irbe, 37, split the season between Johnstown of the ECHL and the Hurricanes. In 10 for Carolina last season, the Latvian was 5-2-1 with a 2.45 goals-against average and an .899 save percentage.

Fred Brathwaite backed up starter Marc Denis last season.

``Arturs Irbe is a proven National Hockey League goaltender who has played in two all-star games and led Carolina to the Stanley Cup finals in 2002,'' Blue Jackets GM Doug MacLean said in a statement. ``He is coming off an outstanding performance at this year's world championships and we felt this was a good opportunity for us to add a proven veteran to our mix at that position.''

During his 13-year career, Irbe has appeared in 568 career NHL games, collecting 218 wins, 33 shutouts and a 2.83 GAA.

The 218 wins leave him second to Dominik Hasek's 296 among European-born goaltenders in the NHL.


``We thank Archie for his good years with the Hurricanes,'' GM Jim Rutherford said in a statement. ``I'm happy that we could accommodate giving him an opportunity to play in the NHL in the future.''
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hmmm?

[BOLT]

Didn't see that coming. Makes sense though, a good veteran backup for Denis.

[Gatt]

And Josh takes to the streets in rejoicing!

[Wizardzik]

[newovad]

Was Irbe still on contract with the 'Canes? I remember he had a pretty nice deal even when he was playing in the lower minors.

[Sam]

Wow, I knew they wanted Irbe out but I'm shocked they actually did it. He had I think a year left at 2.5 mil. I was so looking foward to a Weekes/Irbe combo...do they think Cam Ward is ready? I sure as hell hope it's not PDR or Storr backing him up...though...maybe they're banking on Zepp to be the backup

[Mephisto]

2.5 million? Yuck...

But Irbe is good!

Pascal has another AHL season left eh

[DrezzXIII]

Sam, it will probably be Desrochers.

Ward and Zepp need more experience. They'll play a handful of games if there's a season next year, but I'd highly doubt they'd be qualified enough to be a backup.

[Sam]

Zepp will be 23 by the time the season starts, how much more experience do you need? =/

[pkayna]

Originally Posted by Sam

Wow, I knew they wanted Irbe out but I'm shocked they actually did it. He had I think a year left at 2.5 mil. I was so looking foward to a Weekes/Irbe combo...do they think Cam Ward is ready? I sure as hell hope it's not PDR or Storr backing him up...though...maybe they're banking on Zepp to be the backup

dont worry... the canes will recieve a good backup realll soon i predict...