Mike Condon, Are His Days in Montreal Numbered? (Part 2)
by Matt Smith, Staff Writer/Social Media Specialist, All Habs Hockey Magazine
Last week I wrote an article on Canadiens goaltender Mike Condon titled Mike Condon, Are His Days Numbered in Montreal? It is about his performance during the 2015-2016 season including a prediction of where he could possibly end up before the start of the season. If you missed it, please have a look.
Let’s just say my prediction of the Habs moving Condon to the Anaheim likely won’t happen after the Maple Leafs traded goaltender Jonathan Bernier to the Ducks for a conditional draft pick in 2017 after paying his $2 million signing bonus.
According to coach Mike Babcock, the Maple Leafs are now looking for a more experienced backup after the departure of Bernier who finished the season with a 12-21-3 record with a 2.88 goals against average and a .908 save percentage. “Now we have to find a good pro to come in and support him (Andersen), and we’ll do that,” said Babcock.
Many thought Garret Sparks would be the logical replacement for Bernier after Sparks appeared in 17 games for the Maple Leafs last season. Leafs management, however, seem to be doubting his readiness to provide suitable goaltending as an NHL backup.
The Maple Leafs are going through a huge transition at the moment as we all know as they enter their 100th season as a franchise, but they will certainly need to address their backup goaltending situation in the coming weeks.
While names such as Karri Ramo, Jhonas Enroth, Ben Scrivens, and Anders Lindback are all currently looking for a new NHL team, Mike Condon could very well be a trade target, especially after the Habs signed goaltender Al Montoya during free agency to backup Carey Price.
Below are the 2015-2016 records for each goaltender I have mentioned, as well as their GAA, SV% and total shutouts.
Mike Condon (Montreal Canadiens)
2015-2016 Record: 21-25-6
2.71 Goals Against Average
.903 Save Percentage
1 Shutout
Karri Ramo (Calgary Flames)
2015-2016 Record: 17-18-1
2.63 Goals Against Average
.909 Save Percentage
1 Shutout
Jhonas Enroth (Los Angeles Kings)
2015-2016 Record: 7-5-1
2.17 Goals Against Average
.922 Save Percentage
2 Shutouts
Ben Scrivens (Montreal Canadiens)
2015-2016 Record: 5-8-0
3.07 Goals Against Average
.906 Save Percentage
0 Shutouts
Anders Lindback (Arizona Coyotes)
2015-2016 Record: 5-7-1
3.11 Goals Against Average
.894 Save Percentage
0 Shutouts
Garret Sparks (Toronto Maple Leafs)
2015-2016 Record: 6-9-1
3.02 Goals Against Average
.893 Save Percentage
1 Shutout
Comparing these stats to that of Mike Condon, Condon appeared in the most games (55), recorded the most wins (21) and ranks third in GAA (2.71) and fourth in SV% (.903).
The Maple Leafs did state that they’re looking for an experienced backup and even though Mike Condon made his NHL debut just last season, he did become the starting goaltender for one of the biggest hockey markets in the entire NHL. Condon is 26 years old, has a very low cap hit of $575,000 and will become a UFA after the 2016-2017 season.
Mike Condon does not have a no-movement clause attached to his two-year contract, and is not waivers exempt. The question now is will the Montreal Canadiens consider moving him to a division rival? If so, who could they target in the Maple Leafs organization, or could they possibly move him for a draft selection?
General Manager Marc Bergevin has already surprised us many times this offseason, could the next be that the Habs have moved Mike Condon to the Toronto Maple Leafs?
[poll id=”193″]
In some ways I will not be surpriused if Mike was traded and although normally the HABS do not trade with the Leafs as the Leafs are in need of a goaler the HABS could ask for a premium and that being instead of a player due to the HABS being over the 23 players allowed on a 1 way contract could easily ask for a 2nd or 3rd round draft choice,
I like Condon and he played well , unfortunately he got lousy goal support . Saying that they would do well to get a 4th .
Goal support? That’s certainly a backwards way to spin it when Condon’s GAA was 2.71.
No spin. When Price was playing in there early winning streak , the team was averaging over 3 goals a game.When he was gone , it was 2 goals a game . Not spin , fact .
Sent from my iPad
You have posted many times that you have no use for statistics. Now your comment contains a sweeping generality that you try to spin as fact. It is just plain silly to claim that Condon played as well as Price pointing to goal support as the only difference between the two. Last season, Price had a 2.06 goals against average with a .934 save percentage. Condon’s numbers were 2.71 GAA with .903 Sv% near the bottom of starting goaltenders.
Remarkably, Price had a 7.08 GSAA in just 12 games played ranking 13th in the league. Condon’s GSAA was a pitiful -16.86 in 55 GP ranking 67th.
he is a sound backup to carey..he needs more experience but considering the experience he had entering last season and what he was thrust into..he did excellent and deserves to stay in Montreal..trading him could be a big mistake down the road…somewhat like the rask for raycoft deal..i know he is does not have the potential of rask but you never know when he gets some actual excellent coaching time in…
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