Doug Armstrong was fairly forthcoming about adding goaltending depth through free agency, be it for the AHL or NHL level. Today, he just kind of covered both bases. The Blues signed UFA Brian Elliott, late of the Colorado Avalanche. While he isn't exactly the member of the Avs that most Blues fans would have liked to have poached (I would have preferred the Pepsi vendor in the upper bowl), he does serve the purpose of lighting the proverbial fire under Ben Bishop's butt. Says Blues' General Manager Doug Armstrong:
“We were looking for a goaltender to come in and compete with Ben Bishop for the second spot behind Jaroslav Halak,” said Armstrong. "This move strengthens our goaltending position in the organization."
It actually does, in the AHL. Regardless of who winds up as backup, the Blues still have Jake Allen in Peoria getting sharp, as well as a solid number one for the Rivermen. The trick is managing it in St. Louis. Elliott had a 15-27-9 record last season with a 3.34 GAA and an .893 SV%. He also had three shutouts.
According to beat writer Jim Rutherford, the Blues sit at $49 million in spent cap space at the end of day one of free agency. They have 23 players under contract.
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