Tomas Vokoun missed all of last season with a blood-clot problem but he said he’s ready to play next season.
The 38-year-old goaltender told Stephen Whyno of The Canadian Press that despite missing the entirety of the 2013-14 season, he’s ready to get back between the pipes for any team in need.
“I don’t feel like I’ve missed a season, if that makes any sense,” Vokoun said in a phone interview last week from his home in South Florida. “I know what to do, I’ve played the game for 30 years. I played over 700 games in the NHL, I know mentally what I need to do.”
Vokoun was with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season and a team in need of a veteran backup goalie could come calling. One possible destination could be an old haunt in Washington where Braden Holtby could use a little assistance.
There aren’t many goalie jobs to be had out there so the competition could be fierce to find a place to land. One thing’s for sure, if Vokoun does come back and performs well, put him near the front of the discussion for next year’s Masterton Trophy.