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Vokoun says he’s ready to play next season

Tomas Vokoun

Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tomas Vokoun waves to fans after being introduced before the season opening NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils in Pittsburgh Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013. Vokoun is recovering from blood clots and may not return to action for three to six months. The Penguins won 3-0. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

AP

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.

Follow @JoeYerdonPHT