One is tempted to read so much into the Anaheim Ducks' swap of goaltender Curtis McElhinney for goalie Dan Ellis of the Tampa Bay Lightning this morning.
It happened less than 24 hours after the Ducks called up Ray Emery from his 3-game conditioning stint in the AHL. It happened after starter Jonas Hiller told reporters that his doctors suspect he's suffering from vertigo, telling Ducks Blog:
"I think the problem is nothing really hurts. It's not like I have a headache and can say my headache's less than the day before. The symptoms are less. It's just a feeling I have, kind of an uncomfortable feeling. I can't really say it's better or not as bad."
It happened roughly five days ahead of the NHL trade deadline, with the Lightning shedding some cap space in flipping Ellis ($1.5 million) for McElhinney ($535,000), as well as swapping out a goalie with another year on his deal for one that goes unrestricted next summer.
In fact Dwayne Roloson, Mike Smith and McElhinney are all UFAs after this season. Does GM Steve Yzerman have someone in mind for between the pipes?
As for the Ducks, the Ellis move does more than drag the "Dan Ellis Problems" Internet meme out of mothballs. It gives them a solid, veteran keeper who had played well in limited chances during 2011. He's familiar with the Western Conference, he's durable and he's an upgrade over McElhinney, who was losing games for the Ducks in Hiller's absence.
As GM Bob Murray said in the Ducks' release:
"We are excited to acquire a goaltender of Dan's caliber, someone we feel can help us immediately," said Ducks Executive Vice President/General Manager Bob Murray. "He has experience playing in big games down the stretch."
If Emery falters or, god forbid, gets reinjured, Ellis gives this team a better chance at making the postseason without Hiller than McElhinney. There's no denying that, or that it's worth the move at this price.
Here's a look at the rest of the impending free-agent goalies, as we approach the deadline. Might the Blues move Ty Conklin?
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