One of the top backup goaltenders expected to be available in free agency this summer is now off the market, as the Ottawa Senators announced they have signed Mike Condon to a three-year contract worth $7.2 million.
The contract will pay $1.7 million in year one, $2.5 million in year two, and $3 million in year three.
The 27-year-old Condon is coming off a career season in which he made 38 starts and appeared in 40 games for the Senators, after appearing in just one game for the Pittsburgh Penguins from whom he was acquired on Nov. 2 in exchange for a fifth-round pick (Jan Drozg) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
Condon set several Senators' franchise records during the 2016-17 regular season while filling in for goalie Craig Anderson during his several personal leaves. Condon played in a franchise-best 27 consecutive games from Dec. 1 through Feb. 4, became the fastest goalie in team history to record five shutouts - doing so in just 32 games - and along with Anderson, became the franchise's first goaltending tandem to each record at least five shutouts in a single season.
Condon was named the Molson Cup Award winner as the team's top player for both December and January. He finished the regular season with a 19-14-6 record, a .914 save percentage, and a 2.50 GAA with five shutouts. He appeared in relief of Anderson in two postseason games, stopping 28 of 32 shots faced.
The Montreal Canadiens signed Condon to a two-year contract as an undrafted free agent in May of 2013, after he completed his final season with the NCAA's Princeton Tigers. Condon got his first true shot in the NHL as an injury replacement for Carey Price during the 2015-16 season, making 51 starts and appearing in 55 games. He posted a 21-25-6 record with a .903 SV% and a 2.71 GAA.
Condon will serve at least one more season as the Senators' backup goaltender, as Anderson is a free agent after the 2017-18 season for which he carries a $4.2-million cap hit.
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