Tampa’s deadline deal dooms Garon’s future with the club
Classy backup copes with being a discard
Mathieu Garon knows how to read between the lines, especially when the writing is on the wall. The Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender said he has not spoken with general manager Steve Yzerman about his future with the club. But after Tampa Bay acquired Ben Bishop at the trade deadline, it did not take a rocket scientist to figure out that Garon will not be re-signed. Yzerman confirmed the plan is for Bishop and Anders Lindback, at least as 2013-14 begins, to share duties in net. “I know what it is,” Garon said. “I’ve been around long enough to know the situation.” And that leaves the pending unrestricted free agent in what would seem an uncomfortable situation, playing for a team he knows will discard him at season’s end. That became even clearer Monday, when Bishop signed a two-year, $4.6-million U.S. contract extension through 2014-15. Asked if his circumstances sting a bit, Garon said: “Well, I’m sure you can draw your own conclusions. It’s not the easiest situation.” Garon, 35, who signed in July 2011 to a two-year deal, has been a good soldier, first as the backup for Dwayne Roloson and this season as backup for Lindback. When Roloson faltered during 201112, Garon was the de facto No. 1 and went on a 12-3-2 streak that had Tampa Bay in the playoff race until a torn groin ended his season in March. His statistics this season — 5-9-2 in 18 games with a 2.90 goals-against average and a .897 save percentage — are not as robust. But Garon has not lost in regulation in his past three starts or his past four appearances (2-0-2). Part of that has been his irregular playing schedule. Also, there’s the compressed season schedule because of the lockout that leaves little time for practice. “It’s hard, but I don’t want to use excuses or anything,” Garon said. “It’s my job every time we step on the ice to get ready.” That kind of level-headed response, and how Garon has gone about his business, has reinforced what his teammates knew. “Ultimate class,” coach Jon Cooper said. “After the trade (for Bishop), we spoke, and naturally, I’d feel the same way. But that’s it. He got up the next morning and turned the page and, ‘Let’s go, boys.’ He’s been great for us.” “It’s tough,” captain Vinny Lecavalier said. “Tough times, that’s really when you see how people are, and he’s handling things the right way, for sure.” There’s not much more to do. To get a new contract somewhere, Garon has to impress any team watching. That’s another reason his work Saturday in Washington, where in notable relief of Bishop he held off the Capitals before losing 6-5 in overtime. “Probably the only thing I can do right now is have good games,” Garon said. “Besides that, there’s not much I can control.”