Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Mathieu Garon said the groin injury that ended his 2011-12 season is healed and he is ready to split time with newly acquired Anders Lindback.
Lightning coach Guy Boucher told the Tampa Bay Times on Friday that he will not rely solely on Lindback, acquired in June in a trade with the Nashville Predators.
GAA: 2.85 | SVP: 0.901
Lindback played 38 games for the Predators as the backup to Pekka Rinne the past two seasons, going 16-13-2.
Garon appeared in 48 games for the Lightning last season, splitting time with Dwayne Roloson. Garon was on a 12-3-2 streak when he injured his groin March 6, ending his season at 23-16-4 with a 2.85 goals-against average and .901 save percentage.
After acquiring Lindback, Boucher reportedly called Garon to tell him not to think like a backup.
"With my experience, whatever a coach tells you, it's never set in stone, but it's good for him to tell me to prepare," Garon said.
Garon in turn called Lindback, offering support to the 24-year-old.
"I talked to him and welcomed him and told him whatever you need through the year, I'll be there to help you," Garon, 34, said.
Lindback, forward Kyle Wilson and a draft pick were obtained from Nashville in exchange for three draft picks and goalie Sebastian Caron. Lindback in July signed a two-year contract reportedly worth $3.6 million.
"We know he's going to be good, but how good we don't know," Boucher said of Lindback. "That's why Garon is perfect for him. He'll be able to help him with how to manage things. And we know we can put Garon in net and get good results."
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