Dominik Hasek: Comeback?

The NHL Finals haven't even started yet and we are already starting with the free agent rumors. The 47-year old former NHL goaltender Dominik Hasek is looking for a new team, preferably an NHL team. Hasek spent time with the Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings during his years in the NHL, before leaving to play in the KHL. Hasek is rumored to be in talks with a few teams already. There are some teams who are interested, and could use him.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS-

After their seventh straight year missing the playoffs, the Maple Leafs are almost there. They have a solid veteran-led team. But they are missing one thing, a solid guy between the pipes. There goalies consist of Gustavssonn and Scrivens. Yeah, not much. Hasek, as old as he is, would be able to walk into Leafs camp, day one, and be their starter. If he hasn't lost it, he could make the Leafs into a legitimate threat in the east.

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING-

The Tampa Bay Lightning are a lot like the Leafs. Solid core of the team, but not much in goal. Their goaltenders were 41-year old Dwayne Roloson, and Mathieu Garon. Both are quality backups, but thats it. As long as they are in net, the Lightning are nothing. He could also win the role of their starter very easily.

DETROIT RED WINGS-

Detroit is a very improbable spot for Hasek to land. They have quite a few young talented goalies, and if he made it with them, he would be a backup. He wouldn't be better than Jimmy Howard. But he says that he would be happy just making it back into the NHL. Even though he would be a backup, he would have a solid team even though Lidstrom has retired.




BUFFALO SABRES-

There are actually serious talks between the Buffalo Sabres and Dominik Hasek. He has been in town a lot over the past week, and owner, Terry Pegula, has mentioned how he was a huge fan of the dominator when he was a Sabre the first time. Why would that work for him? Because he has a very good squad around him. But he would be backing up Ryan Miller. No question. And the Sabres would have three solid goalies. Miller, Hasek, and Enroth. That raises questions like, would we go to three goalies, or would Enroth get sent back down to Rochester? I guess we will have to wait and see.

This drama has actually been fun to watch so far. All of the teams listed above would be great landing spots for Hasek in their own ways. And there are plenty of other teams out there that can offer similar situations, but these are the teams that he has been rumored to be talking to.