It’s pure speculation at this point, but the groin injury suffered Monday night by Kings goalie Erik Ersberg could have a ripple effect on the Reign. Jon Quick got called up from AHL affiliate Manchester on Tuesday, leaving the Monarchs with an empty spot in goal behind Jonathan Bernier.
[Interesting note for Kings fans: Bernier isn't the one getting the NHL call-up this time. In the past, Kings GM Dean Lombardi has painted the situation between Bernier, Quick and Reign goalie Jeff Zatkoff as an open competition to become the Kings' goalie of the future. Perhaps this is some indication that Quick has gained a length on Bernier at the front of the pack.]
Here’s where it gets interesting for Reign fans. Manchester inked goalie Jonathan Boutin to a pro tryout agreement on the verge of the Monarchs’ game against the Manitoba Moose tonight in Manitoba.
Two logical questions:
1, Do the Kings envision Boutin as the Monarchs’ long-term backup to Bernier, or just a short-term stopgap because he can quickly get from his ECHL team in Victoria to Manitoba for this game?
2, Do the Monarchs have something against goalies not named Jonathan?
If the answer to question #2 is no, feel free to speculate that Zatkoff is headed from the Reign to Manchester any day now.
Update (7:06 p.m.): Thanks to Marc Nathan for providing clarification to question #1. See the comment below.
Update (7:43 p.m.): Zatkoff is going to Manchester, according to today’s official ECHL transactions.
