Ottawa Claims G Curtis McElhinney

(source: goaliesarchive.com)

As per TSN, the Ottawa Senators have claimed goaltender Curtis McElhinney off waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning.

McElhinney began the 2010-11 season with the Anaheim Ducks, where he recorded six wins and two shutouts. He was traded to the Lightning on Feb. 24 but did not see any playing time. In 21 games this season, all with the Ducks, the Calgary native has six wins, nine losses and one overtime loss. He has a 3.43 goals-against average and .890 save percentage.

Playing in his fourth NHL season, McElhinney has a career record of 15 wins, 22 losses and four overtime losses over the span of 60 games with the Calgary Flames and Anaheim. He was originally selected by the Flames in the sixth round (176th overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

This move was done so Ottawa could send down rookie goalie Robin Lehner back to the AHL Binghamton Senators so he could help them chase down a playoff berth. Lehner was not going to see much playing time in Ottawa with Craig Anderson auditioning for the starter’s job next year anyway.

A UFA at the end of the year, the 27 year old McElhinney gets to come in and get a few starts and maybe prove he is a capable back-up and earn a contract with Ottawa next year. But for the most part, this was to get Lehner back to the AHL and get him playing.