This Minor Role Suits Lalime

After a year in the wilderness--the International Hockey League--Patrick Lalime is eager to prove himself against NHL talent again.

Lalime, acquired in a trade with Pittsburgh on March 24, is the front-runner to be the team’s No. 2 goalie. Other than Guy Hebert, he is the only one on the roster with significant NHL experience.

His situation has changed dramatically from a year ago, when Lalime refused to believe he had been traded, even when he was told.

Lalime, 24, was wallowing in a dispute with the Penguins last season and refused to sign. As a restricted free agent, he could not sign with another team without Penguin officials being able to match the deal.

So by March, Lalime was playing for Grand Rapids in the IHL.

“We were in Milwaukee and my girlfriend called me and said her aunt had heard that I had been traded,” Lalime said. “I said, ‘Yeah, yeah right.’ My girlfriend called back a half-hour later and said her brother had heard it. I said, ‘Maybe I better check this out.’

“I tried my agent and he wasn’t in. So I called home and my brother said, ‘Congratulations.’ That’s when I got excited.”

The Ducks sent center Sean Pronger to the Penguins, then signed Lalime to a one-year contract that will pay him $425,500 if he makes the team and less if he is sent to the minor leagues.

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