Garon Certainly Looks Like a Keeper

King goaltender Mathieu Garon goes about his work, saying he has remained oblivious to the trade talk that has centered on him.

Garon made 21 saves in a 3-2 overtime victory over the Minnesota Wild and it is becoming increasingly likely he will still be with the Kings after Thursday’s trade deadline.

The Kings are one of many teams that have talked to the Florida Panthers about goaltender Roberto Luongo. They reportedly offered Garon as a part of a deal, but Panther officials have indicated they probably will hang onto Luongo, who is a restricted free agent at the end of the season.

“To tell you the truth, I didn’t hear anything about that until Saturday,” Garon said. “I don’t read the papers and don’t know anything that is happening. I’m sure that I will be involved in other trades in my life. I’m just focusing on doing whatever it takes to help us win.”

Garon has done that well since the Olympic break, giving up only two goals in each of the three games, all victories. His performance Tuesday was highlighted by a bang-bang save on Marc Chouinard in the first period that kept the game scoreless.

“More pucks are hitting him than are going behind him right now,” said Coach Andy Murray, who added, “he will be our goaltender after Thursday.”

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Defenseman Mattias Norstrom left the game Tuesday with what Murray called “the flu.” Murray, though, has referred to other players having flu this season, only to have it later revealed they were injured.

Norstrom said he began feeling sick before the game and team officials said he was dehydrated and needed fluid restored intravenously after the game.