Anaheim Ducks goaltender J.S. Giguere has said he'd rather retire than be a backup goalie, according to the L.A. Daily News.
Giguere has now fully recovered from a strained groin he suffered on October 24, and the Montreal native will be joining the Ducks for their upcoming four-game road trip. The only issue? Jonas Hiller has started the last six games for the Ducks, and now it will essentially be up to the 32-year-old Giguere to earn back the No. 1 spot. If is unable to do that, Giguere is making himself pretty clear about his thoughts on the matter.
"I'd rather retire than be a backup goalie," Giguere said to the L.A. Daily News. "Something needs to happen. You get a guy like (Hiller) that's going to be a free agent at the end of the year and myself, making the money I'm making, either I'm leaving or he's leaving.
"I want to play; that's when I have fun. Right now, this is not fun."
Giguere is set to earn $13 million over the next two seasons, while the 27-year-old Hiller will make $1.3 million in the final year of his deal.
That means Giguere could be on his way out of Anaheim if general manager Bob Murray decides to make a trade and Giguere is willing to waive his no-trade clause.
Justin Pogge was assigned to Bakersfield of the ECHL to clear space for the returning veteran goaltender.