Blue Jackets UFA goaltender Jeff Zatkoff has signed with Straubing in Germany, the DEL team announced (link in German). He received a one-year contract from the Tigers.
The 31-year-old failed to get into any NHL action last season for the first time since 2012-13. He started out the season with the Kings but didn’t play at all with their AHL affiliate. That changed when he was dealt to Columbus back in January where he wound up playing in 17 games with their minor league team in Cleveland while also spending a few days up with the Blue Jackets as the backup as well. In his career, he has a total of 48 NHL appearances under his belt over four seasons.
With no teams really in need of a number two at the moment (and better options available on the open market), it appears Zatkoff has decided that playing internationally beats playing in a third-string role once again. If he has a strong showing in Germany, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him take another run at a spot with an NHL team next summer.