Having spent this season as a backup goalie for the Pittsburgh Penguins, goalie Ty Conklin will now experience what it’s like to be a backup for the defending Stanley Cup champions.

The Detroit Red Wings today signed Conklin to a one-year, $750K contract, which in turn suggests Jimmy Howard, who was expected to be Chris Osgood’s backup, could be headed back to the farm for another season, and don’t be surprised if his name pops up in trade rumors in the coming weeks and months.

Conklin’s career was believed dead in the water at the start of last season, as he began last season with the Penguins minor league affiliate but when Marc-Andre Fleury was sidelined with an ankle injury Conklin stepped into the breach and played very well, keeping the Penguins near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.