Free agent oaltender Ty Conklin of Anchorage secured a big raise today when he signed a two-year, $2.6 million deal with the NHL's St. Louis Blues.

Conklin, 33, moved from the Detroit Red Wings to the Blues, who are his sixth NHL team. Conklin last season made $750,000 with the Winged Wheel.

Presumably, Conklin will serve as backup to Chris Mason, but he split games in Detroit last season with Chris Osgood for much of the campaign before Osgood, who suffered a tough regular season, regained his groove.

Conklin went 25-11-6 with six shutouts, a 2.51 goals-against average and .909 save percentage.

Conklin has earned a reputation as a consummate pro who is good in the locker room, and as his last two seasons have proved in Detroit and Pittsburgh, a goalie capable of carrying a team when asked.