He's had every opportunity to sign a real number one goalie. He could have gotten Joseph but didn't pony up enough money. He could have traded for Hasek though I can't stand how he plays (The Flopinator.) They even could have quietly thrown a lot of money at St. Patrick before he resigned with the Avs. Clarke knows that trying to get by without a bonafide number one goalie rarely works. Detroit of course with Osgood was an exception. No need to explain that one. :-)
I'm not so sure that signing Belfour during the offseason would be a good idea. I've never really liked how he plays nor his temper. They wouldn't gain much with Richter either IMO.