Goaltending conundrum
- Thread starter Redleaf
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maplesyrup
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I'd take a chance on Goose as a backup next season. - I'd want to make sure my other guy was good for 60 games though.
Coderaspberry
New member
At this point, I think I've officially soured on Gustavsson. He can look positively brilliant at times and make some crazy saves, but the concentration just seems to wax and wane, and as such he has a penchant for giving up awful, demoralizing goals. The shot of the bench last night right after the OT winner pretty much says it all. They looked absolutely shocked and forlorn.
So, going forward, you have to figure the Leafs want to shore up goaltending for a) the playoff run and b) the future. I'm not positive you can do both in one fell swoop. The only goalies out there that fit both criteria are probably Schneider and Rask, and I just don't see any scenario in which either is available. There are other less proven guys with upside like Bernier, but in no way do they scream "stretch drive goalie".
To shore up the goaltending in the here and now, I have no clue what they do. Khabibulin I do not want - everything I read says he's as inconsistent and frustrating as our current netminding. Giguere would be OK, but I think that ship has sailed and Colorado is still in the hunt. My solution is not ideal, but, I think you trade for Harding to see what he can do, sort of the same way Ottawa did with Anderson, and resign him if it looks good.
To Toronto - Harding
To Minnesota - Gustavsson and a 2nd
Anything else is really just a stop-gap, and unless something comes out of nowhere, I just don't see a better option.
So, going forward, you have to figure the Leafs want to shore up goaltending for a) the playoff run and b) the future. I'm not positive you can do both in one fell swoop. The only goalies out there that fit both criteria are probably Schneider and Rask, and I just don't see any scenario in which either is available. There are other less proven guys with upside like Bernier, but in no way do they scream "stretch drive goalie".
To shore up the goaltending in the here and now, I have no clue what they do. Khabibulin I do not want - everything I read says he's as inconsistent and frustrating as our current netminding. Giguere would be OK, but I think that ship has sailed and Colorado is still in the hunt. My solution is not ideal, but, I think you trade for Harding to see what he can do, sort of the same way Ottawa did with Anderson, and resign him if it looks good.
To Toronto - Harding
To Minnesota - Gustavsson and a 2nd
Anything else is really just a stop-gap, and unless something comes out of nowhere, I just don't see a better option.
bustaheims
Active member
Zee said:
I suspect he'll get a backup gig somewhere, but, no one will be looking at him to fill a starting role, that's for sure.
ZBBM
Active member
Give Gus the rest of the homestand, and then, only then, do you evaluate his future. One awful game doesn't mean anything. What does mean something is his inconsistency -- but that could be a factor of not being given the reins for any stretch of time.
The dumbest thing that Burke could go would be to try to "fix" the goaltending at this point in the season. No matter who he gets it won't make this team a contender this year.
The dumbest thing that Burke could go would be to try to "fix" the goaltending at this point in the season. No matter who he gets it won't make this team a contender this year.
maplesyrup
New member
Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate said:
So just sit in our own [you know what?] I'm not sure I like that idea either. What message does that send to the other 21 guys on the roster?
Optimus Reimer
New member
Unless he was doing a porn shoot, Gus should have never had his legs spread out like that. That is goaltending 101, one of the most basic goaltender rules. When the puck is going wide, it is best to either corral it to stop the play so the lines can change. Or, keep the pads together and direct the puck to a team mate, but NEVER EVER open the legs like that.
bustaheims
Active member
Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate said:
I don't imagine making the team a contender this year was ever part of the plan. If he makes a move in net, Burke will either bring in a cheap vet short-term to stabilize things to get the team into the playoffs/keep the team from going into a complete tailspin without sacrificing a lot of assets or bring in someone who he and his management team believe can truly be a #1 guy for years to come.
bustaheims
Active member
Sarge said:
That they need to take a long look at themselves and realize that goaltending isn't the only reason why this team has been struggling.
maplesyrup
New member
bustaheims said:
I'm sure they already realize that though.
bustaheims
Active member
Sarge said:
Well, then they need to start acting on that realization, because, as we've seen, when they play well as a team, the goaltending becomes somewhat of a non-issue.
maplesyrup
New member
bustaheims said:
True... To use a Burke phrase, there a bunch of guys who should be "put on airplanes" but when the dust settles, I think there should be another option in goal here. Like you say, either a low cost vet to settle the room or a future #1.
bustaheims said:
But the main argument for those that think he actually can play in the NHL is that he needs to play often to be effective. It seems he's proving he hasn't got the mental focus necessary to ride the pine for a week or so and then come in to play a decent game every now and then. At least not at this point in his career.
bustaheims
Active member
Sarge said:
And, when the dust settles, there probably will be a new man between the pipes for this team, but, in all reality, that's a move that probably won't get done until the summer. Until then, the rest of the team needs to get their act together, play as we know they can because we've seen them do it and right the ship themselves.
maplesyrup
New member
bustaheims said:
It's a noble (for want of better word) way of thinking but I think this group needs some help in the mean time.
ZBBM
Active member
bustaheims said:
The last part of your last sentence I don't think is possible right now. So, turning to what I've bolded, the question is, why do that? You made a strategic decision to go with 2 fairly untried goalies last summer, you've stuck with it through some inconsistent play on both their parts. Why change now? To slip into the playoffs, where we will not get out of the first round? I admit that giving these guys some playoff experience is of some value, but it's minimal.
bustaheims
Active member
Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate said:
Well, part of it would be to save face, obviously. I imagine the last thing Burke wants is to be the only team to not have made the playoffs post-louckout (assuming Florida holds on to a spot). Part of it is playoff experience, which could be of minimal value, but there's always potential that this team could surprise us in the playoffs and not look awful. And, of course, there's the whole confidence of the rest of the team thing, which I think might be a little overblown, but, it's worth considering. As I said in another post, I don't think anything happens until the summer, but, I certainly understand some of the reasoning behind why something could happen.
maplesyrup
New member
digdug said:
I wouldn't go that far... I'm fairly certain the confidence level with either of those guys wouldn't be any higher than with what we currently have. - So what would be the point?
Edit: Corrected for grammar... I really shouldn't post, eat, and work all at the same time.
