Leafs talking to Kiprusoff's agent

[cw]

If the Leafs can get Kipper at a reasonable price, I think they do it.

Does anybody really think one of the best goalies in the league over the past decade is done at 36 simply because his numbers have been off for all of 18 games?

1. He's been injured.
2. His team sucks.
3. They were missing the playoffs again and going nowhere.

People thought Brodeur was on the downward slide a few years back as well, but then look at last year. It's not like these elite goalies forget how to play, they just need the right circumstances to shine.

I think that's a valid question. I'd add this:

From reading/listening about it recently, Kiprusoff has apparently not been one to be very diligent with his fitness. There is a point, it was argued, that goalies like that hit a wall - that looks something like what he's done this season.

Brodeur is a good example because he was another goalie who was apparently not the hardest working goalie at his fitness during his earlier years. And when he hit that wall, he dedicated himself to fitness and rejuvenated his career.

It was speculated that the last year of Kiprusoff's deal (next season) at $1.5 mil would be a retirement year. Maybe mentally, he's already retired - more or less.

So that has to be part of the question Nonis or others interested in Kiprusoff have to ask: how committed is he to rejuvenating his play and continuing to play? And if that's the case, how much help can he be for the Leafs in this playoff run? And do they think improved fitness can recover his ability?

I'm curious cw. What do you think the best course of action is for Nonis today regarding goaltending? Go for Luongo, Kiprusoff, a cheap experienced back up, or just stand pat?

I'd stand pat. I think Scrivens has done a fair job and earned a shot as backup. I've found predicting goalies performances since the 2005 rules changes to be difficult.

There's a pretty decent list of UFA goalies available for zero talent cost this summer:
http://capgeek.com/ufa-finder/?position_id=G

Since I doubt this club is going to have a parade in June, I'd save my talent resources.

The one exception might be something for a 4th or less but I don't think we'd get much quality for that.

 

[cw]

Edit- at least with Luongo you know what you're getting. The same cant really be said with Kipper.

I'm not so sure we know what we'd be getting in Luongo. He may be hitting a wall now and in decline ... but we do know he has 9 years left on his deal.

 

[Corn Flake]

Edit- at least with Luongo you know what you're getting. The same cant really be said with Kipper.

I'm not so sure we know what we'd be getting in Luongo. He may be hitting a wall now and in decline ... but we do know he has 9 years left on his deal.

I agree. I really hope the Leafs don't go this route.. not now.  Maybe in the offseason after we see Reimer in some post season play and how he handles that. 

Getting Kipper risks throwing off what has finally been a good goaltending situation with two young guys doing pretty well and showing improvement. 

Getting Luongo completely guts the theory of building from within and who knows how long he lasts. I think he'd be fine for a few years but after that who knows. Both guys right now have not shown any kind of consistency and could throw everything built up this season off kilter. 

I'm not concerned about experience, not after some of the recent playoff performances we have seen from other guys with none or almost none.  I really hope they just go get an insurance guy like a Joey MacDonald as a 3rd string backup in case of injury. 

Other than that I don't see the point of doing anything right now.


EDIT:  one thought.. if there is some way to get Kipper with the knowledge he won't be back next year, then I'd be in for that I think.

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

I just don't see the value in adding Luongo or Kiprusoff.  The conspiracy theorist in me believes that Nonis is only exploring these options to give the public the impression that he's not entirely happy with the goaltending experience level, so that if he does nothing and inexperience becomes a factor in the playoffs, nobody can say he didn't explore other options.

 

[Redleaf]

If the Leafs can get Kipper at a reasonable price, I think they do it.

Does anybody really think one of the best goalies in the league over the past decade is done at 36 simply because his numbers have been off for all of 18 games?

1. He's been injured.
2. His team sucks.
3. They were missing the playoffs again and going nowhere.

People thought Brodeur was on the downward slide a few years back as well, but then look at last year. It's not like these elite goalies forget how to play, they just need the right circumstances to shine.

I think that's a valid question. I'd add this:

From reading/listening about it recently, Kiprusoff has apparently not been one to be very diligent with his fitness. There is a point, it was argued, that goalies like that hit a wall - that looks something like what he's done this season.

Brodeur is a good example because he was another goalie who was apparently not the hardest working goalie at his fitness during his earlier years. And when he hit that wall, he dedicated himself to fitness and rejuvenated his career.

It was speculated that the last year of Kiprusoff's deal (next season) at $1.5 mil would be a retirement year. Maybe mentally, he's already retired - more or less.

So that has to be part of the question Nonis or others interested in Kiprusoff have to ask: how committed is he to rejuvenating his play and continuing to play? And if that's the case, how much help can he be for the Leafs in this playoff run? And do they think improved fitness can recover his ability?

I'm curious cw. What do you think the best course of action is for Nonis today regarding goaltending? Go for Luongo, Kiprusoff, a cheap experienced back up, or just stand pat?

I'd stand pat. I think Scrivens has done a fair job and earned a shot as backup. I've found predicting goalies performances since the 2005 rules changes to be difficult.

There's a pretty decent list of UFA goalies available for zero talent cost this summer:
http://capgeek.com/ufa-finder/?position_id=G

Since I doubt this club is going to have a parade in June, I'd save my talent resources.

The one exception might be something for a 4th or less but I don't think we'd get much quality for that.

Yeah, well, that very well may be what happens today.

I'm on the fence about acquiring Kipper, but if he could find his form again (biggest question right now) and can be had for a 3rd round pick, Nonis would look pretty good for doing it.

Some fans here are saying that the playoff experience alone is good enough for this team right now, but how good of an experience would it be if they went down fast and hard their first time of out the gate?

Tough decision for Nonis. My gut says he gets a goalie today...

 

[Kin]

I just don't see the value in adding Luongo or Kiprusoff.  The conspiracy theorist in me believes that Nonis is only exploring these options to give the public the impression that he's not entirely happy with the goaltending experience level, so that if he does nothing and inexperience becomes a factor in the playoffs, nobody can say he didn't explore other options.

But, and not that I have any sort of insight into the kind of mind that would criticize Leafs management or anything, wouldn't the more likely response to that situation playing out be that the Leafs had a clear problem, Nonis recognized it and was unable to do anything about it? "Hey, I tried" hasn't really been an effective shield for Leafs brass in the past.

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

I just don't see the value in adding Luongo or Kiprusoff.  The conspiracy theorist in me believes that Nonis is only exploring these options to give the public the impression that he's not entirely happy with the goaltending experience level, so that if he does nothing and inexperience becomes a factor in the playoffs, nobody can say he didn't explore other options.

But, and not that I have any sort of insight into the kind of mind that would criticize Leafs management or anything, wouldn't the more likely response to that situation playing out be that the Leafs had a clear problem, Nonis recognized it and was unable to do anything about it? "Hey, I tried" hasn't really been an effective shield for Leafs brass in the past.

Well, most conspiracy theorists are nuts.

 

[Kin]

I just don't see the value in adding Luongo or Kiprusoff.  The conspiracy theorist in me believes that Nonis is only exploring these options to give the public the impression that he's not entirely happy with the goaltending experience level, so that if he does nothing and inexperience becomes a factor in the playoffs, nobody can say he didn't explore other options.

But, and not that I have any sort of insight into the kind of mind that would criticize Leafs management or anything, wouldn't the more likely response to that situation playing out be that the Leafs had a clear problem, Nonis recognized it and was unable to do anything about it? "Hey, I tried" hasn't really been an effective shield for Leafs brass in the past.

Well, most conspiracy theorists are nuts.

Mort Sahl is spinning in his grave.

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

I just don't see the value in adding Luongo or Kiprusoff.  The conspiracy theorist in me believes that Nonis is only exploring these options to give the public the impression that he's not entirely happy with the goaltending experience level, so that if he does nothing and inexperience becomes a factor in the playoffs, nobody can say he didn't explore other options.

But, and not that I have any sort of insight into the kind of mind that would criticize Leafs management or anything, wouldn't the more likely response to that situation playing out be that the Leafs had a clear problem, Nonis recognized it and was unable to do anything about it? "Hey, I tried" hasn't really been an effective shield for Leafs brass in the past.

Well, most conspiracy theorists are nuts.

Mort Sahl is spinning in his grave.

Is there a conspiracy that Mort Sahl is actually dead?

 

[maplesyrup]

Jamie McLennan just said Kiprusoff would be an upgrade over Reimer and Scrivens.

 

[Bender]

I just don't see the value in adding Luongo or Kiprusoff.  The conspiracy theorist in me believes that Nonis is only exploring these options to give the public the impression that he's not entirely happy with the goaltending experience level, so that if he does nothing and inexperience becomes a factor in the playoffs, nobody can say he didn't explore other options.

But, and not that I have any sort of insight into the kind of mind that would criticize Leafs management or anything, wouldn't the more likely response to that situation playing out be that the Leafs had a clear problem, Nonis recognized it and was unable to do anything about it? "Hey, I tried" hasn't really been an effective shield for Leafs brass in the past.

Well, most conspiracy theorists are nuts.

Mort Sahl is spinning in his grave.

Is there a conspiracy that Mort Sahl is actually dead?

Well, with a name like Mort...

 

[bustaheims]

Jamie McLennan just said Kiprusoff would be an upgrade over Reimer and Scrivens.

I think that tells you all you need to know about Jamie McLennan. Some people just love living in the past.

 

[maplesyrup]

Jamie McLennan just said Kiprusoff would be an upgrade over Reimer and Scrivens.

I think that tells you all you need to know about Jamie McLennan. Some people just love living in the past.

Not saying I agree. Just that he said it. I remain mildly interested in the player under the right circumstances.

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

I just don't see the value in adding Luongo or Kiprusoff.  The conspiracy theorist in me believes that Nonis is only exploring these options to give the public the impression that he's not entirely happy with the goaltending experience level, so that if he does nothing and inexperience becomes a factor in the playoffs, nobody can say he didn't explore other options.

But, and not that I have any sort of insight into the kind of mind that would criticize Leafs management or anything, wouldn't the more likely response to that situation playing out be that the Leafs had a clear problem, Nonis recognized it and was unable to do anything about it? "Hey, I tried" hasn't really been an effective shield for Leafs brass in the past.

Well, most conspiracy theorists are nuts.

Mort Sahl is spinning in his grave.

Is there a conspiracy that Mort Sahl is actually dead?

Well, with a name like Mort...

It's true, the Mort gene is known to be 100% fatal.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Dreger saying Kiprusoff likely to stay in Calgary and retire after the season.

 

[Redleaf]

Dreger saying Kiprusoff likely to stay in Calgary and retire after the season.

Well. That's that. Sticking with what they have, or is there anyone else out there?

 

[Zee]

Thanks Dreger, Kypreos already said last week that he had no plans to report to a team if traded and Dreger as late as this morning said that it was "nonsense" -- now suddenly he's "breaking" news that he's not moving.

 

[Optimus Reimer]

Jamie McLennan just said Kiprusoff would be an upgrade over Reimer and Scrivens.

As if Jamie McClennan knows what a good goalie is.

 

[ZBBM]

What drivel this "reporting" is.  The "story" is nothing more than speculation about unconfirmed "reports."  Whether or not it turns out to be true, it shouldn't be reported now as if it were "news," or fact.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

What drivel this "reporting" is.  The "story" is nothing more than speculation about unconfirmed "reports."  Whether or not it turns out to be true, it shouldn't be reported now as if it were "news," or fact.

I'm pretty sure that's how it's being reported, as "reports" from sources.  It's not being presented as fact, everyone knows this.