Goaltending conundrum

[Guru Tugginmypuddah]

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Mike-Augello/Au-Revoir-Allaire/120/43849

Anyone catch HNIC Hot Stove yesterday? Healy said that Allaire was getting fed up in Toronto and thinking of retiring. That could be just idle gossip/getting a shot at the Leafs on Healy's part, but who knows?

I think the Leafs could use a mentor/veteran goalie just to provide a bit of stability. It would allow the young goalies in the system to get a taste of the NHL, without the weight of the world on their shoulders.

I'm not expecting a lot of wins right now, but I would like to see the Leafs take their time in evaluating their goalie prospects and not trade any of them in haste.

 

[skrackle]

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Mike-Augello/Au-Revoir-Allaire/120/43849

Anyone catch HNIC Hot Stove yesterday? Healy said that Allaire was getting fed up in Toronto and thinking of retiring. That could be just idle gossip/getting a shot at the Leafs on Healy's part, but who knows?

I think the Leafs could use a mentor/veteran goalie just to provide a bit of stability. It would allow the young goalies in the system to get a taste of the NHL, without the weight of the world on their shoulders.

I'm not expecting a lot of wins right now, but I would like to see the Leafs take their time in evaluating their goalie prospects and not trade any of them in haste.

Was it Friedman who brought it up? I've got the memory of a sieve lately. And speaking of sieves, there's a Leafs goaltending joke in there somewhere. I'm too lazy to figure it out right now, though.

 

[Rebel_1812]

Tomas Vokoun is a UFA.  He has put up good numbers with bad teams over the years.  I think he would be a decent signing.

 

[pnjunction]

Does anybody knows what people with knowledge of goaltending think of Scrivens' glove hand and the 'overhand' way he holds it?

It seems to me like he could hold it high enough to keep shots going over it, and perhaps move it down quickly enough to make lower catches, but what about the giant hole between his arm and his body?  It doesn't seem like he's going to be able to close that very quickly to me.

 

[Guru Tugginmypuddah]

http://thegoalieguild.com/2011/11/scrivens-scouting-report/

Does anybody knows what people with knowledge of goaltending think of Scrivens' glove hand and the 'overhand' way he holds it?

It seems to me like he could hold it high enough to keep shots going over it, and perhaps move it down quickly enough to make lower catches, but what about the giant hole between his arm and his body?  It doesn't seem like he's going to be able to close that very quickly to me.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

So he's only seen that glove placement with a few goalies, one of which is Rinne....

 

[Sudafederov]

Cox: Maple Leafs’ goalie guru might retire, days after vote of confidence from GM

http://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/article/1161949--cox-maple-leafs-goalie-guru-might-retire-days-after-vote-of-confidence-from-gm

 

[bustaheims]

Cox: Maple Leafs? goalie guru might retire, days after vote of confidence from GM

http://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/article/1161949--cox-maple-leafs-goalie-guru-might-retire-days-after-vote-of-confidence-from-gm

Canadian hockey media members desperate to create Leafs' related story grasp at straws. News at 11.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Cox: Maple Leafs? goalie guru might retire, days after vote of confidence from GM

http://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/article/1161949--cox-maple-leafs-goalie-guru-might-retire-days-after-vote-of-confidence-from-gm

Canadian hockey media members desperate to create Leafs' related story grasp at straws. News at 11.

If he does, I hope he cites the media as a reason.  So we can always fall back on that excuse with some evidence.

 

[TML fan]

Meh. It's not like he's making much of a difference anyway.

 

[princedpw]

I think the Leafs could of used an older goalie more off the ice then on it.  Someone to say, "Don't listen to Ron Wilson, he's an idiot.  Just go out there and play.  And use what you can use from Allaire, but play your game.  Forget the fans, media, coaches, and even the teammates.  Go play, compete, but have fun."  Think stress killed the goaltending more then any concussion ever did.

Cant this role be filled by a goalie so old he is now called an assistant coach?

 

[McPwnage]

Tomas Vokoun is a UFA.  He has put up good numbers with bad teams over the years.  I think he would be a decent signing.

We can't get Vokun, he signed in washington because he wanted to be on (what looked at the time like) a proven winner.  He initially tried in Detroit but I seriously doubt he looks at the Leafs and thinks "I can win a cup here!"

 

[Corn Flake]

Tomas Vokoun is a UFA.  He has put up good numbers with bad teams over the years.  I think he would be a decent signing.

We can't get Vokun, he signed in washington because he wanted to be on (what looked at the time like) a proven winner.  He initially tried in Detroit but I seriously doubt he looks at the Leafs and thinks "I can win a cup here!"

Probably, but he's "winning" in Washington, as the backup.  He may have to rethink his role in life after this.... backup on a top team or starter on a lesser light. 

 

[Zee]

Meh. It's not like he's making much of a difference anyway.

That was my reaction when I heard the news, seems strange that he would just up and quit though.  Not good news for Burke.

 

[pnjunction]

I think the Leafs could of used an older goalie more off the ice then on it.  Someone to say, "Don't listen to Ron Wilson, he's an idiot.  Just go out there and play.  And use what you can use from Allaire, but play your game.  Forget the fans, media, coaches, and even the teammates.  Go play, compete, but have fun."  Think stress killed the goaltending more then any concussion ever did.

Cant this role be filled by a goalie so old he is now called an assistant coach?

That's what I was thinking for a brief moment when signing Roloson for a year seemed like a good idea. (Basically before I found just how old he is.)

 

[Zee]

I think the Leafs could of used an older goalie more off the ice then on it.  Someone to say, "Don't listen to Ron Wilson, he's an idiot.  Just go out there and play.  And use what you can use from Allaire, but play your game.  Forget the fans, media, coaches, and even the teammates.  Go play, compete, but have fun."  Think stress killed the goaltending more then any concussion ever did.

Cant this role be filled by a goalie so old he is now called an assistant coach?

That's what I was thinking for a brief moment when signing Roloson for a year seemed like a good idea. (Basically before I found just how old he is.)

Roloson will be 43 when next season starts but he plays like a spry 53 year old.

 

[Corn Flake]

Cox: Maple Leafs? goalie guru might retire, days after vote of confidence from GM

http://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/article/1161949--cox-maple-leafs-goalie-guru-might-retire-days-after-vote-of-confidence-from-gm

Canadian hockey media members desperate to create Leafs' related story grasp at straws. News at 11.

If he does, I hope he cites the media as a reason.  So we can always fall back on that excuse with some evidence.

IMO the coach has little to do with it.  Corey Hirsch was the goalie coach before Allaire.  Hirsch goes to St. Louis after being fired.. considering how well both Blues goalies are playing, it doesn't seem like he was the problem. Allaire leaves Anaheim where his goalie's records were generally excellent.  He arrives here and they go in the tank.

Conclusion: It's not the goalie coach that is the problem.

 

[Peter D.]

A week or so ago they were discussing on TSN1050 that their "insiders" heard that Leafs management are looking for a high-quality who can come in to be a "stop-gap" for 3 to 4 years, at which time they hope to hand the reigns over to Reimer. 

I'm still trying to figure out who that could lead to.  If it is a younger goalie (ie. Schneider), why bank on him for only 3 to 4 years?  On the flip side, are they thinking about a veteran steady eddie such as Kiprusoff, who is a very good goalie and at the end of that time period would be ready to fade into the sunset?

I believe it's imperative they bring a clear-cut #1; someone who could be counted on for roughly 60 to 65 games.  The Biron and Vokouns of the league are fine, but as the situation is now, I can't see Reimer and XXX turning into a Halak and Elliott.  The Leafs need a rock in net who is going to force Reimer to elevate his game. 

 

[Zee]

A week or so ago they were discussing on TSN1050 that their "insiders" heard that Leafs management are looking for a high-quality who can come in to be a "stop-gap" for 3 to 4 years, at which time they hope to hand the reigns over to Reimer. 

I'm still trying to figure out who that could lead to.  If it is a younger goalie (ie. Schneider), why bank on him for only 3 to 4 years?  On the flip side, are they thinking about a veteran steady eddie such as Kiprusoff, who is a very good goalie and at the end of that time period would be ready to fade into the sunset?

I believe it's imperative they bring a clear-cut #1; someone who could be counted on for roughly 60 to 65 games.  The Biron and Vokouns of the league are fine, but as the situation is now, I can't see Reimer and XXX turning into a Halak and Elliott.  The Leafs need a rock in net who is going to force Reimer to elevate his game.

A can't see a "stop gap" being a goalie under 30 years of age.  If they plan on having a guy for 3-4 years, you would think it would be a veteran goalie in the 30-32 range so that in 3-4 years if/when his skills start to diminish you hope Reimer is ready to step up and be the #1 (if not sooner than 3-4 years).  Who knows though, we've seen goalies play late into their 30s and some into early 40s this day and age so they might find a guy for the long haul and Reimer never takes over?

For the record, I have no idea who they should target in this role.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I believe it's imperative they bring a clear-cut #1; someone who could be counted on for roughly 60 to 65 games.  The Biron and Vokouns of the league are fine, but as the situation is now, I can't see Reimer and XXX turning into a Halak and Elliott.  The Leafs need a rock in net who is going to force Reimer to elevate his game. 

Agreed, although it's because I'm not the most optimistic fan when it comes to Reimer becoming a legitimate starter whether it's next season or 3 to 4 years from now. If Kipper or Luongo become available this summer then Burke needs to go after them hard. Not acquiring a top-goalie could very well cost him his job.