The View From The Crease 09.30.07: 30 Teams, 60 Goalies
Posted by Jason Chamberlain on 09.30.2007
The NHL is back and so is Jason Chamberlain's view from the crease! In his first column of the new season, he examines the goaltending of all thirty NHL teams!
Are you ready? I said ARE YOU READY? Ok, mini Triple H moment over. I just wanted to know if you are ready for the new hockey season? That's right, while most teams get started on Wednesday or soon after, the new NHL season hit the ice today in London England (of all places) with the first of two games between the Los Angeles Kings and the defending champions, the Anaheim Ducks. LA got the big win 4-1 in front of the English crowd, and with that, the puck has officially dropped on another year of big time hockey.
Before I get started I'd like to apologize. My columns here have been pretty sporadic since I was first given the opportunity to write a hockey column for our site. I couldn't find much motivation to talk hockey in the off season, but now that hockey is back I have all that I need and more. I hope you'll give me another chance to become part of your NHL reading here on 411 as from now on, this column is weekly!
As you know (if you've read this column before) I always look at hockey through the eyes of a goaltender. I like to think that gives me a bit of a unique perspective on things, and from now on in this space I will make more of an effort to discuss the best goaltenders in the world, what's new with them every week and maybe even include the weeks stats on who the best puckstoppers are. That's not to say I won't have opinions on other hockey issues as well; I sure will. But at least for today's column, it'll be all about the goalies.
With a new season comes a fresh start for all, and I think it would be fitting to use mine to share my thoughts on the goaltending situation of all 30 clubs. What follows will be my opinions on the quality and calibre of the different goalies guarding the net in all the NHL's cities, and how they will help or hinder their teams chances for success this year. Let's get started!
It's only fitting I begin in the Western Conference's Pacific Division with the defending champs!
Anaheim Ducks
Number 1- Jean-Sebastian Giguere
Backup- Ilya Bryzgalov
It wasn't too long ago when it looked like Bryzgalov was going to push Giggy out of the pond. The one time Conn Smythe winner looked to be faltering a bit and Bryz was a cheaper and more cost effective option. But that all changed last spring when Giggy cemented his status as the man in the Ducks net by leading them back to the Cup final and this time, winning it all. He's set in stone as the number one, and Bryzgalov is probably good enough for a number one job somewhere so look for a possible trade there.
Dallas Stars
Number 1- Marty Turco
Backup- Mike Smith
Turco needed to cement himself as a playoff goaltender last summer and he didn't quite do it. In fairness, he didn't lose the opening round series versus the Canucks for his team, and he went up against one of the best in Roberto Luongo. But its been quite a while since the Stars have had real playoff success and without a doubt, the pressure is on more than ever for Marty and crew to turn that around.
Los Angeles Kings
Number 1- Jonathan Bernier
Backup- JS Aubin
This was Dan Cloutier's job to lose and considering his recent waiver placement, I guess he lost it. Teenage sensation Bernier came out of nowhere to win the starting job and he stone walled the Ducks today. He'll probably have plenty of chances to be (and stay) successful in a market that has had a troubled goaltending situation for quite a while. Aubin never really got a shot for the job in Toronto and who knows if he'll get one here, but if nothing else he'll be a capable back up.
Phoenix Coyotes
Number 1- David Aebishcer
Number 1A/1B- Alex Auld/Mikael Tellqvist
The crease sure is crowded in the desert. I'd like to have faith in Abby to be the man but he did a pretty good Andre Racicot impression for my Habs during the stretch drive last year. But I don't see significant threats from Auld or Telly either. SOMEONE will have to step up as a legit number one puck stopper or this'll be a long season for The Great One.
San Jose Sharks
Number 1- Evgeni Nabokov
To be honest I have no idea who the back up is in San Jose now that Vesa Toskala is off getting booed during exhibition games in Toronto. What matters is that this is Toskala's team and he deserves the spot. The Sharks won't be weak in goaltending this year.
Northwest Division
Calgary Flames
Number 1- Miikka Kiprusoff
I gotta plead ignorance again on this one. What I know is that Kipper is routinely mentioned as one of the league's best and there's a reason; the Flames are a threat from the net out. If they do damage this year, he will lead the charge.
Colorado Avalanche
Number 1- Peter Budaj
Backup- Jose Theodore
Ok, you'll have to forgive me here. Being a huge Habs fan, I used to have a serious case of guy love for Theo. For a couple magical seasons, it looked like he might be the guy to make us forget about Patrick Roy. He looked like a world beater and then, for some reason, it all fell away. His game left him and despite the best of chances to find it again in Colorado, he hasn't. I'm still a fan so I hope he does, but for now it looks like Budaj earned the job fair and square last year and there's no reason to expect a reversal.
Edmonton Oilers
Number 1- Dwayne Roloson
Backup- Mathieu Garon
Garon was always a solid backup in Habland and I'm surprised he never solidified the number one job in LA. Nevertheless, he will prove an able back up for Roloson and may even challenge him a little bit if he gets in his groove.
Minnesota Wild
Number 1- Nik Backstrom
Backup- Josh Harding
Backstrom had a good enough year last season that the Wild felt comfortable shipping Manny Fernandez off to Beantown. Time will tell if the move was a good one.
Vancouver Canucks
Number 1- Roberto Luongo
Backup- Curtis Sanford
Um, yeah. This is Luongo's team. He's one of the best. That was easy!
Central Division
Chicago Blackhawks
Number 1- Nikolai Khabibulin
Backup- Patrick Lalime
So a few years back, Nikolia takes his goalie pads to Tampa Bay and while there solidifies himself as one of the best (if not the best) goalie in the league, even winning a Cup. And then.... he signs a big deal in Chicago, a team that has sucked for quite a while, and instead of building it up he seemed to get dragged down with it. The Hawks hopes of success this year will once again pin on Nik, and if he falters so will they.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Number 1- Pascal Leclaire
Backup- Frederik Norenna
I don't see much of the Jackets and I don't know much about these guys, though I remember Leclaire shining with the Canadian world juniors a few years back. All signs say he can be an elite puck stopper in the NHL, but he may have trouble doing it unless the Jackets notably improve.
Detroit Red Wings
Number 1- Dominek Hasek
Backup- Chris Osgood
So the Dominator is back for another year. Will he add another great year to his legacy or will he find, like Ed Belfour did, that he hung around just a little too long?
Nashville Predators
Number 1- Chris Mason
Backup- Pekka Rinne
The Preds are so comfortable with Mason in between the pipes that they traded (or firesold, your choice) Tomas Vokoun to the Panthers. This is his year to prove it was the right move.
St. Louis Blues
Number 1- Manny Legace
Backup- Hannu Toivonen
The Blues haven't been the greatest of teams in recent years, and on first glance this goaltending tandem doesn't look to set the world on fire. But Legace is a solid tender and Toivonen has big league potential, so if either of them get hot... well, the Blues may be a bad team with good goaltending.
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
New Jersey Devils
Number 1- Martin Brodeur
Backup- Who the hell cares? Weren't you paying attention? I just said MARTIN BRODEUR!
New York Islanders
Number 1- Rick DiPietro
Backup- Wade Dubielewicz
Rick DiPietro. The 15 Year Man. They CAN sign him to an obscene contract. They HAVE the insane owner. I hope for the Isles sake it's a good year for Ricky. They've only got 14 more to go.
New York Rangers
Number 1- Henrik Lundqvist
Backup- Al Montoya
Lundqvist has established himself as the guy in the big apple and there's no reason to believe that's changing any time soon.
Philadelphia Flyers
Number 1- Martin Biron
Backup- Antero Niittymaki
By trading for Biron it looked like the Flyers, FINALLY, got themselves a legit number one guy. We'll see if a full season of Marty can jolt them back up the standings.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Number 1- Marc Andre Fleury
Backup- Ty Conklin
Their down right scary offence isn't the only thing that will make the Pens a threat for years to come. Another reason is right here in net where Fleury could be one of the best around for a good long while.
Northeast Division
Boston Bruins
Number 1- Manny Fernandez
Backup- Tim Thomas
The Bruins are another team that, like the Flyers, have had a shaky goaltending situation for a while. With the trade for Fernandez this summer, they may have finally found their man.
Buffalo Sabres
Number 1- Ryan Miller
Backup- Jocelyn Thibault
If the Sabres falter this year, it won't be because of the goaltending. Miller is one of the best and, in the twilight of his career, T-Bo will be a good backup for him.
Montreal Canadiens
Number 1- Cristobal Huet
Backup- Jaroslav Halak/Carey Price
Huet is definitly the guy right now. Price is the future, and as a Hab fanatic I wish the future was now. But he may be better served getting big minutes down in Hamilton. Don't sell Halak short either. He nearly carried the team to the playoffs last year and will be a solid backup.
Ottawa Senators
Number 1- Ray Emery
Backup- Martin Gerber
File Gerber as another goalie who seems to have lost his mojo. Of course, that's not to say he can't get it back. Emery is the guy but Gerber has a brief window of opportunity while Ray is hurt to make a statement.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Number 1A- Vesa Toskala
Number 1B- Andrew Raycroft
Well, duke it out guys, and may the best goalie win. JFJ and the Leafs may be repeating past mistakes by signing Toskala to a big contract before he has proven himself. You may recall they traded for him because the guy they did the same for last year, Rayzor, was a let down. If you can call a franchise record win total a let down. Which most of my Leaf fan friends do. Oh well. We'll see!
Southeast Division
Atlanta Thrashers
Number 1- Kari Lehtonen
Backup- Johan Hedberg
The second year for this duo. We'll see if they (and the team) can rebound after last year's disapointing playoff exit.
Carolina Hurricanes
Number 1- Cam Ward
Backup- John Grahame
Ward, like the rest of the team, hopes to start fresh after a serious case of the Stanley Cup hangover last year. It says here he's still got what it takes to be an elite stopper.
Florida Panthers
Number 1- Tomas Vokoun
Not sure on the backup here, but after a failed tandem last year, the Panthers have a goalie who can, if not make fans forget Luongo, at least suitably replace him.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Number 1A- Marc Denis
Number 1B- Johan Holmqvist
Goaltending may still be this team achilles heel, and a sore spot since Khabibulin bolted to Chicago after the cup win.
Washington Capitals
Number 1- Olaf Kolzig
Backup- Brent Johnson
A nice easy one to finish off with. This is Olie's team, baby!
Whew! That was a marathon! But one of appreciation and respect. I certainly can't relate to an NHL level goaltender, but as a puck stopper myself I like to think these guys are kindred spirits, and even the guys I rag on a little have my never ending respect for all they must go through as goalies at the highest of levels.
And really. The masks? The gloves? The saves? It doesn't get any cooler than a goalie!
Enjoy the first week of NHL action! I know I will.
