For the past few years I've said the difference between the habs and the buds success is between the pipes. The loss of price has turned the habs into a horrible team.
Finding the right guy for Toronto can have the opposite affect.

I don't think the answer lies in another teams cast off, but somewhere in the minors.
I don't think the leafs currently have a single minor league goalie drafted into the system. They'll have to correct this, this summer, and maybe look to trade for some already drafted goaltender prospects, or go out and try to find the next Eddie Belfour, undrafted guy.
- B-Wforever

Thing is - with respect to drafting goalies outside of a Carey Price type, you never know. You'll have that one kid you drafted 6 years ago who suddenly emerges and kills it, then disappears two years later. Not many goalies go on to have 5+ years of strong numbers unless they're playing behind a cup contending roster.

Number of Goalies: 565
Minimum Seasons: 1
Maximum Seasons: 21
Average Seasons: 5.32
Median Seasons : 3

http://www.quanthockey.co...utions/CareerLengthGP.php


The age of entry into the NHL remains around 23 years old and the age of starters is only slowly decreasing from an average of 30.1 in 2000-01 to an average of 28.6 in both 2013-14 and 2014-15. There are no more very young goaltenders entering the league than there were a decade ago.

...meaning, you don't typically find your starter until years later.

People also need to be patient with goalies. Steve Mason and Carey Price are two of the only guys that were thrust into the starting role at 20/21/22 and both had huge stumbling blocks before becoming what they are now. Cory Schneider is arguably a top-5 goalie and he couldn't find a spot until he was 26. Goalies are tricky and take time. Vasilevsky is only 21 and people expect him to step in and dominate, which is absurd. That is almost impossible for a goalie at that age. "The future" is the hardest to predict with goalies.

My advice.

Draft a 6'4 random Finn and hope it works out!

Surprised he ignored Pittsburgh. Goaltending is literally the only position of competence with Fleury, Murray, and Jarry.
- jfkst1

Some years yes some years

sounds a lot like Clarkpes
- Dozzer

Crap, storm over, had to go to work.

Fleury locked in and Murray is the future.

Zatkoff not really an upgrade, thats my logic.

Wasnt going to happen.
- Lucas.Neilson

You must not be too well versed with the Pens organization. Anything that isn't bolted down with a starting position is available. Though I think it is unwise, I'd bet Murray and Jarry are readily available.

People also need to be patient with goalies. Steve Mason and Carey Price are two of the only guys that were thrust into the starting role at 20/21/22 and both had huge stumbling blocks before becoming what they are now. Cory Schneider is arguably a top-5 goalie and he couldn't find a spot until he was 26. Goalies are tricky and take time. Vasilevsky is only 21 and people expect him to step in and dominate, which is absurd. That is almost impossible for a goalie at that age. "The future" is the hardest to predict with goalies.

My advice.

Draft a 6'4 random Finn and hope it works out!
- AdamFrench

Sexy minds think alike?

I think you're stretching what I said a little too far. When you get to the playoffs, beyond the first round no teams should be considered "weak". That said, more times than not does a team move to the next round because of superb goaltending.
- DamnBrasKiss

I accept that a goalie can steal a series, but it seemed like you were countering that there's a history of underdog teams winning the cup based on goaltending.

I'd say Edmonton almost pulled it off against the Hurricanes (tied for 3rd best record in 2006), but I'll stand by the statement that strong teams win the cup.

Looking at the history of the Conn Smythe, each goaltender that won over the past 30 years was on a strong team.

Some years yes some years
- Garnie

He changed goalie coaches in 2013 and has been solid or better since then.

Some years yes some years
- Garnie

Pit, prolly could have won more, with a better tender. JMO

He changed goalie coaches in 2013 and has been solid or better since then.
- jfkst1

I'll give you that, but previous he blew some cup chances for the team.

There are like 3 goalies better than Reimer/Bernier on this list that are even remotely moveable. Also, won't the goalies be a bit better when the team gets better?
- YuenglingJagr

personally, i'm mind-(frank)ed with reimer. he's looked more poised and his glove hand has looked better this year...but i'm still worried about the bad stretch of hockey to come. i don't know what to think of him long-term.

bernier just needs to go.

Pit, prolly could have won more, with a better tender. JMO
- bixll

Morning and get your ass to work young man

Morning and get your ass to work young man
- Garnie

I am at work,,

People also need to be patient with goalies. Steve Mason and Carey Price are two of the only guys that were thrust into the starting role at 20/21/22 and both had huge stumbling blocks before becoming what they are now. Cory Schneider is arguably a top-5 goalie and he couldn't find a spot until he was 26. Goalies are tricky and take time. Vasilevsky is only 21 and people expect him to step in and dominate, which is absurd. That is almost impossible for a goalie at that age. "The future" is the hardest to predict with goalies.

My advice.

Draft a 6'4 random Finn and hope it works out!
- AdamFrench

Frenchy I agree.

That's why I think Leafs should draft one, or scoop one up from a team that is struggling cap wise (or just has a starter locked in for many years to come) making a goalie expendable.

key is, BIG and agile.

I accept that a goalie can steal a series, but it seemed like you were countering that there's a history of underdog teams winning the cup based on goaltending.

I'd say Edmonton almost pulled it off against the Hurricanes (tied for 3rd best record in 2006), but I'll stand by the statement that strong teams win the cup.

Looking at the history of the Conn Smythe, each goaltender that won over the past 30 years was on a strong team.
- magmoo

Of course...its all relational to a degree, but when you have 4 strong teams battling in the semis, it's generally the goalies who stand out and make a case for said team to hoist the cup.

personally, i'm mind-(frank)ed with reimer. he's looked more poised and his glove hand has looked better this year...but i'm still worried about the bad stretch of hockey to come. i don't know what to think of him long-term.

bernier just needs to go.
- Tumbleweed

It will sort itself out, Bernier's coming back around....Reimer's played well. Need to chill and see what happens. IMO

Who did you have in mind? Just curious.
- Lucas.Neilson

I'd rather the Leafs stick with Reimer. I think he's better than most of those options. A few options you proposed like Hellebuyck and Andersen intrigue me. I was thinking trying to get Matt Murray from Pittsburgh. Big goalie, looked amazing against the Leafs (I know... its the Leafs and they make everyone look good...)

I am at work,,
- bixll

, lying in my bed thinking about getting some breaky

Frenchy I agree.

That's why I think Leafs should draft one, or scoop one up from a team that is struggling cap wise (or just has a starter locked in for many years to come) making a goalie expendable.

key is, BIG and agile.
- Lucas.Neilson

I still say a 7'6" sumo wrestler, wedgie him into the net, with over sized gear on and tell him to stay still.

Perfect.

Jeff Reese is the answer
- Dozzer

I think we should revisit the Curt Ridley era.

personally, i'm mind-(frank)ed with reimer. he's looked more poised and his glove hand has looked better this year...but i'm still worried about the bad stretch of hockey to come. i don't know what to think of him long-term.

bernier just needs to go.
- Tumbleweed

Value wise, Bernier > Reimer.

Trade the frenchie, grab a prospect or pick of some sort and ride Reims for another year or two. Do the same with other vets or players who can be replaced and draft strong.

That really should be the only "plan" for the Leafs over the next year.

, lying in my bed thinking about getting some breaky
- Garnie

Wanker.

I came to work at normal time in the storm, nobody here when I got here, other than the early morning worker bees. So, I went home.

It will sort itself out, Bernier's coming back around....Reimer's played well. Need to chill and see what happens. IMO
- Garnie

Bernier's won a few games, but he's not really coming around. i have no hope for him.

i do hope riemer gets a lot of starts. i am interested to see how he plays in the 2nd half.

You must not be too well versed with the Pens organization. Anything that isn't bolted down with a starting position is available. Though I think it is unwise, I'd bet Murray and Jarry are readily available.
- jfkst1

Maybe so, I would be surprised if they moved Murray though.

Pens have done too much of that as you know.

For the past few years I've said the difference between the habs and the buds success is between the pipes. The loss of price has turned the habs into a horrible team.
Finding the right guy for Toronto can have the opposite affect.

I don't think the answer lies in another teams cast off, but somewhere in the minors.
I don't think the leafs currently have a single minor league goalie drafted into the system. They'll have to correct this, this summer, and maybe look to trade for some already drafted goaltender prospects, or go out and try to find the next Eddie Belfour, undrafted guy.
- B-Wforever

Sparks and bibeau?