But here's the conundrum: if you build from the goalie out, do you acquire the goalie through signing/trade or through draft.

If through trade/signing, the team already has to be competitive or close. If through draft, you don't know what you have for 3-5 seasons. So do you draft multiple goalies?

I like the build from D out but still employ BPA at the draft (been discussed to death.). Draft goalies but it's too difficult to rely on one to base your rebuild around.
- RealityChecker

All very true because a team can win without elite goaltending, but elite goaltending can make a very average team look elite.

A goaltender can singlehandedly win a game that the team has no business winning. An elite centre or d-man rarely has that kind of impact. So if I’m a GM who’s been given the task of rebuilding a team, my first move is to ensure the goaltending position is solid before focusing on the other positions. It goes a long way to relieving some of the “win now” pressures a rebuilding GM must endure from ownership, media, season ticket holders, and fans.

I know, easier said than done. Not many good goaltenders want to waste years waiting for the team to catch up.

Goalies and drummers are just plain weird.
- RealityChecker

Hey.

I think you're forgetting about Bassists here.

All very true because a team can win without elite goaltending, but elite goaltending can make a very average team look elite.

A goaltender can singlehandedly win a game that the team has no business winning. An elite centre or d-man rarely has that kind of impact. So if I’m a GM who’s been given the task of rebuilding a team, my first move is to ensure the goaltending position is solid before focusing on the other positions. It goes a long way to relieving some of the “win now” pressures a rebuilding GM must endure from ownership, media, season ticket holders, and fans.

I know, easier said than done. Not many good goaltenders want to waste years waiting for the team to catch up.
- bloatedhefty

I disagree. I think a true #1D is by far the most important part of a team. I'd put a true #1C as a close 2nd.

A hot goalie can carry a team through the playoffs given a top Dman. Just ask yourself how many top goalies the Canucks have had vs top D

That makes sense. Keep a couple/few options in the organization.
- RealityChecker

When he said it, I wanted a larger explanation on what he meant because I thought it needed one.

Goalie coaches are probably just as weird as goalies are. 🤔

Maybe he just said it because they didn't draft a goalie last year.

I don't know 😴

All very true because a team can win without elite goaltending, but elite goaltending can make a very average team look elite.

A goaltender can singlehandedly win a game that the team has no business winning. An elite centre or d-man rarely has that kind of impact. So if I’m a GM who’s been given the task of rebuilding a team, my first move is to ensure the goaltending position is solid before focusing on the other positions. It goes a long way to relieving some of the “win now” pressures a rebuilding GM must endure from ownership, media, season ticket holders, and fans.

I know, easier said than done. Not many good goaltenders want to waste years waiting for the team to catch up.
- bloatedhefty

You're right. Luongo is the perfect example.

It's just it's easier to draft a collection of C's and D's than it is to find (draft/trade/sign) a Luongo type.

I disagree. I think a true #1D is by far the most important part of a team. I'd put a true #1C as a close 2nd.

A hot goalie can carry a team through the playoffs given a top Dman. Just ask yourself how many top goalies the Canucks have had vs top D
- golfingsince

I think it's either. You build with the pieces that you get and are available. Given a blank slate and choice, Goaltending.

Triple post?

- Shuswap Wap

Site crashed and now I see it spit out multiples at the same time. All cleaned up now.

Hey.

I think you're forgetting about Bassists here.
- Load Management

Let's be honest, no one actually thinks about bassists.

Let's be honest, no one actually thinks about bassists.
- RealityChecker

So true.

I think it's either. You build with the pieces that you get and are available. Given a blank slate and choice, Goaltending.
- Load Management

I was a star goaltender for a long time. I won many more games than I should have but in my opinion having a Dman that could dominate play increased our fortunes more than my play.

Goaltending is sexy, but a stud Dman impacts play at both ends of the ice far more.

I think it's either. You build with the pieces that you get and are available. Given a blank slate and choice, Goaltending.
- Load Management

Yeah I agree. If I was given just one move to make a team better than that one move would be to obtain an elite goaltender.

Goalies and drummers are just plain weird.
- RealityChecker

They have their own beat yes lol

I still think Vegas’ smartest expansion draft move was to secure MAF. It instantly made them competitive.
- bloatedhefty

So there’s a chance Seattle takes 5oltby?

All very true because a team can win without elite goaltending, but elite goaltending can make a very average team look elite.

A goaltender can singlehandedly win a game that the team has no business winning. An elite centre or d-man rarely has that kind of impact. So if I’m a GM who’s been given the task of rebuilding a team, my first move is to ensure the goaltending position is solid before focusing on the other positions. It goes a long way to relieving some of the “win now” pressures a rebuilding GM must endure from ownership, media, season ticket holders, and fans.

I know, easier said than done. Not many good goaltenders want to waste years waiting for the team to catch up.
- bloatedhefty

I’m more for the Poile build get a strong deep D then fill in other pieces. Never pass on an elite C. Those are the core pieces to going forward. In goal is the least problem if those pieces are not in place

Who are you calling you people?

Your proposal was to send Holtby ($5.7 salary, $4.3 cap ), Virtanen ($3.4m salary, $2.55 cap), Eriksson ($4m salary, $6m cap), Lind (RFA) and Juolevi (RFA) and the 9th pick?

You can pile as much garbage on as you like, it doesn’t get any better.
- 1970vintage

Haters like you who act like they know better.

Just like you don't understand big picture stuff, like Covid effect, you missed the math. This is just adding $2M for 1 season to get rid of $30M+. Plus you can reduce that difference by buyout. Also, you got the salaries wrong they would be less because bonuses get paid July 1st.

This may not happen but the math works as money talks.

I was a star goaltender for a long time. I won many more games than I should have but in my opinion having a Dman that could dominate play increased our fortunes more than my play.

Goaltending is sexy, but a stud Dman impacts play at both ends of the ice far more.
- golfingsince

I was kinda agreeing with you but not completely. I think you can get away with missing a stud D if your team is good on that side of the puck. It doesn't matter how your team plays if your Goalie is below average. There's no masking it.

I disagree. I think a true #1D is by far the most important part of a team. I'd put a true #1C as a close 2nd.

A hot goalie can carry a team through the playoffs given a top Dman. Just ask yourself how many top goalies the Canucks have had vs top D
- golfingsince

Agree a stud D is golden but so very rare. Not saying elite C’s are not rare but they can be drafted or mined easier. That said it is only a beginning being need C depth to complete that part of the equation.

So true.
- Load Management

Eddie, Alex, Dave and that other guy.

Lars, Kirk, James and the skinny kid.

Let's be honest, no one actually thinks about bassists.
- RealityChecker

Sir Paul McCartney says huh lol

I disagree. I think a true #1D is by far the most important part of a team. I'd put a true #1C as a close 2nd.

A hot goalie can carry a team through the playoffs given a top Dman. Just ask yourself how many top goalies the Canucks have had vs top D
- golfingsince

Yeah, I think it’s a personal preference.

I’ve read a few articles on the subject from stat nerds and most agree an elite #1 centre is the best way to secure a championship. I’m making up the numbers here to make a point but it was something like 99% of teams that won a cup have an elite #1 centre while something like 88% of team won cups without elite goaltending.

That’s why I made sure to include “IMO” on my original statement as I’m sure to be wrong.

I think it's either. You build with the pieces that you get and are available. Given a blank slate and choice, Goaltending.
- Load Management

That’s the BPA way & works only so far. Some luck needed that the right mix of pieces come together.

Haters like you who act like they know better.

Just like you don't understand big picture stuff, like Covid effect, you missed the math. This is just adding $2M for 1 season to get rid of $30M+. Plus you can reduce that difference by buyout. Also, you got the salaries wrong they would be less because bonuses get paid July 1st.

This may not happen but the math works as money talks.
- NuckUp

Firstly, I’m no “hater”. Secondly, I understand plenty of “big picture stuff”. Thirdly, there is literally no benefit to Phoenix other than the first round pick. All they are doing is a huge favor to a rival team. The money doesn’t “work”. It’s all dead money fir guys who either won’t play, or are terrible.

May not happen?

I was a star goaltender for a long time. I won many more games than I should have but in my opinion having a Dman that could dominate play increased our fortunes more than my play.

Goaltending is sexy, but a stud Dman impacts play at both ends of the ice far more.
- golfingsince

Yes indeed 👍

And then he signed Larsson and Landeskog as UFA’s as well.
- 1970vintage

Domino effect. Math still works. The unexpected never fails to shock haters.

Hey.

I think you're forgetting about Bassists here.
- Load Management

No way Getty Lee is getting all the chicks..😉