EXACTLY. And he's hitting 25 now. Not old, but not really THAT young anymore. He's getting into an age where you would hope to have seen consistent top play by now, and we haven't.
- prock

His prime years are coming right now.

Funny, in the past you would chirp about how great defensively the Habs are. Now you're blaming that.

He's had ONE good full season. That's all. Is that all it takes for you to consider a player elite? Is Phil kessel elite? Tell me, is he?


And only 1 year of above average play. Kind of my point.... 3 years of average play, one year below, one year above. Sounds pretty average at this point to me......



Quick had a good year last year, and a phenomenal one this year. If Price can come up with a year like Quick did this year (actually, I would say a little bit better since Quick was better last year than Price was this year), then maybe we can start calling him a top goalie. Until then, he's just average. I never said he could become a top goalie. He sure as hell isn't right now though.
- prock

I have never said the habs defense was great and i am not sure if you can understand what i was saying but THIS year he has had some garbage defensive play in front of him. His numbers don't reflect the play. He was solid this year. You are the one that says the habs are garbage but when it suits you you change what you are saying. If the habs suck so bad last year then how good was he really?

He has had 1 and a half bad years and the rest he has been pretty good. Still young and had tons of ability. You seem to be the only one that doesn't see that but you do know all LOL.

His prime years are coming right now.
- Cape Breton Bruins

I get the sense you don't really disagree with me in a sense. When you talk about him not able to put it together yet, I think we agree that he hasn't shown himself to be a top goalie to this point. Where we disagree is that you seem to be pretty sure he will be a top goalie, where I don't think he's shown enough to be very sure at all. I think it's a possibility, not a probability.

I have never said the habs defense was great and i am not sure if you can understand what i was saying but THIS year he has had some garbage defensive play in front of him. His numbers don't reflect the play. He was solid this year. You are the one that says the habs are garbage but when it suits you you change what you are saying. If the habs suck so bad last year then how good was he really?

He has had 1 and a half bad years and the rest he has been pretty good. Still young and had tons of ability. You seem to be the only one that doesn't see that but you do know all LOL.
- jordan456789

No, he has not been "pretty good" the rest of it. He's been very good one of it, average the rest.

I get the sense you don't really disagree with me in a sense. When you talk about him not able to put it together yet, I think we agree that he hasn't shown himself to be a top goalie to this point. Where we disagree is that you seem to be pretty sure he will be a top goalie, where I don't think he's shown enough to be very sure at all. I think it's a possibility, not a probability.
- prock

He hasn't reached an elite level which would put him into Vezina caliber territory. There is no denying that, he simply hasn't produced the wins or numbers to back up a claim like that. A lot of that has to do with the quality of the Habs roster and a lot of that has to do with Price himself going through the growing pains associated with all goaltenders with the exception of very few.

There is no telling what exactly will happen with any player, but if I was a betting man, I would personally put my $ down that there is greater chance that he will be a consistant top 10 goalie through his prime years then some simply being in the bottom half of starting goalies his whole career like say Patrick Lalime.

Time will tell.

He hasn't reached an elite level which would put him into Vezina caliber territory. There is no denying that, he simply hasn't produced the wins or numbers to back up a claim like that. A lot of that has to do with the quality of the Habs roster and a lot of that has to do with Price himself going through the growing pains associated with all goaltenders with the exception of very few.

There is no telling what exactly will happen with any player, but if I was a betting man, I would personally put my $ down that there is greater chance that he will be a consistant top 10 goalie through his prime years then some simply being in the bottom half of starting goalies his whole career like say Patrick Lalime.

Time will tell.
- Cape Breton Bruins

there is a pretty big gap between patrick lalime, and a top 10 goalie.

Here are the statements I've disagreed with:

Goalies don't hit their prime till later on. Price is already a great goalie, only going to get better. Comparing goalies to forwards is foolish.
- zach parise9

the follow up to my reply to this suddenly became:

2.43 GAA and .916 save % is respectable, especially on the 3rd worst team in the league. Last year he had 38 wins and a .923 save % to go along with a 2.35 GAA. Solid numbers. He is a good goalie and is only going to get better. He isn't even in the prime of his career yet.
- zach parise9

See where I'm disagreeing with these posts? Then there was this...

Not as good as Price as that age I'd say.


Yep. At least a top 10 goalie.

Ludqvist
Rinne
Kiprusoff
Thomas
Quick
Miller when on his game

Then there's Price basically. At least that's how I see it.
- daeth

I think you agree with that this isn't true (actually somewhat ridiculous), simply by your last post, when you talked about how you believe he will be consistent top 10, and not that he IS top 10. To say there are only 6 goalies in the league that are better???? Wow. How many of the goalies I listed earlier would you put ahead of Price, right now. I mean, how does Backstrom not get on that list?? Not what you think he will be one day, but right now. Because that's what these people are contending he is, a top 10/elite/great goalie RIGHT NOW.

As far as I'm concerned, it simply isn't true.

The Olympics may motivate some savvy GMs to move up their efforts to trade for "rentals", before the NHL rosters are frozen from Feb. 12thish (3 pm) until Feb. 28ish (11:59 pm) whitch is just 3 days before March 3rdish trade deadline just 3 days after the Olympics (Based on the dates of the last Olympics)

A Gm looking to acquire a player, and get him comfortable and settled in for the playoff drive could see an advantage in bringing in a player in before the roster freeze, and knowing that the NHL only allows teams to have their players back on the practice ice on Feb. 24thish, giving the rental player more time to learn the system and create some chemistry with new line mates, and have 4 or 5 days of practice and possibly a game or two before the official trade deadline March 3rdish.(Based on the dates of the last Olympics)

Also some GM looking to take this advantage could trade for someone playing in the Olympics, only to see the player injured having already given up picks or players....................so it is a gamble depending on if players are involved in the Olympics.

This is another reason why I don't like the NHL bending over backwards to appease the IOC........

there is a pretty big gap between patrick lalime, and a top 10 goalie.

Here are the statements I've disagreed with:



the follow up to my reply to this suddenly became:



See where I'm disagreeing with these posts? Then there was this...



I think you agree with that this isn't true (actually somewhat ridiculous), simply by your last post, when you talked about how you believe he will be consistent top 10, and not that he IS top 10. To say there are only 6 goalies in the league that are better???? Wow. How many of the goalies I listed earlier would you put ahead of Price, right now. I mean, how does Backstrom not get on that list?? Not what you think he will be one day, but right now. Because that's what these people are contending he is, a top 10/elite/great goalie RIGHT NOW.

As far as I'm concerned, it simply isn't true.
- prock

One thing about Price is that he averages amoungst the leaders in saves per year. Thats a stat that gets overlooked IMO. The Habs put him in a poor situation of being a young goalie, on a horrid defensive team and being the go to guy.

Even the year Halak took over half the starts Price was on pace for over 2000 saves. Its impossible to prove, but how bad the Habs have been the past two seasons I dare say he faces higher quality chances then some other goalies.

One thing about Price is that he averages amoungst the leaders in saves per year. Thats a stat that gets overlooked IMO. The Habs put him in a poor situation of being a young goalie, on a horrid defensive team and being the go to guy.

Even the year Halak took over half the starts Price was on pace for over 2000 saves. Its impossible to prove, but how bad the Habs have been the past two seasons I dare say he faces higher quality chances then some other goalies.
- Cape Breton Bruins

That system they were playing was all about defense, despit the team not being that great.

I believe Halak had better sv% every year they were on the same team. Same d in front of them.

I don't agree about the number of saves either. That would make a goalie that plays 70 mediocre games look better than one that plays 60 great ones.

That system they were playing was all about defense, despit the team not being that great.

I believe Halak had better sv% every year they were on the same team. Same d in front of them.

I don't agree about the number of saves either. That would make a goalie that plays 70 mediocre games look better than one that plays 60 great ones.
- prock

So now they played a defensive system when trying to say Price is not that good but when Halak was here it was all Halak and the defense sucked. Can't have it both ways. By the way do you really think Brodeur is better at this stage of his career? Halak is better if you want a platoon goalie. Not if you are looking for someone to be a true number 1. Do you see the numbers him and Elliot put up? Do you not think that has something to do with the team and not the goalies? What about last year?

So now they played a defensive system when trying to say Price is not that good but when Halak was here it was all Halak and the defense sucked. Can't have it both ways. By the way do you really think Brodeur is better at this stage of his career? Halak is better if you want a platoon goalie. Not if you are looking for someone to be a true number 1. Do you see the numbers him and Elliot put up? Do you not think that has something to do with the team and not the goalies? What about last year?
- jordan456789

What the hell are you talking about? Halak and Price had the same team in front of them, and Halak always fared better. What does that say about Halak and Price? He's just a better goalie.

EDIT - as far as Brodeur goes, what he's done so far in the playoffs this year is pretty good. But I guess I'll actually agree with you on that one. He's kind of done.

Interesting to see how Donald Fehr plays this one.

Also, the time change from Vancouver to The other side of Russia will be a nightmare for television

But, I wonder if NBC is expecting it with their 2 billion dollar 10 year contract with the NHL, even if it wasn't written into the deal?

I'll watch it who ever is in the tourney, but I'd rather watch Parise, Kane, and Quick than whatever 30 year old American 4th liner who was unable to catch on with an NHL team and the top kids from Boston College and UNH represent my country.
- bruinsbeer69

It's honestly not worth it for the NHL this time. They make no money from the Olympics and shut down their season. Also, players get injured there and it hurts teams chances once the NHL starts up again.

With it in Russia, very few will see it. I'm betting the NHL skips this one.

What the hell are you talking about? Halak and Price had the same team in front of them, and Halak always fared better. What does that say about Halak and Price? He's just a better goalie.

EDIT - as far as Brodeur goes, what he's done so far in the playoffs this year is pretty good. But I guess I'll actually agree with you on that one. He's kind of done.
- prock

The guy said Price put up good numbers considering the defense in front of him sucks. You replied by saying they play a defensive system implying that the defense is not that bad. When Halak was with the habs they still played that defensive system but you constantly said it was all Halak. Seems to me you are switching sides to whatever suits you.

As for you say Halak has always fared better and what does that say about Halak and Price? To me that says one goalie is a couple years older and further in the development so it really is not that much of a surprise that Halak had better numbers than Price. Also Halak came into the NHL at an older age so that also may lead to him having an easier time in the NHL. Shouldn't Halak prove he can be a true number on and not a platoon before you label him as a good goalie?

The guy said Price put up good numbers considering the defense in front of him sucks. You replied by saying they play a defensive system implying that the defense is not that bad. When Halak was with the habs they still played that defensive system but you constantly said it was all Halak. Seems to me you are switching sides to whatever suits you.

As for you say Halak has always fared better and what does that say about Halak and Price? To me that says one goalie is a couple years older and further in the development so it really is not that much of a surprise that Halak had better numbers than Price. Also Halak came into the NHL at an older age so that also may lead to him having an easier time in the NHL. Shouldn't Halak prove he can be a true number on and not a platoon before you label him as a good goalie?
- jordan456789

Halak most definitely carried them throught those playoffs. He was amazing. No halak, no second round that year.

I was responding to the poster that said the habs terrible d hurt Price. Fact is, they play a tight defensive system. If you put 5 NHL players on the ice, and tell them to do nothing but play D, it can't hurt your goalie that much. No, they're not that good, so I wouldn't say he had it easy, but I don't think its an excuse either.

It's honestly not worth it for the NHL this time. They make no money from the Olympics and shut down their season. Also, players get injured there and it hurts teams chances once the NHL starts up again.

With it in Russia, very few will see it. I'm betting the NHL skips this one.
- RogerRoeper

What's the difference between risking injury in an Olympic tourny or an NHL game? Never understood that one.

Also the experience players get is extremely valuable for their respective clubs.

What's the difference between risking injury in an Olympic tourny or an NHL game? Never understood that one.

Also the experience players get is extremely valuable for their respective clubs.
- bureforearthsprez

Think thats pretty obvious. If they get injured during an NHL game at least it was doing a job they were paid for. You can't see why an owner would be irked that a star player on their team, perhaps important to getting their team into the playoffs and producing revenue would be injured mid-season playing in a tourny that has no bearing to their contract?

That system they were playing was all about defense, despit the team not being that great.

I believe Halak had better sv% every year they were on the same team. Same d in front of them.

I don't agree about the number of saves either. That would make a goalie that plays 70 mediocre games look better than one that plays 60 great ones.
- prock

If you had to make a choice right now. Who would you select between Price and Reimer going into the future?

If you had to make a choice right now. Who would you select between Price and Reimer going into the future?
- Cape Breton Bruins

Price 100%

If you had to make a choice right now. Who would you select between Price and Reimer going into the future?
- Cape Breton Bruins

So Price was 'great', then he was 'respectable', now he's 'better than Reimer'? Do you not see the downward spiral this discussion is taking?

You can think it's bias all you like, I just don't think most of the Canadian teams are in very good shape.

Edmonton has been picking up high draft picks, and have a hell of a lot of talent, but I don't have a lot of faith in the way they've been trying to build a "team".

Ottawa did well this year. I think they played to the max of their capabilities, and were lucky to have a lot of players stay healthy, that you wouldn't expect to. They also had a few guys have career years. And that snagged them 8th. Everything went their way this year.

The Habs? That team is unbelievable mess. Garbage roster that they have to gut, which will take work, before they even start to rebuild.

I like Winnipeg actually. They've got some good young talent. They could be building something pretty good right now. It would take some time though.

Calgary? They need a rebuild. Badly.

Vancouver? Obviously the best team of the bunch, right now, I just don't see that core as the type that will win a cup.

The Leafs? Better situation than we've seen in years and certainly improving. But is that the kind of core that will win the Leafs a cup? Not right now, no. What are the odds of assembling a cup winning core from there? I don't like the odds.

All said and done.... I don't see ANY of these teams being true contending teams in the next few years. Choose to disagree if you want, call it bias if you want, but that's what I see.

Ask some Canucks fans. They got pretty angry at me last year for saying I like the Kings for a cup more than the Canucks. Looks like that could come true a hell of a lot sooner than the Canucks.

The TRUE contending teams are all American right now. that's just the way it is.
- prock

I'll take the Oilers rebuild over the Leafs "5 year plan" any day.

So Price was 'great', then he was 'respectable', now he's 'better than Reimer'? Do you not see the downward spiral this discussion is taking?
- Morris

Hi neighbor.

I'll take the Oilers rebuild over the Leafs "5 year plan" any day.
- doon

But but but, Burkie said himself he didn't want a 5 year rebuild.

Hi neighbor.
- Cape Breton Bruins

Hi ya. Nice weather we've been having.

But but but, Burkie said himself he didn't want a 5 year rebuild.
- Cape Breton Bruins

Good call on that one.

Hi ya. Nice weather we've been having.
- Morris

Can't complain although they forecast rain this week. What part of Hali you from. I reside in Clayton Park.