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The New Crop: Fantasy Goalies (maybe) on the Wire
by Hippy Dave on 10/07/09 at 10:40 AM ET
Comments (5)
This might be the deepest rookie goalie year I’ve seen in my entire hockey watching career. If you’ve played fantasy hockey for the last five years you’re all too aware of how shallow the talent pool has been. This is all about to change thanks to a few folks who are about to become household names.
If these people aren’t in your league yet, you should consider getting them in quick. Come with me, on a journey of bad rock set to film student montages, will you?
Jonas Hiller
Height 6.02—Weight 196—Shoots R—Born 1982
When Giguere stumbled with personal problems last year, Hiller was quick to step up to the plate. He was a monster in his playoff debut, crushing for 0.943%. Giguere’s days are done. It’ll take a while for Hiller to be established as the true #1, so make sure he’s a third-stringer on your team for now.
Steve Mason
Height 6.04—Weight 202—Shoots R—Born 1988
While I typicaly hate goalies who wear #1, Mason’s the real deal. Vezina nominated in his rookie year, he made due with the Calder. Posting a .916% and a 2.29GAA in his first year, he’s looking to improve on these numbers, whether he does or not, with a developing blue jackets offense, he’ll get more wins. Now if only they would pay attention to their defense. No doubt someone in your league already has him. I only put him here because this guy is a keeper. And they’re starting the season with a record back to back start to the season. Good luck getting him if you don’t have him already; consider paying dearly.
Semyon Varlamov (G), Washington Capitals
21 years old, 6’1”, 183lbs
08-09 Hershey Bears 27GP-19W-7L-1T-2.40GAA-.916%
08-09 Washington Capitals 6GP-4W-0L-1T-2.37GAA-.918%
Battling for the starer position, Varlamov left no doubt in my mind late last season who would lead this club for years to come. Varlamov was a god in net during the playoffs despite the loss. However now he’s playing second fiddle to Theodore for the moment so you’ll have to wait on this one to earn his wings. Also, lower body injuries are a concern so be careful. Projected Stats: 50 starts, 35 wins.
Jonas Gustavsson (G), Toronto Maple Leafs
26 years old, 6’3”, 181lbs
08-09 Farjestad 42GP-1.96GAA-.932%
Called “The Monster” in Sweden. Broke Lundqvist’s SEL playoff record by not allowing a goal in 180 straight minutes in the playoffs. 14 Goals in 13 playoff games with five shutouts. Battling for spot. Butterfly style goalie. Good positioning. Already people are calling for his start, given Toskala’s slow beginning. Ahh, how unforgiving those Toronto folks can be. Projected Stats: 40 starts, 20 wins.
Scott Clemmensen (G), Florda Panthers
Height 6.03—Weight 205—Shoots L - Born 1977
A mature Clemmensen is fighting for a spot with Tomas Vokoun. I don’t really see Vokoun holding the fort down here. Already he’s .893% and 3.30GAA in 4 games. The Panthers are a hard team to have in front of your goalie, but I think Clemmensen can do better. Keep an eye on him.
Jonathan Quick (G), Los Angeles
Height 6.01—Weight 200—Shoots L—Born 1986
Now I’m a sucker for getting into goalies with cool names. Legace. Miracle. Quick. However, Quick made a great impression late last season with with a .914% and 2.48GAA. He really began to shine at the end of the season. This year he looks sharp; last night’s game against San Jose, despite the high scoring outcome, was brilliant. He is an ace at taking away space. With a growing defensive core in LA, this youngster is only going to get better. If he’s still available in your league and you need a netminder, grab him now.
Ray Emery (G), Philly
Height 6.01—Weight 203—Shoots L—Born 1982
It’s Ray Emery. What else do I have to say? I’d love to have this guy on my team. Too bad they don’t count penalty minutes for goalies.
Carey Price (G), Montreal
Height 6.03—Weight 226—Shoots R—Born 1987
Price has had a consistant showing with his save percentages throughout his career. If only montreal had a real defense.
Pascal Leclarie (G), Ottawa
Height 6.02—Weight 200—Shoots L—Born 1982
Pascal burst onto the scene with 9 shutouts with a .919% in his rookie season, only to be stymied with an ankle injury last year. He’s looking to bounce back, and as far as Ottawa is concerned he’s their starter. I would take a wait and see approach with this guy until he, and Ottawa, find their game.
Craig Anderson (G), Colorado Avalance
Height 6.02—Weight 180—Shoots L—Born 1981
Another relative oldster who is no stranger to NHL duty, nor is he a stranger to record setting. He stopped 73 of 75 shots in the first two games this season. He’s quickly becoming Colorado’s unheralded hero, and I think he’ll keep up the pace. Anderson survived the crucible that is the Florida Panther’s defensive system and put up 0.931%, 0.935%, and 0.924% over 53 total games with the Panthers. I think he’s ready to face another onslaught with a rebuilding team.
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Comments
The league I’m in uses only 1 starting goalie, 10 forwards (3 of each position and 1 utility), 6 D-men and 4 bench players. I let others grab the likes of Luongo and Nabokov early (who both seem to get run by the 2nd period every game so far) while I stocked up Alexander Semin, Mike Richards, Jeff Carter (that Philly-Wash game last night worked out well 
) and Pavel Datsyuk, then I grabbed Steve Mason and Ryan Miller later on where one is the starter one is on the bench depending on the night. So far, so good.
Posted by John W. from a bubble wrap cocoon on 10/07/09 at 11:46 AM ET
D’oh, can’t believe I forgot Rinne. I even drafted the guy. Anyone heard anything more about his situation vs. Ellis?
I understand in deeper leagues that most of these guys are already snatched up. I figured the new crop deserved a write-up anyways. Perhaps I should have not mentioned the wire in the headline.
Posted by Hippy Dave from Portland by way of Detroit on 10/07/09 at 04:20 PM ET
Ellis starts on Thursday, Pekka on Saturday. Trotz will once again ride the hot goalie. so, Ellis might even be a good grab. he was fairly good in 07-08.
Posted by Predneck from Hicktown on 10/07/09 at 05:13 PM ET
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None of these guys are on the waiver wire or FA’s in any of my leagues and I doubt they’re still there in many but the smallest of leagues or pools.
Mason was one of the first few goalies taken in them (I got him in two of them paired with Luongo in both). Under Hitchcock you know he’ll get defensive help from his forwards and he’ll probably see a fair number of shutouts. He’s a bit scary too though, because remember Pascal Leclaire did 2 seasons ago what Mason did last season, and he was run out of town to OTT.
Quick is a good play only if your league gives you extra credit for starts, or your goalies already are pretty poor and not even getting many starts. His W’s, Save %, and GAA won’t be very good, and he won’t get many shutouts if any at all. I also expect at some point Ersberg will spend time as the “#1” in the rotation.
Clemmenson is an interesting choice for some fantasy owners. Clemmy played well in part in NJ because he had NJ in front of him, and he’s now got Vokoun to try and get starts from. However, Vokoun has been flaky since leaving NAS’s system and is scary from a fantasy standpoint, so maybe Clemmy isn’t a bad gamble.
Also you’re counting out Giguere way, way too quickly. With a revamped ANA team now it’s awfully tough to tell what will happen with them.
Varlamov… tread with care. Theodore looks like he’s maybe re-entrenched as #1. Faced the choice between the two in a draft, I chose Theodore as my 3rd goalie and couldn’t talk myself into the Caps riding Varlamov for a full season.
Posted by Primis on 10/07/09 at 11:29 AM ET