Entries with the tag: goalies

Goalies Running on Empty

by Alanah on 05/02/08 at 01:53 PM
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From Eric Duhatschek at the Globe & Mail,

How much of a factor was fatigue in the slight, but discernible decline, in the overall performance of some of the NHL’s leading goaltending lights?

Or to put it another way, do NHL teams play their starting goaltenders too much in the regular season, only to discover there isn’t enough left in the tank to get them through four grueling playoff rounds?

more... *an in-depth look at goalie performance in the playoffs

No “Pity Party” for Kolzig

by Alanah on 04/10/08 at 04:21 PM
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From the AP via Sports Illustrated,

“I’ve had a good run here,’’ Kolzig said Thursday. “And I hope it continues in the next two months.’’

In other words, until the playoffs are over. After that, Kolzig will become a free agent, presenting an understandably murky future for a 38-year-old goalie who lost his starting job just as the Capitals were becoming good again.

“The worst thing I can do is have a pity party,’’ Kolzig said. “I’m not really going to talk about the situation until the end of the year, but it is what it is and I’ve come to grips with it.’’

Kolzig has been supplanted by Cristobal Huet, acquired from Montreal at the trade deadline.

more...

Carey Price Rookie of the Month

by Alanah on 04/02/08 at 03:29 PM
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NEW YORK (April 2, 2008) – Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, who backstopped the team to its first division title since 1992, posting a 7-3-0 record, 2.67 goals against average, .924 save percentage and one shutout, has been named the NHL Rookie of the Month for March.

Price edged Edmonton Oilers center Sam Gagner (6-9--15 in 15 games), Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (5-9--14 in 14 games), Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (4-10--14 in 15 games) and Los Angeles Kings goaltender Eric Ersberg (5-4-2, 2.31 goals-against average, .932 save percentage, two shutouts) for the award.

Continue Reading »

Updated Reports: DiPietro’s Season Over

by Alanah on 03/18/08 at 04:47 PM
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From Greg Logan at Newsday,

The organization has decided to send goaltender Rick DiPietro for an MRI examination Tuesday of the hip injury he suffered in the All-Star Game skills competition on Jan. 26.

Islanders coach Ted Nolan acknowledged DiPietro’s absence from the lineup at the morning skate Tuesday and said results of the MRI will be evaluated Wednesday.

“He’s been having it for a while,” Nolan said of DiPietro’s hip injury. “It’s the same as our team. We have nine guys out of the lineup, and we have two guys that probably shouldn’t be playing (Tuesday night). It’s one of those things where the injury bug hit us, and unfortunately, it hit Ricky.”

Update 11:11pm ET: From TSN—

It looks as though Rick DiPietro’s season is over.

Sources tell TSN the New York Islander goaltender has a right hip problem that is going to require surgery. The decision was made after DiPietro underwent an MRI today. It’s expected the surgery could be performed as early as Wednesday.

Update 11:54pm ET: Greg Logan at Newsday --

For the second time in two seasons, Islanders franchise goaltender Rick DiPietro will have season-ending hip surgery. The operation will take place Wednesday at Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colo., an NHL source said, and DiPietro is expected to recover in time for training camp in September.

Hyping the Goalie Pads

by Alanah on 03/18/08 at 01:47 PM
Comments (5)

From Dave Stubbs in The Gazette, it seems that Carey Price has some sharp new goalie gear…

And if you think he’s excited, wait until the minor-, garage-league and semi-pro goalies of the world get wind of it.

On goalie-populated Internet forums and bulletin boards, where all things netminding are rumoured, discussed and debated, Price’s new gear isn’t likely to cause a ripple of interest, but a tsunami.

The graphic scheme is expected to be available at retail stores sometime this summer, at roughly $1,700 for the pads and $500 and $325, respectively, for the trapper and blocker.

The interest among goalies in what’s worn by the top pros, says Achenbach, “is goofy, crazy ... Star Wars hype times 10.”

more...

Is Jose Theodore Back?

by Alanah on 01/31/08 at 07:01 PM
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From Terry Frei at ESPN,

Just when you think it’s safe (or advisable) to write off Theodore… He rallies.

Just when you think it’s time to say he’s got his groove back… He falters.

That’s not all that dissimilar to the pattern of his tenure with the Canadiens, but now he’s a 31-year-old goalie trying to save his career.

The guy has more goaltending lives than Felix “The Cat” Potvin.

more...

Bryzgalov Makes Coyotes “Impressively Good”

by Alanah on 01/31/08 at 06:28 PM
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From Kevin Allen at USA Today,

At the start of this season, the general impression of the Coyotes was that they were still a patchwork team, a mixture of seemingly mismatched veterans and raw youngsters held together with crack filler and coach Wayne Gretzky’s good name.

Since Bryzgalov was plucked from the Anaheim Ducks on waivers, the Coyotes look like a cohesive group of skilled players. The Coyotes haven’t just been good since Bryzgalov arrived, they have been impressively good. The arrival of Bryzgalov has simply allowed us to see the real Coyotes.

more...

No More Fat & Happy Goalies

by Alanah on 01/15/08 at 09:21 PM
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From Dave Caldwell at the New York Times,

Through Monday’s games, eight N.H.L. goaltenders had played more than 2,200 minutes, including all three of the New York-area goalies: the Rangers’ Henrik Lundqvist (2,384) was third, the Devils’ Martin Brodeur fifth (2,342) and the Islanders’ Rick DiPietro seventh (2,264).

At a similar point last season, five goaltenders (including Brodeur, but not Lundqvist or DiPietro) had played in 2,200 minutes, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. At the same point in the 2005-6 season, only three goalies had played 2,200 minutes.

“Maybe 10 years ago, that may have been a problem,” said Garth Snow, a former N.H.L. goaltender who is now the Islanders’ general manager, “but goaltenders are some of the best-conditioned athletes on the team. Athletes, in general, are taking care of themselves 12 months a year, and the old way of thinking was, a fat goalie is a happy goalie.”

more...

Manny Legace Conference Call Transcript

by Alanah on 01/07/08 at 05:05 PM
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Earlier today, Manny Legace was named First Star for the week ending January 6th, after appearing in three games for the Blues and not allowing a goal. He recorded two wins, pushing his record this season to 15-10-2 in 29 appearances. His 2.09 goals-against average is fifth among all NHL goalies. He has a .921 save percentage and his three shutouts this season give him a career total of 21.

Today Legace participated in an NHL conference call. Here is the transcript of the Q&A:

Q.  I guess you made a comment about your knee recently that sort of surprised John . But more importantly, have you had any discussions with Andy Murray about work load or is there a plan so as you are battling for a playoff spot you don’t have a repeat of last year where you had to shut it down early?

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Fernandez Likely Gone for Season

by Alanah on 12/13/07 at 01:59 AM
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From Stephen Harris at the Boston Herald,

Barring an unexpectedly quick rehabilitation, goalie Manny Fernandez’ first year as a Bruin ended yesterday when he underwent surgery to repair a torn MCL in his left knee.

Fernandez first suffered the injury last season while with the Minnesota Wild, but it continued to bother him and has affected his play since training camp.

“It’s a relief, because we know he’s going to be in shape for next year,” B’s general manager Peter Chiarelli said last night before his team’s 4-3 win over the Thrashers. “It’s likely that he’ll be gone the whole year, maybe not, but he’ll be ready for next year.

“It’s been a chronic thing all year and Manny felt he couldn’t perform at 100 percent. He had to alter his style. I’m not ruling out him coming back this year, but we’re under the assumption that with proper rehab, it’s going to take the rest of the year.”

continued...

Enough Already!

by George James Malik on 12/10/07 at 07:53 PM
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Of all the people to bang the “let’s pick on the goalies because we only need to pick on thirty guys to increase goal scoring” drum, Eric Duhatschek certainly went on the attack last Tuesday afternoon:

Two years after the NHL introduced rule changes in order to spur offence - limits to obstruction, no more centre red line for offside, a trapezoid behind the net to limit goalies handling the puck — it appears as if goaltenders are in the ascendancy again.

Scoring is down almost a goal per game since the early post-lockout days. The rule changes — and rule enforcements — may have changed the game for the better, but it did nothing to help the bottom line. For anyone who wanted to see an up-tick in scoring, it just hasn’t happened.

Continue Reading »

No Goals Allowed - Is That Allowed?

by Paul on 12/01/07 at 10:02 AM
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from the Vancouver Sun,

There is this thing in baseball about a pitcher carrying a no-hitter into the late innings: You never go near him in the dugout and you never, ever say the word “no-hitter.” Never. Ever.

So what are the Vancouver Canucks supposed to do with Roberto Luongo?…

He is shooting for his fourth straight bagel Sunday in Minnesota. The NHL record is five, set by Phoenix’s Brian Boucher four seasons ago.

“The old rule still stands about using the notorious ‘word’ before the end of a game,” Canuck goalie guru Ian Clark chuckled Friday. “Guys get into nicknaming it different things, but they don’t say the dangerous ‘word.’ They’ll use code or talk in various hushed tones, but they don’t want to be caught saying the naughty ‘word’ in case someone hears them.”

read on

The Modern Goalie

by Paul on 11/30/07 at 11:02 AM
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from Allen St. John at the Wall Street Journal,

What’s seems to be at work here is nothing less than Darwinism on ice. Under the old rules, a team’s defense could do more to protect the goalie, and plays would develop more slowly. Over 2½ seasons of wide-open hockey, the goalie’s world has changed. He’s facing more and better shots. (In 2005-06, Roberto Luongo of the Florida Panthers set the league record for shots faced, with 2,488.) The greater number of quality scoring chances puts a premium on a goalie’s skills....

What does the future hold for NHL netminders? The league has considered increasing the size of the crease, and the rate at which goalies have adjusted to the recent rule changes may hasten this development. If it does come to pass, expect the league’s top goalies to grumble—and then figure out a way to keep those flying pucks in front of them.

read on… and I hope maybe it was a typo with “increasing the size of the crease”.  The size of the nets, yes, increasing the size of the crease would mean even less goals…

Pascal Leclaire Leaves Game In Loss To Edmonton

by Paul on 11/27/07 at 06:51 AM
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from the Columbus Dispatch,

Goaltender Pascal Leclaire, whose early career has been dogged by leg injuries, left the game at 5:58 of the second period, complaining of a tight hamstring.

After the game, the Blue Jackets—from coach Ken Hitchcock to Leclaire himself—stressed that the injury was minor, that Leclaire might be out only a brief while, if he missed any time at all.

“We’ll see how it is (today),” Leclaire said. “But I don’t have any sharp pain or anything.

“It’s more like a tweak, but it’s not something I wanted to take a chance on.”

more

Countrymen Everywhere

by Paul on 11/24/07 at 08:46 AM
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from the Sun-Sentinel,

At any time inside both the Panthers’ and Rangers’ dressing rooms this season, you can hear Czech spoken.

Both rosters have six players from the former Czechoslovakia, now split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia....

“It’s not something I can’t be without, but it definitely helps, no question,” Vokoun said. “You’re always close to people who grew up the same way and have gone through the same things. It’s very good for family life.”

more

Who’s #1 In Detroit

by Paul on 11/24/07 at 08:04 AM
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from the Toronto Sun,

Chris Osgood, it appears, has supplanted Dominik Hasek as the No. 1 goalie in Motown, though the 42-year-old Hasek won’t concede as much.

“There are 60 games left and I know the way I practise and the way I see the puck, I know I’ll play better,” Hasek said. “I want to see more determination out of myself. I haven’t done my job.”

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Moving Emery

by Paul on 11/20/07 at 09:01 AM
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from The Good, The Bad And The Duthie at the Ottawa Citizen,

I got a 2-hour sermon on how Gerber is the greatest thing out of Switzerland since Roger Federer, and how Ottawa will trade Emery, get after another big-time scorer, and win the cup without breaking a sweat. (These, of course, are the same guys who would have traded Gerber for a Gatorade last season.)

They insist the “trade Emery” talk is serious water-cooler material in Ottawa (Assuming people actually still talk at water-coolers, which I highly doubt). If that’s the case, it’s time for a reality check.

more

Lehtonen Back in Practice - Goalie Surplus in Atlanta

by Alanah on 11/19/07 at 04:16 PM
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From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution,

“It’s been a long month, but it was great today to come here when everybody else comes and not three hours before,” Lehtonen said. “It’s fun to be a part of the team.”

And suddenly it’s a team that will have three capable goalies. According to general manager and interim head coach Don Waddell, Lehtonen’s return to the lineup won’t be rushed. In the past, he said, Lehtonen might have been hurried to action this week. But not now.

Johan Hedberg is coming off his first shutout with the Thrashers and will get the start tonight against Tampa Bay. He’s 4-0 in his last five starts and with his shutout in Carolina, dropped his goals against average to 2.38 in November.

Rookie Ondrej Pavelec is 3-1 in four starts and has a 2.71 GAA on the season. His only other loss came in a relief appearance against Ottawa.

continued...

Pascal Leclaire Goes To School

by Paul on 11/19/07 at 10:08 AM
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from The Lantern,

“Goaltenders by reputation are quirky, to say the least,” Sharrock said. “Pazzy (Leclaire) is the most down-to-earth, I don’t want to say normal, but I will, he’s probably the most normal goaltender that I’ve ever been around.”

Ohio State students in a French 104 class will have the opportunity to see how “normal” Leclaire really is when he visits today from 2-3 p.m. in Hagerty Hall 145.

Leclaire, a native of Repentigny, Quebec, grew up in the French-speaking Canadian province. The visit is an opportunity for the class to get a personal perspective on the people, language and culture of Quebec, one of the French-speaking areas the class is studying.

read on

Riksman Quits

by Paul on 11/19/07 at 09:22 AM
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from the Peoria Journal Star,

Juuso Riksman is gone again. And this time, without permission.

The veteran Peoria Rivermen goaltender abruptly quit the AHL team late Saturday night after Peoria’s loss to San Antonio, saying he wants to head back to Europe....

“Juuso Riksman told us last week he wanted to come back and play for Peoria, so we dropped Jason Bacashihua to No. 3 on the depth chart and traded him to Colorado,” St. Louis Blues director of pro scouting and Rivermen general manager Kevin McDonald said Sunday. “Then last night he told us he was going home. We want guys on this team who want to be here. Riksman will be suspended.

“I don’t know where he’s going to play. Jokerit (the Finnish team Riksman played for in 2006-07) holds his rights in Europe and does not need a goaltender. And we retain his NHL rights and control of him here.”

read on

Brodeur Reaches 500 Wins

by Paul on 11/17/07 at 10:09 PM
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from the AP via TSN,

Martin Brodeur gave Patrick Roy some company in the 500 victory club.

Brodeur reached one of hockey’s rarest milestones, stopping all but two shots in a modest effort thanks to some of New Jersey’s usual stout defense and earned his 500th NHL win.

Brodeur made 26 saves in the Devils’ 6-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night and joined Roy as the only goalies in NHL history with that many victories.

continued

Top 5 Goalies- Wins

1. Patrick Roy, Mon-Col 551

2. x-Martin Brodeur, NJ 500

3. x-Ed Belfour, Chi-SJ-Dal-Tor-Fla 484

4. Terry Sawchuk, Det-Tor-Bos-LA-NYR 447

5. x-Curtis Joseph, StL-Edm-Tor-Det-Pho 446

more at NHL.com

added 10:20pm, from John Kreiser at NHL.com,

“It was a long time coming,” said Brodeur, who finished with 26 saves. “I’m happy it’s done and we can move on now.”

much more

Fernandez Has a Plan

by Alanah on 11/17/07 at 01:02 PM
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From Kevin Dupont at the Boston Globe,

It wasn’t the answer Manny Fernandez wanted.

“No, it wasn’t,” said the Bruins’ injured netminder yesterday, his knee woes making him a spectator for most of this season. “But at least we’ve reached a decision. We have a plan, and now we’ll go from here.”

The plan, in a nutshell: 1. get back on skates immediately; 2. build up leg strength through on-ice workouts and off-ice rehab; 3. hope for the best.

All of that, which Fernandez plans to begin as early as tomorrow in a late-morning workout, is in lieu of surgery.

continued...

Gerber is #1

by Alanah on 11/16/07 at 05:30 PM
Comments (2)

From Chris Yzerman at CP via Yahoo,

The confidence of goaltender Martin Gerber is also sky high and, after a difficult first season in Canada’s capital, the 33-year-old has emerged as the surprise No. 1 netminder on the NHL’s hottest club out of the gate.

“I think we’ve had a good thing going since training camp started as a team and kept really building from it. Personally, I got my game back and feel more comfortable in there,” says the 33-year-old native of Burgdorf, Switzerland, who will be in goal Saturday when the Senators visit the Air Canada Centre to face the Toronto Maple Leafs (7 p.m. ET).

With a 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night, Gerber recorded his league-leading 12th victory of the season against just one defeat.

more... on Gerber’s career rebound

Report- Bryzgalov On Waivers

by Paul on 11/16/07 at 11:01 AM
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from TSN,

Sources say when the National Hockey League’s waiver transactions are sent out at Noon et on Friday, the Anaheim Ducks will make netminder Ilya Bryzgalov available.

added 11:18am, from the OC Register,

“We’re making this move, first and foremost, to give Ilya Bryzgalov a chance to play,” Ducks general manager Brian Burke said. “He’s a good guy who’s played well for us, but we’ve committed to the other goaltender."…

“I’ve been unable to move Ilya in a trade,” Burke said. “I’ve laid it out for his agent (Don Meehan), and told him we would take this next step. We’ll see where it goes.”

more

added 11:59am, via the CP,

“What I promised Bryz is that I would find him a place to play,” Burke told The Canadian Press on Friday. “Bryz is a great kid and a loyal soldier. He’s won three playoff rounds for us and he deserves to play somewhere. But I was unable to move him.

“The single, biggest obstacle was that he’s unrestricted at the end of the year. I wasn’t offered anything of value for him. But I promised him, `If I can’t get something of value for you, we’ll put you on waivers."’

added 12:16pm, from Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail,

Evgeni Nabokov and Miikka Kiprsuoff for every game this year, an indication that - salary-cap permitting - they might be in the market for an established back-up, rather than trust the youngsters that they’re carrying on their rosters at the moment.

added 12:43pm, more from Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail,

One more possible destination for Ilya Bryzgalov, the goaltender put on waivers by the Anaheim Ducks this morning: The Pittsburgh Penguins, who’ve gotten decent work from back-up Dany Sabourin so far this year, plus some up-and-down play from starter Marc-Andre Fleury.

Average Goaltending Won’t Get It Done In Edmonton

by Paul on 11/16/07 at 08:05 AM
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from the Edmonton Sun,

“It’s our job to do that, tonight I didn’t,” he said, adding he’s been fighting it a bit lately. “I’m trying to force myself to make a save, I have to relax and let the puck come to me. I’m not reading the play as well as I normally do.”

MacTavish has a team that has to rely on its goaltender, so expect him to go with the hot hand from here on in. And right now, it ain’t Roloson.

“We can’t win right now with average goaltending, I don’t think there’s many teams that can, and in my estimation tonight he was average,” said the coach.

“He’s not playing at the level that he has played. That’s obvious. But the one thing he’s got going for him is a bunch of mental toughness and a bunch of battle.”

more on the Oilers…

More Scoring Needed

by Paul on 11/16/07 at 06:56 AM
Comments (10)

from the Buffalo News,

“Goalies have to get smaller or the nets have to get larger,” Regier said. “That goalie has to get significantly smaller for the likelihood of an outside shot to go in. If we can’t make the goalies smaller, then I don’t know what other options we have but to consider making the nets larger.”

He added that if the nets get bigger, it must be a significant increase. He argued that just a small bump would put teams into a bigger defensive shell. That’s the leading cause of the scoring dip. Coaches have begun crowding their five skaters near the net, which rids the shooters of their open lanes.

“Most goals are probably scored within 30 feet,” Regier said. “So it argues that if you can defend that area and protect that area, then you’re less likely to get scored against.”

more

Think Offense

by Paul on 11/16/07 at 06:51 AM
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from Jim Kelley at Sportsnet,

Speed, through all three zones on the ice, needs to be enhanced. Defensive schemes that throw a blanket over offensive talent and creativity need to be cut back. Goaltenders need to be protected, but they also need to either have their equipment reduced in size or the nets they guard enlarged.

The NHL was on that path, but things have changed and it needs to act once again.

It needs to be vigilant in keeping offence and entertainment in the forefront and too much defence and stagnation at bay.

If it doesn’t, it will fail to grow its version of the game and failure to grow the game, in the U.S. and around the world, is a ticket to economic failure for all the teams, even the six forever loved entities across Canada.

more

All Ryan Miller

by Paul on 11/15/07 at 04:59 PM
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from David Amber at ESPN,

In this week’s Facing Off, the All-Star goalie tells us why he’s sick of talking about the departures of Chris Drury and Daniel Briere, what it was like watching his brother win the Stanley Cup last season and how he’s trying to make life better for cancer victims in his community.

Q: Is it hard to deal with (losing Drury & Briere)?

A: As a team, I’ve been trying to get rid of this built-in excuse that is kind of lingering over us. It can be a crutch to explain why we are losing. What it really comes down to is the guys in the locker room. We as a group need to step up and play. When I talk about those guys leaving, I think we need to move on. I still have a lot of respect for both of them. I learned a lot from them, even little things in practice. They are great leaders and have competitive spirits. I think having played with them will help me out in my career.

read on

No Change Needed For Red Wings

by Paul on 11/15/07 at 08:27 AM
Comments (1)

from Bruce MacLeod of the Macomb Daily,

Hasek described his play after Tuesday’s loss in St. Louis as “not being able to get in the game.” He doesn’t see action for minutes, then lets in a quickie ... which is another way to say that he’s playing like a No. 2 goalie. Osgood plays behind the same tight defense and manages just fine.

Tuesday’s game was a good example of the difference between the two netminders. Hasek was pulled after allowing four goals, including two off big rebounds. Osgood came in and looked a lot sharper.

All of that said, it would seem obvious that the correct thing to do would be to make a change, to play Osgood more often and give the Red Wings a better chance to win.

But not doing anything right now would be better than doing something like making a change.

more

Caps Need A Winning Streak

by Paul on 11/14/07 at 10:15 PM
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from the Washington Post,

“There’s no question: There’s desperation now, even though it’s not even 20 games yet,” Kolzig said after yesterday’s practice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. “Any time you go on a winless streak that we’ve been on, you’ve got to turn the tables and do the exact opposite to get back into it. For the good teams, the losing streaks never outlast the winning streaks.

“The bottom line is we have to put a streak together.”

Of the 16 teams that qualified for the playoffs last season, only Ottawa had as few as 13 points after as many games. But the talented and deep Senators won nine of their next 11 games and earned a spot in the Stanley Cup finals.

more (reg. req.)

Biron Legitimate #1

by Paul on 11/14/07 at 08:29 AM
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from PhillyBurbs,

Team goals aside, Martin Biron entered this season with a personal objective: prove to himself and the world that he’s a legitimate No. 1 goaltender in the NHL.

The days of backing up Dominik Hasek and Ryan Miller in Buffalo are over. At 30, Biron is making a name for himself with the rejuvenated Flyers.

He admits there’s one thing that would hasten his validation as a high-level netminder — getting voted onto the Eastern Conference roster for the 2008 NHL All-Star Game in Atlanta.

continued

Emery Tweaks His Back

by Paul on 11/13/07 at 07:54 AM
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from the Ottawa Citizen,

Ray Emery has been thrown another curveball in his attempt to earn more ice time in the Ottawa Senators’ net.

Emery, already in coach John Paddock’s doghouse for questionable work habits during practice, left the ice early yesterday because of back spasms that he said originated when he was playing baseball during an off-day on Sunday.

Emery says something happened when he bent over to throw pop-ups.

continued

Rotating Goalies Working For Avs

by Paul on 11/09/07 at 02:34 PM
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from the Denver Post,

Colorado takes a 10-5 record into tonight’s game at Vancouver, with Budaj having six of the wins to the four for Theodore, tonight’s starter. The two have alternated starts the past six games and, while Quenne- ville said the rotation might not stay equal for various reasons, he sees no reason to change things now.

“I just think both guys are playing pretty well, and keep ‘em both playing,” Quenneville said. “I think it’s competitive among the two of them. I think it’s healthy, but I think there’s a genuine sincerity that the other guy does well. Both guys had an opportunity to get the net at the start of the year, and they’re both doing what we were hoping they’d do.”

more

Vanek Feeling Pressure

by Paul on 11/09/07 at 08:09 AM
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from the Buffalo News,

With the Sabres’ record at 6-7-1, it’s clearly become bothersome for Vanek. His coach has noticed, his teammates have noticed and so has anyone who’s been watching.

“Sometimes, his emotions are right out there for everyone to see how frustrated he is,” Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller said. “It’s going to be part of his maturing process. You can’t let the other team see that. There’s little talks with him, but I think that’s part of his personality. I’m kind of OK with him doing it. I think he plays his best hockey when he’s holding himself accountable. It’s just you don’t want to get to the point where you’re beating yourself up.”

more

Emery Goes Into Quiet Mode

by Paul on 11/08/07 at 03:57 PM
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from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun,

The Senators goaltender instituted a new policy today of not speaking with his good friends in the media on game day as he prepares to start tonight against the Washington Capitals at Scotiabank Place.

Emery, making only his third start of the season, has to win tonight if he is going to have any chance of wresting the No. 1 job from goalie Martin Gerber, who has emerged as the club’s clear-cut top man in the net so far this season.

“I don’t care what (Emery’s) like to you guys (in the media),” said coach John Paddock this morning at the Senators’ game-day skate. “The people he’s responsible to are his teammates and the organization. You have a certain standard you have to live up to, but who says that has to be happy all the time ... It’s good to be surly.”

read on

Can Nabby Play 82

by Paul on 11/07/07 at 08:45 AM
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from the Mercury News,

When Ron Wilson was asked recently how many games he planned to play goalie Evgeni Nabokov this season, the Sharks coach leaned back in his office chair and pretended to do the math in his head.

“Well, we have 82 regular-season games, and then add in the playoffs . . . “ Wilson said.

He was kidding.

Maybe.

read on (reg. may be req.)

Brodeur Sees Bright Future for Marc-Andre Fleury

by Alanah on 11/06/07 at 01:37 PM
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From Dave Molinari at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette,

“He’s such a great athlete,” Brodeur said. “What I look at is a guy’s ability to skate, and he’s a really good skater. The foundation is his mobility, how athletic he is, how competitive he is.

“Everything is there. It’s just that sometimes a couple of things are going the wrong way and the next thing you know, everything doesn’t fit.

“But when he finds a way to put everything together, relax and be patient, he has so much skill, so much speed, that he’s going to be all right. I love watching him play, because he’s a spectacular goalie.”

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Leclaire Seeing Shots & Stopping Shots

by Paul on 11/05/07 at 04:46 PM
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from the STATS Blog,

The Columbus Blue Jackets are the surprise team in the early going, and their goaltender, Pascal Leclaire, has been stellar, posting a league-high five shutouts in his nine starts. It shouldn’t come as a shock that Leclaire, who turns 25 on Wednesday, also ranks first among his peers with a 1.12 goals-against average and .957 save percentage.

In the last 10 days, Leclaire has secured wins despite facing his two highest shot totals of the season. On Oct. 25, he faced a season-high 36 and stopped all of them for a 3-0 win over St. Louis. In Los Angeles on Halloween, Leclaire was 33-for-34 in a 4-1 decision against the Kings. He hasn’t lost when facing 30 shots.

read on for some interesting stats when goalies face a high amount of shots…

Everyone Has To Pull Their Weight

by Paul on 11/05/07 at 08:25 AM
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from the Sun-Sentinel,

Standing in the visitors’ dressing room inside RBC Center, goalie Tomas Vokoun pointed out all of this after Florida’s 4-2 loss at Carolina, and then said he couldn’t understand why the Panthers didn’t work hard.

“We’re not consistently doing that enough to be successful on an every-night basis,” Vokoun said. “We are whatever we feel like that day, and that’s just not winning hockey. If you want to be in the playoffs, you have to be a whole lot better than that.

“No team is going to give you an easy game and say, ‘We’ll just let you win tonight.’ Especially with our team, we need everybody pulling their weight. That’s the bottom line for us to win. If that’s not happening, we can’t blame anyone but ourselves. We’re on the ice.”

read on

Weekes Hopes To Be A Link To Newark Community

by Paul on 11/05/07 at 06:09 AM
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from the NY Post,

A black Toronto native whose parents immigrated to Canada from Barbados, Weekes envisions the marvelous new arena invigorating the strife-stricken city and its residents. With Newark’s largely black population, not hockey’s usual