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Post by franko on Dec 15, 2009 16:36:47 GMT -5
With the Halak for Vinnie chatter [what's that? Vinnie hasn't been mentioned in the thread?] thought it might be good to have an "around the league" thread regarding goalies. A bunch of news: Lightning fans have got to be wondering just why Mike Smith is getting a load of starts as of late, with flashes of brilliance intertwined with inconsistencies and soft goals. With six starts in the past nine games, Smith has faced the most regular action since his concussion this time last year.
Both wins during that span were under Smith's watch, posting a shutout against the Isles and a near-shutout against the Rangers on November 28th. But for every great start, there have been follow up weak efforts by the team - no matter who is in net.
Two media publications in the Philadelphia area shed light on why Smith has seen so much action as of late: Brian Lawton may have been showcasing him for a potential trade. also, With starter Ray Emery sidelined for the next several weeks, the Philadelphia Flyers shored up their goaltending by claiming Michael Leighton on re-entry waivers from the Canes today.
Carolina is now responsible for half of the remainder of Leighton’s $600,000 salary this season, with the Flyers picking up the other portion. Although Leighton did not play his best game of the season on October 31 in Philadelphia, he appeared in four games for the Flyers in 2006-07 and is familiar with former Hurricanes coaches Peter Laviolette and Kevin McCarthy.
After grabbing hold of the backup job behind Cam Ward earlier this month, Manny Legace now finds himself firmly entrenched in that role. Albany’s Justin Peters becomes the third man on the depth chart. |
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Post by blny on Dec 15, 2009 17:07:29 GMT -5
Not a surprising turn. Leighton's a 'quick fix' solution in keeping with Philly's long term strategy over the years. They obviously feel Emery is the answer when he returns. While some contend his inconsistency was the result of injury, I strongly doubt it. His, and the teams, inconsistency was going on for a while and you just don't play through an abdominal tear for that long (if at all).
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Post by BadCompany on Dec 16, 2009 12:05:24 GMT -5
I don’t think that the Flyers actually think Leighton or Grahame are the answers… I think they’re just lining their ducks (not Anaheim’s) up in a row. Even if they were to make a trade for a goalie, chances are the team giving them one might want one in return as well, albeit of an inferior caliber. Take Montreal for example, say we trade Halak to them for whatever. Then what? We call up Sanford to back up Price and that’s all fine and good. But what happens in the AHL? Desjardins has been lights out down there, but who backs him up? Montreal would probably want one of Leighton or Grahame in return, just to shore up their AHL depth.
I think the Flyers are just ensuring that all their options remain open.
In other goaltending news;
* Rick DiPietro apparently suffered a setback in his first AHL rehab start, pulling himself from the game after two periods. It’s unclear what that means for a guy the Islanders thought was close to returning, or what that means for the availability of either Dwayne Roloson or Marty Biron.
* Kari Lehtonen is also close to returning, at least to skating. He’s probably two periods away from another injury too though. The Thrashers have been cruising with the surprising duo of Ondrej Pavelic and Johan Hedberg.
* Nikolai Khabibulin may or may not be in serious trouble with a back injury. He underwent some mysterious spinal procedure yesterday, and the Oilers are unusually tight-lipped about his condition. The last time they were this elusive with information was when Ales Hemsky got hurt, and he ended up being lost for the rest of the year. Khabibulin has not played in three weeks, but the Oilers have not seemed to miss him (yet) as Jeff “small font please” Drouin-Deslauriers has been holding down the fort.
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Post by blny on Dec 16, 2009 13:12:14 GMT -5
I think DiPietro and Lehtonen may be lost causes. In Rick's case it seems to be misfortune, but Kari's all about a serious lack of conditioning. He's in beer league shape.
It's a great opportunity for JDD in Edmonton. He may emerge as a result.
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Post by Lord Bebop on Jan 17, 2010 11:35:14 GMT -5
Pierre Lebrun said on CBC Saturday night Satellite Hot Stove that the Stars have shown some interest in Halak the last couple of weeks but but the Habs asking price apparently has gone up since the two teams talked earlier in the season and the Canadiens might not part with Halak now.
My guess is we wait til the trade deadline to see if Price picks up his game. If Price's play is still inconsistent then hold on to Halak til the draft.
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Post by Doc Holliday on Jan 17, 2010 14:17:13 GMT -5
Pierre Lebrun said on CBC Saturday night Satellite Hot Stove that the Stars have shown some interest in Halak the last couple of weeks but but the Habs asking price apparently has gone up since the two teams talked earlier in the season and the Canadiens might not part with Halak now. My guess is we wait til the trade deadline to see if Price picks up his game. If Price's play is still inconsistent then hold on to Halak til the draft. ...and from what I hear, they'd like to get Turco in that trade. Since it makes no sense to me, it's probably quite accurate. I mean, this trade would be all about Price, Price, Price, which kinda fits the current direction. Trade the guy who is challenging our "Jewel" and instead get a veteran goaltender who's on the downside of his carreer and presents no threat. |
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Post by OopyDoopy on Jan 17, 2010 14:39:04 GMT -5
I agree Doc, why oh why would you trade Halak for Turco, if this is true I am even more baffled at what this management group is smoking. Seriously what is the benefit of trading for Turko?? Is it Gainey's job to give Dallas a gift every few years? Is that part of his deal for leaving Dallas? If people think getting a draft pick for Halak is basically a lateral move and not necessary at this time then trading for Turco has to be looked at as a step backwards.  |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Jan 17, 2010 14:41:05 GMT -5
Pierre Lebrun said on CBC Saturday night Satellite Hot Stove that the Stars have shown some interest in Halak the last couple of weeks but but the Habs asking price apparently has gone up since the two teams talked earlier in the season and the Canadiens might not part with Halak now. My guess is we wait til the trade deadline to see if Price picks up his game. If Price's play is still inconsistent then hold on to Halak til the draft. ...and from what I hear, they'd like to get Turco in that trade. Since it makes no sense to me, it's probably quite accurate. I mean, this trade would be all about Price, Price, Price, which kinda fits the current direction. Trade the guy who is challenging our "Jewel" and instead get a veteran goaltender who's on the downside of his carreer and presents no threat. I'm wondering if Price would benefit from having a veteran to mentor him. An Andy Moog kind of acquisition. Wouldn't hurt that way I suppose. Cheers. |
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Post by Doc Holliday on Jan 17, 2010 14:51:44 GMT -5
...and from what I hear, they'd like to get Turco in that trade. Since it makes no sense to me, it's probably quite accurate. I mean, this trade would be all about Price, Price, Price, which kinda fits the current direction. Trade the guy who is challenging our "Jewel" and instead get a veteran goaltender who's on the downside of his carreer and presents no threat. I'm wondering if Price would benefit from having a veteran to mentor him. An Andy Moog kind of acquisition. Wouldn't hurt that way I suppose. Cheers. ...The underlying question would be: ...Did Moog help Thibault achieve his #1 status in Montreal (which I agree was the goals of his acquisition) ? |
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Post by jkr on Jan 17, 2010 15:58:39 GMT -5
Pierre Lebrun said on CBC Saturday night Satellite Hot Stove that the Stars have shown some interest in Halak the last couple of weeks but but the Habs asking price apparently has gone up since the two teams talked earlier in the season and the Canadiens might not part with Halak now. My guess is we wait til the trade deadline to see if Price picks up his game. If Price's play is still inconsistent then hold on to Halak til the draft. ...and from what I hear, they'd like to get Turco in that trade. Since it makes no sense to me, it's probably quite accurate. I mean, this trade would be all about Price, Price, Price, which kinda fits the current direction. Trade the guy who is challenging our "Jewel" and instead get a veteran goaltender who's on the downside of his carreer and presents no threat. Plus Turco is a UFA at the end of the season. They would need a goalie until the end of the season and if Turco comes this way he would have to have company for the trade to make any sense to the Canadiens. Otherwise, what's the point. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Jan 17, 2010 16:35:31 GMT -5
I'm wondering if Price would benefit from having a veteran to mentor him. An Andy Moog kind of acquisition. Wouldn't hurt that way I suppose. Cheers. ...The underlying question would be: ...Did Moog help Thibault achieve his #1 status in Montreal (which I agree was the goals of his acquisition) ? Well, I have to be honest here. I don't like the idea of losing Halak and at the same time I don't like the idea giving up on Price at this stage. That said, I agree with you in that the club seems to still be looking at Price for their long-term future, which is why I thought of Turco-the-Tutor. I think acquiring Moog was good for the team overall. He was one of the team's leaders while he was there I thought. I don't know what kind of leader Turco is in Dallas. Developing Thibault? Couldn't tell you if that's why Moog was brought in, Doc. Though Thibault seemed to play his best games against us, instead of with us ... bummer. Halak? He's going to help any team he ends up on. While I don't want to give up on Price, I wouldn't mind seeing Halak carry us the rest of the way. Cheers. |
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Post by Lord Bebop on Jan 18, 2010 18:40:32 GMT -5
Pierre Lebrun said on CBC Saturday night Satellite Hot Stove that the Stars have shown some interest in Halak the last couple of weeks but but the Habs asking price apparently has gone up since the two teams talked earlier in the season and the Canadiens might not part with Halak now. My guess is we wait til the trade deadline to see if Price picks up his game. If Price's play is still inconsistent then hold on to Halak til the draft. ...and from what I hear, they'd like to get Turco in that trade. Since it makes no sense to me, it's probably quite accurate. I mean, this trade would be all about Price, Price, Price, which kinda fits the current direction. Trade the guy who is challenging our "Jewel" and instead get a veteran goaltender who's on the downside of his carreer and presents no threat. On the Hot Stove, Steve LeBrun never said Turco would be involved in a trade for Halak. Only that Dallas would like to trade for Halak. He did mention Turco would be traded but he never said to Montreal. That's how i heard it anyways...... |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2010 19:36:27 GMT -5
I don't want to see Halak traded for another goalie. We need a forward at the very least.
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Post by CrocRob on Jan 18, 2010 20:00:11 GMT -5
I don't want to see Halak traded for another goalie. We need a forward at the very least. I think that's why Dallas would make a good trading partner. They have quite a few youngish forwards who they might part with for a quality goaltender. I don't think they'd be willing to part with Benn or Neal, but Brunnstrom, Lindgren or Eriksson would certainly be fetchable. On the back end they'd likely be willing to part with Niskanen and/or Fistric as well. None of those guys are certifiable first line talent, but a couple of them together might be appealing in a package. |
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