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Goaltending conundrum

Redleaf

Redleaf

Active member
Well, it looks as though a goalie controversy is now in full swing in Leafland.

With no timetable on Reimer's return, and Gus and Scrivens looking like they aren't ready to get the job done on a nightly basis, I ask.... what should be done?

Are there any veteran goalies out there worth pursuing in a trade? Do we continue to run with these two until Reimer returns? I really don't know what the answer is, but after watching these last two games, staying the course could be the undoing of this great start, and subsequently any chance of a playoff pursuit.

Any suggestions out there?
 
Turco? He can't be much worse. I feel bad for Gustavsson, it's true that the team hangs him out to dry sometimes but he just seems to completely deflate after a bad goal. And Scrivens is clearly not ready for the NHL.

The Islanders don't need three goalies, and Nabokov is the odd man out with Montoya playing well and DP being anchored there. Plus there is the fact that he didn't want to play for the Islanders in the first place...and I'm sure Wilson would love to have Nabby back. :P What would Snow want for him?

I would like to see the Leafs pick up some kind of veteran backup though, and then either trade Gus or just put him on waivers so he has a chance to catch on somewhere else rather than burying him in the minors. I hope he gets his head together some day, but even if he does I seriously doubt it's going to be in Toronto.
 
Bullfrog said:
Kidd said:
Turco? He can't be much worse.
Click to expand...

But if he's at all worse, why bother?
Click to expand...

Very true. If we get a guy, I think it needs to be someone who is good enough to challenge Reimer. As a side, perhaps keeping Giguere might have been a good idea.  :-\
 
Floyd said:
Bullfrog said:
Kidd said:
Turco? He can't be much worse.
Click to expand...

But if he's at all worse, why bother?
Click to expand...

Very true. If we get a guy, I think it needs to be someone who is good enough to challenge Reimer. As a side, perhaps keeping Giguere might have been a good idea.  :-\
Click to expand...

Yeah... I mean his 4 games this year he's put up phenomenal numbers. I think maybe its true in the sense that this is the first year where he didn't have to rehab something and he just focused on his play.

There's no doubt that Burke isn't happy with the backups early on this season.
 
We need ot also play better D.. Also while I like Reimer it is not liek we are awaiting the return of Patrick Roy. James still has a ways to go also.. I have always tried to defend Gus. He made some great saves early last night and once again thoguht he was turning the corner. But does he always have to give up 3+ goals each game:? I think he is unfortuantely playing himself out of another NHL contract..
 
ChrisBottaNHL Chris Botta
Ron Wilson could be reunited with Nabokov. But will #Isles trade a quality G within East again for a draft pick or iffy prospect?
53 minutes ago

Would ya? 
 
Floyd said:
ChrisBottaNHL Chris Botta
Ron Wilson could be reunited with Nabokov. But will #Isles trade a quality G within East again for a draft pick or iffy prospect?
53 minutes ago

Would ya?
Click to expand...
I got a little excited there - I thought we might be trading Wilson :D
 
Floyd said:
ChrisBottaNHL Chris Botta
Ron Wilson could be reunited with Nabokov. But will #Isles trade a quality G within East again for a draft pick or iffy prospect?
53 minutes ago

Would ya?
Click to expand...

I can't tell if that is a rumour he has heard or if he is just throwing ideas out.

EDIT: Another of his tweets says the price for Nabokov is a 2nd rounder.
 
Potvin29 said:
Floyd said:
ChrisBottaNHL Chris Botta
Ron Wilson could be reunited with Nabokov. But will #Isles trade a quality G within East again for a draft pick or iffy prospect?
53 minutes ago

Would ya?
Click to expand...

I can't tell if that is a rumour he has heard or if he is just throwing ideas out.

EDIT: Another of his tweets says the price for Nabokov is a 2nd rounder.
Click to expand...

I'd do that provided it was conditional on Nabokov's performance... Maybe it drops to a 4th or something if he doesn't cur the mustard. I mean, there's ample time to recover the pick in another deal.

Edir: ... and yes, I'm desperate to get a 'keeper quick.
 
Nabokov, wasn't he around the same time Toskala was in SJ.  That would bring back too many unpleasant memories for me...
 
At the end of the day, I think I'd just rather nip this "conundrum" in the bud right away. I don't want to see the Leafs sit idly by and wait and see if it sorts itself out. 
 
The worst thing we could do would bring in a veteran goalie.

This team, if it makes the playoffs at all, is not going far.  The mistake people are making is looking at this good start, which is full of holes, and thinking we have to do a panic move to protect it because we are a contender.  We aren't.

We are still rebuilding.  This season is about getting a very young team to learn, especially the goaltenders.  If we make the playoffs, terrific; it will be a learning experience, but nothing more.

Wilson, of course, will be motivated to save his hide, and may press to bring in a Turco or a Nabokov.  Then what do you do with Reimer when he comes back?  Play him every 10th game?  Because Turco and Nabokov are not going to want to be the backups. 

If Burke caves in to pressure, it will be the ultimate sign that he's more beholden to his pal than to the long-term good of the team.

 
Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate said:
The worst thing we could do would bring in a veteran goalie.
Click to expand...

I don't think it is the worst thing at all.  I think it would be worse for a young team to have no faith in their goaltenders and have to be on pins and needles in front of him.  Who knows how long Reimer will be out?  If it is a concussion, it could be a long, long time.

I don't think, for the right price, it would hurt (or be considered a panic move) to try and solidify the goaltending position.

And Turco didn't seem to have a problem being backup last season in Chicago (not that I advocate signing him, but just saying).
 
Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate said:
The worst thing we could do would bring in a veteran goalie.

This team, if it makes the playoffs at all, is not going far.  The mistake people are making is looking at this good start, which is full of holes, and thinking we have to do a panic move to protect it because we are a contender.  We aren't.

We are still rebuilding.  This season is about getting a very young team to learn, especially the goaltenders.  If we make the playoffs, terrific; it will be a learning experience, but nothing more.

Wilson, of course, will be motivated to save his hide, and may press to bring in a Turco or a Nabokov.  Then what do you do with Reimer when he comes back?  Play him every 10th game?  Because Turco and Nabokov are not going to want to be the backups. 

If Burke caves in to pressure, it will be the ultimate sign that he's more beholden to his pal than to the long-term good of the team.
Click to expand...

I don't think it's a great way to develop young fragile goalies by sending them out night after night to be lit up by opposing teams. 
 
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