Goaltending conundrum

[Redleaf]

Just throwing this out there... Rather than go back and forth over who the number one guy is, is it possible the answer lies behind curtain #3... Neither. I mean, there were folks at points of the off-season here (myself included) who felt an upgrade at the position was required. Now with that said, I personally feel Reimer is the best option we have right now and I'm fine with continuing this journey with him but perhaps there's a better option out there somewhere?

Owuya?

 

[maplesyrup]

I was thinking trade but to be honest, #1 guys don't get moved much I suppose.

 

[Seymore Pucks]

Gus has been really good lately and deserves a few more games in a row.  He was going to be the the NO#1 until the setbacks last year.  His problem is that he stands on his head makes 4-5 amazing saves because he left hung to dry and then misses the apparent easy save when his D are all set up to do their job.  Reims glove looked shakey against the Islanders.  IMO the PK, then the D and then the goalies in that order are the problem.  To beat the Leafs at the mo all you have to do is shut down the 1st line, forecheck and wait for a PP or 2.

 

[hockeyfan1]

The trouble with the goaltenders is all this switching from Reimer to Gustavvson back to Reimer, etc.  It certainly doesn't help a netminder stay steady or focused to begin building momentum for a stretch of games.  Either Reimer is in for a short while or Gustavvson gets the nod also for a short while.

It's difficult for goalkeepers to always be ahead of their game or to stay sharp if they do not play several consecutive games or so, for a certain stretch run.

 

[nutman]

I think Wilson should run with gus for a while, and let Riemer work on his glove, the weak part of his game.

 

[Tigger]

I guess the argument is that Reimer is your number one, he seemed to start playing well and probably needs the work. I don't have a problem with Jonas getting a couple starts but goaltending has to stop being a negative issue if the Leafs want to make a push.

Reimer had two pretty solid games there, hard not to go with him on that basis but I thought the decision to pull him was a pretty good one at the time and it almost worked.

If Reimer got hit hard enough in the head with a puck or a player I guess he might have a big head but I don't get that comment otherwise.

Here's the problem though.  Gus had a 22 game stretch of .915+ SV% between his heart ablation and falling apart in November last year.  Reimer had a .920+ SV% for 26 games last year.  Gus did that with a weaker team than the post-Phaneuf trade, post-Lupul trade Leafs.  I fail to see what exactly Reimer has done to become the infallible #1 goaltender.  To me, he showed signs of doing that last year, but it took a shaky few games in November for Gus to lose his job to a mediocre Giguere with a bum hip.

Reimer has not looked good save for the two starts he had post-Christmas and I don't think anyone is advocating benching him for weeks, but Gus was coming off a great stretch where he had gone something like 7+ games with a .926 SV% and had won 5 of 6, only to be sat for two weeks while Reimer worked off rust, that most guys who have half a season in the pros would probably do in the minors. 

Gus' play has been equal to Reimer's and at this point, the Leafs shouldn't be playing the "maybe Reimer will get it together this period" game on a guy who hasn't played in the NHL long enough to have that kind of job security.

I don't necessarily disagree with any of this. When I say 'I guess' it's just that, partially based on Reimer being the one getting the ballots stuffed right now, partially because Jonas hasn't earned the number one moniker either, he's had a good run but I haven't moved far off 'back up', fwiw though I'd like to see more to know more too.

IIRC there was discussion on the boards about whether to send Reimer down for a conditioning stint before he returned, not sure why that didn't happen when Jonas was playing well.

Personally I wouldn't hate a platoon type situation if it suited the results.

 

[Madferret]

I guess the argument is that Reimer is your number one, he seemed to start playing well and probably needs the work. I don't have a problem with Jonas getting a couple starts but goaltending has to stop being a negative issue if the Leafs want to make a push.

Reimer had two pretty solid games there, hard not to go with him on that basis but I thought the decision to pull him was a pretty good one at the time and it almost worked.

If Reimer got hit hard enough in the head with a puck or a player I guess he might have a big head but I don't get that comment otherwise.

Here's the problem though.  Gus had a 22 game stretch of .915+ SV% between his heart ablation and falling apart in November last year.  Reimer had a .920+ SV% for 26 games last year.  Gus did that with a weaker team than the post-Phaneuf trade, post-Lupul trade Leafs.  I fail to see what exactly Reimer has done to become the infallible #1 goaltender.  To me, he showed signs of doing that last year, but it took a shaky few games in November for Gus to lose his job to a mediocre Giguere with a bum hip.

Reimer has not looked good save for the two starts he had post-Christmas and I don't think anyone is advocating benching him for weeks, but Gus was coming off a great stretch where he had gone something like 7+ games with a .926 SV% and had won 5 of 6, only to be sat for two weeks while Reimer worked off rust, that most guys who have half a season in the pros would probably do in the minors. 

Gus' play has been equal to Reimer's and at this point, the Leafs shouldn't be playing the "maybe Reimer will get it together this period" game on a guy who hasn't played in the NHL long enough to have that kind of job security.

I don't necessarily disagree with any of this. When I say 'I guess' it's just that, partially based on Reimer being the one getting the ballots stuffed right now, partially because Jonas hasn't earned the number one moniker either, he's had a good run but I haven't moved far off 'back up', fwiw though I'd like to see more to know more too.

IIRC there was discussion on the boards about whether to send Reimer down for a conditioning stint before he returned, not sure why that didn't happen when Jonas was playing well.

Personally I wouldn't hate a platoon type situation if it suited the results.

It would be interesting to see how that would play out - I was under the impression that All-Star goalies don't need to spend any time in the AHL.

 

[ZBBM]

I mused last night in the GDT that if I were the coach with a brand-new vote of confidence from my best friend, i would be tempted to give Gus a run of games as the starter.  This whole season Reimer has looked like a guy who should be in the AHL.

However, Gus has been only marginally better IMO.

So I would keep starting Reimer for the next 3 or 4, but if he doesn't pick it up I'd switch to Gus as the starter and see if he can establish.

OK, I'm vacillating now.

 

[gunnar36]

Gustavsson needs to get the next start.  There are way too many glaring weaknesses in Reimers game right now and he really hasn't earned the number 1 job since his injury, it was just handed back to him.

And why does Reimer hunch over in that stupid prolonged fetal position every time a puck gets past him?

 

[lamajama]

Gustavsson needs to get the next start.  There are way too many glaring weaknesses in Reimers game right now and he really hasn't earned the number 1 job since his injury, it was just handed back to him.

And why does Reimer hunch over in that stupid prolonged fetal position every time a puck gets past him?

I agree. Almost as bad as Luongo's snow angel pose.

 

[freer]

IMO there is no conundrum. Gus is the answer point blank!!!!!

 

[hockeyfan1]

... why does Reimer hunch over in that stupid prolonged fetal position every time a puck gets past him?

To tell you the truth, I honestly thought he was in pain or something, after having allowed the winning goal. 

There is something about Reimer.  I don't believe he really is 100% (non-pain-wise).  Either he's lost that 'edge' that he had before, or, teams know how to score against by now. 

We may all be expecting miracles from the Leaf goalies, but in reality, Gustavvson nor Reimer have played full seasons.  Toss in injuries, health problems, etc., and the road taken for these Leaf goaltenders is still (on) a learning experience.

 

[Zee]

... why does Reimer hunch over in that stupid prolonged fetal position every time a puck gets past him?

To tell you the truth, I honestly thought he was in pain or something, after having allowed the winning goal. 

There is something about Reimer.  I don't believe he really is 100% (non-pain-wise).  Either he's lost that 'edge' that he had before, or, teams know how to score against by now. 

We may all be expecting miracles from the Leaf goalies, but in reality, Gustavvson nor Reimer have played full seasons.  Toss in injuries, health problems, etc., and the road taken for these Leaf goaltenders is still (on) a learning experience.

Something is definitely not right with Reimer.  Be it injury, or last year being a fluke (i hope not), he's playing well below what Leafs fans saw the previous season.

 

[riff raff]

The question I am left with is why do the Leaf goalies always end up looking the same? Lousy.

And not just lousy - the same kind of lousy.

The Leafs have had the habit over the past couple of years of annointing a number one and then being stubborn about it. It's not as if Reimer earned the number one job with a long resume of strong play - it was really just a couple of months. I can understand (not agree) with giving the job to Giguere before he had earned it but there were plenty of questions about whether Reimer was the real deal before the season began. Those questions look less like questions now.

I don't know if Gus is the answer to any question we may be asking right about now, but I do believe he has played better than Reimer this season, and often against tougher opponents. He should be given a shot - an honest shot - and if he also starts to look like "A Leaf Goalie", then by all means go out and find another contestent.

 

[BermudaBudsFan]

I think there was to a greater or lesser degree questions about whether what we saw of Reimer last year was real, a mirage, or somewhere in between.  I have trouble thinking that his injury has not effected his performance somewhat.  At the same time, I think we are slowly finding out that he is not a .920 save percentage goaltender.

I suppose the more interesting question is whether Burke tries to do something about it by way of acquisition.  At face value there may not seem much out there, but Burke has pulled of some "impossible" trades in the past.  Part of the question surely revolves around if he thinks this team, with better goaltending, has a chance to make some noise in the playoffs.  That is at best debatable, as they will in all likelihood play the Bruins or Flyers in the first round if they do make it.

 

[Jalili]

The question I am left with is why do the Leaf goalies always end up looking the same? Lousy.

And not just lousy - the same kind of lousy.

The Leafs have had the habit over the past couple of years of annointing a number one and then being stubborn about it. It's not as if Reimer earned the number one job with a long resume of strong play - it was really just a couple of months. I can understand (not agree) with giving the job to Giguere before he had earned it but there were plenty of questions about whether Reimer was the real deal before the season began. Those questions look less like questions now.

I don't know if Gus is the answer to any question we may be asking right about now, but I do believe he has played better than Reimer this season, and often against tougher opponents. He should be given a shot - an honest shot - and if he also starts to look like "A Leaf Goalie", then by all means go out and find another contestent.

This is something I've wondered about as well. Goalies seem to underachieve playing here... maybe it's just not an ideal situation for them to succeed, but it seems like playing for TO brings out the worst in them.

 

[Tigger]

Well, y'know, it's hard playing net?

The Leafs haven't had a Cujo or Belfour in a while to bail them out, it's tricky to get guys like that and even when you do it's not easy for them.

 

[Optimus Reimer]

The question I am left with is why do the Leaf goalies always end up looking the same? Lousy.

And not just lousy - the same kind of lousy.

The Leafs have had the habit over the past couple of years of annointing a number one and then being stubborn about it. It's not as if Reimer earned the number one job with a long resume of strong play - it was really just a couple of months. I can understand (not agree) with giving the job to Giguere before he had earned it but there were plenty of questions about whether Reimer was the real deal before the season began. Those questions look less like questions now.

I don't know if Gus is the answer to any question we may be asking right about now, but I do believe he has played better than Reimer this season, and often against tougher opponents. He should be given a shot - an honest shot - and if he also starts to look like "A Leaf Goalie", then by all means go out and find another contestent.

This is something I've wondered about as well. Goalies seem to underachieve playing here... maybe it's just not an ideal situation for them to succeed, but it seems like playing for TO brings out the worst in them.

I blame the system.  The players need to clear the puck out of their zone better; they have to play better positional hockey; they have to be more agressive defensively.  it doesn't matter who is in net as long as the system sucks.  And that is coming from a former goalie.  I have played for teams that sucked defensively, but I could only stop so many shots, eventually the other team would score.  Example:  2 on 1s.  I preferred to face the shooter.  If my d-man covered the forward without the puck, I could concentrate on the shooter.  Instead my d-man is playing the middle so now I have to concentrate on 2 players.  At other times my players are leaving someone uncovered in front of the net. 

I also played for teams that were defensively strong in which the saves I made were easy because my dmen
were making it difficult for the other players to shoot or get into position to shoot.

 

[moon111]

... why does Reimer hunch over in that stupid prolonged fetal position every time a puck gets past him?

To tell you the truth, I honestly thought he was in pain or something, after having allowed the winning goal. 

There is something about Reimer.  I don't believe he really is 100% (non-pain-wise).  Either he's lost that 'edge' that he had before, or, teams know how to score against by now. 

We may all be expecting miracles from the Leaf goalies, but in reality, Gustavvson nor Reimer have played full seasons.  Toss in injuries, health problems, etc., and the road taken for these Leaf goaltenders is still (on) a learning experience.

Something is definitely not right with Reimer.  Be it injury, or last year being a fluke (i hope not), he's playing well below what Leafs fans saw the previous season.

No Komisarek in front of him. 

 

[Bonsixx]

The Kings have Quick and Bernier. It was at one time a given Bernier was going to take that job, but Quick is still young himself and is playing at a very high level. Maybe Bernier would be made available for some defensive depth, along with either Reimer or Gustavsson?

This may not even be necessary at this point, since I think Reimer - and maybe even Gustavsson - needs a little more time to prove himself one way or the other, but time is also clearly of great importance. The Kings may be the best bet to try and work out a deal.