Stacking the Pads

Just the tip of the goalie news iceberg

27 September 2006

Catching up with the team previews

There's more great analysis on nhl.com, looking at many aspects of the teams as we inch closer to the start of the regular season. As far as the goalies go...

All jokes aside, Rick DiPietro's confidence is back after a career-high in wins last season. (Note: Wade Dubielewicz is featured as backup in this article, but the Isles appear to be courting Mike Dunham, who has played in all three of the Islanders' pre-season games so far.) King Henrik will be out to prove his stellar season was no fluke, just as the Senators will benefit from Martin Gerber proving himself in a new city, with hungry Ray Emery at his heels. And in Minnesota, now that the question of the #1 position has been settled, the battle for ice time will be played out for the backup role between club prospect Josh Harding and Finnish import Niklas Backstrom. With Antero Niittymaki's unfortunate injury, the Flyers will have to rely on Robert Esche as their starter, rather than go with the tandem plan as predicted. Predators players and fans alike are relieved that Tomas Vokoun's health problems cleared up and he is ready to pick up where he left off. The kid with the bright yellow pads gets his first shot at a full season as the #1 goalie. Pittsburgh's backup situation is a lot less confidence-inspirig. CuJo is the undisputed #1 in Pheonix, and John McGourty thinks an improved Coyotes defense will do wonders to help improve his numbers.

1 Comments:

  • At 3:19 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    CuJo in Phoenix. Is Gretzky so alone in his age bracket that he's looking for a guy older than him to play on his team. Sad... so very sad.

    I guess it is true what they say "The (great) one is the loneliest number."

    D-Man

     

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