Quote:
Originally Posted by Textcritic
Well Grubauer has actually played 103 AHL games, and while Darling has payed only 53 AHL games, he did play three full years of professional hockey in NA prior to this year. Unlike all the other goalies mentioned Raanta is already 28-years-old. The argument is not just that Rittich and Gillies are inexperienced it is also that both are young and neither one has dominated at the AHL level, which seems like a pretty reliable indicator that a goalie is ready to take the next step in the NHL.
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Grubauer got 2 games in the NHL at the age of 21 along with 28 games in the AHL. The following year got 17 games in the NHL and 28 in the AHL. He stayed in the AHL until Washington was able to deal Halak and Neuvirth to make room for him. Darling was an awful goaltender and played in the Southern Professional Hockey League but he was able to pick himself up and make it as a backup in the league. These guys were given opportunities before the Magical 100 AHL games played. This is why I would like to see that Gillies can do and help the team with the salary cap as well.