Quote:
Originally Posted by devo22
at least this time, we know that Smith can handle a big workload. 67 games in 11/12, 62 in 13/14 and 14/15, 55 in 16/17. His 34 games in the lockout season are 58 pro-rated to a full season. So that's different in comparison to Elliott, and that gives me hope. Lack has no term and can easily be replaced if he craps the bed, so it's low-risk, really.
In terms of a stop-gap solution, Smith/Lack isn't terrible ... especially since a lot of salary was retained and the acquisition cost was very, very low. I can't wait for the next Flames franchise goalie though, whoever it'll be. Not having to worry about goaltending because you have a star in net who carries a heavy workload for years is something that I really miss.
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Both are coming off of pretty mediocre seasons too. Goaltending is the biggest concern for this hockey team and Treliving has not yet addressed it after taking multiple swings at it. At some point he's going to have to get it right, or fall on his sword for it.
The biggest concern for me about the acquisition of Smith is that he is a disruptive force in the dressing room. Smith was not well liked by his team mates because he is quick to drive a bus over them. Smith has routinely called out his defensemen for his own poor play and will display on ice histrionics when something goes wrong. I would accept that if Mike Smith had a long history of winning, but Mike Smith is a middling goaltender and losing seems to follow him around.
From all indications Lack has lost his game and become a head case. All the things Carolina fans have said about him lead me to believe he's gone fuller Hillerand just the site of a hockey puck makes him wet his equipment. The coaching in Carolina supposedly messed with his game and he's an emotional wreck over it. I would say that good coaching might be able to save a guy like Lack, but our goaltending coaching is brutal and seems to have the opposite desired effect on goaltenders.
I have my fingers crossed on this, but I still don't have much faith in the goaltending tandem Treliving has culled together. I am still praying someone - Ritttich, Gillies, or Parsons - pulls a Vernon and steals the starting role sometime during the season during a call up. I would hate to see this team have another bad season because of goaltending, AGAIN.