Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
I don't get overly concerned about goalies' numbers in the AHL, to be honest. I would assume that the coaches have them working on things which should improve their play over time, but might cause struggles in the short term, as they adjust.
You really don't know anything about a goalie until they get in front of NHL shooters, where they just play their game. And I thought Gillies did fairly well last year, in his first stint.
If we see a continuation of that, and hopefully some improvement and progression, then who gives a crap about his numbers in Stockton?
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Sometimes a goalies numbers in the AHL or below just don't properly indicate how good a goalie is, or can be, in the NHL. Look at Patrick Roy. Attrocious numbers in the QMJHL, but he made the jump right into the NHL and he was immediately very good.
Another goalie who some may think did okay in the NHL is Martin Brodeur. Played one year in the AHL and his numbers certainly did not indicate what he would become in the NHL. Some guys with better numbers than him that year in the AHL were Corey Hirsch, Allan Bester and Jamie McLennan.
I don't think Gillies will be on the level of Roy or Brodeur, I'm just saying just because his numbers don't look good in the AHL doesn't mean that they'll get worse in the NHL.