Quote:
Originally Posted by Infinit47
I don't think Sutter ever gave Vladar a solid chance to get going. And even then Vladar's results (which are what matters) are hands down better than Markstrom's. Sutter rode Markstrom to an embarrassing elimination against the Oilers, and rode him all year, and rode him the game after he got pulled and his replacement won.
My point is we will never know how the season would have turned out if Sutter played Vladar more, and showed any confidence in him.
Could it be worse than barely missing the playoffs though?
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Midway through the year, Vladar's numbers were demonstrably better than Markstrom's. But because Vladar wasn't constitently putting up a 2.00 and 0.910 the decision was to ride Markstrom to try and get him going.
Not saying Vladar was a guarantee to play well with a higher workload, but they gambled with the goalie who was struggling worse and it hasn't worked.
Vladar putting up a 2.75 and a 0.900 probably gets you into the playoffs.