Quote:
Originally Posted by Bonded
If Conroy changes his mind on a Markstrom trade after a single game then I question his management skills. Vladar or Wolf could be a starter. I hope we find out
|
The risk aversion of the fanbase mirrors the risk aversion in the previous decade of management. Signing aging vet goalies like Hiller, Elliott, Smith, Markstrom, has produced absolutely zilch while other teams have consistently made deep runs with guys like Binnington, Hill, Murray coming in out of nowhere, typically having played AHL games the exact same year they won a cup. Hell, the only time Kipper made the second round, he started that year as an AHLer.
There's no real rhyme or reason to goalie success. Guys having Vezina type years can flop hard in the playoffs (just look at Markstrom in 2022 vs Edmonton) and guys who lost their starter position due to weak play can suddenly catch fire in the playoffs (eg Holtby in 2018 or MAF in 2017).
Even on an in-season basis, look up North. Stuart Skinner started the season as the worst goalie in the NHL, and since that rocky start has gone 20-5.
Build a strong group of skaters, starting with the center position, and then take a damn chance on some goalies in their 20s and just see how it shakes out. Don't let some predetermined role of "designated veteran starter" dictate the position