Quote:
Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe
Playing backup and playing starter (or at least a 1B) is completely different from one another. I don't think there is anyone that can look at Vladar and definitively state that he is not starter material. I do think he has had great games, and he has had poor ones. Never really knowing when you start, and starting so infrequently, while also playing hurt? There shouldn't be any definitive conclusions at this point in time. I think what he needs is to make sure he fully recovers, and comes back next season fit and ready to split most starts.
Some guys can come in and do both backup and starter exceptionally well. Some goalies are great backups and terrible starters, and vice versa. A great example of this is actually Kiprusoff.
Season 1: 5 games 1.95GAA and .902SV%
Season 2: 20 games 2.48GAA and .915SV%
Season 3: 22 games 3.25GAA and .879SV%
By looking just at his numbers, it showed promise, but then him falling relatively flat on his face, especially comparing Nabokov's and Toskala's numbers straight across.
I am not saying that Vladar is going to be the next Kipper. Actually, I am not even saying he is going to be a starter, or will have any sort of NHL career. I am, however, saying that is very premature to state that he doesn't have starter potential. I am really hoping that it is Vladar's and Wolf's net this upcoming season and have them more or less split the starts. I think then we can better tell what Vladar is or isn't (assuming he is fully healed-up and fit).
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I think scouts see a guy who is 6'5", plays sporadically for a team that has been pretty bad and has some really good games thrown into his record. He had great games against Edmonton, TB, Vegas, Minnie this year. Sometimes indiviual games sway views.