Mason McDonald trains at ball park in the offseason

[Since1984]

Originally Posted by Blarg

Mason needs a big weight gain. He looks like nothing but a bunch of twigs tied together in the shape of a human

Matt Murray of the Pittsburgh Penguins disagrees.

6'4 180lbs

[Coach]

There are no parameters for physicality of a goalie. Stop the puck. How ever they do that doesn't matter.

[Since1984]

Originally Posted by MattyC

There are no parameters for physicality of a goalie. Stop the puck. How ever they do that doesn't matter.

Exactly! two of the best all time had very unique playing styles(Dominik Hasek and Martin Brodeur)

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by MattyC

There are no parameters for physicality of a goalie. Stop the puck. How ever they do that doesn't matter.

I like tall goalies but skinny doesn't concern me at all. I don't want bulky. Thin suggests they can at least move and be flexible.

Plus more weight = more stress on joints.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I like tall goalies but skinny doesn't concern me at all. I don't want bulky. Thin suggests they can at least move and be flexible.

Plus more weight = more stress on joints.

See this I don't get. "I like tall goalies." Why? Because they take up more space? Stop the puck, I don't care if you're 5 ft 2 or 6 ft 8. I have a preference for the better goalie.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by MattyC

See this I don't get. "I like tall goalies." Why? Because they take up more space? Stop the puck, I don't care if you're 5 ft 2 or 6 ft 8. I have a preference for the better goalie.

Tall goalies make a massive difference. The biggest reason is because most goalies go down on their knees when a shot happens. A tall goalie's shoulders will be blocking the upper half of the net if he's positioned correctly. Whereas a small goalie will have pretty much the entire top of the net open when they are on their knees. Point shots especially screened ones can go in on smaller goalies more easily if they go towards the top corners. An agile, quick, 6'5 goalie is going to be harder to score on than an agile, quick 5'8 goalie. The percentage space of the net they take up is drastically different.

Size being an asset for a goalie can't really be in dispute IMO. There's a reason why NHL teams are hesitant to draft sub 6'0 goalies. It really is a league that favours bigger goalies. That said you don't draft goalies just because they are big. But a big goalie with excellent agility and reflexes will always be preferred over a small goalie with excellent agility and reflexes.

You can't always see the shot. So taking up more space will lead to less goals against.

[The Yen Man]

Plus, you have longer reach with your limbs, which means you get an advantage during in those desperation save situations.

[Coach]

Yeah but the overall point is I would never want to see the org. overlook talent for size. If a smaller guy is better, he's better. To say you 'prefer" tall goalies, to me, says it's an attribute you consider to be an important factor. When, if given a better yet smaller option, it's not.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Yeah but the overall point is I would never want to see the org. overlook talent for size. If a smaller guy is better, he's better. To say you 'prefer" tall goalies, to me, says it's an attribute you consider to be an important factor. When, if given a better yet smaller option, it's not.

You are making way too much out of this. Having a preference for size in no way suggests that one is inappropriately prioritising size. It only shows that all things being equal taller goalies possess certain advantages that tend to enhance their performance. That is all.

[EldrickOnIce]

I think Halak is the only NHL goaltender (who saw any significant action) under 6 feet. He's 5'11"
Average is more than 6'3" I bet. I doubt that is as result of any bias against short guys.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

I think Halak is the only NHL goaltender (who saw any significant action) under 6 feet. He's 5'11"
Average is more than 6'3" I bet. I doubt that is as result of any bias against short guys.

But what's the average of the goalies most people would consider to be top group?

Lundqvist: 6 ft 1
Price: 6 ft 3
Quick: 6 ft 1
Holtby: 6 ft 2
Schneider 6 ft 2

Historically:

Hasek: 5 ft 11
Roy: 6 ft 2
Brodeur: 6 ft 2
Kipper: 6 ft 1
VanBeesbruik: 5 ft 8
Richter: 5 ft 11

Not small, but none of them are overly tall. You could make cases for a guy like Bishop, but I would take any of the above over him. Not saying being smaller correlates to being better, just that being taller doesn't either. Not saying there is a bias against short guys (not that 6 ft is short), just that there shouldn't be a bias FOR tall guys.

My whole point was that a goalie's physicality doesn't really equate to their prowess at all, so what's the point of having a preference?

[droopydrew19]

He throws like a girl

[EVERLAST]

I like that this kid is getting some attention . I've heard excellent things about this guy and his attitude and work ethic and hope he pushes hard for a spot as a starter in Stockton . I'd like to see him develop and be ready to make the Flames as a starter.