The ongoing "how would you fix the goaltending" thread

[Tinordi]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

I would look at Columbus.

They have Bobrovsky for 3 more years at 7.5

Option 1: Give then Raymond for Bobrovsky and 1.5 million retained
Option 2 : See how much they will retain to get rid of him. Maybe 2.5 million so we get for 5 million.
Option 3: If they are going to keep him see what they want for their other goaltender assets.

Please tell me this post was a joke.

[calgaryboy]

My personal opinion is that with solid goaltending we would be in TOP 8 now in the Western conference. The goaltending in my eyes is the No. 1 reason we are where we are. First 20 games, ultrasubpar performances by both goalies, then Ramo came out of Stockton with great efforts and we were winning games. But that huge losing streak at the beginning of the season was longer than it should be. Now Ramo is injured and Hiller is the worst goalie in the Universe for me, I cannot stand that guy, cannot see him during the game, he makes me sick!!! This Swiss clown is a total joke for a loooooong time. It is nothing new. I think they are still celebrating in Anaheim they got rid of him! So No. 1 priority for the offseason shoud be /along with Monny and Johnny contracts/ goaltending position. To conclude my post - if we had any solid goaltender this season, we would be sitting in a play-off spot today. We have the worst goalie numbers and that hurts. The defence is really not that bad as it may look by numbers. Goalies are those responsible for this mess, mainly Hiller. No team in the world play its best hockey in front of the terrible goalie. That ´s it! And Hiller is beyond terrible, he has his special level of terribleness - Hillerterriness

[Lanny_McDonald]

At this point you don't fix anything. You let it ride out, hopefully get a great draft pick, and the deal with it during the summer.

I think the logical course is signing a veteran like Ward, Johnson, Reimer or Khudobin to a 2-3 year deal and try and snag a less expensive guy like Enroth or Raanta on a 1-2 year. Personally I'd go with Ward and Enroth. You then ride Gilles and McDonald in the minors and see what develops. The Flames should also be trying to grab a couple extra picks this year so they can draft a couple of goaltenders for the future.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Peter Loubardias was on Sirius today and he was saying that he would bet money that the Flames have two new NHL goaltenders going into next season. The guy's pretty connected to the franchise and has been for many many years.

This is what I have been saying for a while now.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I wonder, would it be helpful if I were to add a poll of possible goaltenders to see if there's a consensus among the fans? I know I'm curious to see what everyone thinks.

[Jets4Life]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

I wonder, would it be helpful if I were to add a poll of possible goaltenders to see if there's a consensus among the fans? I know I'm curious to see what everyone thinks.

You can have Pavelec or Hutchinson from the Jets. Take your pick.

[sketchyt]

- Trade for Brian Elliot. Shouldn't cost as much as Andersen.
- Sign Chad Johnson. Good save percentage on a horrible team this year.
- Sign Ramo for cheap. Stash on IR... waive if/when necessary.
- Fix defense where shooters are allowed to waltz unmolested into the mid slot and roof it.

[Poe969]

so you want a 3 goalie problem again? That doesn't seem like a good fix at all.

[sketchyt]

Originally Posted by Poe969

so you want a 3 goalie problem again? That doesn't seem like a good fix at all.

It's only a problem when all 3 are terrible. The season will start with 2 goalies. Ramo can play in the AHL, NHL due to injury, or go back to the KHL.

[ScorchyScorch]

So who would they bring in to be the stop gap starter until the a kid takes the throne?

Bernier? Ward? Andersen? Elliot? Reimer? Johnson?

Mrazek is a UFA but as if he won't re-sign.

[Poe969]

Mrazek is RFA so the only real way to get him is through a trade or offer sheet. He'd be a decent option though if the wings were willing to trade him.

[united]

He just turned 24 years old and has a .924 save% in 80 NHL games and .920 in 87 AHL games. The cost for Mrazek would be extremely high.

[dammage79]

How is Mrazek an option? He's the Wings new #1. Or will be taking that mantle next season.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by sketchyt

- Trade for Brian Elliot. Shouldn't cost as much as Andersen.
- Sign Chad Johnson. Good save percentage on a horrible team this year.
- Sign Ramo for cheap. Stash on IR... waive if/when necessary.
- Fix defense where shooters are allowed to waltz unmolested into the mid slot and roof it.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Ok, so I've changed my tune a little on this subject. Ortio has impressed me enough to be given backup duties starting next season, but I'm not comfortable at all with him as a starter.

I reintroduce an idea I posited a while back: We go for Ben Bishop via trade.

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

So one of my options was likely removed for next year with Ramo being out through training camp. My scenario now requires getting 2 bonafide NHL goaltenders for next season. I don't see any of Ortio, Poulin, or Gillies being anywhere close to regular duty.

Let's stick with Montoya as an option, and I propose that the only way to get a guy worth having is via the trade route.

I propose the idea of going after Ben Bishop.

Here's why: Andrei Vasilevsky. The organization really believes in the 21 year old, and could be poised to take the plunge with him as their main guy. In backup duties this year he has at least been solid, with moments of excellence. Also, the Lightning have more than just the Stamkos issue when it comes to the cap. Beyond him, they also have several high end RFAs that will need re-signing this off-season, most due for a significant raise.

Nikita Kucherov: Currently making just over $700 K. Leads their team with 48 points this year without the help of Tyler Johnson who was his main set up man last year. Had 65 points last year. He's become a top line winger that will likely replace Stamkos should he move on. No chance they can pay him anything under $4 M.

Vladislav Namestnikov: Currently making around $875 K. Is a solid 2nd line option that has produced 26 points in 55 games, so a little over 0.5 PP, but more importantly, has a team leading +15. He's a guy that plays both ends of the ice very well and consequently, will command much more than he's currently making. No less than $2.5 M.

Alex Killorn: Currently making about $2.5 M. He's another solid 2nd/3rd line winger who plays both ends of the ice well. Has averaged around 0.5 PPG for the last few years. He's coming off his bridge contract, and will likely want a contract closer to what he would get as a UFA. They might want to buy some UFA years, so factor that in too. With his age and previous accomplishments he likely gets around $4 M.

J.T. Brown: Currently making about $950 K. Brown is a prototypical 3rd liner, but like Killorn, will be turning 26 this off-season and will be closer to UFA status. He may not get a significant raise because his stats aren't overwhelming, but chances are he'll get close to $1.5-$2 M.

Nikita Nesterov: Currently making about $750 K. Nesterov has come in and given reliable minutes most nights on the 3rd pairing. With the Lightning likely to let Braydon Coburn go to UFA status, Nesterov is the most likely candidate to replace his spot in the lineup. With that likely comes a fairly substantial raise, even if he only plays 3rd pairing minutes. Likely set to make around $1.5-$2 M.

Cedric Paquette and Jonathan Marchessault are both 4th liners that will likely get a small raise. Between them, you could likely add about $1 M to the cap.

So, adding up all the expected raises for RFAs you can see an increase of about $10 M to their cap. If they lose BOTH Stamkos and Coburn they can afford all those players and have room to re-sign Vasilevsky next year. However, IF they have any desire to retain Stamkos (which is up in the air at this point), they would have to rid themselves of another large salary to fit him.

Ben Bishop is set to make $5.95 M next year. His Save% has been very consistent over the last 5 years hovering around the .920 mark. His career GAA is just 2.32. He's only 29 and he'll have lots of good years left until we have a young goalie ready to take over.

The Lightning can't afford him, and they have a stud young goalie ready to break through as early as next year. I say Treliving goes hard after him in the off-season. I'd even be ok with giving up someone like Kylington, Anderson, or Hickey in return.

I can't watch another season of sub-par goaltending. Please Brad, fix this problem. Give this young team some hope that their mistakes will be forgiven by an above average goaltender. Make it happen.