I suspect impatience. They’ve been looking for the next great goalie ever since the infamous Murray-go-round in the cup finals a few years back. If a goalie loses a playoff series, no matter how lousy the team in fron of him plays, he’s out and his back-up is in. It puts a rush on the development and an enormous amount of pressure on them to perform. If I remember right, Clarke has been very public about his dislike for certain goalies. That’s not a great atmosphere for anyone to develop in. It’s one thing for the fans to be harsh on a netminder. It’s a whole different thing when it’s the GM.
Well, Legace and Osgood are free agents this year.
I’ve actually poked around a little on this as my Red Wings are also out early and in need of some ahem net gains. After Khabibulins performance in Chicago, you don’t want him. I saw him eight times this season and I think he got pulled in three of them if not more. Nabokov has been riding the pine in the playoffs for San Jose. He could be available. Andrew Raycroft out of Boston might be a good pickup. With the management that the bruins have, you could probably get him for some magic beans. Either Legace or Osgood would actually be a decent pickup for cheap, but I don’t think Legace could handle the pressure of a starting job. I think he may be following the same path as Tommy Salo. I think the Swiss olympic tandem of Aebischer and Gerber could be available as well.
The big prize would be Luongo. He’s restricted, but Florida might not want to pay to keep him.
Just raising the possibility. Philly could offer him more than the Panthers can match. They’d owe Florida some picks, but it may be worth it. Or Luongo asks for more than the Panthers are willing to pay, forcing them to trade him for a decent player and some picks.
It also depends on the prospects that Florida has in the farm system. It may well be worth it to get a good player and bring someone up. As good as Luongo has been, they’ve had problems making the post season. They may be looking for the one player to take them over the hump.
Luongo might work, but again, where has he taken a team so far? The point you made above, about impatience in development, remains valid. The Flyers can’t develop a goalie–they have to bring one in who’s fully formed, so that question won’t be raised anymore. (Of course, there’s no way the Flyers would be outbid for him, so at least that issue wouldn’t be a hurdle.)
I would take Khabibulin. One down year does not scare me a way from a guy who two years ago won the Cup. Not sure about Osgood, since he’s much further removed from that success, but he still fits the mold of a guy who has already proved himself. Just don’t know how much more he has in the tank. The other guys, again–no names already on the Cup (at least not as starters).
I think Luongo is as fully formed as he’s gonna get. He has been playing for a constantly rebuilding Panthers club, and he’s been playing very well for them. If I were Bobby Clarke, I’d punch myself in my stupid face until I passed out. When I wake up, I’d try to make a move for Luongo. I think he’s the best of the free agent pool this summer and would do very well with a talented club in front of him
As a guy who watched eight games against Khabibulin, I have to say that you really don’t want him. He wasn’t even close to cup winning form. He was an overpaid joke in net. With the season he had and the contract he has, I don’t think anybody is going to take him from Chicago.
Out of the goalies that are likely available, the best ones that I can see would be Raycroft, Nabokov, and Giguere. They’ve been a big part of their teams success and are now riding pine. They could likely be had for a reasonable package of players/picks.
I meant all free agents, restricted and unrestricted. The reason that I included him is because his name has been coming up in the rumor mill since well before the trade deadline.
Before I forget, I have to [del]jinx four teams[/del] make my picks.
Ottawa vs. Buffalo: I love the Sabres right now. Ryan Millers from MSU. They’re playing as a team. Ottawa is just too dang deep. This team has scary offense. Buffalo could win this if Emery chokes, but that’s a big if. I expect an entertaining and wide open series with the Sens taking it in five.
New Jersey vs. Carolina: Carolina is another good team, but I just can’t bet against Brodeur. He’s probably the one player in the league who can win a series all by himself. I know it’s not saying a lot that the Devils looked good against the Rangers, but it was a good series for them and they’ve had some time off. Brodeur will come out strong, and the devils will come out on top in six.
And now for the land of the bottom seeds.
San Jose vs. Edmonton: I suppose the big question here is which Cinderella will get the glass slipper. Edmonton would be the traditional belle as they are the eight that beat the one, but San Jose went from being well out of the playoffs to the fifth seed. San Jose won’t be surprised by the trap if Edmonton keeps using it. I’ll pick the Sharks in six.
Colorado vs. Anaheim: If Colorado takes the first couple of games, will the ducks go back to Giguere? This series is a stumper, but I’ll go with the Avs. I’d like to see them maintain a position of aurthority in the West, and I really hate the name “ducks” for a hockey team. I don’t care how mighty they may be. It’s dorky. Colorado in six.
I can see your point if the team logos took the ice instead of humans…otherwise…The Ducks will have an easier time with the Avs than they did with Calgary…Ducks in 6.
And I know that you pick against the Ducks since they swept Detroit back in '03…you’re just bitter.
Yeah, and I’m not at all bitter about the number of times Colorado has knocked Detroit out of the playoffs. I don’t think I can be blamed for voting against any team named for a Emilio Estevez movie.
Giguere is the most intriguing of those three, in my eyes. I’ve seen a lot of his play, since I watch the Sharks a lot, and he really is an outstanding goaltender, and he’s carried that team to the finals before. If he really is available, I’d be very happy to see the Flyers trade for him.
As for the upcoming series:
I like Ottawa over Buffalo. There aren’t any surprises when division rivals play in the playoffs; the talent will be the deciding factor. Ottawa has it.
Carolina over New Jersey. This is as much a wish as a pick. But I still believe 1) Carolina had the better season, with the better team, and 2) the Devils are on too long a streak to sustain. They will lose soon, and the chemistry of the team may shift once they remember they’re beatable.
San Jose over Edmonton. Again, too much talent. The Sharks have the ability to handle anything Edmonton throws at them. It may go six or seven, but SJ prevails.
Colorado over Anaheim. Sakic, Hejduk, Tanguay–lots of superior playoff performers left on the Avalanche. They’re in their element, and I think that will carry them through.
I’ll sit here with my La Nova pizza and root against the Sabres just to be a dick. I’ve got some VERY rabid Sabres fans across the street. I can open the door and yell “Go Senators!” across Main Street and hear an airhorn by the time I turn around and get to the stairs.
I don’t think I can be blamed for voting against any team named for a Emilio Estevez movie.