The Puck Stops Here: Goaltending in the Western Conference

Jeff Angus

2007-06-26

 turco

 

 

 

Here is the second of three articles on the goaltending of the 15 Western Conference clubs.  Covered in this article are Dallas, Minnesota, Calgary, Colorado, and St. Louis.

 

 

Dallas
Current Starter: Marty Turco
Current Backup: Mike Smith
Summer Outlook: There have been rumours swirling that the Bruins and a number of teams are after Turco’s services.   After his stellar first round against the Canucks, his playoff questions have all been answered.  His contract is reasonable for a top level goalie, which makes it doubtful that Dallas looks into moving him, even though they believe Smith is almost ready to be a starter in this league.
Prediction: Dallas goes into next season with the same two goalies, and Smith continues his progression into a starter.

Minnesota
Current Starter: Niklas Backstrom
Current Backup: Josh Harding
Summer Outlook: Manny Fernandez is done in Minnesota; it is just a question of when he is moved.  Backstrom was phenomenal last season and Harding is one of the best young prospects in the world.  The Wild are set in nets for a long time.
Prediction: Fernandez is moved for another roster player and Harding pushes Backstrom right out of camp.

Calgary
Current Starter: Miikka Kiprusoff
Current Backup: Jamie McLennan
Summer Outlook: Calgary will probably opt for a different backup, and they have a few options within their own system.  Kiprusoff is in a contract year and Calgary has got to lock him up before he hits the open market.
Prediction: Calgary promotes Curtis McElhinney to play 5-10 games backing up Kiprusoff.

Colorado
Current Starter: Peter Budaj
Current Backup: Jose Theodore
Summer Outlook: Colorado has been trying to move Theodore for the past season, but with his contract that makes it basically impossible.  They won’t make any moves between the pipes this off-season.
Prediction: Budaj firmly cements himself as a legitimate goalie, while Theodore provides inconsistent play behind him.  If the Avalanche had gone with Budaj out of the gate  last season, they would have made the playoffs.

St. Louis
Current Starter: Manny Legace
Current Backup: Jason Bacashihua
Summer Outlook: The Blues may go for a more veteran back up and try and move Bacashihua.  Legace posted terrific numbers after Christmas and looks primed for a big season.
Prediction: Legace starts the majority of the games, regardless of who the Blues bring in.

Leave A Comment

Starting Goalies

Lenovo Center | Loading local time...
Capital One Arena | Loading local time...
Xfinity Mobile Arena | Loading local time...
Madison Square Garden | Loading local time...
Honda Center | Loading local time...

Top Skater Views

  Players Team
CHARLE-EDOUARD D'ASTOUS T.B
VIKTOR ARVIDSSON DET
BERKLY CATTON SEA
EMMITT FINNIE DET
JOEL FARABEE CGY

Top Goalie Profile Views

  Players Team
CONNOR HELLEBUYCK N.J
STUART SKINNER WPG
JACOB FOWLER MTL
DEVIN COOLEY CGY
TRISTAN JARRY EDM

LINE COMBOS

  Frequency N.J Players
21.4 JACK HUGHES ARSENY GRITSYUK JESPER BRATT
20.8 TIMO MEIER NICO HISCHIER LUKE EVANGELISTA
16.5 EVAN RODRIGUES ANTHONY MANTHA JESPER BOQVIST

DobberHockey Podcasts

Keeping Karlsson: Down Across the Helle-ware

On this episode of the Keeping Karlsson Fantasy Hockey Podcast, Elan and Brian dissect the implications of the Connor Hellebuyck trade, injury returns in Carolina and Washington, hot streaks in Philadelphia and Seattle, crease contenders in Calgary and San Jose, a must-add in Tampa Bay and a sell-high in Colorado for your fantasy hockey league.

Fantasy Hockey Life: Ep 506 Prospects with Plenty to Prove II

Victor and Jesse return to talk about more fantasy hockey prospects in critical seasons. Covered are David Reinbacher, Cayden Lindstrom, Dalibor Dvorsky, Bradly Nadeau, Ilya Protas, Charlie Stramel, Otto Stenberg, Emil Hemming, Trey Augustine, Sebastian Cossa, Jacob Fowler, Easton Cowan, Matthew Wood, Gabe Perreault, and Victor Eklund. Thanks to Mason Black @NHLRankKing for his polls. […]

FIND US ON FACEBOOK