The Journey – Ben Scrivens

Brad Wilson

2014-08-09

Ben.Scrivens2

This week the Journey drills deep on Oilers’ goalie Ben Scrivens…

Ben Scrivens – G

27 years old

Undrafted – Signed as a free agent by the Toronto Maple Leafs April 28, 2010

Currently entering the first year of a two year contract with the Edmonton Oilers

Ben Who

When I think of Ben Scrivens or as some call him, "the Professor" I think of an intelligent goaltender inside and outside the game. He is one of the nice guy's and a close friend of nice guy and former teammate, James Reimer (and probably his mom). A guy with tons of heart and a strong will to win. He strikes me as someone who is his own worst critic and tries to learn something every day. A professional's professional. However, I'm not sure at any time I would say All-Star, Elite or (in fantasy) a MUST own. Good, good, good and more good, but no 'great'.

Let's dig deeper…

Even in the tough Western Conference there is no reason the talent spoiled Oilers can't compete for a playoff spot. Even if they don't compete for a playoff spot but Scrivens is the man, you are looking at north of 30 wins in 55-60 games.

Last season 28 goaltenders played the same or more games than Scrivens. Of those 28 guys only six had a higher save percentages than Scrivens'.922 SV%:

Semyon Varlamov 63 games (.927)

Ben Bishop 63 games (.924)

Carey Price 59 games (.927)

Tukka Rask 58 games (.930)

Sergei Bobrovsky 58 games (.923)

Jonathan Bernier 55 games (.923)

Ben Scrivens 40 games (.922)

That is some elite company. If the offense starved Oilers can improve on their 26^th overall goal total (203) it will have a domino effect on the rest of the stats. Another 20-30 goals puts them close to the top half of the league. Scoring more goals usually goes hand-in-hand with more offensive zone time. More offensive zone time could seriously help reduce their league worst 270 goals against.

Scrivens ranked 23^rd last season in shots against averaging just over 30 shots per game. The 22 men who faced more rubber played anywhere from 10 to 23 games more than Scrivens. Of those 22 though, only four faced more than the 30 shots per game that Scrivens did and of those four only two [Varlamov (32) and Bernier (32.5)] were in Scrivens' neighbourhood for save percentage.

So based on the number of shots faced, the increase to his games played and the respectability of his save percentage Scrivens is among the elite options in fantasy providing the increase to one major category… wins.

In the aforementioned comparison Bernier played 55 games and many thought if he were able to play closer to the 63 that Varlamov started, the Leafs would likely have made the post-season. If the similarities in performance stand true, the same could be said of the Oilers and Scrivens. Bernier won 26 games last season. Scrivens projected to win 27 games last year if he had played 60 in an Oilers jersey. That was with the 26^th ranked team goals for and worst team goals against. IF the Oil can score 20 more goals, cut back the time in their own end and Scrivens can log in the area of 60 games you have a legitimate candidate for a Top 5 Fantasy Goaltender with 30+ wins.

Risky Scrivy

There are of course draw backs to any risk, the Oilers could get wacky and somehow bring in a number one guy uprooting Scrivens – Not happening.

The Oilers could falter again and despite playing more games and keeping an above average save percentage Scrivens' wins could suffer – Possible.

Scrivens could suffer a lengthy injury all but killing any fantasy appeal that has/had been built up – and I could win the lottery.

Reader's Digest Ben

In short, the reader's digest version is, if you have room it would be a good time to invest in Scrivens and watch the progression of the team in front of him. Eventually they have to get the on ice product going in the right direction don't they? Why not this year?

If you'd like to read more on Ben Scrivens hop on over to DobberProspects.com

You can follow me @TALKwillie

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