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.

📢 advertisement:

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

UPCOMING GAMES

Jun 17 - 20:06 FLA vs EDM

Starting Goalies

Top Skater Views

  Players Team
JAKE WALMAN EDM
ALEXIS LAFRENIERE NYR
SAM REINHART FLA
CONNOR MCDAVID EDM
SAM BENNETT FLA

Top Goalie Profile Views

  Players Team
DUSTIN WOLF CGY
JESPER WALLSTEDT MIN
ALEXANDAR GEORGIEV S.J
LUKAS DOSTAL ANA
PHILIPP GRUBAUER SEA

LINE COMBOS

  Frequency TOR Players
16.2 AUSTON MATTHEWS MITCH MARNER MATTHEW KNIES
15.5 STEVEN LORENTZ SCOTT LAUGHTON CALLE JARNKROK
12.7 JOHN TAVARES WILLIAM NYLANDER PONTUS HOLMBERG

DobberHockey Podcasts

Fantasy Hockey Life: Montreal Canadiens with Ryan Szporer

Ryan Szporer is back to report on the Montreal Canadiens. Jesse and Victor interview Ryan about returning pros Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Ivan Demidov, Juraj Slafkovsky, Patrik Laine, Lane Hutson, Mike Matheson, Kaiden Guhle, Sam Montembeault, and Jakub Dobes. In Cat’s Instincts, Cat Silverman of InGoal mag breaks down Jakub Dobes, Cayden Primeau, and Jacob […]

Fantasy Hockey Life: Detroit Red Wings with Max Bultman

Max Bultman of the Athletic is here to report on the Detroit Red Wings. Jesse and Victor interview Max about returning pros Lucas Raymond, Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat, Patrick Kane, Marco Kasper, JT Compher, Elmer Soderblom, Andrew Copp, Vladimir Tarasenko, Moritz Seider, Simon Edvinsson, Erik Gustafsson, Cam Talbot and Alex Lyon. In Cat’s Instincts, Cat […]

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

📢 advertisement: