goalieguild

When it comes to analyzing what type of mental state your goalies are in as the season gets started, break this aspect of their game into three major categories. The first is classified as all negative reactions (that’s this week’s lesson – how goalies must handle negativity), the second is their unique mental game blueprint (coming in Part IV) and the third is their setting within the team’s current roster landscape (and there you have Part V). These three categories will give you a solid idea of what mental strengths the goalie has and if they’re currently performing up to your standards.

(Part I)  

Part I was capped with my statement that “Momentum…can still be successfully calculated after analyzing body language.” Since gauging a goalie’s momentum depends so much on your ability to read their body language (comprised of all movements and reactions), let’s dive right in and start learning exactly what to watch for.

Complacency breeds inconsistency - a lesson Ryan Miller was forced to learn the hard way last year. Don’t get me wrong, he played remarkably well, even heroic at times. But with no big guns in the lineup, he found out exactly what level of work ethic and focus it actually takes to carry a mediocre team for an entire season. Nevertheless, a vital lesson was learned, and it is with this “transition” year under his belt that I feel Miller is primed to have a great fantasy season.

I think we should all refer to Martin Brodeur the same way ESPN’s venerable John Buccigross did on Saturday night. “Marty, Marty, the one-man party.”

Glory for some means grief for others, as the trade deadline is known to both giveth and taketh away. Some goaltenders received a huge boost of confidence over the last week and others were totally deflated after the events that transpired on Tuesday. Yet the player movement is an unavoidable part of the game on a yearly basis. Que sera, sera.