How do we read the Khabby/Grahame situation...eh?

Was wondering if some of you Bolts heads could give me your best guesstimate beginning tonight as to how Torts is going to handle the Bolts goalie situation. Tell me if I'm reading this right:

-Past month or so with Khabby slumping, and Grahame continuing his solid play, his consistancy all year long compared to Khabby, has forced Torts to at worst, put he and Khabby as a platoon going forward and I mean at the very worst cause you can't keep Grahame on the bench with how well he's playing and with how well the team seems to play in front of him compared to how they seem to play in front of Khabby. Meaning they likely will alternate starts for awhile going forward and none of the two, most likely will play "back to backs" like for instance tonight and tomorrow vs the Flyers and Caps respectivly....does that sound accurate?

Now obviously if one of them shuts out an opponent and looks stellar and doesn't face all too much rubber, Torts probably would give one of the two a "reward" and give them the second game of the back to backer....right? But for the most part, he wouldn't start any of the two in back to back games....does that sound right?

Sure its a great luxury to have two excellent goalies from a hockey perspective but for any of us "fantasy enthusiasts"(I happen to own both Khabby/Graham to be my #2 behind JTheodore) its a bit of a head scratcher as to who will get the start or not.

For instance, with 3 games coming up in the next 4 days up until the all-star break, and with both Khabby and Grahame having won their last two games withought having had to work too hard, wouldn't it be safe to assume that seeing that Khabby looked like he righted the ship, albeit vs the Penguins and due to Grahame having played the last Lightning game beating the Thrashers, that it likely will be Khabby in nets tonight,Grahame tomorrow vs Caps and more than likely unless Khabby looks terrible tonight, if I'm correct in my assumption, he should also get the start vs the Predators as well on Thursday....eh? Or am I reading this wrong?

If anyone has a good or even a decent read on the goalie situation in Tampa, I'd be most appreciative......thanks in advance.

-Maxie

You're pretty close.

It's a day-to-day thing and a major "guess job."

As a Khabi fantasy owner, it's been frustrating.

Khabi's game against the Penguins wasn't fantastic. He didn't face a lot of shots, so it's hard to get a good read. It's not like he played bad, but Tortorella said after the game that they still aren't convinced he's "back."

Grahame has been playing well, yes, and Tortorella's latest comment was that all Grahame has been doing lately is winning games. Tortorella loves Grahame, and is always talking about how much of a fighter he is.

If I were a betting man, I'd say that they will ride Grahame for a while until they are convinced Khabi "is back." The last couple years, Khabi has played outstanding to start the year (was player of the month for OCT this year, I believe) and finishes the year strong. Last year he went undefeated in March and some of April before playing inconsistent in the playoffs.

As a Khabi owner, I'm hanging on to him until March with the belief he'll take the bulk of the work to end the year. For now, I wish I had Grahame.

I would guess that Grahame would get the start tonight, with Khabi tomorrow night.

Grahame got back-to-back starts a couple weeks ago after a light first night.

Your best bet, though, is to look at the Lightning message board at www.sunshinenetwork.com at the gamenight threads. In the afternoon, WDAE in Tampa normally announces who will start the game and someone will post it there in that thread. That could help.

I was surprised to see Grahame in net against Atlanta. Your not the only one who is confused, you could kind of sense the ankst of the crowd. Is torts trying to shatter the confidence of our supposed #1? I guess we will have to wait and see, but Grahame didn't play too well against Atlanta. Given, Atlanta is a better team than Pittsburgh, but I think the answers will come after the break.

Thanks guys for helping me feel like I wasn't going bonkers in evaluating the situation. I mean, its a terrific scenerio and luxury for your Bolts to have(wish my Rangers had tough decisions like this.... :p ). But I appreciate the feedback and I'll check with that site you mentiond Fanatic by the time my moves for the week need to be in.

I'll check back here again today and so if any of y'all read or hear who is starting tonight post it here as that would be great.

-Max

As a Bruins fan, I can understand your optimism with Grahame playing well, as he played well in stretches for us last year as well, I think he had a 9-game unbeaten streak if I am correct.

But what lead to his demise in Boston was his inconsistency, he could have a long streak of great play and follow it up with a stretch of terrible play where he would cost us games.

Just my 2 cents on the matter.

I'll check back here again today and so if any of y'all read or hear who is starting tonight post it here as that would be great.

-Max

Per the team's official web page, Khabibulin gets the start tonight.

-Sharon

This is why I shouldn't post.

I'm in a slump. Everything info-related lately I post is wrong.

Of this I'm sure...

With all due respect, Tampa Grahame and Boston Grahame (aka the flopper) are two different Grahames. That's not just homerism talking. Since working with Jeff Reese, Grahame is an entirely different goaltender in terms of style and his numbers speak for themselves.

And back to the original question, I don't care about Khabi's mental stability. He has been fighting the puck lately and, more importantly, hasn't been making the big save at key times, so I have no problem with Grahame getting more starts.

Grahame vs. ATL was shaky, yes, but immediately after TB goals, and especially after the ATL 3rd period goal, he came up with some huge saves.

FWIW...

I would start Grahame tonight (has had recent success vs. Philly), and give Khabi the Caps.

But hey, I'm just a poster who's fighting the keyboard.

Per the team's official web page, Khabibulin gets the start tonight.

-Sharon


Thanks Boltsfan.....me thinks the prudent thing to do is keep Khabby on my bench for tonights game vs the Flyers and keep Grahame in the lineup as he'll very likely face the Caps who have a tad less offensive punch than the Flyers do.

I will say this though, a strong Khabby game vs the Flyers....even if he loses a 2-1 type of affair very likely insures he'll get the Nashville game on Thursday. I tell ya, this Bolts goalie situation is something that one really needs to keep an eye on and look for the trends otherwise, a fantasy owner could be left scratching their heads...thanks again guys/gals

-Max

-Max

Thanks Boltsfan.....

No problem, happy to help.

I tell ya, this Bolts goalie situation is something that one really needs to keep an eye on and look for the trends otherwise, a fantasy owner could be left scratching their heads...

Fantasy owners can join the ranks of head-scratching fans down here in Tampa on this issue, believe me.

-Sharon

This is why I shouldn't post.

I'm in a slump. Everything info-related lately I post is wrong.

Of this I'm sure...

With all due respect, Tampa Grahame and Boston Grahame (aka the flopper) are two different Grahames. That's not just homerism talking. Since working with Jeff Reese, Grahame is an entirely different goaltender in terms of style and his numbers speak for themselves.

And back to the original question, I don't care about Khabi's mental stability. He has been fighting the puck lately and, more importantly, hasn't been making the big save at key times, so I have no problem with Grahame getting more starts.

Grahame vs. ATL was shaky, yes, but immediately after TB goals, and especially after the ATL 3rd period goal, he came up with some huge saves.

FWIW...

I would start Grahame tonight (has had recent success vs. Philly), and give Khabi the Caps.

But hey, I'm just a poster who's fighting the keyboard.


Gotta luv it when either a goalie admits he's fighting the puck or if a "poster is fighting the keyboard"....classic...... :D.

As far as your reasoning with regards to who starts tonight, it could be that the reason Khabby is getting the start despite Grahames excellent play, is cause if Khabby truly wants to be "the true #1" like he's supposed to be and what he's being paid to be, possibly Torts is sending him a message by telling Khabby, "you wanna be the #1 and the guy I ride down the stretch, well go ahead a beat an elite team like the Flyers in their building". As you know, it would be a heck of alot more impressive if Khabby stonewalled the Flyers than if he stoned the Caps.....ya follow my train of thought here Oceanic or did I totally confuse you now??.....hehe

-Max

I'm with ya.

Indeed, Khabi was impressive last night - especially in the third - and I'd say that game went a long way to proving he's "back."

I'll refrain from making a prediction on who starts tonight's game, but if Khabi's hot - play him.

From struggeling "back up-esque" type goalie to playing the Flyers and Caps on consecutive nights; now THAT would really get me scratching my head. 19 shots or not if Torts does that he must believe Khabi has had a complete 180 in confidence and play IMO.

Well as evidenced by Khabby getting all three starts this past week and his not giving up more than 2 goals in any of them, I guess Torts, like last year, at pretty much the same time in the year when Grahame came over and righted the ship with some strong outings, is telling Khabby "we are going to ride you the rest of the way" as he, more than Grahame IMO, has what it takes to get this team far into the playoffs.

Seeing that I don't think there is any way the Lightning are going to deal him, I don't see any other way to read this. One would have to think, seeing that Khabby looks as if he's back on top of his game, he'll get 70% of the starts the rest of the way.....don't ya think?

Anyways, just when you think you have the TBay goalie situation figured out, Torts thows a curveball at ya but its working and I guess that's all that matters.

-Max

Anyways, just when you think you have the TBay goalie situation figured out, Torts thows a curveball at ya but its working and I guess that's all that matters.
True, you just really never know. I'd assume that you're right and Khabi will get most of the starts from now on, but this is Torts we're talking about. :)

True, you just really never know. I'd assume that you're right and Khabi will get most of the starts from now on, but this is Torts we're talking about. :)

Yep, Torts is truly vexing and tough to figure out. So, one would have to assume Khabby gets the start at home vs Toronto right? Now, that I said that and I put Khabby in my starting lineup and take Grahame out, Torts will start Grahame..... :joker:


-Max

As a Bruins fan, I can understand your optimism with Grahame playing well, as he played well in stretches for us last year as well, I think he had a 9-game unbeaten streak if I am correct.

But what lead to his demise in Boston was his inconsistency, he could have a long streak of great play and follow it up with a stretch of terrible play where he would cost us games.

Just my 2 cents on the matter.
What led to his demise in Boston was Robbie Ftorek leaving him in repeated blowouts last season when every other coach in the league would have pulled him to save his numbers and keep his morale/confidence intact. Ftorek did it to both Grahame and Shields claiming he didn't want them to feel like it was their fault after 60 minutes. Thing is their numbers took big hits at the expense of his stubborness.

Was wondering if some of you Bolts heads could give me your best guesstimate beginning tonight as to how Torts is going to handle the Bolts goalie situation. Tell me if I'm reading this right:

-Past month or so with Khabby slumping, and Grahame continuing his solid play, his consistancy all year long compared to Khabby, has forced Torts to at worst, put he and Khabby as a platoon going forward and I mean at the very worst cause you can't keep Grahame on the bench with how well he's playing and with how well the team seems to play in front of him compared to how they seem to play in front of Khabby. Meaning they likely will alternate starts for awhile going forward and none of the two, most likely will play "back to backs" like for instance tonight and tomorrow vs the Flyers and Caps respectivly....does that sound accurate?

Now obviously if one of them shuts out an opponent and looks stellar and doesn't face all too much rubber, Torts probably would give one of the two a "reward" and give them the second game of the back to backer....right? But for the most part, he wouldn't start any of the two in back to back games....does that sound right?

Sure its a great luxury to have two excellent goalies from a hockey perspective but for any of us "fantasy enthusiasts"(I happen to own both Khabby/Graham to be my #2 behind JTheodore) its a bit of a head scratcher as to who will get the start or not.

For instance, with 3 games coming up in the next 4 days up until the all-star break, and with both Khabby and Grahame having won their last two games withought having had to work too hard, wouldn't it be safe to assume that seeing that Khabby looked like he righted the ship, albeit vs the Penguins and due to Grahame having played the last Lightning game beating the Thrashers, that it likely will be Khabby in nets tonight,Grahame tomorrow vs Caps and more than likely unless Khabby looks terrible tonight, if I'm correct in my assumption, he should also get the start vs the Predators as well on Thursday....eh? Or am I reading this wrong?

If anyone has a good or even a decent read on the goalie situation in Tampa, I'd be most appreciative......thanks in advance.

-MaxieI am in the same boat as you Maximus.

I have Turco as one of my starting goalies every week, then Khabibulin or Grahame to choose from to start or bench.

I'm glad there is someone out there that can sympathize.

This week the Bolts play at Tuesday at home against the Flyers, then Thursday on the road against the Blues, and the next night they fly up to Buffalo to take on the Sabres.

Do I start Khabibulin or Grahame?
Grahame has started and won the last two.
Prior to that Khabibulin went 1-1-1.

Opinions?

The very best place to check is here: Game Day Forum-TBL Board (http://messageboard.tampabaylightning.com/InfoPop/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum&f=5)

For home games, it's usually posted in the afternoon by GM (he's the webmaster/moderator). He sometimes posts it for away games also. Additionally, it's sometimes reported on the radio during the afternoon on game days, so if people hear the starting goalies announced, they'll frequently post it there.