Quote:
Originally Posted by ChocolateLeclaire
I would find it a lot more impressive if the other goalie didn't put up near identical numbers. To me, that speaks to the system. Any starting goalie in the NHL (minus Mason) would put up the numbers those two did under Hitchcock.
Or are we forgetting how many mediocre goalies have had career years under him. For chrissakes, Leclaire got NINE shutouts in Hitch's system.
The reason we belittle his accomplishments is that many of us are tired of hearing how great Brian Elliott is (he isn't) and how it was a mistake to get rid of him (it wasn't, unless you don't like winning in the playoffs, then he's the man for you).
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http://nhlnumbers.com/2012/7/17/goal...-ken-hitchcock
Cool story bro. Hitch makes a minor difference. Elliott was having a lights out season before he got there.
I could be wrong, and I'd like to see some numbers on this, but I have a feeling Leclaire's crazy season had a lot more to do with the fact he was an unknown with a certain level of talent. I don't have data on this but I have the feeling that type of goalie has the potential for a lot of shutouts / tons of quality starts early on in their career before regressing a bit to the norm as shooters figure them out.