Larsson's celebration was hilarious to me. He didn't look like an exuberant rookie scoring his first career playoff goal, he looked like a bored veteran who's been there before and only did the ice scrape pump because he was told it looks cool.
This has become a nostalgic "I miss hockey"/video thread so I have to make sure this won`t get by unnoticed.
I want to talk about our goaltending situation a little bit. Especially about the future. As we`ve discussed before, there will most likely be some kind of a stop gap. I think we all ruled out Vokoun and the likes. We also ruled out giving Mason a second chance (although I still think he deserves one, just not in Columbus). One name that some of us kept mentioning last offseason was Harding. This year we talked about signing Backstrom to a 2+ year deal, which would still be fine by me as I consider him an underrated and noticeably overlooked goalie.
But there`s something I just realized. For whatever reason, I thought Anton Khudobin was two years younger and therefore doesn`t become an UFA next summer. He does. It makes a big difference in my mindset.
I noticed Khudobin in his debut in the NHL. He played two games for the Wild and recorded a .979 save percentage and 0.87 GAA. It wasn`t just about the numbers. Allen York didn`t look all that bad for the Blue Jackers in 2011-12. In Khudobin`s case, the talent was noticeable. Boston only took the advantage of Minnesota having two solid starters and Hackett in the pipeline. They got him for cheap. It was a smart move, indeed. Wish we made that move, but we didn`t.
Khudobin, born in Ust-Kamenogorsk (KAZ) like Nabokov and drafted in the 7th round of the 2004 NHL Entry draft, was a journeyman prior to making his NHL debut, and even after, as he moved from the organization with a very good depth to one with an insane depth at his position. But he kept fighting. The last time he had a save percentage below .910 was in 2010. The last time his GAA went above 3.00 was in 2009, in his 2nd season in Houston (AHL). He`s averaging about .920 SV% and 2.55 GAA on regular basis. I`ve been paying attention for the last two years and especially now, during the lockout, as I watch the KHL with regularity (mostly big name teams like Ufa, Kazan, SKA, CSKA and Magnitogorsk, but also Slovan Bratislava and his team, Atlant Moscow).
As for his style, it`s truly amazing how he doesn`t look his size. Khudobin is a small-ish goaltender, listed as 5ft11 201 lbs, but he plays big. He doesn`t leave the corners open, he`s steady down below, has a sure glove, solid footwork and mobility. All that being said, unlike Bernier (same stature), he not just plays a positionally sound game, he also doesn`t overplay certain situations. In some aspects he looks similar to Schneider. I haven`t seen him fooled many times and when he was, it had to be someone like Malkin. As a matter of fact, I don`t think I`ve seen him have a truly bad game yet and that says a lot. You want to have a goaltender that can give you a chance to win every night.
As for the negatives, I really don`t have much to say. He doesn`t have Halak`s positional precision, Nabokov`s lightning quick glove, Rask`s mobility or Thomas` agressiveness. He`s just damn solid. I don`t know about you, but I take that over "unknown"/"unproven" and "great, but inconsistent" every day and twice on Sundays.
If he wanted to stay in Russia, he would. But that`s clearly not his main focus, as he was ready to battle for the #1/2 spot at the Bruins pre-season camp this year. And even after Thomas` decision, he couldn`t take anything for granted. As I`ve mentioned before, I`m still mad we didn`t go after him, but it doesn`t matter now. It worked out just fine for us anyway. Meanwhile, the Bruins got Niklas Svedberg for nothing. A 23-year old Swede seems to be doing well in Providence. He was one of the best goalies in the POs for Brynäs and continues to impress after moving to the AHL.
Look, I`m sure Chiarelli will try to re-sign Khudobin (I doubt he`ll be comfortable with a rookie; that said, Khudobin isn`t really proven and Svedberg will already be 24yo when the 2013-14 season starts) in the offseason, but there`s a pretty good chance we might get him. There aren`t many spots open in the NHL. In fact, we don`t have one either. What we can offer is pretty much a guaranteed spot in the future and a chance to be the guy. And he has the ability. Khudobin never got this kind of an opportunity before. Remember, he only makes 875k (has a 1-way deal only in the 2nd year of his contract).
I`m sure I`ve mentioned his name a couple of times over the years, I just felt like bumping the topic. Seriously, Lou has to be all over him. It`s going to be one chaotic summer in 2013, with all the players we (absolutely) have to sign and big names becoming UFAs, so he better starts at least thinking about it now. I`m sure Khudobin`s play brought some attention to him, and deservingly so.
It's a terrible read, but the overall Chico-ness of it all really elevates it to a new level.
I mean, it starts with a story of him running outside with nothing but a towel on past an office full of women-- some of which used to rate him and his fellow Rockies players on a scale of 1-10.
Hey getzo I like Khudobin too. People have compared him to Marty. I watched him with the Bruins last year he started one game. He was fantastic. This was late in the season when they were playing like crap too. I don't know why they wasted their time with Turco cause he was garbage for them last year, just as he's been for a few years now.
Not sure what will happen. I like Backstrom, but he's a UFA this year. If he don't re sign for more than a year with Minnesota or somewhere else he would be a solid stop gap. I like Kiprusoff too, but I see him retiring with Calgary. Both would be better options than Vokoun, Theodore, and the will be 39 year old Nabokov. Or god forbid the crumbling bulin wall who hopefully is done after this year season or no season.
It's a terrible read, but the overall Chico-ness of it all really elevates it to a new level.
I mean, it starts with a story of him running outside with nothing but a towel on past an office full of women-- some of which used to rate him and his fellow Rockies players on a scale of 1-10.
It's gotta be worth it.
I remember there being little funny things in there
It's a terrible read, but the overall Chico-ness of it all really elevates it to a new level.
I mean, it starts with a story of him running outside with nothing but a towel on past an office full of women-- some of which used to rate him and his fellow Rockies players on a scale of 1-10.
It's gotta be worth it.
Chico has never been a looker. I wonder if that scale had negative numbers?
Friend of mine just returned home for Xmas, as he works in States last two years. Man knows his buddy only too well ... so Xmas gift for me was "Beyond the Crease"
That prompted most unreal mixture of happiness and depression I've ever experienced
Never thought about this until recently, I still plan on cutting down the amount of games I attend next season, but something that will still keep me going somewhat frequently is the fact that it will likely be Marty's last season
It's a terrible read, but the overall Chico-ness of it all really elevates it to a new level.
I mean, it starts with a story of him running outside with nothing but a towel on past an office full of women-- some of which used to rate him and his fellow Rockies players on a scale of 1-10.
It's gotta be worth it.
amazingly enough even i have avoided this supposed travesty.
A little "Who Am I?" for a Devils player. I'll give you guys some clues, and you have to guess who this Devils player is.
1. I only played parts of two seasons with New Jersey
2. I was involved in a trade with a player that would later play for New Jersey. The player ironically played once less game than me in a Devils uniform.
3. I played for five teams including the Devils.
4. I am a University of Minnesota alumni.
Hey Zippy thought it was Rolston for a second, but he played more than parts of two seasons for us. He wasn't traded for a player who later ended up playing for us though, but he was traded for Claude Lemieux who had played for us before. He did play for 5 teams. Then I thought maybe John Vanbiesbrouck cause he did play just parts of two seasons for us. Played for 5 teams, was traded for Terreri, and a draft pick from the Isles. Not sure either of them played for University of Minnesota though. I don't think either did.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wingman77
Never thought about this until recently, I still plan on cutting down the amount of games I attend next season, but something that will still keep me going somewhat frequently is the fact that it will likely be Marty's last season
I will go for Marty, but I won't be making any special trips up to Jersey. I'll come in the Summer. If it comes back this year I'll carry my ass up the road 45 minutes to see them play at the Forum to play the Lightning, but other than that no thanks. See you in 2013/2014 Rock.
A little "Who Am I?" for a Devils player. I'll give you guys some clues, and you have to guess who this Devils player is.
1. I only played parts of two seasons with New Jersey
2. I was involved in a trade with a player that would later play for New Jersey. The player ironically played once less game than me in a Devils uniform.
3. I played for five teams including the Devils.
4. I am a University of Minnesota alumni.
I think hint number two is enough.
My first thought was Neal Broten. After double checking the clues, turns out I was wrong. Ironicaly the player we traded to get Broten was the correct answer. Corey Millen. Part of the Flames/Star Nieuwendyk trade. Played 95 games to Nieuwendyk's 94.
My first thought was Neal Broten. After double checking the clues, turns out I was wrong. Ironicaly the player we traded to get Broten was the correct answer. Corey Millen. Part of the Flames/Star Nieuwendyk trade. Played 95 games to Nieuwendyk's 94.
Yup.
On another site, we spent hours doing those, so much fun especially when you use obscure facts like that, I thought the second clue would be enough of a hint aha.
1. I've played for eight NHL teams.
2. I'm a Boston College alumni.
3. A player which I played on with three different teams succeeded my captaincy.
4. I am notable for being one of the few players in the NHL with my ethnic background
5. I was hired by a former team after my retirement.
6. My longest stint with one team was in New Jersey.
1. I've played for eight NHL teams.
2. I'm a Boston College alumni.
3. A player which I played on with three different teams succeeded my captaincy.
4. I am notable for being one of the few players in the NHL with my ethnic background
5. I was hired by a former team after my retirement.
6. My longest stint with one team was in New Jersey.
To check and make sure I was right, but the 8 teams and Boston College and longest stint with NJ was enough for Guerin to pop into my head. The only thing that had me wondering was the ethnicity bit.
