Man if I was a Kings fan I think I'd have more to gripe about then LaBarbera. Like how the organization has let or given up just about every talented player they've had for the past decade with little to nothing to show for it.
Man if I was a Kings fan I think I'd have more to gripe about then LaBarbera. Like how the organization has let or given up just about every talented player they've had for the past decade with little to nothing to show for it.
I have NEVER seen any player in this organization be given as many chances as Labarbera.
His first season was spent entirely in Manchester due to re-entry waivers.
Last season was his first actual NHL season and it was spent backstopping one of the - if not THE - worst defenses in the entire NHL. And some of that (a lot of that?) was spent injured.
This is expected to be his second full season in the NHL. All what chances?
His first season was spent entirely in Manchester due to re-entry waivers.
Last season was his first actual NHL season and it was spent backstopping one of the - if not THE - worst defenses in the entire NHL. And some of that (a lot of that?) was spent injured.
This is expected to be his second full season in the NHL. All what chances?
Remember he did have the partial first season in LA sharing time with Garon before having to take personal leave
Man if I was a Kings fan I think I'd have more to gripe about then LaBarbera. Like how the organization has let or given up just about every talented player they've had for the past decade with little to nothing to show for it.
Last season was his first actual NHL season and it was spent backstopping one of the - if not THE - worst defenses in the entire NHL. And some of that (a lot of that?) was spent injured.
This is expected to be his second full season in the NHL. All what chances?
Yet Garon also played behind the same **** defense and somehow managed to play above .500 and he stole games. (JLB gave away a few games last year though)
LaBarbara had his chance imo, he's a #2 at best... I've seen him flop and overplay/underplay too many chances to have any confidence in him. And his post to post "speed" is just hilarious.
I've seen what JLB can do when given the #1 spot... The #1 is Ersberg's to lose.
Yet Garon also played behind the same **** defense and somehow managed to play above .500 and he stole games.
I misspoke regarding Jason's first season in the NHL. He did in fact play for the Kings the year before he got stuck in Manchester, with Mathieu Garon (2005-2006).
1) Garon played in twice as many games as Labarbera, and where Labarbera was still basically a rookie (only 5 games in the NHL in 6 seasons), Garon had played considerably more games as an NHL backstopper. For 2005-2006:
2) Labarbera had a better GAA than Garon, 2.89 v. 3.22
3) Labarbera had a smidgeon better SA% than Garon, 0.900 v. 0.894.
Contrary to popular perception, Garon was not a better goaltender than Labarbera. He wasn't even much better than Adam Hauser (who?). The Kings would have been better served keeping Huet and foregoing both Garon and Labarbera. But that's water under the bridge.
I have to agree with Beauty here. Kings fans are all about second chances. And third chances. And fourth. And so on. Jason Labarbera has been with the organization for THREE seasons. The man is not a prospect, he is a 28 year old goaltender. Time in LA and Manchester are pretty much divided in half. And everyone is screaming that we shouldn't get on him because it has just been one game but the fact remains is he has been with the team for three seasons and we have not been shown any considerable improvement in any way shape or form in the NHL. Just that he was a 27 year old goalie tearing it up in minors a year ago and had a small streak two years ago of putting up decent numbers.
All of Beauty's criticisms concerning Labs were correct and not very disputable. Labs has poor lateral movement, has trouble with rebounds, and constantly finds himself out of position several times a game. I am not crucifying him but I think it is pretty self-evident by now this guy is not even close to being a #1 NHL goaltender. Aggressively defending the guy at this point is just as bad as burying him 6 feet under in my opinion.
Yeah so Hasek starting at 29 was should of never been in the nhl, Toskala is 30 and a starter, Byzgalov was 29 as a starter, Backstrom is 30, Turco did start til he was 26, Huet didnt play well til 30+. Cujo didnt play well until he was 30.
Have you realized that goalies dont enter there prime til 29+. Bernier is too young. Very rare goalies can play well at such a young age.. otherwise they burn out.. Jim Carrey, Raycroft, Felix Potvin, Dan Cloutier... want more?
Its like Lombardi is trying to fool the league into thinking hes actually a starter. When LA is good and ready to stop taking low picks, we'll see the end of Labarbera.
Contrary to popular perception, Garon was not a better goaltender than Labarbera. He wasn't even much better than Adam Hauser (who?). The Kings would have been better served keeping Huet and foregoing both Garon and Labarbera. But that's water under the bridge.
This thread should be changed to reflect the lack of Goaltending Coaching/Scouting talent in the Kings front office. LaBarbera is not to blame for his bad outings. A Goaltender is only as good as the defense in front of him. Put Chris Osgood in as the Kings starter and he will put up the same if not worse numbers as LaBarbera.
by the way, you guys do know that Babs was playing through injury last year, right?
I'm going to stick by my guns and expect him to have a good season.
When he started with us, he actually had quick lateral movement. I just have to think that he will get that back. If he doesn't, then I guess he lost it. But I'm going to hope for the best.
This thread should be changed to reflect the lack of Goaltending Coaching/Scouting talent in the Kings front office. LaBarbera is not to blame for his bad outings. A Goaltender is only as good as the defense in front of him. Put Chris Osgood in as the Kings starter and he will put up the same if not worse numbers as LaBarbera.
Exactly right. Osgood is not starting material on most teams but detriots defense is awesome.
When you have the worst PK and 29th in SA/per game you will be scored on. You are giving up more chances then you are getting yourselves.
Also though, its the forwards responsibility to get back. Sure you have some exciting forwards but do they come back and help out is the other question.
Labarbera wont get any help this year either because the defense core is even younger. Soo much inexperience. But Labarbera's age has him ready to start his prime years for 5-6 years. So if he pans out then you will have a solid goalie for that time and when hes ready to give up in 5-6 years Bernier should be ready to begin his play.
It took luongo til he was 24 til he started to have decent numbers. Dipetrio took a while. Lehtonen is still trying. Fleury at the start of last season they were looking for a new starter but after his injury he played much better. Sure Carey Price played well but was it a fluke? Raycroft had a 1.97(something like that) GAA his first year as a starter and we all know where he is now....
Rushing goalies is bad. You have a young talented team that everyone would love to have but it will take time. Dont blame it on Labarbera. Its a team sport. Defense has to play well and the forwards have to come back to help out.
Not to mention that Labarbera's biggest problems (rib, knee) came from being run over in the crease because our defense wasn't tough enough to keep people out of there.
That problem has been solved. And hopefully we continue to keep the SA down below 25 like we have in the preseason.
And Osgood has a nickname of Osgreat, because when he gets "in the zone" you just can't score on him. He is pretty inconsistent (like Labarbera), but has flashes of brilliance (like Labarbera).
Its like Lombardi is trying to fool the league into thinking hes actually a starter. When LA is good and ready to stop taking low picks, we'll see the end of Labarbera.
EXACTLY!!! Labs is just Cloutier II. It's all part of Lombardi's master plan for hockey domination. Muhuhahahahahahaaaaaaaaa!!!
Nothing wrong with Labs,might help to have a defence with skill level higher than the AHL level and forwards that come back and pick up their man.Just a suggestion.
Nothing wrong with Labs,might help to have a defence with skill level higher than the AHL level and forwards that come back and pick up their man.Just a suggestion.
OK then wxplain why Ersberg's numbers were considerably better playing behind the exact same defense
I dunno, I think if Labs was playing for the Wings he would be doing considerably poorer in net regardless of what defense was put in front of him than Osgood. Osgood has journeyman #1 talent at least. Labs barely has backup status talent. Just because he has had a rough time, and things didn't go his way, doesn't detract from that fact that he has not shown us anything spectacular at the NHL level. Ersberg did in a handful of games, he has failed to do so in 3 years. Regardless of the excuses, maybe it is time he tried his hand with another organization and see if things will go his way this time around, but he just doesn't belong here anymore and is taking a valuable roster spot away from our prospects. I think it is time for Ersberg/Quick to take the reigns with Bernier in Manchester.
Thanks, Five.
