Goalkeepers are both the last line of defense, and the first to be blamed if things go bad for a NHL team.
Thus, some teams, for a different reason, was a dramatic makeovers between the pipes this summer. It 'was a small chain reaction: an exit would lead to another entry, which would leave another hole in a different team. But at the end of this reordering-5 team, there are clearly some who have upgraded their goaltending, and some who have seen the low grade.
What team has improved the most spectacular guards this summer?
5th Florida Panthers
In: Jose Theodore (notes) (03/11/15, 2.71 GAA, 0.916 SV%)
Out: Tomas Vokoun (notes) (22-28-5, 2.55 GAA, 0.920 SV%)
For all the money that GM Dale Tallon spent on the front and the defenders, the guards on the cheap. Theodore nature rose to $ 1.5 million in each of the next two seasons. Scott Clemmensen (notes), back up Vokoun last season, will earn $ 1.5 million in salary and $ 1.2 million against the cap. Together, they will do as much as Dwayne Roloson (notes) will be next season for the Lightning.
This tandem is a placeholder until the Jacob Markstrom (Notes) is ready for his shot the goalkeeper franchise, that Theodore was signed for two years, should give a sense of time.
Can the Panthers win the guards? Theodore is underestimated, but has not started more than 50 games in two years. A number of interesting time with the Wild: .910 save percentage, while outnumbered, is about five shots per game.
There is no doubt that this is true. Hopefully this is that they can offer at least some game average and veteran know-how as a team in front of the gel.
4. Phoenix Coyotes
By: Mike Smith (notes) (01/06/13, 2.89 GAA and 0.899 SV%)
Departure: Ilya Bryzgalov (notes) (36-20-10, 0.48 GAA, .920 SV%)
How is it possible that the tandem, Mike Smith and Jason LaBarbera (Notes) before the list Clemmensen and Theodore?
Dave Tippett is the answer.
Tippett's defensive system will give these kids a head start as guardian Panthers', who will play behind the more up-tempo team. His training eight years the NHL Dallas Stars and Phoenix Coyotes, Tippett's teams have been below the league average in terms of goals scored against the seven cases.
He said last week that Smith and LaBarbera are in camp competition for the concert starting goaltender, but considering Smith has the advantage of being a starter in the past, and having played well in Tippett in Dallas.
This is another team with a clear downgrade in talent between the pipes. But it will be interesting to see how stiff they affect the results, namely how Bryzgalov has played in the system Tippett?
3. Colorado Avalanche
In: Semyon Varlamov (notes) (05/09/11, 2.23 GAA, 0.924 SV%), Jean-Sebastien Giguere (notes) (04/11/11, 2.87 GAA, 0.900 SV%)
Departure: Peter Budaj (notes) (15-21-4, 3.20 GAA, .890 SV%), Brian Elliott (notes) (2-8-1, 3.83 GAA, .890 SV%)
Budaj finished, ex-girlfriend you keep around unless something better comes along, and Elliott, scary this guy who thinks he has a shot, but it was just an unfortunate bounce.
Varlamov is an exceptionally talented athlete. His health is a concern. The workload is a concern, but do worse Giggy behind the stain begins, and wise counsel. But it has an antenna, through what was in last season after Craig Anderson (record) deal and the recognition that Anderson was never going to have Anderson back in Colorado.
Varlamov problem is that now is Phil Kessel (notes) syndrome. His personal statistics and achievements, no matter for next season, a record of his team, and the preliminary view that the first round will gather in the capital of the farm.
2. Washington Capitals
In: Tomas Vokoun (22-28-5, 2.55 GAA, .920 SV%)
Departure: Semyon Varlamov (09/05/11, 2.23 GAA, .924 SV%)
Like Varlamov will be judged by what was left for him, Vokoun will be judged by how he was given: 1 year, $ 1.5 million to fly in the summer for GM George McPhee.
With that baseline, Vokoun is not the sauce. And what he could do is have the best goalie in the capital since the regular season, perhaps, Olaf Kölzig (notes). Michal Neuvirth respectfully (notes), but Vokoun has 19 shutouts in the last three seasons, and he was not good enough to play with the team Jacques Lemaire's trap for them.
The tandem of Vokoun and Neuvirth gives capitals, potentially, the top 10 guards in this league. As with everything in capitals, it all comes down to performance in the playoffs, and Vokoun has played 11 games in the playoffs, winning three. But on paper, this is a serious upgrade in Washington.
1. Philadelphia Flyers
In: Ilya Bryzgalov (36-20-10, 0.48 GAA, .920 SV%)
Departure: Brian Boucher (notes) (18-10-4, 2.42 GAA, .916 SV%)
Bryzgalov joined the Flyers in 9 years, 51 million dollar contract which solidifies their starting goalie in a way rarely so in a franchise goalie before. No more turning the carousel to see who starts this week. No more grabbing a famous name from the landfill to throw into the mix. Bryz is the man with Sergei Bobrovsky (notes) support.
At least in theory.
What you can do this behind the Flyers team is based on three things: his ability, health, Chris Pronger (notes) and how the team meshes in front of him.
From NHL.com:
The Flyers seem to have had an attack, team offensive to those who rely more on guards and defense. This puts the pressure squarely on Bryzgalov, who could be the best deal aims to wear black and orange since Ron Hextall won 37 games as a rookie in 1987.
"We considered as one of the upper 'Echelon Ilya goalies in the league, and bring to him, gives us stability," said Holmgren. "The addition of Ilya and keep the defense we had last year, we think we are a good place."
To just go to an uncertainty shown good fliers are at the top of the list. He could lift this team in the league after claiming that erupted in the summer Bryzgalov makes the best summer day.
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