Countdown to Vancouver: Goaltending
The newspaper in Regina got me thinking about Olympic Hockey today. They had an entire section devoted to the Olympics (with about half of it on men's hockey, not that I'm complaining).
Everyone has their own version of what the Olympic roster should look like, which is fine. Speculation on rosters is half the fun. But what shocked me was how many people left Martin Brodeur off their roster.
It's obvious that, barring major injury, either Brodeur or Roberto Luongo will be starting for Canada in 2010, but many writers figured that Brodeur is too old to back-up Luongo, and if Luongo starts, the back-up spot should fall to Carry Price. It's odd because I always figured the third string goalie spot was reserved for the up and comer, because, if Luongo reinjures his groin right before, or during, the Olympics, do people really want Carry Price in the net?
Look, Brodeur is still one of the worlds best goalies, but he's not getting any younger and Canada does need to look to the future, but in doing so it can't sacrifice the present. Even if Luongo gets the starting job, having a solid, experienced back-up in Brodeur is preferable to the youngster Price.
In fact, I'm not even sure Price should be on the Olympic team. You have to think that Steve Mason's spectacular play this season has earned him atleast a token invite to Hockey Canada's summer camp. And if he can continue his great play into next season, I see no reason not to put him in the number three spot.
Everyone has their own version of what the Olympic roster should look like, which is fine. Speculation on rosters is half the fun. But what shocked me was how many people left Martin Brodeur off their roster.
It's obvious that, barring major injury, either Brodeur or Roberto Luongo will be starting for Canada in 2010, but many writers figured that Brodeur is too old to back-up Luongo, and if Luongo starts, the back-up spot should fall to Carry Price. It's odd because I always figured the third string goalie spot was reserved for the up and comer, because, if Luongo reinjures his groin right before, or during, the Olympics, do people really want Carry Price in the net?
Look, Brodeur is still one of the worlds best goalies, but he's not getting any younger and Canada does need to look to the future, but in doing so it can't sacrifice the present. Even if Luongo gets the starting job, having a solid, experienced back-up in Brodeur is preferable to the youngster Price.
In fact, I'm not even sure Price should be on the Olympic team. You have to think that Steve Mason's spectacular play this season has earned him atleast a token invite to Hockey Canada's summer camp. And if he can continue his great play into next season, I see no reason not to put him in the number three spot.
posted by Jason Kerr at
11:35 AM
2 Comments:
I wouldn't be surprised if Loungo or Brodeur aren't interested in back-ups roles, though I hope one of them will be.
I can think of 7 other goalies I would be ok with in the 3 spot: J.S. Giguere, Marty Turco, Carey Price, Steve Mason, Manny Fernandez, Marc-Andre Fleury and Cam Ward.
Only three of those I'm comfortable with actually playing if our starter gets injured: Marty Turco, J.S. Giguere, and Steve Mason (if Mason plays as good as he has so far.)
So yes, we need both Brodeur and Loungo in my opinion.
We can speculate all we want but when it comes to a final decision it will be Yzerman's and I am happy that it is in his capable hands and not mine. I think we proved last Olympics that an aged team will not do well and we need an infusion of youth. I like Brodeur but Luongo outperformed him last Olympics so he gets my pick for the starting job. As for the next two well Turco or Giguere would be my choice and Turco over Giguere if I really had to narrow it down. The nice thing is that we do have good goaltending depth in the Canadian system and even have guys like Chris Mason, Biron, Theodore and Roloson kicking around. Fleury and Price are very questionable in my mind though as both have fallen off their high horses this season and that could hurt their chances. Steve Mason is still much too young in my mind and I would be very wary to have to give him that job as young as he is. So anyway my choice as it stands right now:
Luongo
Turco
...eh Mike Smith (lol)
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