Wednesday, April 28, 2004
In goal for Ottawa in 2005
With Patrick Lalime's meltdown in game 7 of the playoffs, there are tons of concern about the Senators' goaltending for next season.
There are essentially five paths the Sens management can take.
1) Stay the course.
Keep the goaltending as is since any goalie will be a risk and Patrick Lalime has alternated each bad year with a good one.
This approach doesn't cost the Sens any assets.
Unforunately, this could hurt ticket sales because the fans in Ottawa have more or less laid the blame at the Sens early playoff exit at the feet of Lalime.
2) Promote from within
Dump Lalime and make the tandem for next year Martin Prusek and Ray Emery.
Another approach that doesn't cost the Sens any assets and they might actually get an asset or two back if there is a market for Lalime.
However, neither Prusek or Emery have proven themselves to be starters in the NHL. For a team with Stanley Cup goals, there could be too much pressure for a pair of unproven goalies.
3) Sign a high profile free agent
Sign one of the big name goalies that could be available. Cup winners like Dominik Hasek or Ed Belfour could be available.
The problem is that these guys will demand big money and aren't getting any younger.
4) Trade for a experienced starting goalie.
There are lots of current starters that might be available. Names like Kolzig, Cloutier, Biron, Salo, etc could be on the market. But none of these guys have proven they can win the Cup. They might turn out to be no better then Lalime but they'd cost assets to acquire them.
5) Trade for a young goalie that could potentially be a starter.
There are several backups around the league that could turn into the next Kiprusoff. Names like Noronen and Gerber could be available with younger goalie prospects in their organizations pushing for the backup job while there are other backups around the league like Garon and Toskala that might be available for the right price.
Of course, any player acquired will require some of Ottawa's assets leaving in return. Plus, is there any guarantee that they would be better then Prusek or Emery? (0) comments
There are essentially five paths the Sens management can take.
1) Stay the course.
Keep the goaltending as is since any goalie will be a risk and Patrick Lalime has alternated each bad year with a good one.
This approach doesn't cost the Sens any assets.
Unforunately, this could hurt ticket sales because the fans in Ottawa have more or less laid the blame at the Sens early playoff exit at the feet of Lalime.
2) Promote from within
Dump Lalime and make the tandem for next year Martin Prusek and Ray Emery.
Another approach that doesn't cost the Sens any assets and they might actually get an asset or two back if there is a market for Lalime.
However, neither Prusek or Emery have proven themselves to be starters in the NHL. For a team with Stanley Cup goals, there could be too much pressure for a pair of unproven goalies.
3) Sign a high profile free agent
Sign one of the big name goalies that could be available. Cup winners like Dominik Hasek or Ed Belfour could be available.
The problem is that these guys will demand big money and aren't getting any younger.
4) Trade for a experienced starting goalie.
There are lots of current starters that might be available. Names like Kolzig, Cloutier, Biron, Salo, etc could be on the market. But none of these guys have proven they can win the Cup. They might turn out to be no better then Lalime but they'd cost assets to acquire them.
5) Trade for a young goalie that could potentially be a starter.
There are several backups around the league that could turn into the next Kiprusoff. Names like Noronen and Gerber could be available with younger goalie prospects in their organizations pushing for the backup job while there are other backups around the league like Garon and Toskala that might be available for the right price.
Of course, any player acquired will require some of Ottawa's assets leaving in return. Plus, is there any guarantee that they would be better then Prusek or Emery? (0) comments
