The Southeast Division's Top Ten Goaltenders
by J.P. on Sep 2, 2010 11:30 AM EDT
Email
Print
During the 2009-10 regular season, 1,249 goals were scored against Southeast Division teams. That's an average of 3.05 per game and 4.5% more than were scored against any other division (the Northwest's 1,195 were second most, the Central's 1,132 the fewest).
Supremely talented scorers like Alex Ovechkin and Steven Stamkos contributed to that high total. So too did the Division's overall lack of talented defensemen. And, of course, the last lines of defense - the goalies - played their parts.
As we head into 2010-11, some of those netminders are no longer calling the Southeast Division home, and a couple of new names have been imported. Just who are the masked men who will try to keep pucks out of Southeast Division nets in 2010-11? Let's count down the top ten...
10. Justin Peters (Carolina Hurricanes)
Five teams, two goalies per team... someone had to be tenth. (It was tempting to put Jacob Markstrom or Braden Holtby here, but if you had one NHL game to win tomorrow, you'd probably want Peters in net... probably.)
9. Mike Smith (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Smith's 2009-10 won/loss record was similar to his previous year's numbers, but his GAA ballooned by nearly half a goal per game and his save percentage dropped by .016 to finish below the goalie's Mendoza Line of .900 (but thank goodness for rounding to the nearest thousandth, eh, Mike?), thanks in large part to being simply atrocious (3-6-1/3.41/.886) after January. But hey, he's had save percentages of .912, .901, .916 and now .900 in his four NHL seasons, so expect a rebound... and for someone to score on it. Zing!
8. Ondrej Pavelec (Atlanta Thrashers)
The good news? Pavelec's GAA dropped by one-third of a goal and his save percentage shot up by .026 in 2009-10. The bad news? These improved numbers are still mediocre at best. For a while, Pavs looked like he might be the Thrashers' goaltender of the near-future, but now he looks like a kid who needs a bit more time before taking the reins. A 2-1-2/1.77/.944 run right before getting lit up by the Caps in the season's last game gives a glimpse of what the 2005 second-round pick is capable of.
7. Michal Neuvirth (Washington Capitals)
Winner of back-to-back Calder Cups, Neuvirth will get a chance to compete for the job of back-stopping last year's Presidents' Trophy winners. In his brief NHL career, Neuvy has posted solid numbers with a few hiccups along the way, and as a 2011 Restricted Free Agent, now is his time to show the Caps what he's got. [For more on Neuvirth's 2009-10 season, check out his Rink Wrap.]
6. Scott Clemmensen (Florida Panthers)
The only Iowan in NHL history, Clemmensen's season got off to a shaky start that left him with a 3.52 GAA and a .888 save percentage through December. Twenty-one consecutive Tomas Vokoun complete games later, Clemmensen got back on the ice and finished out the season on a 4-3-2/2.29/.934 run that looked more like the netminder that posted stellar numbers a year earlier when filling in for Marty Brodeur in Jersey.
5. Dan Ellis (Tampa Bay Lightning)
The first of three former Predators to make this list's top-five, Ellis was simply out-played by Pekka Rinne in Nashville and landed in Tampa as a free agent this summer, where he'll try to find some of the magic that helped him post a 23-10-3/2.34/.924 mark in 2007-08.
4. Semyon Varlamov (Washington Capitals)
This is a big year for Varly, and not just because he's playing for a new contract and fighting for a job while having to prove himself durable and able to carry the burden of the tremendous expectations weighing on his team. Nevermind - it is because of all of that. It would shock no one to come back a year from now and chuckle about how low Varly is on this list.... or wonder how he placed so high. [For more on Varlamov's 2009-10 season, check out his Rink Wrap.]
3. Cam Ward (Carolina Hurricanes)
Cam's got the Cup. He's also got back-to-back seasons with a save percentage of .916 or better, one of only eight goalies who can make that claim. So don't let that record fool you - Cam Ward is still a very solid netminder.
2. Chris Mason (Atlanta Thrashers)
The second former Pred on the list, Mason spent the last two seasons in St. Louis where he went 57-43-15/2.47/.915 for a mediocre team. In fact, toss out a sub-par 2007-08 season, and Mason is 97-63-1-20/2.44/.918 since becoming a regular NHLer. With a solid defense in front of him in Atlanta, look for a good year out of Mace.
1. Tomas Vokoun (Florida Panthers)
Quick: which goalie has the best post-lockout save percentage in the League (minimum 75 games played)? That's right, it's Vokoun, who turned in another good season for a bad team last year. Sure, he led the NHL in losses and OT/SO losses, but with five consecutive seasons with a save percentage at or above .919, Vokoun (the third former Predator) is as sure a bet as there is in the NHL these days. The 34-year-old Czech will be a free agent next summer, and is sure to be someone's prized acquisition some time before the trade deadline... and likely worth the high price it will cost to land him.
There's our list. Let's hear yours in the comments.
85 comments
|
2 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Vokoun was good enough to win the Vezina last year. And should have been seriously considered for it.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
1 Lundqvist, Henrik " NYR G 28 6 $6,875,000
2 Ward, Cam " CAR G 26 6 $6,300,000
3 Miller, Ryan " BUF G 30 5 $6,250,000
4 Giguere, J. " TOR G 33 4 $6,000,000
5 Backstrom, Niklas " MIN G 32 4 $6,000,000
6 Kiprusoff, Miikka " CGY G 33 6 $5,833,333
7 Vokoun, Tomas " FLA G 34 4 $5,700,000
8 Huet, Cristobal " CHI G 34 4 $5,625,000
Number on the end is cap hit. Doesn’t look overpaid to me.
If Florida wanted Varlamov for Vokoun, I take that deal in a second. And twice on Sunday.
Not that they would need Varly anyway since they have Divey McDiverton in their system.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Didnt you imply (or “infer”, whichever one it is) that with the first comment?
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
We’re not talking value here, we’re talking “best goalie.”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Sep 2, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I understand that. Vokoun is easily the best goalie in the division. All I’m saying is I’d rather have our youngsters at their salaries than Vokoun at his. My badz if I went a little off topic.
No worries.
FWIW, I disagree somewhat – before the deadline last year I said I’d gladly move Varly or Neuvy in a trade for Vokoun, who would give you two shots in the playoffs before potentially hitting the UFA market. Would I make a deal now with only one shot? Depends on the deal.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I’d give one of the kid goaltenders and Semin or Flash. I wouldn’t take any Carlson or Alzner talk (one of whom they would probably like very much).
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
That’s a bit much. Something would have to come back this way with him.
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
Well yeah, not straight up.
Florida has a surprisingly large payroll for such a terrible team (51 Million)
As far as their expiring UFA deals, McCabe’s not going anywhere (has an NMC), Stillman and Reasoner are both expiring (Stillman hits at 3.5, Reasoner at 1.1). Bernier, Higgins, and Dvorak are also in the last year of their deals.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Playoff Stats
Varlamov: 19 GP, 10-9, 2.49 GAA, .915 SV%, 2 SO
Vokoun: 11 GP, 3-8, 2.47 GAA, .922 SV%, 1 SO
Those are some pretty even statistics (records aside).
Given the fact that he’s been an NHL regular for 12 years, and has played exactly 11 playoff games, I would attribute that to the fact he’s played on some pretty terrible teams.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions
And look at the teams for which each has played.
More importantly, the sample size on both is extremely small.
Vokoun is a better goalie than Varlamov. Ergo, he would be a better goalie on the Caps than Varlamov.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Not to mention if you take out Varlamov’s performance against a crap Rangers team, his number aren’t that great (since small sample size is discarded for the sake of argument).
Anticipating the “goaltending wasn’t why we lost to the Habs!” argument, it didn’t win any games for ‘em either (actually, I’ll give you Game 3). Tomas Vokoun wins games. He is a difference maker.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Vokoun is one of the rare goalies who can steal games for his team – kind of what Lundqvist did for the Rangers against the Caps in ‘09. He is easily the best goalie in the SE. As for playoff performance – look at his ’04 playoffs. .939 sv%, 2.02 GAA – and his team lost in 6. His team scoring 3 goals total in the 4 losses sure ddn’t help.
Never underrate the power of the hissy-cow.
OK, fast forward to February, and if Varlamov has proven to be: a) looking like he’s playing for a new contract, b) hasn’t achieved any separation from Neuvirth, c) had durability problems, d) is sinking under the burden of the tremendous expectations weighing on his team, or e) some or all of the above, then Vokoun as a rental is going to be looking mighty valuable. This might be why the Caps carry some cap cushion into the year, Vokoun’s affordability at the deadline.
If you've read this far...seek help.
His might be one of the worst player contracts in the history of earth, but it would be a possibility. I’m not a big Richards fan, but he’s an upgrade over any current Cap you’d stick at 2C.
If you've read this far...seek help.
What don’t you like about him? His contract I can agree with, and his injury history. But his game is amazing and he would be an amazing fit on this roster. The only thing that could make him a better fit on this team would be if BB used two PP units.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Agree completely. My mancrush on Tomas Vokoun has never been closeted here at The Rink.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Only problem being that it’s very unlike GMGM to trade anyone who might come back to bite him in the ass, especially within the Division (sorry, Oskar). But we’ll see.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
If the Caps (read: McPhee) are ever going to break with pattern, this is the year (he could trade Ovechkin to a division opponent, and it wouldn’t bite him in the ass this year). If they don’t, I expect they never will. If they have a chance to add that kind of asset (if, of course, the kids prove not yet ready for prime time), and they don’t with this team, it qualifies in my mind as insanity. At some point you have to recognize your best chances to win a championship, or you keep hoping (and keep getting disappointed) that tinkering with second and third line forwards is going to do the trick.
If you've read this far...seek help.
I hear you. At some point it doesn’t matter how big a stack you’ve got – you’ve got to push some chips into the pot to win big.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Trade Ovie???
Am I understanding correctly? Are you suggesting trading Ovie to acquire Vokoun, and you think the deal won’t bite GMGM in the ass this year? Please enlighten me since this scenario hasn’t occurred to me, nor the lack of any fallout if Ovie leaves DC.
He’s saying that the difference between the Caps and the rest of the division is larger than subtracting AO and adding it to one of our division rivals. Later on? Big difference. Right now? The rest of the division looks pretty weak (although I think Tampa would take it with AO).
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Sep 2, 2010 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh, hell no. I’m saying that at some point, you likely have to part with something of real value (one of the goalies, etc.) and “go for it” a bit more than they have in the past. You decide when you’ve got the best hand you’re gonna get, and you play it.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Misplaced reply
OK, I should have posed my question after the post by ThePeerless, the one who said “If the Caps (read: McPhee) are ever going to break with pattern, this is the year (he could trade Ovechkin to a division opponent, and it wouldn’t bite him in the ass this year.”
So I now ask The Peerless: how is it you believe parting with Ovie to any team, division rival or not, won’t come back to bite McPhee in the ass? There’s more than one way a GM can get bit, fan fallout being one, especially if who the Caps got in return doesn’t walk on water and lead them to the Promised Land at season’s end.
Hate to be the one pointing this out, but I think there’s a typo for Peters — 9 GP, 6 W, 3 L, 3 O. Something doesn’t add up.
"Inglewood Jack! Inglewood Jack!" - Coach Jules
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Sep 2, 2010 11:43 AM EDT reply actions
Fixed, thanks (he didn’t have any OT/SO L’s).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Seeing Justin Peters 10th on the list reminded me that we did get stymied by him in a game last year. Man we have a way of making some teams’ 2nd stringers look good at times.
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory
And making the first stringers look foolish. Go figger.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Which one was I?
Signed,
J. Halak
"#DCU is like senior prom. A bunch of people standing around waiting for a 17-year old to score."
by Bald Pollack on Sep 2, 2010 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
JP, just curious, where would Jose Theodore have landed on this list (were he still in the division)? Braden Holtby?
Theodore probably would have been ahead of Clemmensen. Holtby was considered and I don’t think he’s a better NHL goalie right now than any of the guys on the list.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Regarding Vokoun’s Save Percentage, he has played in NSH and FLA, two places that appear to consistently overstate the amount of shots taken
I still think he’s the best G in the conference, but also believe that his SPCT numbers should be taken with a grain of salt..
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Wouldn’t facing more shots make his SVPCT worse?
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
No – all goals are going to be counted in any arena. But excess shots in one will be excess saves and thus SV%-boosters.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
But if he faces more shots, wouldn’t he be statistically inclined to let more in? Simply by law of averages?
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
No – he’s facing the exact same amount of rubber everywhere, but in FLA and NSH, they’re counting some loose pucks and whatnot that end up near the goal as SOGs, whereas in other arenas they’re not.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Basically, they’re more generous with what they consider a shot on goal – and thus a save, since all shots in goal are counted the same everywhere – than other places.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Gotcha.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
As an example (which I got from the original article, btw), watch this video. The FLA game log counts this as 4 shots.
I it looks like a couple of guys take a whack or a poke at it before it squirts to someone who puts it in the net.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Ah… but last year he had a .927 road SV% and a .923 at home.
In 2008-09, that flipped to .915 road/.933 home.
In 2007-08 it was .916 road/.921 home.
In 2006-07 it was .926 road/.915 home.
In 2005-06 it was .905 road/.931 home.
Point taken, but the dude’s a stud no matter who’s counting.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Sep 2, 2010 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Best goaltender I saw all of last year. Bar none.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions
.918 road save percentage by a crude averaging of the above numbers. Pretty damned good. Especially on mediocre to bad teams.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
.918 total SV% on the road over the last five years is mind-blowing considering some of the teams he was playing behind.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Sep 2, 2010 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions
I was surprised at how good Mason has been other than that one bad year.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Yeah. I really had no clue either until I saw the numbers. Pretty impressive. Didn’t Mike Smith have a big year in Dallas too, before he got moved to Tampa? I could see him being a bit higher on the list as well, maybe in front of Neuvi since we haven’t seen much of him at this level.
I really enjoy these posts too. It really provides some great perspective to the Southeast division.
Well, Smith had two “good” years in Dallas, but both were as Turco’s backup (Smith totalled ~40 starts), and he also had concussion issues, if I’m not mistaken.
Mason has been able to sustain a pretty high level of play throughout his career, with the exception of that one year.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
.....
He wasn’t so good here
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Looks like it, but in his defense (wocka wocka) the other guy went to break up the pass and completely whiffed. Poor Hatch was on an island.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s Ye Olde Easter Epic. Goal that tied the game late in the third.
In short, eff you Bob Mason.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
That goal wasn’t Mason’s fault… it was a transition by the Isles and Mason more than redeemed himself in the OT. He was the second star of the game and earned it (Hrudey was the #1 star…)
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Sep 2, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Shouldn’t have got that far.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions
haha
Rod Langway magically teaches Mike Green how to clear and check the opposition from his own defensive zone. Lets Go Caps !
by Mikko Leinonen's opposite on Sep 3, 2010 12:07 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I agree… Ward has a much more impressive resume than Mason, so he gets the nod as #2 in the division for me. Other than that though, these rankings look about right.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Sep 2, 2010 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Ward/Mason
How in the world can you rank Cam Ward below Chris Mason? When Ward is healthy, which he is, he can steal games on his own…something Mason will very rarely do.
Mason won 30 games last year. Of those 30, 15 were one-goal wins and 19 were one- or two-goal wins. In all wins, Mason’s save percentage was .944 and his GAA was 1.61.
For all starts, Mason’s median save percentage was .920 and more than 1/3 of the time he was at .944 or better. He can steal a game too.
by David Getz on Sep 2, 2010 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
What about are own Dany Boy Sabourin?
The caps are in good position on goal , whewhoo!
Rod Langway magically teaches Mike Green how to clear and check the opposition from his own defensive zone. Lets Go Caps !
by Mikko Leinonen's opposite on Sep 3, 2010 12:11 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
in goal , that is
Rod Langway magically teaches Mike Green how to clear and check the opposition from his own defensive zone. Lets Go Caps !
by Mikko Leinonen's opposite on Sep 3, 2010 12:12 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
50 | 24 | 15 | 11 | 59 |
|
Washington
|
50 | 26 | 20 | 4 | 56 |
|
Winnipeg
|
53 | 24 | 23 | 6 | 54 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
50 | 22 | 23 | 5 | 49 |
|
Carolina
|
53 | 19 | 25 | 9 | 47 |
(updated 2.4.2012 at 8:30 AM EST)
The Vault
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Fight Video: Ilya Kovalchuk KOs Flyers’ Brayden Schenn with nasty right hook
- Penguins’ Brooks Orpik launches Daniel Paille with massive hit (Video)
- Penguins, Bruins face their challenges in Eastern Conference showdown
- Olli Jokinen’s slump-buster is a Big Mac meal from McDonalds (Video)
- Friday’s Three Stars: Brassard wins it for Blue Jackets in overtime; Halak blanks Kings
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
