The Rick's Sports Blog

Times Change Between The Pipes

Going into the 2010 Free Agency Period, we saw many starting goaltenders that were going to be changing teams.  Former Hart Trophy Winners and Vezina Finalists were among the net-minders that were to change addresses.  Big names like Marty Turco, Evgeni Nabakov, Jose Theodore and Chris Mason were among the names that were going to draw the most interest.  A week later we really see a shift in the NHL, with teams opting for more cost-effective options. 

In recent years teams have proven that you don’t need to have an all world goalie to win the Cup.  Look at the teams that won everything since the lockout.

Cam Ward Carolina Hurricanes

JS Giguère Anaheim Ducks

Chris Osgood Detroit Red Wings

Marc-Andre Fleury Pittsburgh Penguins

Antti Niemi Chicago Blackhawks

All steady but unspectacular goaltenders who were on reasonable contracts when they took home the hardware.  Meanwhile guys like Ryan Miller, Mikko Kipprusoff, Henrik Lundqvist, Roberto Luongo and Marty Brodeur have all had their difficulties in the post-season. All are under very lucrative long-term contracts. Teams have noticed this and taken stock of the fact that you do not need superstars in net.  You just need a team with a goaltender that can steal you a game or two in the playoffs. 

This philosophy is hurting the goalies that are on the market currently out of the players mentioned above Chris Mason is the only one to sign with a NHL franchise the Atlanta Thrashers. Mason took considerably less money than was expected and will more than likely serve as more of a mentor to the young Ondrej Pavelec, than as a starter.  We saw Evgeni Nabakov sign just yesterday with a team over in Russia where he will make $6 Million a year, something he was not going to see in the NHL.  Turco and Theodore are sitting out on the market still waiting for a suitor. One has to wonder why guys of their talent level are  out on the market, are they pricing themselves out of the market? 

Let’s look at the players in question and bring to light the possibilities. Marty Turco has been a great regular season goalie for the Dallas Stars for 10 years, he is over 35 and coming off a down year in Dallas. Some critics believe this is because of the team that was in front of him.  Dallas is seemingly in a re-building process, James Neal, Jamie Benn and Fabian Brunnstrom are replacing the Mike Modanos and Jere Lehtinens. Thus is the circle of hockey, Dallas brought in young Kari Lehtonen to shoulder the load as the team moves on younger.  Turco still has value left in the league, but teams cannot afford his asking price.  Teams that are close to winning a Cup with needs between the pipes are opting to go with cheaper options.  San Jose Sharks went with Antero Nittymaki a 30-year-old back up to lead the way.  Philly went after Turco but in the end opted to stick with Michael Leighton because of cap restraints. Now there is still a chance if Philly moves some money, that they can sign Turco. However for that to happen Turco will have to come down in his asking price.  So as of right now Marty Turco is out of work and most teams have their starting goaltender set already. He could be the next player headed to Europe.

Jose Theodore his story is much simpler, in Theodore we have a former Hart Trophy winner that despite so much promise at the beginning of the decade never could win a playoff series.  He has had stints in Montreal, Colorado and most recently Washington, but still has never won a playoff series.  Washington opted to go with the young largely untested Simyon Varlamov. Washington is said to be still looking for that vet, but with little cap space it seems like the pickings are slim. It is unlikely that the Capitals will dip back into the hair tonic to bring back Theodore.  At this point I have to think that Theodore probably will be relegated to a back-up goaltender someone with a youngster that needs veteran guidance at a discount price. 

One thing that is certain the longer these guys sit, the less money they will see.  The prime example is Marty Biron last season, many thought he was the best goalie on the market going into Free Agency last season. He sat and watched as teams picked up the more affordable options, finally signing a discount contract with the New York Islanders and being relegated to the bench for the majority of the season.  At this point if the goaltenders left on the market want to make money they may have to go to Europe. If they want to finish their careers as NHLers they will have to buck up like Biron did last season. Only time will tell.

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