Comments for From Survival to Revival at http://hockey.dobbersports.com , comment 1 to 12 out of 12 comments http://hockey.dobbersports.com Sat, 25 May 2013 02:57:09 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/justin-goldman/2353-from-survival-to-revival#comment-2499 ICBTD, I think Gustavsson has so much great potential and upside that he is worth playing as much as possible this season so that Toronto gets as much "bang for their buck" as possible. He's only making entry-level salary, so there's a cap (plus bonuses) to what he can make. It's basically a one-year scouting ordeal for the Leafs and Gustavsson. We all know what Toskala is capable of doing and where his game is at right now, so to be honest, they'll probably ride the hot goalie. I don't think there's any problem with handing a young goalie the reigns so long as positive reinforcement is attached to the situation. For example, if Paul Maurice talks to Justin Peters and says, "We don't need you to win us games, we just want you to compete hard and play your game" then you are basically taking the pressure to win off his shoulders. That is what you need to do with a goalie who has no NHL experience and is playing on a weak team. I agree with you - there's no real answer here. It literally depends on each goalie, on each team they play on, etc, etc. All of those factors play into the situation. But coaches and GM's can really help their goalies by making it as easy as possible for the goalie to focus on their game and on stopping pucks. To that point, I love what Toronto is doing with Gustavsson. Giving him a chance to show what he's made of, not putting too much pressure on him to win, and scouting the crap outta him ;) Of course I don't know exactly what's being said to him, but his good play is proof they are handling the situation well. And of course as I'm writing this, the Wild score three times in the second period on him ... but he's still playing extremely well, especially in the first period =) - Justin Goldman Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:47:17 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/justin-goldman/2353-from-survival-to-revival#comment-2478 GAH! Brain fart. I did forget about Backstrom and Rinne. Blast!! I want Niitty to play in the Olympics so badly but yes, it will be Backstrom's job to lose. I'm not so sure it will be an easy decision, however, because you have to respect what Niitty did in 2006 and wonder if it will have an impact moving forward. God I love the Olympics!! - Justin Goldman Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:36:45 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/justin-goldman/2353-from-survival-to-revival#comment-2467 Hey Justin, Great article as usual. I agree about Gustafsson being a quality netminder but don't you think that because there is so much money (and resources spent to acquire him) that Toskala is one good game away from taking over again until he flounders? This is similar in Washington as well where Theodore has to lose the top gig and even when he does he'll be given more cracks at retaking it. My question to you is -- isn't it better that young goalies NOT be handed the reigns so early? Look at the struggles of Price - is that a reflection of too much too fast? Or is it actually better for their development to be given tons of playing time in high pressure situations? History provides no real answer I don't think (though you might have a different perspective). Hasek had to fight for time in Chicago. Joseph had to prove himself. Then on the other end Barrasso was given the reigns early and I think maybe Richter too (???). Thoughts? - lcbtd Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:07:48 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/justin-goldman/2353-from-survival-to-revival#comment-2465 Justin, despite Niittymäki's current play I don't think he'll see any playing time at the Olympics (if he beats out Rinne for the #3 goalie spot, that is). Bäckström and Kiprusoff will most likely be the #1 and #2 goalies (Bäckström being the starter) since they have the name factor. - Username Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:03:53 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/justin-goldman/2353-from-survival-to-revival#comment-2464 Justin, I think you forgot about Backstrom. If he's healthy, he must be a lock for one of the three positions on the Finnish Olympic team. - Nordi Rusila Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:42:38 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/justin-goldman/2353-from-survival-to-revival#comment-2462 Katharsis, Thank you very much for the compliment =) It is definitely a different perspective on a website that is already laden with such excellent fantasy hockey analysts, but I think it fits well here since the perspective of covering goalies from the mental side of things is not really found anywhere else! It's a good way to cover all your bases. =) - Justin Goldman Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:32:47 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/justin-goldman/2353-from-survival-to-revival#comment-2461 Lockedge, I think you're dead on with Nabokov in that 05/06 season. I remember that was the same year he went crazy in the Olympics for Team Russia and had like three shutouts or something like that. It was actually kind of a break out season for him because the following year is when he took over the starting role in SJ. For some reason I believe strongly that goalies who face a ton of shots early in their career, lose a lot of games and get hammered over and over again, as long as they can keep improving and stay in the NHL, more often than not they end up turning into very quality goalies because they develop a tough skin quicker than others. This happened with goalies like Dom Hasek, Cam Ward, Chris Osgood, etc. Osgood is a real interesting one because he would give up the crappiest goals at the worst times (deep in the playoffs) but his resiliency and his ability to stay mentally tough is ultimately what turned him into an amazing playoff goalie with now three Stanley Cups. - Justin Goldman Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:39:39 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/justin-goldman/2353-from-survival-to-revival#comment-2460 David, I honestly see Niitty playing close to 50 games this year. I think a lot will depend on what kind of playing time Niitty gets with Team Finland, but because of how strong he was in the 2006 Olympics, the guy has to have a ton of confidence right now. I hear that Tampa Bay still plans on giving Mike Smith plenty of chances to reclaim the starting role, but I don't think Smith has the ability to turn things around and go on a streak that makes this him a viable starter over Niitty. I'll stick with 50-55 games and expect him to post pretty solid stats, but probably not a great W-L record. Still very early in the season, but his health and his current play is a great sign if you're an owner of his. - Justin Goldman Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:08:21 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/justin-goldman/2353-from-survival-to-revival#comment-2459 Justin, just have to say that your articles are always so well thought out and researched, and the kind of insights you offer on the mind and technique of goalies is not only a great read, but a great tool. - Katharsis Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:11:04 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/justin-goldman/2353-from-survival-to-revival#comment-2457 I think that you're close to spot on with Clemmensen, or goalies in general that speak out against their teammates' play. It honestly shouldn't be done...on record. Player to player, it's absolutely fine to approach some guys and tell them your thoughts on the matter. I think focus is absolutely necessary, and that if you speak out like that, your focus is gone, but I wouldn't put the entire onus on the goalie. I recall Nabokov playing like a madman in the 05/06 season, but getting shelled because the defense just wasn't playing in front of him. He'd keep his rebounds in check, he'd be well positioned, but his D could not clear the crease, they couldn't cover their man, they couldn't strip the puck away, block shots...they'd routinely lose board battles in their won end and they'd routinely cough up the puck(in a desperate attempt to clear it) to the opposing defender sitting at the blueline waiting to send a rocket towards the net. That season, at least as I saw it, Nabokov played incredible until Loss 12 racked up or so, where he started to falter because Toskala was taking games as the defenses showed up in front of Vesa. They were desperately effective, blocking shots, keeping opponents out of scoring lanes and making Vesa's life easy, like they didn't trust Vesa so they overcompensated, and they were too used to Nabby bailing them out to realize their play wasn't sufficient in his games. Sure, the blueline smartened up later in the year but Nabby had games few and far between to gain back that focus and confidence. In cases like Clemmensen, I don't think he should call his guys out like that in the media, and especially after such few games, but if they're consistently poor in front of him he should make them aware of things that are impeding him all the while learning Florida's system and applying it to his game as to better mesh with the pairings. No doubt that Turco's stickhandling would be wasted if he didn't know his teammates well. I dunno, maybe I'm all wet. - Lockedge Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:57:12 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/justin-goldman/2353-from-survival-to-revival#comment-2456 Justin, how many games do you see Niitymaki playing this Season? - David Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:55:09 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/justin-goldman/2353-from-survival-to-revival#comment-2453 I also need to add that Niittymaki is sure to get a boost knowing that Kari Lehtonen will most certainly be out for Team Finland in the Olympics. That leaves Kiprusoff and Niittymaki to handle the goaltending duties. That should be a great battle to watch as this season rolls along. - Justin Goldman Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:54:31 +0100