I agree that he’s probably the long term solution but I guess after seeing them get burned by other “long term solutions” I’d like to see them have a solid backup (sorry for the bad pun) plan before the season.
If there is one thing that I have full faith in our front office to do, its to be able to find a completely deprecated asset in net to bring in and excel here. There's far too much evidence to support it at this point that I think its safe to say they just have something figured out analytically for goalies.
I really think Varlamov is the ideal target among the FA likely to be available. Freddie will likely be more expensive and his availability has been much more of a concern than Varlamov lately. Raanta is better suited as a backup at this point so keeping him would pretty much be slotting Koochie in as #1. There are not really too many great FA options in net this year for a 1a/1b, more backups.
I don't think he will never lack in confidence, lol, he seems possibly overconfident at times. He does need to settle down a bit more which should come in time as he logs more NHL minutes, also glove could use some work. But yeah he has all the tools to be one of the best goalies in the league right up there with other Russians like Igor, Ilya, Vasi.
Varlamov will be the target of many teams. A handful of teams outbid us on him.
Seeing how he’ll be the best starter available at prime age. Someone is going to give him a Campbell level deal that will age as wonderfully
Agree/disagree for me. For most games he does look 8/10 on confidence. However, in the playoffs against the Rags he played super deep in net and got shellacked by "save-able" shots. I mean, he had barely spent two months in a new country and was playing in full barns in the playoffs and had to face Panarin, 50 goal man Chris Kreider, and an elite power play. I think it was a learning experience for him but I also worry it could happen again, particularly because I think he is a hot head.
I mean he appears to be shades of Tim Thomas and early career Tuukka Rask. I've never met him personally but every indication on the ice says as much.
That's fair but really the entire team played like that, I don't think it's an issue with his confidence that is something to worry about in his career.
Agree that he is the long term solution. the Last time I felt this confident in our goaltending future was when we signed UFA Scott Darling!
Come on now at this point he's already surpassed Darling's Hurricane Career and that's if the next 51 games are 9 GAAAgree that he is the long term solution. the Last time I felt this confident in our goaltending future was when we signed UFA Scott Darling!
Its genuinely impressive that the only goalie who hasn't looked at the very least competent behind the current iteration of our defense with Slavin and Pesce is Darling, a goalie that set a new bar on just how shitty a goaltender can be in the NHL.Agree that he is the long term solution. the Last time I felt this confident in our goaltending future was when we signed UFA Scott Darling!
You might have forgotten Jack LaFontaine... though I guess he shouldn't be considered a NHL goaltender in the first place, just one thrust into the position due to injury, ala Ayres.
At least Ayers could make a f***ing save...
honestly dude not just athletes, really just all of life.
