saskhab
Registered User
A lot of goalies often get their "cups of coffee" (due to injuries or team out of the playoffs), just like players in various other positions. But they usually win the gigs permanently straight out of training camp... that's their rookie season. They might go down to the minors part way through the year for conditioning purposes or to get out of a slump, but usually end up playing a majority of the year with the big club.PecaFan said:Theodore is the perfect example of what I'm talking about.
Drafted in 94. Played 2 more years in Junior. Played next three years in the AHL before he was actually given the NHL backup job in 99/00. Note that during those three years, he was spotted some games in the NHL, exactly as I said. Vokoun, Kipper, Esche, Garon, Denis all fit that same profile.
Expansion drafts are often the key factor to get these guys NHL jobs as well, a brand new team is far more willing to go with a rookie for the entire year.
The guys on your list that will earn backup spots (IE, on the roster all 82 games), will be guys exactly like that. Guys who've already spent a few years in the AHL, with some prior NHL experience worked in during that time.
The thing is, for some of these goalies, this year would've been the year for them to get that "cup of coffee". I don't know how big of a difference that short stint up with the big club really makes... I really don't see how it makes a goalie any better or worse than if they just waited until the next year's training camp to make the team outright.
GM's are always a little nervous about rookies, but after a year of no NHL, won't they be just as worried about vets that never played all year?