So today goalies -
Mr DiPietro - thought I had this guy figured out and then along came November - not good numbers and as I and others predicted he did not make the Team Canada roster. He has definitely changed is style since last year - he was the flip-flop goalie with all the dramatic saves last year. This year much more focused on mechanics - a "quieter" approach to the net for sure. Mikey is very good and has to be "real" good if ever wants to play pro - size does matter at this position and he needs to be real good to overcome that. I think he has it but he will have to spent more time applying his trade at a lower pro level before he is ready for the big show. We need to enjoy him now because he has spoiled us a bit and coming in behind him are goales that will never live up to him - see Owen Sound.
Baier - kinda hard to get a handle on Brock - good size mechanically sound but reaction time is really slow. We need more time to really understand his play but I'm taking from the coaching staff on this one - they don't seem to want to play him much - to me that is a tell. I'm not all sold on he will be here next year and I will explain further down.
Patton - Seen him 3 times and he is the opposite of Baier - real fast on the reaction time but not as mechanically adapt. At this level he would be an 895 goalie - going to make some spectacular saves but could have a softie here and there - reminds me of Grubuer ( SP) .
Summary - I see DiPietro here until Jan 2019 - don't think either Baier or Patton is ready to carry this team yet. Card wise I see Patton going back to Jr B to save a card and Baier riding the pine most games this year while Mikey plays. This is actually the best option for Patton as he will get reps and be ready for next year. Baier will be moved next summer and Patton will back up Mikey until he leaves in Jan 2019. Patton will be the guy or an OA will come in to finish the year off - Patton's team fall of 2019. I big tell for that will be how high Warren drafts a goalie this year - he needs someone coming in to back up Patton in 2019.
Tomorrow OA's
Some slightly different takes on the goaltending.
We all know DiPietro is extremely talented and while I expected him to make TC I was not surprised when he didn't. Yes November was a bad month for him but it was also a bad month for the team for the most part. It doesn't matter how elite a goaltender may be, or anyone at any other position the lower the level of talent is around him the worse a player will look.
If DiPietro is here until 2019, and while I disagree with that I do see it happening I think his numbers will continue to take a hit the remainder of this year and the beginning of next year. Those optics will not bode well for him going into the WJC camp next year. He needs to show he can carry an elite team to a championship against elite competition. Keeping the score respectable and standing on your head for a couple of wins doesn't do that. He has a role with very little pressure since a rebuilding team doesn't have the same expectations that a contending team does.
If he is here until the deadline next year with only decent numbers on a rebuilding team that has no pressure or expectations I doubt he makes TC next year as well. TC isn't looking for a goaltender who can make a rebuilding team look respectable in the OHL, they want goaltenders who can handle the pressure and expectations of trying to win a gold medal at the highest level for this age and he won't face those expectations in a rebuilding Windsor team.
I do agree if things continue the way they are Baier won't be here next year. I don't think Windsor gets more than a 15th round pick if anything, there's no market for an unproven back up at this level. Seems like a good kid, technically sound but just not able to put it together when it counts. If ge remains the rest of this year hopefully he gets a chance to prove me wrong.
Patton has done what Baier needed to, take the opportunities and run with them. For a kid who has only appeared in 4 ir 5 games at any level this year he looks like someone who has been steadily improving throughout the season with regular starts. He has the potential to be a middle of the back or better goaltender in this league and given the chance he could be a decent OA in 2019/20. Problem is that if DiPietro stays he will lose the opportunity to develop between now and next years TDL if DiPietro is eventually dealt then. If that happened Windsor will be in trouble when it comes to goaltending unless they find another DiPietro level kid in the upcoming draft.
Patton, Baier and DiPietro are all the same age, expecting one of Patton or Baier to become a starter in their OA year with no real time at this level would be unwise.