LOL at the people having Bleackley still as a top 10 prospect. He's not and if Avs ever considered him a top 10 draftee in their organization, he would have been signed...not only by us, but by Arizona. Honestly, Avs probably consider Siemens a better prospect on their list, and rightfully so. Wood would definitely be in the top 10, but on the lower side of it IMO.
Yeah I know that those goalers won't be with the organization, but Avs really don't need a back up to the back up to the back up.
And not really, Avs do have a legitimate goaler prospect in Martin. Maybe Aittokallio as well considering the season he just had. Just because Martin is going to be in the AHL next season doesn't mean he is done at being "legit". Marchand won't come to being our next best goaler prospect as you said above.
I'm fine with signing a goaler, I am in agreement with you, the problem is posters here thinking Marchand will become something. Anything is possible, but that percentage is quite low. I would much rather have Avs go into Europe, especially KHL (who have a ton of young underrated goalers) than get Marchand. And as I said, Avs have MUCH bigger priorities to address than to figure out who gets to sit on the bench for Nagle. Why don't we just sign Nagle as that stability...
None of those goalies are going to be in the pro system for another two seasons at least. Gustavsson and Vehvilainen aren't going to come over here to play in the ECHL right after being drafted. So right now we have two holes in our goaltending pipeline:
NHL Starter: Varly
NHL Back-up/1B Starter: Pickard
AHL Goalies: Berra/Martin
ECHL Goalie: None
Legitimate Goalie Prospect: None
What ever goalie we draft will go into the Legitimate Goalie Prospect category which leaves the ECHL goalie spot empty. It's important to use the ECHL as a developing tool in this stage to provide not only depth, but to also provide a late blooming goalie with a chance at the pro level. In a situation like this I am in favour of bringing in an overager goalie to fill that ECHL spot.
Even if Marchand/whoever can become a decent AHL goalie then it would be great to have them in the organization to provide stable goaltending in the AHL along with providing mentorship to goalies coming through the system. The Avalanche are looking at bringing in a goalie so they feel the same way I do or at least feel it's important to have 5 goalies in the pro system.
Yeah I know that those goalers won't be with the organization, but Avs really don't need a back up to the back up to the back up.
And not really, Avs do have a legitimate goaler prospect in Martin. Maybe Aittokallio as well considering the season he just had. Just because Martin is going to be in the AHL next season doesn't mean he is done at being "legit". Marchand won't come to being our next best goaler prospect as you said above.
I'm fine with signing a goaler, I am in agreement with you, the problem is posters here thinking Marchand will become something. Anything is possible, but that percentage is quite low. I would much rather have Avs go into Europe, especially KHL (who have a ton of young underrated goalers) than get Marchand. And as I said, Avs have MUCH bigger priorities to address than to figure out who gets to sit on the bench for Nagle. Why don't we just sign Nagle as that stability...