Gigantor The Goalie
Speak for the Goalies
It's weird looking at our goaltending and thinking there are a lot of questions there at a glance. We have Varlamov, Pickard, Berra, Martin and Papjach. As far as goaltending pipelines go we are in pretty good shape. In fact I wrote about the importance of a goaltending pipeline earlier this year. Right now we're sitting on a near ideal goaltending pipeline...that is about to be blown up in our faces.
Could be a good thing...could be a bad thing. All I'll say is that the Avalanche goaltending situation is almost as big of a question it was after the 2010/2011 season when we ended with a tandem of Elliott/Budaj.
Topics/Questions
The Expansion Draft Effect
With the expansion rules being finalized it's all but confirmed we're going to lose either Varlamov or Pickard. The most intelligent decision is getting assets for one of them before losing them for free in the expansion draft. So with that line of thinking that leads us to some factors to consider.
Trade Return. Which goalie will bring the biggest return? We got Varlamov for a 1st+2nd and that was based on potential. It's not wrong to think we could possibly get more or at least a biggish return. Pickard can conceivably receive what Martin Jones got in the Boston/San Jose trade due to similarities in age, stats, etc.
Level of play. Consistency is important to any player and especially goalies. The question the Avalanche organization will be asking themselves right now is which goalie can maintain NHL winning levels of play? We know what Varlamov is capable of despite the past season. We've seen a glimpse of what Pickard can do but he's never played a full NHL season before so it will be a gamble with him in net.
Money. Varlamov's contract is set in stone for the most part. Pickard is cheaper now and will be cheaper in the future unless he becomes Roylike.
The Berra Factor
If we can come to a reasonable conclusion that we'll be saying goodbye to one of Varly/Pickard then there's the question of a back-up. Before the soccer injury, Berra was a more then capable back-up who unfortunately wore out a bit before Varly came back. It was to be expected though. Do the Avalanche have faith in Berra as a back-up at the NHL level? Does the decision of who the Avs keep between Varly/Picks affect Berra?
The AHL
Yay! More to worry about at the AHL level. As if people aren't more stressed out about replacing Hishon, Everberg, Rendulic, Smith and Noreau (+others), the absence of Will combined with the graduation of Spencer Martin will make the Avalanche come to an interesting decision.
Believe it or not, Spencer Martin is ready for a platoon role at the AHL level at least. It's now up to the Avs to find a goalie that will not only fit with San Antonio but that goalie needs to understand that he's there as a mentor as well. To get to that level and be shown up by a younger, better goalie is hard to deal with. If we can find the NHL/AHL version of Charline Labonte I will be very happy.
The ECHL
The ECHL? Pssh who cares about the ECHL? Anyone who understands the goaltending pipeline and development will. The Avalanche need to look in to bringing either another Roman Will type goalie or an overager like Chase Marchand. It's important to give goalies a chance that have been passed over earlier. A goalie's mental game might have matured in the recent years and the ECHL is a good step to allowing goalies the chance to show what they have to offer.
The Draft
Last but not least, the draft. With six draft picks as of this post for the upcoming draft, the Avalanche will only take one goalie. Question is which goalies to target and in which rounds. Do the Avalanche go with another Spencer Martin type in the 3rd round or go with a European in the later rounds? Or is there a goalie they like that no one has really noticed.
There are a lot of goalies in this draft and to have to choose one that will work out is a difficult task. This pick is very important to the Avalanche goaltending pipeline. We're going to have a hole in a season or two due to Max Papjach more then likely not being good enough to be worth a contract when the time comes.
PS. Aittokallio isn't coming back. He lost the battle to Pickard, he's not willing to do the same thing with Martin.
Could be a good thing...could be a bad thing. All I'll say is that the Avalanche goaltending situation is almost as big of a question it was after the 2010/2011 season when we ended with a tandem of Elliott/Budaj.
Topics/Questions
The Expansion Draft Effect
With the expansion rules being finalized it's all but confirmed we're going to lose either Varlamov or Pickard. The most intelligent decision is getting assets for one of them before losing them for free in the expansion draft. So with that line of thinking that leads us to some factors to consider.
Trade Return. Which goalie will bring the biggest return? We got Varlamov for a 1st+2nd and that was based on potential. It's not wrong to think we could possibly get more or at least a biggish return. Pickard can conceivably receive what Martin Jones got in the Boston/San Jose trade due to similarities in age, stats, etc.
Level of play. Consistency is important to any player and especially goalies. The question the Avalanche organization will be asking themselves right now is which goalie can maintain NHL winning levels of play? We know what Varlamov is capable of despite the past season. We've seen a glimpse of what Pickard can do but he's never played a full NHL season before so it will be a gamble with him in net.
Money. Varlamov's contract is set in stone for the most part. Pickard is cheaper now and will be cheaper in the future unless he becomes Roylike.
The Berra Factor
If we can come to a reasonable conclusion that we'll be saying goodbye to one of Varly/Pickard then there's the question of a back-up. Before the soccer injury, Berra was a more then capable back-up who unfortunately wore out a bit before Varly came back. It was to be expected though. Do the Avalanche have faith in Berra as a back-up at the NHL level? Does the decision of who the Avs keep between Varly/Picks affect Berra?
The AHL
Yay! More to worry about at the AHL level. As if people aren't more stressed out about replacing Hishon, Everberg, Rendulic, Smith and Noreau (+others), the absence of Will combined with the graduation of Spencer Martin will make the Avalanche come to an interesting decision.
Believe it or not, Spencer Martin is ready for a platoon role at the AHL level at least. It's now up to the Avs to find a goalie that will not only fit with San Antonio but that goalie needs to understand that he's there as a mentor as well. To get to that level and be shown up by a younger, better goalie is hard to deal with. If we can find the NHL/AHL version of Charline Labonte I will be very happy.
The ECHL
The ECHL? Pssh who cares about the ECHL? Anyone who understands the goaltending pipeline and development will. The Avalanche need to look in to bringing either another Roman Will type goalie or an overager like Chase Marchand. It's important to give goalies a chance that have been passed over earlier. A goalie's mental game might have matured in the recent years and the ECHL is a good step to allowing goalies the chance to show what they have to offer.
The Draft
Last but not least, the draft. With six draft picks as of this post for the upcoming draft, the Avalanche will only take one goalie. Question is which goalies to target and in which rounds. Do the Avalanche go with another Spencer Martin type in the 3rd round or go with a European in the later rounds? Or is there a goalie they like that no one has really noticed.
There are a lot of goalies in this draft and to have to choose one that will work out is a difficult task. This pick is very important to the Avalanche goaltending pipeline. We're going to have a hole in a season or two due to Max Papjach more then likely not being good enough to be worth a contract when the time comes.
PS. Aittokallio isn't coming back. He lost the battle to Pickard, he's not willing to do the same thing with Martin.