forthewild
Registered User
- Aug 17, 2009
- 4,115
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Depending on what happens with Harding he'll get his chance to make the squad next year, or at the very least have more firm position in Houston.
Too many moving parts right now to judge, for all we know Harding could be forced into retirement with his MS, and Backtrom might decide to walk so we'd have to go with Hackett-Kuempur for goalies.
He is young tho, he's got plenty of time to develop his game.
Jaykay
Registered User
He's been severely underrated by Wild fans for awhile but he's starting to get some love now. I think he could be a #1 goalie in the NHL.
He's been consistently good everywhere. In my opinion, whether he's a starter (for the wild) depends on Hackett. Wild are going to give this guy every chance when his time comes. I hope that we can keep Backstrom one more year with Hackett backing up. Then AHL can see Kuemper/Gustafsson (sp?) and we can sort out who will be our starter from there.
Circulartheory
Registered User
ThatGuy22
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- Oct 11, 2011
- 10,521
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What do you see in him besides consistently average stats? Same age, and Kuemper has produced better when given the chance.
Yog S'loth
Registered User
During his brief stay here in the ECHL (Ontario), he was clearly a cut above everyone else. Way too athletic and quick to be stuck at this level. I couldn't tell you about his AHL play or NHL potential, but I know he was miles ahead of most goalies we see down here.
Circulartheory
Registered User
Kuemper covers a lot of net and has some great reflexes but I really like Hackett's ability to move around the crease. His movements are fluid, quick, and athletic. He plays aggressive and is very confident in the crease area.
Kuemper is a great prospect, don't get me wrong. But I find him a bit more raw as opposed to Hackett. Hackett is just more confident with his movements and quicker.
- Aug 5, 2011
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You just described their styles, not why Hackett is better.
Kuemper is a calm, positional goalie while Hackett is athletic; both styles have advantages and disadvantages.
ThatGuy22
Registered User
- Oct 11, 2011
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Exactly, everytime i've seen Hackett he seems to be all over the net and having trouble with his angles/positioning. Makes for some fancy looking saves, but a less effective goalie.
Hackett can make all the highlight real saves he wants, if he doesn't stop a higher percentage of shots than Kuemper he isn't as good of a goalie.
Circulartheory
Registered User
I disagree. I am not talking about playing calm vs active; positionally vs athleticism. I am taking about movements, recovery speed, lateral movement, smoothness. I am also talking about command of the crease; ability to block passes, battle forwards for the puck.
You can be an athletic goaltender or a positional goaltender, you still need smooth movements, you still need rebound control, you still need quick lateral movements.
I like Kuemper as well but feel Hackett's technical goaltending skills are stronger. He is just so smooth when he moves, when he is making a save or laterally moving; doesn't give many gaping holes when moving his body.
Circulartheory
Registered User
I'll agree to this but like you said, its been one game, and the Wild didn't exactly play their best game either. Tons of PP opportunities against and bad plays.
