Exactly this. Maybe NA juniors have not produced a lot of elite young goalies in recent years and folks started to forget. But a 20-year old goalie doesn't automatically need more minor league season just because he's 20. The best ones can be ready, and Hart is one of those.
Everyone talks how this is a young players league now...yet are terrified to allow goalies to be put in that same box. And maybe rightfully so.
I get being patient but if he continues to do well in the NHL and show he's ready why should he go back to the AHL to overcook just for the sake of being patient.
Plus I'm not sure "overcooking" is necessarily harmless either. Goalie coaches tinkering with your style for 3 or 4 years, just because that's their job, and a lengthy period of getting used to slower players without the NHL shooters. It probably wears on a player mentally who has been seen as an elite prospect to be spinning their wheels for 3 or 4 years when they think they can challenge to play in the NHL. It depends on the player of course. I thought Jarry looked better at first than he does now, for example. If Hart is ready for the challenge at the top level, it ought to be better for his development to play against the fastest players and best shooters he can handle. They still have coaches in the NHL too. He'll still learn. While not risking stagnation.
I don't think the Flyers in any way protect anyone but Hart in goal. After Bob and Varly, everyone else available is going to get shorter deals anyways for goalies. But thr Flyers for need a vet goalie who can stay healthy AND play well to split games with Hart.
He could be Japanese, no ones give a ***. He's super hyped because the flyers have been a *** show in net since hextall.
Not absurd at all. They had such a great roster that they were able to get to the cup finals with, I think, Boucher in nets. Save percentage doesn't mean a lot if you are a well coached team and force the shots from outside. Fair to say the Flyers would have won 1 or 2 with above average goaltending.
