MS said:
I like Price. If I was an NHL GM drafting in the 10-15 range I would have strongly considered him, for all the reasons you list. Even though I really, really don't like drafting goaltenders highly. But #5 is just too big a stretch for me. Brule has a few warts, but I'd take him in my organization over Price in a heartbeat.
Lehtonen and Luongo were obscenely good at this age. Fleury too, although I've never been completely sold on him. Saying that Price isn't at that level doesn't mean I don't like him, but there's no way I can rate him up with those guys based on what I've seen. He's a big, solid, workhorse goaltender prospect but he's not dynamic or dominant at the level those guys were at the same age, IMO.
Actually, Fleury was not any better than Price at the same age; he was overhyped because of the QMJHL goaltending machine. Fleury has never come close to Price's stats except for his sophomore season, and was nine months older when he was drafted. He has a long way to go before he's a top ten goalie, so does Price.
As for him never being as good Lehtonen and Luongo, pretty lofty standards in Luongo's case. Even if he's juist a notch below that level, it would still make him a top ten goalie, perhaps even top five. I'll take that.
BTW - here's an article from another Hab board translated by Hab fans favourite clown; at least one scout has said he's the best junior goalie to be drafted in the past decade:
Carey Price, best junior goalie of the past decade?
François Lemenu
Canadian Press
Ottawa
The shock wave that the Montréal Canadiens caused by selecting goalie Carey Price with the fifth pick at yesterday's entry draft has subsided considerably since then.
When the Canadiens announced their selection at the microphone, there were murmurs in the room. Murmurs of astonishment, even of incredulity. How could the Canadiens claim a goalie when there were still good skaters available, such Gilbert Brulé, Jack Skille, and Anze Kopitar? Why did Bob Gainey give his consent when the team has Théodore, one of the best goalies of his generation?
"We're looking ahead and Carey Price was the best player available at the moment of our selection. He happens to be a goalie", answered an inscrutable Bob Gainey.
The Canadiens would have liked to draft Sidney Crosby, Bobby Ryan, Jack Johnson or Benoit Pouliot. But these players were not available any more at the fifth pick.
"We chose the player who had the most positive elements", explained Player Personnel Manager Trevor Timmins.
Timmins was not the only one to appreciate the qualities of Price, a young 17 year old goalie for Tri-City in the WHL.
"I'm not surprised that he was picked so early", declared Mighty Ducks GM Brian Burke. "Price is a complete package."
Another observer, this time an NHL scout.
"He's the best junior goalie that I've seen in 10 years", he stated without batting an eye.
Better than Roberto Luongo?
Price has, it appears, the ideal temperament to tend goal in Montréal. Nothing seems to bother him. He quickly forgets a bad goal or a poor performance. He also relies on an excellent technique, practicing a hybrid style of butterfly and stand-up. And at six feet three inches and 205 pounds, he fills the net.
"But there's more", adds Timmins. "He's already as good as Martin Brodeur in handling the puck. And his shot is not a dribbler", he concludes, thinking of the assists that Price will be able to achieve without the red line.
Last season, Price had a GAA of 2.34, maintained a save percentage of.921, and registered 8 shutouts. He also represented Canada at the U18 world championship. This year he could be the starting goalie for Canada in the WJC, which will be held in Vancouver.
In the normal course of events, Price will play for Tri-City for two more seasons. He should then progress to the AHL for another season. But the young man has talent and he could jump ahead.
We will have a better idea of his path after training camp.
