Are some teams in the midst of a goalie controversy?
Editor's note: Our weekly "Faceoff" returns this season as ESPN.com NHL writers Scott Burnside (based in Atlanta) and Pierre LeBrun (based in Toronto) duke it out over any given hockey topic. Let the games begin!
This week's topic: What do you make of the goaltender movements over the past few weeks?
Pierre LeBrun: Scott, we get together again just in time to digest yet another update on Mats Sundin. As one GM told me the other day, "Tell the big Swede to make up his damn mind!" Well, Sundin is one step closer. He'll start seriously skating and training in the Los Angeles area early next week, and then who knows after that. It might take three to four weeks before he's ready to play.
Scott Burnside: Pierre, I never get tired of wondering about where the Ponderous One will end up. It's like watching paint dry, only more pedestrian. Seriously, though, look around the NHL and try to figure out where Sundin would fit best. Let's assume Marian Hossa's presence in Detroit eliminates that as a destination for Sundin. No room in San Jose, so that takes care of the obvious Cup contenders. Where would Sundin fit in New York? The Rangers already have more centers than they can handle. And Philly? No wins yet, so it could use something, but that hardly looks like an obvious fit. What do you think, oh wise one?
LeBrun: I think Philly still will make sure it is in the mix once the bidding begins. Flyers GM Paul Holmgren has let the Sundin camp know he covets the former Leafs captain. The Vancouver Canucks still have lots of cap room, and I think they're willing to pay a prorated $10 million salary to Sundin. Not sure whether any other team is willing to do that. Sundin can't sneeze at that, although I also think he'd prefer an East Cost travel schedule.
That brings me to the New York Rangers, where former agent and current Rangers executive Mike Barnett is keen on bringing Sundin to the Big Apple. The Rangers, like the Flyers, are at the max with the salary cap, so bodies will have to move before it could happen. Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey announced publicly after acquiring Robert Lang on the eve of the season that he was out of the Sundin chase. But I think he'll make sure to check what it would take to get it done. Just in case. The Habs are so hungry to give it their all in their 100th anniversary season. And a wild-card team to keep an eye on is the Chicago Blackhawks. Just a hunch, but I bet they get involved as well. Is it all worth the chase? Darn right, in my opinion. At 37, Sundin remains a superstar player and a huge addition for any team.
Burnside: I think Sundin's contributions, such as they are, have been wildly overstated in Toronto, but there's no question he remains a top asset for a team that has to have only cap room and money to acquire him. Hard to imagine him returning to Toronto, given coach Ron Wilson's assertions (accurate, as far as I'm concerned) that there's been a leadership vacuum in Toronto since the lockout. I like the idea of Chicago, where the upwardly mobile Blackhawks are in desperate need of help down the middle.
But that brings us to an interesting question and a nice segue into our original topic -- goaltending. The obvious plan would be for Chicago GM Dale Tallon to move Nikolai Khabibulin and his $6.75 million salary. But as witnessed Wednesday night when Khabibulin shut out the previously undefeated Edmonton Oilers, he's now the top netminder on a team with more than $12 million tied up in goaltending. What's a GM to do? And Tallon isn't the only one with goaltending conundrums.
LeBrun: I disagree with you on Sundin -- the man is one of the most consistent producers in the game but, yes, let's move on to goaltending. You know, I blogged a few weeks back about how interesting it might be if, after all of Chicago's efforts to trade him and waive him and send him to Russia, Khabibulin came back and stole the job from Cristobal Huet. Now, let's be clear: That hasn't happened. Right now, both are sharing starts. But even that is a minor surprise. Khabibulin has earned it, and he's outplayed Huet. But I still think if a team finally comes calling, you move Khabibulin. It frees up too much cap room right now not to do it. The Hawks like Corey Crawford a lot, so they'd bring him up to back up Huet. Where would Khabibulin go? Colorado has turned things around, for now, with their Peter Budaj-Andrew Raycroft duo. We'll see how long that lasts. And suddenly, the Philadelphia Flyers can't stop a beach ball?
Burnside: For the record, I didn't suggest Sundin isn't a great player, just that his importance to the Leafs and his leadership skills all have been overstated.
I agree on moving Khabibulin if you can, and especially if you can bring in a premier center like Sundin. Funny how teams that were expected to be elite teams, like Philadelphia and Dallas, are struggling, and a lot of it comes back to goaltending. The winless Flyers are dead last in goals allowed per game, and the Stars, my preseason Cup favorite, are 29th. Marty Turco got the hook Wednesday when New Jersey manhandled the Stars 5-0. You have to figure things will straighten themselves out for two teams that went to the conference finals last season. But how is that captaincy thing working out for Roberto Luongo and the Canucks? Luongo has lost three of four and sports an untidy 3.33 goals-against average and .889 save percentage. Captain, my captain.
LeBrun: Thanks to the Canucks, the GMs discussed the whole goalie captaincy issue at their meeting Thursday in Chicago. Quite frankly, I'm not sure why the league still has that prehistoric rule. Yeah, yeah, I know, goalie Bill Durnan of the Montreal Canadiens was captain and delayed the game by going to center ice … blah, blah, blah. Listen, just adjust the rule so goalies can be captains and wear the "C" on their uniforms but can't leave the defensive zone to chase down refs. Gee, was that so hard? In the meantime, Luongo needs to step it up. We gave him a pass last season because his blue line was decimated and he had some personal things to worry about (which is fair), but now he's got to deliver the bacon. C'mon, Louie!
Burnside: It's also been interesting to watch what's happening in Washington, where Jose Theodore hasn't exactly cemented himself as the starter in spite of getting a nice, fat contract in the offseason. Love that coach Bruce Boudreau simply plays the goalie who is playing best, regardless of how much it's costing owner Ted Leonsis. That means Brent Johnson is getting his fair share of looks and has played well. Still, the whole splitting time thing didn't work out so well for Theodore in Colorado. He turned in consistent performances last season in Colorado only after Budaj faded into the background. Stay tuned in Washington. And how about the Martin Gerber drama unfolding in Ottawa? Does anyone have Ray Emery's cell number in Russia?
LeBrun: What a shock, goaltending troubles in Ottawa. In other news, the sky is blue. The Senators and the Blackhawks actually talked about Khabibulin last season before the trade deadline. Maybe Sens GM Bryan Murray should attempt a reprise? Theodore will be fine in Washington. He's a streaky netminder, and once he gets into a groove over the next few weeks, Johnson will be more than happy to watch. I'm not sure Vesa Toskala was happy to watch, however, the other night when I was at the Ducks-Leafs game at Air Canada Centre and Wilson pulled the Finnish netminder after overtime and inserted Curtis Joseph for the shootout. Which backfired. But I'll say this -- Wilson has guts. Toskala's numbers in the shootout aren't very good, so the coach made a gutsy call. By the way, Scotty, I just made you a trade offer in our Toronto Media Hacks Hockey Pool.
Burnside: As a number of writers in Toronto have pointed out, this seemed to be another calculated move by Wilson, not necessarily to produce two points, but to reinforce that this team is going to be rebuilt from the ground up -- no free passes. The fact Toskala had stunk in the shootout was highlighted by Wilson's unsuccessful move to bring in Joseph. Most goaltenders will tell you they hate that. A lot. I think it's the kind of thing you can do only so often before it becomes counterproductive. Still, nice touch of drama from the ever dramatic Wilson.
On the positive side of the crease, I must admit some surprise at the stellar work done early on by Buffalo's Ryan Miller. Having signed a long-term deal in the offseason instead of pursuing free agency, Miller has delivered the goods early for the Sabres (5-0 record, 1.74 GAA, .935 save percentage).
LeBrun: When you and I were in New York City in September to meet with some of the NHL stars on hand, I got a chance to sit down with Miller. I was really taken by his attitude and came away convinced he would have a big year. It also helps that Teppo Numminen is back; Miller calls him a very calming influence on that blue line. And Craig Rivet, out two weeks after cleaning out his knee, is another important addition.
As a team, the Sabres have embraced a more responsible defensive approach, and that was needed. I also think Patrick Lalime should be mentioned here. He's 2-0 in his two starts, and from what Sabres GM Darcy Regier told me, the Sabres don't want Miller to play 76 games again this season (tied for second among NHL goalies last season). Miller was too tired down the stretch to perform at his best. Lalime was a smart pickup. Just like I think Ty Conklin was another typical brilliant move by the Red Wings.
Burnside: Well, now that you've inflated Regier's balloon, I think it's time to bid adieu. As always, a pleasure. Now, should I look at your trade offer, or just dismiss it out of hand as I normally do? Until next time.
LeBrun: I offered you Scott Hartnell (three assists Wednesday) and Steve Bernier for Alexei Kovalev. An offer you cannot refuse, my friend. Later.
Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun cover the NHL for ESPN.com. No word yet on whether Scott accepted Pierre's trade offer.
