Over Paying Goalies

Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe has a great piece on overpaying goaltenders. Some in the Wild fanbase were uttering some of the same things when the Devan Dubnyk to six-year 26 million dollar contract. So far this season, Dubnyk is (5-1-0, with a 2.35 GAA and a .907 SV%).

Fluto Shinzawa, Boston Globe – The volatility of the position, however, might be enough for GMs Steve Yzerman and Ron Hextall to apply their money elsewhere.

Consider that the Avalanche, Bruins, and Blue Jackets are investing $20.325 million this season in Semyon Varlamov, Tuukka Rask, and Sergei Bobrovsky. In turn, the goalies are providing their employers with save percentages of .861, .854, and .840. They are wretched numbers that are more of a reflection of their teams’ ragged play than their individual performances. But none of the goalies have come close to approaching their previous standards. In Bobrovsky’s case, he helped Jackets coach Todd Richards lose his job.

Varlamov, Rask, and Bobrovsky are not this bad. Their numbers will improve. But the nature of goaltending — peaks and valleys, with defensive support playing a major role — does not make payment of a prime puck-stopper a sure thing.

The difference between a struggling, well-paid ace and an inexpensive backup is minimal when it comes to performance. But it’s a massive gap in cap allocations. In the case of Rask and Jonas Gustavsson ($700,000), it’s $6.3 million, or the price of a very good player.

It’s safer to invest big money and long term to skaters. They don’t have as many in-season variances in their play. Their performance also isn’t influenced as heavily by their teammates.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Craig Adams No Goal, Goalie Interference (Video)

The Boston Bruins caught their second break of the game. Pittsburgh Penguins forward Craig Adams appears to have scored a legit goal. The goal is waved off by the on-ice official. In my humble opinion, this is not the correct call in this instance. Adam McQuaid appears to have pushed a Penguin into Tuukka Rask.

Looked like the Bruins caught a break on the no goal call for Pens. Adam McQuaid pushed Sill into Rask to create the contact with Rask
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) January 8, 2015

Boston and Montreal: A few GIFS to start game six

Not a real good start to the game between Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens as a puck gets past Tuukka Rask in the early minutes of game six.  The Bruins seemed to pick it up after Montreal tried playing physical against them. The Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask had to be good to start the game.

(Video) Bruins take a 3-1 series lead on Red Wings

I think at times it's better to be lucky than good. Boston Bruins forward Jarome Iginla gets his first goal of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Bruins head back to Boston with a 3-1 series lead. I thought that the Red Wings came out with a lot of speed, but the B's took over the game in the second period and Tuuka Rask played very well.

FINAL (OT): @NHLBruins (3) - @DetroitRedWings (2) Recap: http://t.co/JB542MPje7 BOS leads 3-1 #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/uXIBw2k3X0
— NHL (@NHL) April 25, 2014

USA Hockey: Patrick Kane misses twice on the Penalty Shot (GIFS)

s/t NESN Coming into the Bronze Medal game against Finland, Chicago's Patrick Kane was 1-for-11 in the shootout this year. According to the NBCSN broadcast, the only goal that he had was against Tukka Rask. Now he's 1-for-3 against Rask.

Dustin Brown scores on Chad Johnson - GIF

That's some bad goaltending by Boston Bruins goalie Chad Johnson. Of course, you have to give Mr. Elbow Dustin Brown some credit as well.

SCF Game four: Patrice Bergeron first goal of the game

Talk about over the top... Here's the first goal that was scored by Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron on the power play to make the game 4-3 in the waning moments of the second period. Bergeron would score again to open the third period to tie the game. Bergeron now has (9g-6a—15pts) in the Stanley cup playoffs.

Breaking it down further, Bergeron now has (6g-2a—8pts) in the past two rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. To quote the guys on NBC, "is Bergeron is officially becoming the city of Boston's Mr. clutch?

2013 Stanley Cup Finals Game Three: Bergy Scores 2-0 Boston after two...

The box score will read, Zdeno Chara pass to Jaromir Jagr who fed Patrice Bergeron with a beautiful cross ice pass. Bergy waited until he saw an opening and then shot and then shot the puck past Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford.

#Bruins lead faceoff battle 29-13. Bergeron/Kelly a combined 24-5. Handzus/Kruger/Bolland a combined 1-20.
— Nicholas W. Goss (@NicholasGoss35) June 18, 2013

Yipee Paille Mother F***er game three....

Boston Bruins forward Daniel Paille has scored the last two goals for the Boston Bruins. Tyler Seguin is starting to heat up in the scoring department as well. About halfway through game three, it's been a pretty even game with the shots 16-15 in the Bruins favor. The Bruins have blocked 10 shots to the Blackhawks one.

3-game point streak for Seguin now with the helper on Paille's goal. Line's got mojo- 3 consecutive goals. #gamedaypiesy
— Naoko Funayama (@NaokoFunayama) June 18, 2013

2013 Stanley Cup Finals: Lucic's second goals against the Blackhawks

At the 0:51 mark of the second period, the Hulk Line struck again. Boston Bruins forward, Milan Lucic scored his second goal of the game, his fifth goal of the Stanley Cup Finals, to push the Boston Bruins to a 2-0 lead, assisting on the goal was David Krejci.

That 2-0 lead was short lived as the Chicago Blackhawks would get a goal from Bradon Saad at the 03:08 mark of the second period.

Bruins' top line of Lucic-Krejci-Horton has combined for 56 points this postseason.
— Joe McDonald (@ESPNJoeyMac) June 13, 2013

(Video) Game Four: final minute and a half of Bruins and Penguins and then the Handshake

Wow! What a mad finish to the end of a great game. This was a hard nosed series. Hard fought series. The Boston Bruins are going back to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second time in three years.

Against the Bruins in the ECF, Evgeni Malkin (0g-0a—0pts) -5 Sidney Crosby (0g-0a—0pts) -2 Jarome Iginla (0g-0a—0pts) -4
— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) June 8, 2013

Tuuka Rask goes 4-0, 0.44, .986 in the series.
— Mike McMahon (@MikeMcMahonCHN) June 8, 2013

Incredible to think that the Bruins never trailed the Penguins at any point in their sweep. #domination #hockeynight
— MoniKa Platek (@MonikaPlatek) June 8, 2013

More Chara and Crosby Humor....

Pick a caption...  Mine, I must break you Crosby...

Former Eagle Kreider saves Rangers bacon and forces game five against Bruins....

It was the night of the former college hockey players and former B.C. Eagle Chris Kreider kept the New York Rangers slim playoff hopes alive as his game winning goal in overtime beat the Boston Bruins 4-3. In tonight's game.

Kreider the 5th college alum to score in tonight's NYR-BOS game, the 8th to score an OT goal in these playoffs.
— College Hockey, Inc. (@collegehockey) May 24, 2013

Derek Stepan scores goal off of Zdeno Chara miscue

Boston Bruins all-world defenseman Zdeno Chara was lazy with the puck this time and it cost the Boston Bruins a goal. Rangers forward Derek Stephan was Johnny on the spot as he put the puck in the net before the Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask could get set on his post. Chara's untimely slipup/turnover caused the game to be tied again at 2-2.

Related articles

• Zdeno Chara gets hit in the face by Ryan Callahan, no call on the play (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Torey Krug and Carl Hagelin goals; Rangers vs Bruins game

I have been doing a bi-weekly feature on the former college hockey players, that are currently playing in the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. Here's two former college hockey players that had an impact in tonight's game, between the Boston Bruins and the New York Rangers. First goal, Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug scored his third goal of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoff on the power play in his seventh NHL game. in four games with the Boston Bruins, Krug has scored (3g-1a—4pts) and in seven career games Krug has scored (3g-3a—6pts), that’s pretty impressive in my book.

Carl Hagelin answers the Torey Krug goal with this interesting goal almost a minute later. I am not sure that Tuukka Rask expected to slip and fall and give up that easy of a goal to the New York Rangers.

Any former #NotreDame player expect Torey Krug to be this much of an offensive weapon in NHL?I know he tied TJ for scoring title but wow.
— Darin Pritchett (@Sportsbeat960) May 24, 2013

(Video) James Reimer save on Shawn Thornton

Check out this amazing save by Toronto Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer on Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton. This is just how the last three games have gone for the Boston Bruins. Can't get a goal when they need one. Not burying the chances when they are presented to them.

Brad Marchand fights Mike Ribeiro

Brad Marchand fights Mike Ribeiro w/SlowMo 3/16/13: youtu.be/IbDIG_mdLms?a via @youtube
— dafoomie (@dafoomie) March 16, 2013

Tuukka Rask resigned by the Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins have signed their heir apparent to Tim Thomas - Tuukka Rask signed a one year contract worth 3.5 million dollars. It will be interesting to see if the Bruins pick up a back up goalie or go with former Wild goalie Anton Khudobin who played a majority of his games with the Houston Aeros before coming to Boston where he played with the Providence Bruins.

TSN.CA --- The Boston Bruins have locked up next season's No. 1 netminder, agreeing to terms with Tuukka Rask on a one-year, $3.5 million contract.

Rask, 25, played 23 games with the Bruins last season, going 11-8-3 with a 2.05 goals-against average, a .929 save percentage and three shutouts.

He was set to become a restricted free agent on Sunday.

Related articles

• Tuukka Rask Begins Contract Negotiations to Officially Replace Tim Thomas (Video)

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• Tuukka Rask Ready to Handle Bigger Role for Bruins in Tim Thomas' Absence (Video)

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• Tim Thomas' Confusing Decision Puts Bruins in a Bind, But Tuukka Rask is Ready to Shoulder the Load

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Link around on Thursday

CBS Boston

This weekend the free agent signing period will kick off on Sunday July first. There are some big name former WCHA players out there on the market looking to sign new deals. With all of the negative news stories making up today’s news cycle I thought I would focus on the positive, NHL Hockey.

SCSU forward Drew LeBlanc has been invited and will attend the Minnesota Wild’s Development Camp. [St Cloud Times]

Apparently, former Fighting Sioux forward Jonathan Toews is trying to get Phoenix Coyotes forward Shane Doan to sign with the Blackhawks. [Rant Sports]

According to Darren Dreger of TSN – Penguins star forward Sidney Crosby Penguins will sign a new long-term contract extension worth than $9 million and a total value over $100 million. [ESPN.COM]

According to NESN, the Boston Bruins are close to re-signing Tuuka Rask. [NESN.COM]

While I am not a fan of Montreal Canadians defenseman P.K. Subban or his bush league antics – I am quickly becoming a big fan of his little brother Malcolm Subban, who was drafted in the first round by the Boston Bruins. Get those recorders rolling – Bruins first-round pick Malcolm Subban is already on record as saying that he hates the Montreal Canadians. [CBS Boston]

According to Michael Russo - the oft injured power forward - Guillaume Latendresse's playing days with the Minnesota Wild are now over - Latendresse will test the free agency market starting on July first.

From the Same article Russo says that, "The Wild's contract offer to Parise on Sunday will be, let's just say, absolutely colossal." As a Wild fan this makes me happy.

According to the AP - A judge has upheld the Glendale City Council's vote on an arena lease agreement with a prospective owner of the Phoenix Coyotes.

Former Fighting Sioux defenseman Brian Lee has been resigned by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Lee’s contract is a two year deal, and also a one-way contract.

Former Fighting Sioux All-American Forward Zach Parise is listed as one of the top dozen free agents [NHL.COM]

Also, from that same article linked above – former WCHA alumni Ryan Suter (UW), Nashville, Jason Garrison (UMD), Florida, Justin Schultz (UW), Anaheim and Matt Carle (DU), Philadelphia – are also included in that dozen. Impressive fact is that five out of the top 12 available free agents that also have ties to the WCHA. That speaks volumes on what kind of league the WCHA is. [NHL.COM]

Justin Schultz has given his list of teams that he will sign with, they are as follows the Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators and Edmonton Oilers. [TSN.CA]

Former Boston College Eagle goalie Cory Schneider doesn't seem all that worried about not having a new contract as of yet. [TSN.CA]

Here is the latest from the CBA front - Donald Fehr, ‘says season could start on time even without agreement.’

Thomas and Schultz rumblings.

Goalie Tim Thomas, NHL Hockey player for the Boston Bruins (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It's been a roller coaster season for Bruins' goalie Tim Thomas. It will be interesting to see if the Boston Bruins trade him or not. If I was the Boston Bruins General Manager I would make sure that I sign Tuuka Rask first before they even consider trading Thomas. The bad thing about trading Thomas is that it could come back to haunt the Bruins if he met his former team in the playoffs. I would rather watch him finish out his career in Boston with the Bruins.

Tim Thomas' Options

LeBrun: We know the Boston Bruins may potentially try and trade goaltender Tim Thomas when his no-trade clause evaporates on July 1 but among the other options I'm told Tim Thomas is considering is maybe not playing next season. I'm not saying that's going to happen for sure but I was told today that he's thinking about maybe taking the year off. It's been a stressful year for the 38-year-old, we all know about the White House controversy, and the Bruins have a #1 goalie-in-waiting in Tuukka Rask. [TSN.CA]

The Justin Schultz sweep stakes are a month away, it will be interesting to see where the highly sought after offensive defenseman goes.

Dealing With Schultz

McKenzie: It's going to be very difficult for Anaheim Ducks general manager Bob Murray to make a deal involving defensive prospect Justin Schultz. He's certainly out there trying to make it happen and there's lots of teams interested. Every NHL team will want this guy when he becomes an unrestricted free agent, which is likely to happen before July 1 but I can see the Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers among others being extremely interested. But it's going to be tough for Murray to get anything for Schultz. It looks like he's going to unrestricted free agency.