GOALTENDING
Obviously, Henrik Lundqvist is the man in goal, what with his $7.75M coming to him in two-week installments next year.
The question is about the back-up. The Rangers had two NHL-worthy back-ups last year. Steve Valiquette stood tall (bad pun, only works if you know he's 6'6") when called upon, and David LeNeveu went 8-3-2 with a .924 save percentage.
Both happen to be free agents this year. Valiquette is unrestricted, and LeNeveu will probably be a RFA.
Whoever it would be would probably be needed for 12 games the whole season, needing to go 6-4-2. Lundqvist would start all 82 games if he could, so 70 games seems to be in his range for 08-09. Last season, Hank played 72 games, getting decisions in 71 of them.
The smart money would be on Valiquette being re-signed to a 1 or 2 year deal at around $700,000, with LeNeveu being re-upped for a few years on a two-way deal so that if Valiquette falters, LeNeveu could step up. He would be splitting time with young Miika Wiikman in Hartford. LeNeveu has a losing record in the NHL at 5-9, but those were played with a poor Phoenix Coyotes team in front of him. What is troubling, however, is his .888 save percentage.
The Rangers could go a completely different route and sign someone on the fringe, like Bob Esche, who kept himself in shape by playing in Russia and for the US in the World Championships this month.
However, I don't see that happening. Valiquette is the consummate professional. He knows his role and he loves it. He knows no one is usurping the King from the net, and he is happy being the back-up and a morale-booster during practice and on the bench.
I think Valiquette's your guy. When you have an established #1 who's going to pay 70 or so games, you need a guy behind him who isn't going to be upset when he doesn't play for a month straight. That guy isn't someone who was a starter just a few years ago. Valiquette is a career backup, that's what he wants to do, and you could find much, much worse options out there.
ReplyDeleteEven though Lundqvist is one of the best goalies, Valiquette has much potential.
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