The Breakdown: Goaltenders
By Paul Pickett
On to my last “scheduled” edition of The Breakdown. I say “scheduled” because when we know what happens in Rookie Camp, I may add another edition. 😉
Tonight, we’re gonna talk about our two new netminders. If you read my interview with our new #1, you know how grateful he is for the second chance that he’s getting from the Flyers organization. He’s settled down, he’s moved forward and here he is…
Ray Emery
6th Season
Last Season’s Numbers: 22-8-0, 1.86 goals against average, .926 save percentage in 36 games with Adlant Moscow Oblast (KHL)
Upside: I’m not gonna pull any punches here, the guy wins games. Period. In his NHL career, he’s 71-40-14 with a 2.71 goals against. He has a fast glove, good size (6′ 2″, 196 pounds) and the determination, heart and skill to get the job done.
Downside: Some worry about Emery being in the KHL last season because it’s mainly Russian and European players there. Wait did I say “some”? What I should have said was, people should worry about that. All anyone really wants to talk about with him is the problems he’s had with teammates, coaches, old people on the highway, policemen on the highway and trainers. His attitude and off ice theatrics are the first thing a majority (and I mean a HIGH majority) of people take issue with. If his reaction time is still on from when he made the Stanley Cup Finals a couple seasons back, he can stop 30 shots a game and he only fights when he REALLY needs to, I couldn’t care less how many speeding tickets he gets. Let the first person who has never gotten mad at someone who cut them off in traffic and either cursed them, flipped them off or did something else in that range cast the first stone. It’s sure not going to be me. And honestly, how much of a genius do you have to be to cut off someone in a Hummer in the first place?
Okay, enough of that. But I could seriously go on for about an hour as to why every little thing he did was thrown up to the front of the media. I just don’t have that kind of time tonight.
On to our number 2, who was our number 2, then became number 1, then went back to number 2 and they dealt him and he became number 1 somewhere else. Then he came back and was number 1 for the Phantoms and they dealt him. So he was number 1 somewhere else and did pretty well so now he’s back here and he’s our number 2 again.
Confused yet?
Brian Boucher
10th Season
Last Season’s Numbers: 12-6-3, 2.18 goals against average and .917 save percentage in 22 games with the San Jose Sharks.
Upside: He should still remember the system. Okay, bad joke. Really though, he’s a quick, butterfly goalie with a fast glove and a strong blocker. He’s back in shape and showed last season that he still has what it takes to win games in the NHL.
Downside: He’s streaky. And I don’t mean that as in groups of games. I mean that in seasons. His first 3 with the Flyers weren’t exceptional, but he helped get things done. The next 5 seasons were very forgetable. Then he made his way back to the NHL with the Sharks and did better than most of us expected. Now he’s back with a 2 year deal and I hope we’re on the upslope of the hill, reaching the peak and not on the decline down the other side.
There we are. A starter with Finals experience and a back-up with experience to spare.
I know one thing though. I’m kicking the first TMZ reporter I see after a game while I’m waiting for autographs.
Until next time, keep your chin up, your eyes on the puck and you can never go wrong with high to the stick side. 😉
Thanks for reading,
Paul Pickett
Facebook: Paul Ca Pickett
Twitter: PaulakaBFTW