Curtis McElhinney
I’ve said it before that the Flames need to upgrade this part of the team. I can’t fathom any other reason besides financially that Curtis McElhinney is still serving as the number 2 Goalie in Calgary. The team spent $500,000 last year for Curtis Joseph and got quality backup goaltending with 3 wins in 9 appearances… This year, McElhinney is still trying to get win No.1 as an NHL goalie and looked overly mediocre in his 6-2 loss to the Avalanche.
Just some stats to consider…
Philippe Sauve & Brian Boucher 2005-2006 (11GP 4W-5L, 4.11GAA, .873Sv%)
Jamie McLennan 2006-2007 (9GP 3W-5L-1OTL, 3.60GAA, .895Sv%)
Curtis Joseph 2007-2008 (9GP 3W-2L, 2.55GAA, .906Sv%)
Curtis McElhinney 2008-2009 (5GP 0W-2L-1OTL, 3.70GAA, .892Sv%)
My main argument over replacing McElhinney is simple… winning games. He hasn’t. The games he has started this season so far include Columbus (L, 3-1); Detroit (OTL, 4-3) and Colorado (L, 6-2). The previous backups didn’t have the stellar numbers you would want but at least they won games. I don’t know too much about Sauve and Boucher but watching “Noodles” McLennan in interviews and what not, he was considered by many in the Flames dressing room as a ‘glue’ guy, someone like Conroy who keeps everyone together… Cujo came in with a wealth of experience that garnered the respect of the dressing room but I haven’t read too much as to what McElhinney brings besides trying not to let his butt get numb during games while Mikka the workhorse goes about playing close to every game.
In all fairness, he doesn’t play a lot but neither did the other guys working behind Mikka. The Vancouver Canucks made a play for Jason LaBarera and have now sinced waived Curtis Sanford (sent to Manitoba in the AHL). The Penguins and Oilers swapped backups in Garon and Sabourin. Can the Flames make a splash for a proven winning backup? The Toronto Maple Leafs had a gem in Scott Clemensen (in the AHL last year with the Marlies) but let him leave via free agency and he’s carried the New Jersey Devils to 17 wins in 28GP…
How would McElhinney fare given the chance with the Flames in 28GP? I’m not convinced he could keep the Flames atop the Division, if he were given a chance like this, God Forbid!
Available Goalies for Darryl Sutter to consider? Martin Gerber OTT (recently sent down to the AHL); Curtis Sanford VAN (recently sent down to the AHL); Kevin Weekes N.J.; Olaf Kolzig TB; Marc Denis MTL (Playing for Hamilton in the AHL) and even Jason Bachashihua COL (Playing for Lake Erie in the AHL).
Your thoughts?
Always a pleasure.
January 19th, 2009 at 10:36 am
First goalie that came to mind when I was thinking about this last week was Kolzig. He’s a proven vet who would likely have a similar presence as Joseph had last season. Price tag may be the only deterrent on him.
If you want a cheap goalie, hope that Sanford gets recalled in the next month and claim him on re-entry waivers
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:41 pm
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March 6th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
I disagree, I think McElhinney is not a bad goaltender and he made some pretty great saves in the few games I’ve seen him play. The problem is whenever he gets an opportunity the team falls apart around him. They give him no offense (something like 8 goals in his 6 starts?) and the defense breaks down. I don’t think he should be expected to steal games for the Flames but that is exactly what is happening. After tonights loss to Carolina I think Keenan should start McElhinney until he gets his first win, even if it takes 5 games. It is stupidity to go into the playoffs with a number 2 goalie who has NEVER won!