A Quick Thought On Goaltenders Under Contract

by Jonathan Willis on Mar 31, 2009 1:27 PM MDT

This picture is of Glenn Fisher from his days at the University of Denver. He was an unremarkable NCAA goaltender except in his final season where he posted a .919 SV% and earned a professional contract.

Fisher is also one of three goaltenders connected to the Oilers' organization currently playing in the ECHL. Here are the three, and their stats lines for this season:

Fisher: 12-7-2, .926 SV%
Perugini: 21-12-3, .909 SV%
Pitton: 9-18-3, .888 SV%

I still think Perugini's a better prospect than Fisher based on age and context (Fisher's numbers come on a very defensively sound Las Vegas Wranglers team) but Fisher seems to have bounced back nicely from a miserable 2007-08.

The one point that I think needs emphasis is this: of the three, Bryan Pitton is the only one who has an NHL contract.

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That's hilarious.

Somewhat related, the Flames traded Kevin Lalande at the deadline to CBJ for a draft pick. Irving, MceLhinney and Keetley were "ahead" of him in the organization, so it made some sense.

Except, here are their stats lines from this year:

Irving: 20-17-2, 2.32, .909 SV%
Keetley: 7-18-4, 2.84, .893 SV%
Lalande: 12-4-1, 2.16, .931 SV%

He was .929 in 6 games in the AHL last year as well and frequently put up good SV% in the OHL as a Junior goalie.

by Kent W. on Mar 31, 2009 2:15 PM MDT reply actions

Kent:

Interesting - I had no idea that the Flames had such good goaltending prospects. I knew Irving was exceptional (and still the best of the three I would think), but Keetley's still young and had nice junior numbers too.

As for Lalande, he's obviously put a nice run together and looks to be a quality guy based on track record, but if memory serves Syracuse is a much better team than Quad City, aren't they? That might explain a portion of the difference between them.

by Jonathan Willis on Mar 31, 2009 2:23 PM MDT reply actions

Yeah, Syracuse is a better team, although I wouldn't call them "strong": they have negative GD and have actually allowed GA/game than the QC Flames.

You're right though - this could just be a nice run for Lalande.

As for Irving; he actually worries me as a prospect. Everything I heard about his Junior career suggests he played in a very, very friendly environment that perhaps inflated his SV%. He seemed to take a step back his last year in the WHL as well, although who knows how much that had to do with team effects. His first season in the AHL has been "good", but he certainly isn't blowing the doors off.

Also, he was a first round pick. You know how I feel about picking goalies in the first round...

by Kent W. on Mar 31, 2009 3:29 PM MDT reply actions

Kent: I didn't know Everett was so good defensively; except for Irving's final year they've been among the best teams at preventing goals against.

On the other hand, Irving's final year showed only a slight fluctuation in sv% and the Silvertips allowed a lot more goals, so I don't think his last year was a major drop-off, and his .909 SV% in the AHL is exceptional for his age.

That's enough to get around that instinctive hatred you have for goalies picked in the first round ;)

by Jonathan Willis on Mar 31, 2009 3:35 PM MDT reply actions

haha, Im afraid not. Until he makes the NHL as more of a back-up, I'll remain skeptical.

Is .909 SV% as 20 year old in the AHL good? I have no idea...

by Kent W. on Mar 31, 2009 4:39 PM MDT reply actions

Kent: Better than Dubnyk ;)

Actually, I don't have a big study, but .909 SV% is very good from what I've seen.

by Jonathan Willis on Mar 31, 2009 4:43 PM MDT reply actions

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