Brodeur out for Team Canada ?

Canada's game against The U.S on Sunday night was sure to be a win. On paper it looked impossible for the stacked Canadiens to bow before team USA. After 60 minutes of play it was the Americans pulling a shocking upset with a 5-3 win in Vancouver. The most shocking part of the win was the fact that Canada outshot the Americans 45-23. Now you might say Ryan Miller played one of the best games of his life, which would be true, but you might also ask how the best goalie in the World let in 4 goals on 23 shots. Watching the game all the goals Brodeur let in we're not characteristic of his normal play, and his performance certainly left Mike Babcock and the rest of team Canada wondering if a switch in goal is necessary. Brodeur's been slumping for a while: In his last month of play with the Devil's he's posted a .888 save percentage and lost 10 of 14 starts. Luongo is going to start today which will provide little to no clarity on the long term goaltending situation as they're playing Germany ( which should be an easy win regardless of who is in goal.) My modest opinion . . . sit Broduer. The tournament is too short to play Broduer and keep giving him chances based on his past performances and accolades. Canada has three world class goalies, give one of them a chance to win.

Marty Turco : Where to now ?

So with Lehtonen landing in Dallas this past week the big topic of discussion is what's going to happen to Marty Turco ? Dallas wouldn't go out and get a number one goalie ( worth three million) if they didn't ship Turco elsewhere. The question now isn't if Turco is going but when and where. My guess is Dallas is going to keep him until the Trade deadline, they're going to want to make sure Lehtonen is healthy if they still have a chance to make the playoffs. So, when the deadline comes where's Turco going to go ? My main guess : Chicago. Regardless of whether or not the trade would make sense I have a feeling this is where Turco's going to end up. Philadelphia was also very interested in Turco with the main problem being they just couldn't afford to take the cap space hit. So, would Turco in Chicago be beneficial ? Not really. Huet and Turco are both mediocre starters at best, you'd be trading one average but over paid goalie for another. Plus, Turco has yet to ever have any success in Dallas in the playoffs. Right after the acquisition of Lehtonen Dallas openly admitted they they had no success in trading Turco and the team would likely juggle three goalies the rest of the season. So, for Turco . . . how do you keep playing ( assuming he starts) for a team that's battling for a playoff spot, and battling to trade you at the same time?

Kari Lehtonen Shipped to Dallas

For the second time in a week an NHL franchise goalie has found himself in another city. The Dallas Stars announced officially late Tuesday night that a deal was reached with the Thrashers for Kari Lehtonen. Atlanta basically gave Lehtonen away for Ivan Vishneveski and a 3rd round draft pick consideration. I think Dallas got away with a steal so long as Lehtonen can stay healthy. Since 2006 Lehtonen has missed time during every single season due to injuries, including missing the entire season thus far with the Thrashers due to two back surgeries. Where does this leave Atlanta ? Johan Hedberg is a proven goalie, and Ondrej Pavelec has more than proven he can play in the NHL. With the Thrashers giving up Lehtonen and Kovalchuck in the same week, it's no secret they're trying to retool their whole organization and build from the bottom up. My thoughts : Dallas came out way on top in this trade.

Giguere to the Leafs

I'm not gonna lie, this was a move we all saw coming. Giguere going specefically to the leafs was a bit of a shock, but him getting traded was absoloutly expected when Jonas Hiller signed a four year contract last Friday with the Ducks. Earlier in the season Giguere angirly stated to the media that he'd " rather retire then ever be a backup goalie." Late last season Giguere's father passed away unexpectdly and his game suffered greatly, Hiller took the oppurtunity with more playing time and ran with it. With Hiller starting the majority of the games in Aneheim this year it was only a matter of time before the ducks decided who'd stay and who'd go. Giguere going to the leaf's was an awesome move by Leaf's GM Brian Burke. Burke, who won the stanley cup with the ducks with Giguere in nets, reunited Giguere with his former goalie Coach Francois Allaire. Giguere was at the top of his game with Allaire's coaching and Burke, Allaire, and Giguere together has produced a championship before . . .who's to say it won't happen again ? ( Probably not this year or next, the leafs are brutal . . ."

" Miller-Time" Olympic Style

Probably one of the most original mask ideas in a while, especially in the Olympic tournament. Basically Miller just has an eagle one one side with an uncle Sam on the other side with some pretty sweet tattoo's . . . looks like Sam's on steroids . . . pretty sick.

Johan " The Turtle" Hedberg ?

Funniest thing ever, Hedberg in a Haskek-esque way went out to challenge a flyer on a breakaway and lost his mask in the process and wound up with his jersey over his head in the process. Classic.

Oylmpic Rosters : Who's Gonna Start, Who's gonna sit.

Team Canada -

Canada as in every other year is looking exceptional in goal heading into the Olympics. All three goalies ( Fleury, Broduer, and Luongo) are among the top ten goalies in the world right now. Broduer, being arguably one of the best to ever play the game will start with the other two rotating in in the initial rounds. All three could start and play better then most other starters in the Olympics giving Team Canada a good problem to have.
Czechs Republic - Good ( pending no injuries from Vokoun)

The Czech's are going to get solid goaltending from Vokoun. Vokoun can win or lose games all by himself in Florida and will get good support from back Pavalec, who's played well for Atlanta with Lehtonen being out. My guess is that Vokoun will need to play big to give the Czech's a chance to win. With two solid NHLer's Stapanek won't factor into the equation too much unless someone gets hurt.


Finland - Solid.


















Finland's alot like Canada, just all around solid goaltending. When your worse goaltender is Nittymaki, whom was the MVP of the last Olympics, you know you're in good shape. Kiprusof is one of the best in the league right now ( NHL) and will most likely start the big games. Backstrom and Nitty are more than capable to step in and play well.


























I'll preview the rest of the teams in my next blog . . . Olympics 2010 will for sure have some good goalie duels.