- May 1, 2011
- 131,241
- 59,169
Richter wasn't THAT bad from 97-02. He had a poor season (.893) in 00-01, but having a .906 save percentage in those years, wasn't like Ondrej Pavelec having a .906 save percentage in the 2010's. Richter was actually above average in a few of those years. Save percentages were lower in those years. Even just 10 years ago in the 06-07 season, .905 was the league average save percentage that year. I wouldn't say Richter was amazing in those years, but he probably gets **** on because all that's remembered is how many consecutive years the Rangers missed the playoffs from 98 until 06, where Richter was their starter there, up until about a month or so into the 02-03 season. Dunham's 03-04 performance after Richter had to retire was horrific. If anything, the Richter of the 94-95 lockout shortened season was worse than the Richter from any of the Rangers late 90's/early 00's dark years.
From what I remember, Richter was courted by the Flyers in 98. They wound up signing Vanbiesbrouck, as Richter ultimately decided to stay with the Rangers.
The Red Wings probably still beat the 97 Flyers in the SCF, if they had better goaltending, but the Hextall/Snow tandem was arguably one of the most poorly goaltended (in the playoffs) teams to reach the Stanley Cup Finals. Even by the standards of the lower save percentages era. The Beezer/Hextall tandem was a slight improvement, even though Beezer was older and Hextall just wasn't good at all anymore.
From what I remember, Richter was courted by the Flyers in 98. They wound up signing Vanbiesbrouck, as Richter ultimately decided to stay with the Rangers.
The Red Wings probably still beat the 97 Flyers in the SCF, if they had better goaltending, but the Hextall/Snow tandem was arguably one of the most poorly goaltended (in the playoffs) teams to reach the Stanley Cup Finals. Even by the standards of the lower save percentages era. The Beezer/Hextall tandem was a slight improvement, even though Beezer was older and Hextall just wasn't good at all anymore.