Back up goalie

Alright, Brathwaite is hopefully done as a Jacket and Leclaire needs at least another full time year in the AHL before he takes back up duties. What do the Jackets do? There are a number of good, young goalies out there that could push Denis to the next level. This might finally be the offseason that Noronen gets moved. I've always been a big fan of Hurme, but he was out all season with a back injury. Is Bryzalov (I know I butchered his name) ready for backup duty for the Ducks, and if so, what happens with Gerber? Do we go another route and sign another "older" guy like Skudra, McLennan, Tugnutt, Dafoe?

For me, Gerber is number one. While he's getting to be 30 (if not there already), he's a very solid goalie that can give us a well needed boost. If that can't go, Hurme would be the best option, provided his back is fine. I expect Atlanta to have Lehtonen and Nurminen as their goalies next year. Dafoe won't be resigned, and they haven't used Hurme at all. I believe they got him for a third rounder, and I suspect that's all it would take to get him. Noronen is a younger guy than those two, but he'd probably cost the most to acquire.

Thoughts? Comments?

IMO, Leclaire should be backup next year, depending on how he does in the playoffs.

That said, sign Jamie Mcclennan from the New York Rangers. He is a cabable backup, but can be sent down to the minors.

Ive given up hope of ever having a good backup goalie...

IMO, Leclaire should be backup next year, depending on how he does in the playoffs.

That said, sign Jamie Mcclennan from the New York Rangers. He is a cabable backup, but can be sent down to the minors.

Ive given up hope of ever having a good backup goalie...
same here. i normally would have been for going out and getting one. but there is no reason to waste more money on a loser backup. i say its leclaire unless they want him to still get more games in, if thats the case, goerhing. i think we should just bring up one of the crunch guys. they are as good or better than the last 2 backups we have had and denis is gonna play most the games

I think it should be Goerhing. I don't think Leclaire would develop very well on the Jackets, because Denis will probably get anywhere from 60 to 70 starts and that doesn't leave many games. This would also allow Leclaire to be the guy in Syracuse.

Leclaire will get a long look at camp.

Whether or not he earns his position remains to be seen. I think he can learn a lot from the NHL practices, even if he is the backup, over game action in the AHL.

Either way, Leclaire is in control of his own destiny here.

why hasn't Goerhing evan gotten a thought of mabey getting a look?

why hasn't Goerhing evan gotten a thought of mabey getting a look?

No clue.

It would've been one of my questions to ask MacLean if I knew he was going to be in the same building as me.

I've ripped the guy this year, but I say resign Brathwaite to a cheap deal.
Give him 15 starts.
Leclaire gets 15-20 starts.
Denis gets the rest.

Leclaire isn't ready to be a full backup. Maybe Goering needs a shot, but I'm just as weary of him as I am of the other options.
Going after Noronen or Gerber is to much in my opinion, though Hurme seems like he could be a possibility.

Don't forget Freddy had several good starts early in the season, when the rest of the team was playing like crap. So, he's still capable of putting it together.

i want freddy back cheap also. he seems like a hell of a good guy.

What better way to develop more then have Goehring and Leclaire each up as back up for half the season?? That sounds a little out there, but think about the confidence and experience they would gain...

Until Chris Terreri comes out of retirement and signs with the Jackets or they drop Denis, we will not have two quality goalies on the Jackets roster. Denis needs to play about 70 games a year or more to be sharp. Terreri is the only goalie Ive ever seen that can sit for that long and still step in and play well. Leclaire, Goerhing or Brathwaite could all do fine as a backup, but not if they have to sit for that long.

McLennan is the perfect backup goalie. He plays well when he is called upon and he can start in stretches if #1 goes down. I’d rather set Leclaire make the team, but if he can’t win the backup job I’d love to see McLennan backing up Denis.

Leclaire isn't capable of being a back-up yet? :dunno:

I think he is.

Leclaire isn't capable of being a back-up yet? :dunno:

I think he is.

Having watched him all year, I would vote no on Leclaire being ready for the NHL, even as a backup.

I happened to be looking at the stats today for the AHL regular season. Leclaire was 41st (2nd to last) in GAA. That's about half a goal better than last year, but still.

I think he still can move forward, but one thing I would love to see is another goalie coach in the system. From what I understand - the Jackets have a single goalie coach for all levels, plus he does scouting. I think Denis could use a coach full time, and I think Lecliare could too...or at least have a coach for Columbus/Dayton and another for Syracuse/Elmira (there's a big gap in levels there, but travel time is significantly shorter).

Give Pascal a coach on a more regular basis, and another year to try to be a legit number 1 in the AHL. Then revisit the situation next year.

I also think when he's ready, he would need to get in at least 30 games - Pascal tends to lose focus during games...I can't imagine what it would be like if he sat for 10-15 in a row.

I also think when he's ready, he would need to get in at least 30 games - Pascal tends to lose focus during games...I can't imagine what it would be like if he sat for 10-15 in a row.

I think Pascal should get 10-15 games tops at the NHL this year (less if CBJ are in contention). The team needs another backup (a Brathwaite, McLennanen type) to eat up another 15 games or so. Denis handles the rest.
I definitely don't think Pascal is ready for full-time backup duty. I don't think its a good idea to sit him for long stretches at this stage in his development.
I also agree with SCF that it'd probably be beneficial if the goalie coaching duties got split up more.

Having watched him all year, I would vote no on Leclaire being ready for the NHL, even as a backup.

I happened to be looking at the stats today for the AHL regular season. Leclaire was 41st (2nd to last) in GAA. That's about half a goal better than last year, but still.

I think he still can move forward, but one thing I would love to see is another goalie coach in the system. From what I understand - the Jackets have a single goalie coach for all levels, plus he does scouting. I think Denis could use a coach full time, and I think Lecliare could too...or at least have a coach for Columbus/Dayton and another for Syracuse/Elmira (there's a big gap in levels there, but travel time is significantly shorter).

Give Pascal a coach on a more regular basis, and another year to try to be a legit number 1 in the AHL. Then revisit the situation next year.

I also think when he's ready, he would need to get in at least 30 games - Pascal tends to lose focus during games...I can't imagine what it would be like if he sat for 10-15 in a row.

I'd be curious to hear SCF's (or anyone else who has watched the Crunch this season) thoughts on whether or not he thinks Goehring is ready to be Denis' backup. That might be the way to go in a shortened season, in which the backup wouldn't get much more than 5-10 starts in a season that could be cut in half. But then again, some good bargains could be had in the expected madness after the CBA is settled, so maybe the backup solution could come from there.

I agree with those earlier in this thread in their comments re: Leclaire in that it would probably be in everyone's best interests to have Pascal be the definitive #1 at Syracuse next year, playing 60-70 games there vs. ride the pine for 60-70 games in Columbus next year.

I'd be curious to hear SCF's (or anyone else who has watched the Crunch this season) thoughts on whether or not he thinks Goehring is ready to be Denis' backup. That might be the way to go in a shortened season, in which the backup wouldn't get much more than 5-10 starts in a season that could be cut in half. But then again, some good bargains could be had in the expected madness after the CBA is settled, so maybe the backup solution could come from there.

I personally think Karl could handle it. Some might get scared by this comment, but Karl is a younger version of JF Labbe. They are of similar size and style. Karl just has significantly less experience than JF did when he got his shot. However, JF was used to playing 60+ games a year, and I think the transition to never playing hurt him in his preparation. Karl is used to sitting some. Not quite as much as he would with the Jackets, but he is used to the preparation that comes with not playing every night.

I just don't think those with the power to make the decisions feel the same way.

I must have missed the memo that stated we must play our future franchise goalie on the big club regardless. What happens if he regresses? The kid needs to hear "If you play outstanding for the Crunch, maybe you'll get into a few games up here". He doesn't need to hear at training camp, "We got you penciled in for 10-15 games this year with the Jackets, regardless of how you play and what your numbers are." To say that Leclaire will get 10-15 games next year is mindblogging to me. He has to perform in the AHL before he even gets his morning bagel in the NHL.

I must have missed the memo that stated we must play our future franchise goalie on the big club regardless. What happens if he regresses? The kid needs to hear "If you play outstanding for the Crunch, maybe you'll get into a few games up here". He doesn't need to hear at training camp, "We got you penciled in for 10-15 games this year with the Jackets, regardless of how you play and what your numbers are." To say that Leclaire will get 10-15 games next year is mindblogging to me. He has to perform in the AHL before he even gets his morning bagel in the NHL.

I'll amend -- provided he is playing well -- I think he should get 10-15 games next year. That is a fair point.
When I'm tossing out numbers of games to be played, I'm only making some estimates, not hard assessments. I agree, if Pascal isn't earning it, don't bring him up. My thinking is that with a guy like Brathwaite (who's older and cheaper) it's easier to cut his work load to give Pascal some games, if the situation warrants it.
If you go out and try to get a Gerber or Garon or Noronen - it's going to cost you more money and then you have a player who is more of a roadblock to Pascal.
Pascal needs to earn it, but you also don't want to handcuff your organization. At some point Pascal is going to be a full timer on the roster and keeping a cheap vet around makes it easier to deal with that situation.

My statements in this thread have all been based on bringing Brathwaite (or a comprable goalie) in, not so much on Pascal (at least that's what I intended). What I meant to say is that a guy like Freddy easier allows you to deal with Pascal.

I'd say leave everyone where they are, bring in an additional goalie coach to have at least one guy tutoring Leclaire all season down at the 'cuse and another guy helping out Denis and LeClaire.

Of course, I think that guy should be . . . . . . . .(wait for it) . . . . . . .Ron Tugnutt!!! :yo:

He's on his way out in Dallas after the playoff run and given his age and injuries will probably opt for retirement. So let's offer him a job in order to give our goaltenders more face time with quality instructors. It can only help.

I'd say leave everyone where they are, bring in an additional goalie coach to have at least one guy tutoring Leclaire all season down at the 'cuse and another guy helping out Denis and LeClaire.

Of course, I think that guy should be . . . . . . . .(wait for it) . . . . . . .Ron Tugnutt!!! :yo:

He's on his way out in Dallas after the playoff run and given his age and injuries will probably opt for retirement. So let's offer him a job in order to give our goaltenders more face time with quality instructors. It can only help.

This is interesting. I remember when Tugger was traded both he and MacLean acknowledged that they could be reunited at some point in the future. I'd love to see him come back here and coach.