Player Discussion All Purpose Goaltending Thread

[ValJamesDuex]

Hi guys, is UPL sticking this year? If so, who would y’all consider your starter?

Far beyond sticking, he is currently the #1 by a good margin. He still has plenty to grow and improve on but is now 11-5-1. Granato has been very positive commenting on his play. They have had to waive two players off the roster to open a roster spot for him.

Anderson has been a steady vet but has not won since mid December now. They consider him a extra goalie coach in the room and bench.

Comrie is a work is a progress, not sure if he gets Anaheim this weekend.

In the rear view mirror, looks like Portillo (MI) is headed for free agency ala Cal Petersen so the Sabres will look to get an asset for him. Kevin Adams was very optimistic yesterday about Levi (NEU) signing at the end of his college season.

 

[Jim Bob]

How many of his starts had a healthy Mattias, Joker and Boosh?

How many starts have any of the goalies had with all three of them in the lineup?

That number is so low that you are really in small sample size territory.

But, here are the games where he had those three:

4-3 loss to FLA 33 sv on 37 sog .892 Save%
4-2 win at EDM 46 sv on 48 sog .958 Save%
4-3 loss to SEA 18 sv on 22 sog .818 Save%

So, 1-2-0 with a .907 Save% and 3.33 GAA

No matter what stats you look at, Comrie has been far and away the worst of the three so far this season. That is not to say that he is trash and should be fired into the sun. But, he has not worked out as well as anyone had hoped when they signed him this summer. And I am sure that Comrie has not been happy with his play so far.

 

[jcbeze]

Comrie tomorrow I assume. It's the Ducks and it's a good game to keep the rust off

 

[dortt]

Comrie tomorrow I assume. It's the Ducks and it's a good game to keep the rust off

We need the 2 points. Back with UPL.

As Granato said, the most important thing is winning, not development now

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

UPL has made some sliding stretch pad/toe saves that Comrie simply isn't big or tall enough to be capable of. Being tall isn't the end all - be all, but UPL is using his reach to the max, and it's literally been the difference in a few games the last few weeks.

 

[Bendium]

We need the 2 points. Back with UPL.

As Granato said, the most important thing is winning, not development now

UPL is playing every 3-4 days. So, he will likely get Mon and Thur again. It's tough, but we have to play Comrie here and there and try to get him where we need him. It won't happen without playing, and he is signed for next year to play with UPL. He is going to need a game a week to try and get back to form.

 

[dortt]

come back with 6K again Monday night.

Let's see how he responds to an off game. Go with Anderson Tuesday night. We are 2-1-1 this week. As I said after Saturday's game, we need to go no worse than 6-3-1 over each 10 game stretch

Comrie stays in the Victor Antipin Memorial press box

 

[ValJamesDuex]

someone's taking this one to their grave

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Watching last nights highlights, that really was masterful 1st period by Anderson, capped off by the stick butt save in the 3rd

 

[WhereAreTheCookies]

Watching last nights highlights, that really was masterful 1st period by Anderson, capped off by the stick butt save in the 3rd

Power looked like a little kid on Christmas getting a playstation after he scored that OT goal, can't help but smile every time I see it.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

 

[dortt]

the shrinking of the goalie equipment really has made a difference it seems.

No more Michelin Men taking up the entire net

 

[Jim Bob]

the shrinking of the goalie equipment really has made a difference it seems.

No more Michelin Men taking up the entire net

It has nothing to do with the gear.

I think it has way more to do with the lagging effect of the new focus on skill development for skaters and players seeing cool plays to try and replicate on social media, analytics being applied to offense and the focus on creating shots off of passes across the slotline (aka royal road), and skaters getting more skills coaches (just look up Daryl Belfry for instance) when goalies had position specific coaches for a long time.

It has been a few years since the last round of gear changes. So, that has nothing to do with the dip in Save% this season.

 

[Diaspora]

It has nothing to do with the gear.

I think it has way more to do with the lagging effect of the new focus on skill development for skaters and players seeing cool plays to try and replicate on social media, analytics being applied to offense and the focus on creating shots off of passes across the slotline (aka royal road), and skaters getting more skills coaches (just look up Daryl Belfry for instance) when goalies had position specific coaches for a long time.

It has been a few years since the last round of gear changes. So, that has nothing to do with the dip in Save% this season.

The goalies and the shooters are in a perpetual arms race. The shooters currently have the upper hand, and we'll see them dominant until some goalie demonstrates a new training edge or refinement of technique to match.

Fun times -- if you're not guarding the net.

 

[Jacob582]

The goalies and the shooters are in a perpetual arms race. The shooters currently have the upper hand, and we'll see them dominant until some goalie demonstrates a new training edge or refinement of technique to match.

Fun times -- if you're not guarding the net.

I remember back when the goalies dominated someone said the shooters will advance and figure it out. I didn't belie it. Didn't think they had that much room for improvement to turn things around.

 

[Jim Bob]

The goalies and the shooters are in a perpetual arms race. The shooters currently have the upper hand, and we'll see them dominant until some goalie demonstrates a new training edge or refinement of technique to match.

Fun times -- if you're not guarding the net.

The other factor is coaches and players figuring out ways to reduce dangerous chances against and make it tougher to make those passes across the slot line.

 

[Diaspora]

The other factor is coaches and players figuring out ways to reduce dangerous chances against and make it tougher to make those passes across the slot line.

Absolutely. Coaches are drivers in that race -- players are usually too busy performing to innovate. But coaches can't change the game without players demonstrating the concepts in game situations. It helps to have a young team without expectations and a coach who knows how to relate to them.

Come to think of it, the Sabres kinda fit that mold. But I don't know enough about hockey training and tactics to tell you if Granato is innovating or just flush with talented kids.

Can someone smarter than me provide some insight?

That's probably a question for a different thread.

 

[Jim Bob]

Absolutely. Coaches are drivers in that race -- players are usually too busy performing to innovate. But coaches can't change the game without players demonstrating the concepts in game situations. It helps to have a young team without expectations and a coach who knows how to relate to them.

Come to think of it, the Sabres kinda fit that mold. But I don't know enough about hockey training and tactics to tell you if Granato is innovating or just flush with talented kids.

Can someone smarter than me provide some insight?

That's probably a question for a different thread.

Granato is taking a unique approach to this team. It is so unique that it is frustrating to a lot of fans and media when there are bumps in the road.

Granato is leaning into this team's youth, speed, and offensive talent. He wants his players to play free offensively and to not worry too much about what might happen if they try something and it doesn't work out. Granato also wants players to play through mistakes and learn from them and doesn't bench and healthy scratch guys immediately after a bad game or a bad shift.

Most coaches try and increase the odds of winning by coaching mistakes out of the game. Granato is trying to allow his players to play creative and free and leaning into their offensive talent. That is the innovation, for me.

 

[Zman5778]

Granato is taking a unique approach to this team. It is so unique that it is frustrating to a lot of fans and media when there are bumps in the road.

Granato is leaning into this team's youth, speed, and offensive talent. He wants his players to play free offensively and to not worry too much about what might happen if they try something and it doesn't work out. Granato also wants players to play through mistakes and learn from them and doesn't bench and healthy scratch guys immediately after a bad game or a bad shift.

Most coaches try and increase the odds of winning by coaching mistakes out of the game. Granato is trying to allow his players to play creative and free and leaning into their offensive talent. That is the innovation, for me.

And ya know what? It's starting to work. I didn't think they'd learn this quickly.

But they're learning. I haven't seen anything like it. And I love it.

 

[Dingo44]

And ya know what? It's starting to work. I didn't think they'd learn this quickly.

But they're learning. I haven't seen anything like it. And I love it.

The Sabres had a LOT of sticks in passing lanes in the defensive zone last night. They were keeping things to the outside and picking off passes and then when they do it's full on go go go up the ice. They really had the Jets on their heels.

 

[Dirty Dog]

has there been any increase in odd man rushes? It seems like teams are trying to generate odd man rushes more and emphasize scoring off the rush more. Seems like that would lead to lower save percentages.

But that’s just in my head, probably not reality.

 

[Jim Bob]

has there been any increase in odd man rushes? It seems like teams are trying to generate odd man rushes more and emphasize scoring off the rush more. Seems like that would lead to lower save percentages.

But that’s just in my head, probably not reality.

The Sabres are one of the best teams at creating shots off the rush. So, it is not just in your head, but likely a factor of watching Sabres games.

 

[Chainshot]

It has nothing to do with the gear.

I think it has way more to do with the lagging effect of the new focus on skill development for skaters, analytics being applied to offense and the focus on creating shots off of passes across the slotline (aka royal road), and skaters getting more skills coaches (just look up Daryl Belfry for instance) when goalies had position specific coaches for a long time.

It has been a few years since the last round of gear changes. So, that has nothing to do with the dip in Save% this season.

Also most people breaking in now have had the advantage of growing up with the whippier sticks. Everyone can launch rockets. Just about everyone can flash wild hand skills in drills. It's gotten skillful out there.

The Sabres are one of the best teams at creating shots off the rush. So, it is not just in your head, but likely a factor of watching Sabres games.

To say nothing of how many the Sabres give up.

 

[Jacob582]

I need to let go of my anger, but I am still salty that we developed the leading candidate for Vezina for a hated rival. I probably wouldn't have minded if he went somewhere else.... but Boston Bruins?

 

[Chainshot]

Devon Levi has re-entered the chat.