Blackwood/Vanecek/We Really Need to Move On/Goalie Thread

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

Some people don't wanna acknowledge or just don't stop to think about that even the BAD players aren't bad EVERY single game. Or even every month.

Cam Janssen once scored 3 goals in like 15 games or something at one point. Those were exactly half of his total NHL goals in his career and he played in 336 games in the league.

McLeod scored all those goals back in 20-21, at least by his standards that was A LOT of goals, especially in a short season.

Blackwood even has 3 shutouts over his 62 games of suckage. One of them was like a 40-something save shutout against the Islanders last year.

Wait...are you saying Cam Janssen was bad?

 

[Bleedred]

Wait...are you saying Cam Janssen was bad?

We actually had an even worse player than him that year in Eric Boulton.

Although, career wise Boulton was better.

And despite being about 8 years, I think he actually somehow was still playing pro hockey after Cam Janssen was not.

 

[Bleedred]

I get it, I think people, myself included sometimes, remember his rookie and sophomore seasons and think that's what he can be. It's not impossible, but at this stage in the game I think it's unlikely. Especially bc he seems to have issues staying healthy.

One piece of context that is constantly either ignored or just unbeknownst to most people is that Blackwood's last two seasons in the AHL he was an .890% over 52 games. That was well before his recent injuries and struggles.

And the only reason that's even relevant right now is because it seems like it's happening all over again, this time at the NHL level.

His track record of good play in the NHL is sandwiched right in between two different VERY LONG stretches of .890%-ish goaltending in two different leagues.

 

[MadDevil]

One piece of context that is constantly either ignored or just not known to most people is that Blackwood's last two seasons in the AHL he was an .890% over 52 games. That was well before his recent injuries and struggles.

And the only reason that's even relevant right now is because it seems like it's happening all over again, this time at the NHL level.

His track record of good play in the NHL is sandwiched right in between two different VERY LONG stretches of .890%-ish goaltending in two different leagues.

What, how can we not know given how often you post about him?

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Forget his stats for a second, anyone who's played the position or understands it at high level knows that the guy relies on his athleticism than technique. Those goalies always tend to struggle in today's NHL. With the system we have, we can't have a goalie that gives up soft goals considering the type of rushes/chances we already give up under Ruff whenever we open up more.

 

[Bleedred]

What, how can we not know given how often you post about him?

I only just ran those AHL numbers myself the other night for the first time.

I knew the NHL numbers and I knew his last couple years in the AHL were terrible (first year was average), but never actually broke down the actual numbers.

But his last 52 games there are almost identical to his last 62 games to date in the NHL.

With his first two solid years in the NHL sandwiched right in between two different very long stretches of bad play at the pro hockey level.

It's not just the NHL where he's been bad the last 62 games. His last 52 in the AHL were very much like what we've seen the last two years at the NHL level.

Forget his stats for a second, anyone who's played the position or understands it at high level knows that the guy relies on his athleticism than technique. Those goalies always tend to struggle in today's NHL. With the system we have, we can't have a goalie that gives up soft goalies considering the type of rushes/chances we already give up under Ruff whenever we open up more.

For the all the talk of his athleticism though, the guy gets beaten high glove so much. That's almost the book on him at this point.

Gloveside and try to get any semblance of one measly, borderline screen on him.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

For the all the talk of his athleticism though, the guy gets beaten high glove so much. That's almost the book on him at this point.

Gloveside and try to get any semblance of one measly, borderline screen on him.

Getting beat on your glove is technique not athleticism lol

 

[Bleedred]

Getting beat on your glove is technique not athleticism lol

A lot of the goalies that are very good athletic goalies had good glove hands.

He might have in 19-20 when he was actually playing well, but he gets beaten there, he gets beaten high blocker a lot and he gets beaten almost any screen that really shouldn't be enough to screen a goalie. Not as frequently as he gets beaten on.

I'm not sure what's so particularly athletic goalie about him at this point?

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

A lot of the goalies that are very good athletic goalies had good glove hands.

He might have in 19-20 when he was actually playing well, but he gets beaten there, he gets beaten high blocker a lot and he gets beaten almost any screen that really shouldn't be enough to screen a goalie. Not as frequently as he gets beaten on.

I'm not sure what's so particularly athletic goalie about him at this point?

His ability to move to side to side is pretty good mainly because of his height. The 2 on 0 save last year versus TB, 2 on 1 save he made this year versus the Isles. His problem isn't those type of saves, it's the saves he should be making regularly. It's the equivalent of an NFL WR being able to make one handed catches but sucks with catching two hands and the simple catches if I can give a cross sport comparison.

 

[Bleedred]

His ability to move to side to side is pretty good mainly because of his height. The 2 on 0 save last year versus TB, 2 on 1 save he made this year versus the Isles. His problem isn't those type of saves, it's the saves he should be making regularly. It's the equivalent of an NFL WR being able to make one handed catches but sucks with catching two hands and the simple catches if I can give a cross sport comparison.

I was at that game last year in Tampa. I know exactly what you mean, as he let in two leaky stinkers that game which were saves he probably should have been making.

 

[Emperoreddy]

We need to win tonight because I do not want to rely on Blackwood to end a 6 game losing streak

 

[Bleedred]

We need to win tonight because I do not want to rely on Blackwood to end a 6 game losing streak

What makes you think he’s not starting against Carolina first? Other than the team wants to stick it to me.

He’s actually played one night more recently than Vitek has.

 

[NJDevs26]

What makes you think he’s not starting against Carolina first? Other than the team wants to stick it to me.

He’s actually played one night more recently than Vitek has.

Not starting Vitek for two straight games would be a huge red flag, even if he's supposed to sit one during the back to back anyway. They've shown they don't mind playing Blackwood both ends of the back to back so I'm half paranoid they'll put him in tomorrow just because of that.

 

[Bleedred]

If they go by career numbers, they may play him against Carolina, as he’s 2-0-0 in 2 games with a .953% and one shutout.

Pretty sure he hasn’t played them since 19-20 though. Between being out last year and the two teams not playing at all in 20-21.

And I know the shutout was one of his first starts where he had 2 shutouts in a row in 18-19, so maybe both of his games against them were in 18-19?

He’s a career .905% and 2-1-0 in 3 games against Florida.

His GAA is 4.02 against Florida? A lot of that must have been last year when he played there with the early pull after 4 goals about halfway through regulation.

Not starting Vitek for two straight games would be a huge red flag, even if he's supposed to sit one during the back to back anyway. They've shown they don't mind playing Blackwood both ends of the back to back so I'm half paranoid they'll put him in tomorrow just because of that.

My guess right now is Blackwood in Raleigh, Vitek in Sunrise and Blackwood probably gets Boston if Vitek doesn’t get a win in Florida.

 

[Bleedred]

The Oilers just signed Jack Campbell to a 5 year deal only a few months ago, and yet they’ve totally let Skinner take over when he wasn’t getting it done and now they’ve extended Skinner.

They hardly even play Campbell anymore. Tonight is only his third game in the month of December and fourth since Thanksgiving.

Holy shit, now that I go back into his game log his sixth to last game was November 10th. And I’m pretty sure he’s been dressed every game or at least almost every game.

I don’t know why we can’t just punt this shit bag.

 

[My3Sons]

One piece of context that is constantly either ignored or just unbeknownst to most people is that Blackwood's track record of good play in the NHL is VERY LONG stretches

You’ve always championed him and I share your faith that he will not only break the NJ losing streak but force all those naysayers to eat four and twenty Blackwoods baked in a pie. It’s gratifying to see how you haven’t wavered in your undying loyalty to him.

 

[DevilDog]

Was looking forward to reading this thread after Blackwood’s recall and you guys haven’t disappointed! If this team is serious about winning this season then they should waive Blackwood after his first bad performance. Probably tomorrow night. I can’t imagine them starting him tonight unless they are trying to throw him under the bus.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

Was looking forward to reading this thread after Blackwood’s recall and you guys haven’t disappointed! If this team is serious about winning this season then they should waive Blackwood after his first bad performance. Probably tomorrow night. I can’t imagine them starting him tonight unless they are trying to throw him under the bus.

They need a scape goat in case the losing continues.

 

[HBK27]

Not sure if this board would have a bigger meltdown if Blackwood plays extremely well or extremely poor.

 

[Call Me Al]

Not sure if this board would have a bigger meltdown if Blackwood plays extremely well or extremely poor.

i think the board will be happy if he helps get us out of this rut. except for one unnamed poster who might actually work himself up into having a coronary

long term im not sure many, if any posters wants him to stick around.

 

[guitarguyvic]

i think the board will be happy if he helps get us out of this rut. except for one unnamed poster who might actually work himself up into having a coronary

long term im not sure many, if any posters wants him to stick around.

The problem I see is that this now becomes a big catch 22. If he plays decent, that’s great short term for this season. But it’s not so great if it fools management into thinking he’s worth keeping beyond this season.

Conversely if he plays badly then it forces management’s hand to jettison him. But this could have dire consequences for this season if they don’t have him on a short enough leash.

 

[glenwo2]

The problem I see is that this now becomes a big catch 22. If he plays decent, that’s great short term for this season. But it’s not so great if it fools management into thinking he’s worth keeping beyond this season.

Conversely if he plays badly then it forces management’s hand to jettison him. But this could have dire consequences for this season if they don’t have him on a short enough leash.

Damned if we do, Damned if we don't.

 

[Call Me Al]

look if he plays well enough to help the team this year, great. i still have a hard time seeing the team qualify him and it’s probably best for everyone to go their separate ways at the end of the year. if he stinks up the joint i’m sure he’ll have a short leash and he gets waived and bring back akira.

we lost 5 in a row though we have to hope he can help the team right now

 

[HBK27]

The problem I see is that this now becomes a big catch 22. If he plays decent, that’s great short term for this season. But it’s not so great if it fools management into thinking he’s worth keeping beyond this season.

Conversely if he plays badly then it forces management’s hand to jettison him. But this could have dire consequences for this season if they don’t have him on a short enough leash.

This is the angle I'm just not getting though. You're certainly not the only one to mention it either, but there's this odd fear that management somehow won't be able to see what apparently a majority of fans see.

Schmid will be 23 at the start of next season. If the team thinks he can at least be a good backup and potentially a starter, I'm not sure why they'd plan on him spending another season in the AHL next year which would be the case if they brought Blackwood back. You also have Daws in the pipeline that (although struggling this season) has shown potential and could be a decent enough 3rd option. You could also pair him with a veteran goalie in Utica for added depth (not sure what the plan is for Brennan or if he has another year of WHL eligibility, but given his struggles this season, he could always go to the ECHL).

Quite a ways to go between now and the summer when decisions need to be made, but it just seems like the odds of Blackwood being on this team next season are small. He'd have to put up really good numbers and even then I think they'd still trade him anyway. If he does happen to do well people should try to enjoy it instead of worrying what that might mean for his future with the team.

 

[Bleedred]

Not sure if this board would have a bigger meltdown if Blackwood plays extremely well or extremely poor.

i think the board will be happy if he helps get us out of this rut. except for one unnamed poster who might actually work himself up into having a coronary

long term im not sure many, if any posters wants him to stick around.

I've already said I wouldn't be surprised if he ends the losing streak, as well as the fact that he'll more than likely have good games. I just expect him to do more bad than good.

I'll only be having a coronary when some of you people start asking me to eat crow because of it, like it means something.

I've been right about the goalies to this point. I famously predicted Kinkaid being out of the league within two years back in the beginning of 2018, He was. I also famously predicted Schneider NEVER bouncing back. He didn't. Unless you count the AHL the last two years.

So I think I deserve the benefit of the doubt here when it comes to goalies. So yeah, because there's a contingent, however big or small that tries to make me feel like I don't know what I'm talking on these subjects, I do have a nasty, admittedly toxic, narcissistic arrogance about it.

Some of you people (not necessarily the quoted posters) act like it's on par with saying Jack Hughes will never score 100 points in a season.

To me it's actually closer to ''Martin Brodeur will never play an NHL game again''.