Very helpful details and analysis, thanks Otto. Appreciate the clarifications.
Parsons definitely isn't Dennis. But I still wouldn't want to go to war with Elliott/Medvedev, even (and perhaps especially) with that team in front of them.
It's not a scientific analysis but Elliott gives me Dan Turple vibes. (Side note: Dan Turple is a great human, he just really played badly in the playoffs for the Rangers.)
Goaltending is such an essential position. Much more important than the skater. You have ot have faith in the goaltender. Elliott has done nothing in playoffs at the Major Junior Level over the last two seasons that would or should provide confidence. This is a goalie that lost his starting position late last season and played in only 3 games last year in the playoffs as a 19 year old. The playoffs previously, he was replaced in net twice over the course of the playoffs. Both teams were fantastic, top rated teams with over 100 points.
Somehow we are comparing Parsons playoff numbers after entering the playoffs in 4th place and losing to the eventual League Champions in round 2. The Rangers were supposed to lose that series. London rolled over everyone. They went 16-2 and scored 88 goals (5.5 GPG). Parsons gave up 4.5 GPG vs London. That is a goal per game better than the other goalies on average.
Oster was fine until the Generals limped into the Finals. He had a bad series but that was a team effort. That scoreboard reflected the state of the team heading into the Finals. We all knew the Eastern Conference playoffs was going to be a grind. The Semi-Final as a knock ‘em out, drag ‘em out affair. I don’t fault Oster for that series loss at all. London was healthy and fresh and rolled over the Generals, as they should in that situation.
The difference between Simpson and Elliot is pretty wide. The question is whether the Knights can win in spite of goaltending. To date, Medvedev has been given the lions share of the tougher teams. It seems more likely this is a platoon situation right now and Hunter will decide on his starting goalie nearer the playoffs and whomever is the hot hand at the time will likely get the nod. The challenge with that is if Medvedev is the one that gets the nod, the Knights will have an OA sitting on the bench opening the door. Seems like a bit of a waste.
The problem is there aren’t many 19 year olds out there and definitely none of the ones available are better. London may be handcuffed into keeping this tandem, upgrading their OA goalie, or deciding to roll the dice and run with Medvedev and a traditional backup. It comes down to whether an OA skater becomes available that necessitates Hunter to make a decision.
