Curtis McElhinney
- Thread starter Tom13Falcons
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1857 Howitzer
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Are you in Springy/Mass.? Are you a fan of the Falcons? Did you see him play last year? If so, I'd be as interested in your take/scouting report as any of our speculation.
If Bob picks up even close to where he left off last season, he seems like a fine option as a backup, playing 10-15 games.
If Bob struggles/is injured early on though, the club has to look at signing somebody else. We just hired Tim Thomas' former agent as an Assistant GM and he'd be a good option if the goaltending starts to become an issue.
If Bob struggles/is injured early on though, the club has to look at signing somebody else. We just hired Tim Thomas' former agent as an Assistant GM and he'd be a good option if the goaltending starts to become an issue.
Don't like the situation at all.
Bob may have won a Vezina, but it was for a season that was only 48 games long. Can he log 60+ games and play at an elite level? We don't know yet, but having McElhinney as insurance doesn't sound like a good idea. He should be backing up goalies like Lundqvist and Rinne, not Bob.
Bob may have won a Vezina, but it was for a season that was only 48 games long. Can he log 60+ games and play at an elite level? We don't know yet, but having McElhinney as insurance doesn't sound like a good idea. He should be backing up goalies like Lundqvist and Rinne, not Bob.
1857 Howitzer
******* Linesman
I would too. Not sure many of us here in Columbus know what he will bring.
Bobrovsky in 2012-2013:
KHL - 24 GP, 1.94 GAA, .932 SV%
NHL - 38 GP, 2.00 GAA, .932 SV%
He played in 62 games last year and was great. I think he can play in 64-70 games just fine.
EspenK
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- Sep 25, 2011
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60+ games in the NHL seems like it would be a bit more taxing but your point is taken.
Also, it is an Olympic year, so it's gonna be a compact schedule, and Bob is likely gonna be starter for Russia.
I think Bob will be solid, but there is definitely reason to be concerned.
Byrral
Registered User
I didn't like it when they signed him to a one way deal but that's what happens when they're near the cap and have Bob as their goalie. Got to cut somewhere and that was a logical place. Now play him on a regular schedule to keep Bob fresh.
Some have mentioned a plan B if something happened to Bob. Lets hope they don't have to go to plan B.
Some have mentioned a plan B if something happened to Bob. Lets hope they don't have to go to plan B.
Crede777
Deputized
- Dec 16, 2009
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Another reason for concern:
Bob was a relative unknown in the Western Conference. Most of his games were against Eastern Conference teams when he was in Philly. Now we're going to a division with his former team and other teams who are much more familiar with him. It's possible that after this season and with the knowledge they have, the book may be out on Bob.
The question is if he can make that "book" irrelevant by quickly identifying and then eliminating weaknesses. That's his major difference from Mason in my opinion. Bob isn't perfect, but he knows that and will work night and day to improve himself even when he's on top. The key may be "high glove," but after a few games Bobrovsky will understand that and work himself (and Ian Clark) into the ground trying to fix it.
As for McElhinney, his track record shows he isn't (usually) an NHL caliber goalie. So that worries me. But I can say that he *deserves* a shot and *earned* it last season working his butt off in Springfield and being great. Then again, we know a few other players *cough* Prospal *cough* who earned another NHL contract last year and hasn't gotten it.
Bob was a relative unknown in the Western Conference. Most of his games were against Eastern Conference teams when he was in Philly. Now we're going to a division with his former team and other teams who are much more familiar with him. It's possible that after this season and with the knowledge they have, the book may be out on Bob.
The question is if he can make that "book" irrelevant by quickly identifying and then eliminating weaknesses. That's his major difference from Mason in my opinion. Bob isn't perfect, but he knows that and will work night and day to improve himself even when he's on top. The key may be "high glove," but after a few games Bobrovsky will understand that and work himself (and Ian Clark) into the ground trying to fix it.
As for McElhinney, his track record shows he isn't (usually) an NHL caliber goalie. So that worries me. But I can say that he *deserves* a shot and *earned* it last season working his butt off in Springfield and being great. Then again, we know a few other players *cough* Prospal *cough* who earned another NHL contract last year and hasn't gotten it.
Tonysil
Registered User
Unlike the other guy I am in Springfield, am a fan of the Falcons and saw him play many times last year. He started off unbelievable and then tailed off ever so slightly towards the end of the year. If he has to make 25 starts for you guys I think you'll be just fine.
I think the change in Bobrovsky wasn't so much him changing conferences(though I do believe that played a factor) as much as it was him buckling down on his positioning. I remember there was a lot of talk of him tweaking his techniques and positioning after working with Ian Clark and obviously it paid off big time.
punk_o_holic
Registered User
Yeah, here's a quote from an article on Bobrovsky from The Hockey News Yearbook.
"One small tweak made a huge difference. Clark trained Bobrovsky to hold his position in traffic, overcoming tendency to drop low under pressure".
I remember early in the season, an opposing announcer saying Bobrovsky's weekness was him crouching low when there was traffic. At times I saw the other team score top corner from the point where the puck went over his shoulder because he was to low. But as the season went on, he adjusted and not many goals like that got past him.
As for McElhinney, if the team plays the same type of D that they did like last season then I have faith that he won't screw up and will help us win games.
Don't want to think about Bobrovsky struggling,getting hurt, or getting tired because I don't want to picture Columbus relying on McElhinney to be the starter/start more games.
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I did attend many Falcons games. McEllhinney was phenomenal. He broke the falcons record for career shutouts in one season (this year). McEllhiney did well when they were on the penalty kill. He stops a lot of break aways. He tailed off at the end of the year last year during the playoffs due to. Shoulder injury. He is easily ready to jump back into the NHL.
SuperGenius
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The last and only two times I saw him in the NHL he was playing for the ducks and to say he played poorly would be putting it politely.
I hate the idea of him as a backup, quite honestly. I believe you need a backup who can push the starter. I don't care how good Bob is, you need a guy that is at least capable of playing at a similar level, even in small chunks. I don't see McElhinney doing that. I hope I'm wrong.
I hate the idea of him as a backup, quite honestly. I believe you need a backup who can push the starter. I don't care how good Bob is, you need a guy that is at least capable of playing at a similar level, even in small chunks. I don't see McElhinney doing that. I hope I'm wrong.
Durring the lockout McElhinney had Prout, Erixon, Moore, Savard, and Goloubef for his 5 out of 6 defenseman. He should lay well since has some familiar players. McElhinney is the real deal if he has quality defenseman with him. After all they would have saved some of Horton's money reserved for a back up goalie.
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FANonymous
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- Nov 7, 2010
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Happens to us all.
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If he is a bust they can sign Tim Thomas during the year and have him play a few games in the AHL or ECHL and have him instead.
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