Emergency Goaltender Rules and Pay Should be Updated

[HansonBro]

People are forgetting he's not some rando....

Ayres has worked with the Maple Leafs as a practice goalie several times in the past and said he was supposed to join the club at its session Sunday, but Toronto is now taking the day off, according to Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun.


Also, when is the NHL20 roster update?

 

[Goose]

People are forgetting he's not some rando....

Ayres has worked with the Maple Leafs as a practice goalie several times in the past and said he was supposed to join the club at its session Sunday, but Toronto is now taking the day off, according to Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun.


Also, when is the NHL20 roster update?

He needs to be a secret character with maxed out attributes against Toronto and below-average attributes otherwise.

 

[Jumptheshark]

$500 Is fair if you sit on the bench. Should jump to $5k if you step a skate in the crease... Most AHL goalies make $70k in the A but get called up and all of a sudden are making $700K+...

This stat alone is worth $5k...

that is not luongo

 

[Jumptheshark]

btw

the 500 rate is set like that partly due to amateur rules

uni goalies have been used in the past and can not be paid ore than a certain amount

 

[KCC]

I mean, no offense to Ayres who had a dream day and saved everything that came at him in the 3rd period for a Carolina win . . .

BUT . . .

1st) the fee paid to the goalie should be like 5k minimum. Make a dent in the emergency backup's bank account for goodness sake. Make him actually feel like a third string player for a day. A coach gets fined 10k for mouthing off a ref, and fines anything below that are almost unheard of.

2nd) it's a pretty small consideration to make for 40 home games a year. You'd think a minor pro player, NCAA, junior player or something could be put on retainer from a list of available goalies. You'd think even in areas where hockey doesn't have much of a tradition you'd be able to meet sort of a minimum criteria - and again, no offense to Ayres. Heck, the league could even fly in emergency backup's for one game a year and they get an official NHL contract to sit in the position should they be needed - which very rarely actually happens.

I'd have reason to be unhappy if my team got blitzed by a home squad because a beer league goalie (trying his darndest) let in a bunch of goals that even a minor leaguer would stop. That didn't happen last night, but just saying.

Yeah, on TSN they talked about this and how it will be on the GM agenda which would be smart. Makes no sense to have emergency back ups who barely played the sport and hadn't in years. I can see this being incorporated as early as next season. Seems like a really easy fix.

 

[Tuggy]

I mean, no offense to Ayres who had a dream day and saved everything that came at him in the 3rd period for a Carolina win . . .

BUT . . .

1st) the fee paid to the goalie should be like 5k minimum. Make a dent in the emergency backup's bank account for goodness sake. Make him actually feel like a third string player for a day. A coach gets fined 10k for mouthing off a ref, and fines anything below that are almost unheard of.

2nd) it's a pretty small consideration to make for 40 home games a year. You'd think a minor pro player, NCAA, junior player or something could be put on retainer from a list of available goalies. You'd think even in areas where hockey doesn't have much of a tradition you'd be able to meet sort of a minimum criteria - and again, no offense to Ayres. Heck, the league could even fly in emergency backup's for one game a year and they get an official NHL contract to sit in the position should they be needed - which very rarely actually happens.

I'd have reason to be unhappy if my team got blitzed by a home squad because a beer league goalie (trying his darndest) let in a bunch of goals that even a minor leaguer would stop. That didn't happen last night, but just saying.

Wonder where you came up with all this? Not like TSN didn't say all these exact same things after last night. Stop trying to pass off others ideas/opinions as your own.

 

[Straight Fire]

Yeah, on TSN they talked about this and how it will be on the GM agenda which would be smart. Makes no sense to have emergency back ups who barely played the sport and hadn't in years. I can see this being incorporated as early as next season. Seems like a really easy fix.

Nice to hear and I agree. Doesn't seem like a difficult fix.

 

[Straight Fire]

Wonder where you came up with all this? Not like TSN didn't say all these exact same things after last night. Stop trying to pass off others ideas/opinions as your own.

No I didn't see TSN nor hear anything like you suggest. Maybe it's just common sense?

Others have told me what TSN said since I made the OP, though.

Gee, Mr.

 

[StreetHawk]

Nice to hear and I agree. Doesn't seem like a difficult fix.

It happens like 2 times a year. Yesterday in Toronto and last season in Chicago. That’s two times in like 2500 games.

how many other occurrences have there been where the emergency guy actually got into the game instead Of simply Putting on the gear and sitting in the bench.

maybe half the markets it would be fairly easy to find a college goalie or a tier II goalie to be available each game. Find 3/4 guys and ask them to be available for 10-14 games each.

would be harder for some southern us markets to have that type of college or tier II guy available.

 

[valet]

Not that this really plays into your argument, but it's pretty likely that players are throwing money on the board for the emergency goalies whenever this kind of thing happens. I'd be pretty surprised if Ayers didn't walk out of that room at least 10k richer.

 

[Karl Prime]

that is not luongo

Yes it is.

 

[talkinaway]

If Carolina wins the cup the players likely vote to have his name on the cup.

Nope. First of all, the players don't vote on this - league rules state that you have to be on the roster at the time you win the Cup, AND you have to have either played (or dressed as backup goalie) 41 regular season games OR played (or dressed as backup goalie) in the SCF (last round of playoffs). There are exceptions, but the team petitions the league for this exception. Marc Savard played 25 games for the Bruins in 2010-2011, and got his name on because he was an integral part of the team AND had a concussion that ended his career.

I'm sure Ayres is a great guy, but he 100% does not deserve his name on the Cup. A team ring? Absolutely.

The only thing that bothers me with the Ayres scenario is the conflict of interest. If the EBUG is supplied by the home team, they should be arms length from the home team. Not an employee or contractor.

This has always been the one thing that's bugged me about EBUGs. They're usually supplied by the home team, and there's always going to be some form of loyalty, conscious or subconscious. If you'd asked Ayres 48 hours ago who he'd like to play for on Saturday - Toronto or Carolina? - and you forced him to be 100% honest (no dithering with "I'll play for whoever needs me"), he'd probably say Toronto. He's doesn't only live in the Toronto area (I assume), but he's also an extra practice goalie for them. I'm sure he knows some of the guys he played against last night.

That said, he knows that WE know that there's the possibility of the perception of something sneaky/weird going on when he puts on that Carolina jersey. So, I don't doubt he'd try his best. Plus, he's got to know that EVERYONE will be looking at him when he goes on the ice, because it's such a cool and rare thing to have happen.

The $500 pay is absolute crap, and it should be fixed. But I wonder if it doesn't have something to do with college kids not being able to be paid at a higher/professional level. Coming from the Boston area, where there are 4 NCAA Division 1 colleges VERY near to the rink just off the top of my head, it seems like the perfect role for a college hockey player.

 

[dortt]

Can NCAA players even take the $500? Wouldn't they lose eligibility just like CHL players do?

 

[Pucker Factor 10]

EBUG.....sounds like an internet virus.

 

[Sugi21]

It should be like soccer. One of the skaters should put on the pads and play goalie.

Yup just like in baseball when an outfielder has to play pitcher

 

[Pigskin]

It should be like soccer. One of the skaters should put on the pads and play goalie.

Correct.

 

[coolboarder]

I don’t think that the NHL should change the rules. It’s rare and allows for stories like this to happen again in the future.

 

[CBlake]

Right off the bat, there are two type of agreements an EBUG can sign, an ATO or PTO, only different is the PTO comes with the $500 pay. Not really really sure what dictates which one is signed? I am pretty sure an active NCAA goalie could not even sign an ATO as he would jeopardize his eligibility by playing with pro, which is against the rules. In Canada that would not be a problem a USports rules are much more lax, as mentioned on CBC the on-call EBUG in Vancouver on Saturday night was UBC's goaltender.

Ayers was different that say Scott Foster and Jorge Alvez in that he only on call and was not signed to the ATO until needed. Foster and Alvez began the game dressed as the backup for the home as they were signed prior to the game needed. The Hawks at least had the choice in signing Foster. The Canes were forced into the situation they faced against the Leafs. Funny thing is Alvez would have been available too.

The use of EBUGS seemed to be much more common in the 1950-160s when teams only dressed one goalie. I do wonder even if due to illness or something came up for the Leafs in the late afternoon and with the Marlies in Laval on Saturday would Ayers been the guy signed to the ATO. Do teams approach signing an emergency goalie in advance differently than whomever they set as the all-call guy on a nightly basis?

In the case of teams needing to signing an EBUG in advance of a game, either the day of or before due to illness, injury etc and they can't get their AHL guy in time, etc thats one thing and I do not see how the league can really do much about that. It seems if its prior to pregame skate, its the team that has a choice, at least somewhat of one on who they sign. So I assume if a team, especially on the road signs someone prior, the home team still has their in-arena guy on call?

Based on these articles it seems that based on the circumstances some teams have used younger guys in their front office with college experience or at least found a recent college experienced grad in town while on the road. On the other had even with time to go earlier in the day, beer leaguers have been signed. This is such a mixed bag to say the least.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...nt-nhl-emergency-goalie-stories-are-the-best/

We need backup! Tales of emergency goalies in NHL

I think the EBUG actually signed in advance and the person(s) who is selected to be on call on a nightly basis is two different things. I think the league's concern would be the on-call guy and maybe some sort of guideline/criteria on how they are selected? But truth be told in some markets that could be difficult based on said person's work/family obligations and the overall pool? This will be interesting to see if the GMs really do anything.

 

[Lempo]

EBUG.....sounds like an internet virus.

An ebook format.

 

[DL44]

Using an EBUG is such an unusual happening that I think it should stay exactly as it is save for an increase in compensation. I'd say pay them whatever amounts to an NHL minimum contract (approximately 3k /day) for that day if they are used.

It adds a quirkiness to the game that creates memories. This game will be remembered for a long time. Had Ayers not been used, it would have gone down the memory hole in 2 days.

Pretty much exactly this.

I see nothing needs to change.
It's up to each individual team who to name as a EBUG.

When Marky left last game, they spotlighted the EBUG for the game - it was the UBC goalie. So a young capable player there. He even got recalled to the dressing room during that period of uncertainty.

 

[No More Subban]

$500 is a joke.

Thought it'd be something like at least 5k. NHL is a professional sport.

That's just embarrassing, man. Tbh.

 

[CBlake]

It does not even appear that the on call Ebug is told to dress and sits on the bench when the first goalie is injured. Reimer was hurt in the first period and Ayers was only told to dress and get ready when the Canes second goalie went down in the second.

 

[Ctrain2k]

Why are people b****ing and moaning that he’s “only” getting paid $500? I’m pretty sure most guys would gladly do it for free.

 

[CBlake]

People are forgetting he's not some rando....

Ayres has worked with the Maple Leafs as a practice goalie several times in the past and said he was supposed to join the club at its session Sunday, but Toronto is now taking the day off, according to Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun.


Also, when is the NHL20 roster update?

He still ended up practicing with the Marlies on Sunday.

 

[Bubbles]

Why are people b****ing and moaning that he’s “only” getting paid $500? I’m pretty sure most guys would gladly do it for free.

Yeah, really strange how many people are complaining the money! It's a situation that rarely ever happens and the guy is more than happy to do it. The memory is worth more than any amount of money.