Felix the cat or cujo?

[Melrose's Mullet]

What happened to Potvin after those 2 great years?? He became so inconsistent and he had some great games for other teams as well but his career was bascially over after leaving the Leafs

Felix was a great goalie for us. He held the record for most shots faced in a season by any goalie in NHL history (2,438) in the '96-'97 season (for those who remember that season you'll recall how poor we were as a team) while recording a .908 sv% (Luongo broke the record for most shots while he was a Panther). He was miraculous for us in back-to-back marches to the conference finals, and he never stopped being a great goalie while wearing our sweater. He ended up lost in the wilderness for a few seasons, but when he joined the Kings he played immensely well. He led a 7th seeded team to a major upset of the Detroit Red Wings (probably with their best ever lineup of players) and to a game 7 against the Avalanche (who would go on to win the Stanley Cup). He had more than two great seasons.

Curtis Joseph was the better goalie over the course of their careers, however the way he ditched the team was gutless. Potvin was nothing if not the utmost professional. I'll always remember watching him stack the pads and flash that lightening quick glove hand at the Gardens. This waxing poetical about the guy makes me feel old!

This is all to say that I'd take Potvin over Joseph any day of the week (but obviously I have my biases). He also had stellar looking equipment.

 

[Melrose's Mullet]

Definitely The Cat for me, although my bias is quite significant.

The 92 and 93 Leaf teams were my first real experiences as a Leaf fan. I was six during the first run, so I immediately fell in love with the team, while Felix became my favourite player of all time.

I actually own a signed jersey of all five NHL teams he played on.

I despised Cujo for replacing my favourite player, but I have to admit that he put on some great performances here as well. I just always felt that Cujo could only succeed as an underdog, when little was expected of him. Once he was expected to succeed, his game would usually falter. His playoff stats usually back that up, since he typically dominated the first round, before having his play tail-off.

For my money, Potvin was the better pressure goalie. But the margin between the two is thin, no matter what side you're on.

Agree with this 100%.

I had a white Potvin jersey that I received as a birthday gift when I was around 8 years old. I eventually met him outside of the Gardens and he signed it for me. I wore that thing all the time. I even wore it to the Bell Centre a few years back and though we lost 2-0 I still got mad respect from Habs fans for it. I left it in the backseat of my car in the driveway of my parents' place in Mississauga (not a rough neighbourhood by any stretch of the imagination) and then it got swiped in the middle of the night. I'll never get it back and it's essentially of no value to anyone other than myself. It still really rattles my cage to think I'll never see that again.

*Apologies for not multiquoting.

 

[Semantics]

Cujo was very overrated. He was never great in the regular season, just decent, and his last season with us he was below average. Still, he was better than Potvin who played on a really strong puck possession team with an amazing defense (not only was the defense corps good, but they had ridiculous defensive forwards with the Berg-Zezel-Osborne line, and then Selke-winner Gilmour).

He got his reputation because he'd sometimes stand on his head in the playoffs and carry us. But he was very inconsistent. He single handedly won us a few series against teams like Ottawa, but then got badly outplayed by Hasek and Irbe the years we made the eastern conference finals.

 

[spidergoalie]

From a fan perspective, I liked Felix more than Cujo, and in fact I was pissed when the Leafs signed Cujo, because I really felt Potvin was the victim of a team in transition, and not very good in has last two seasons.
Felix actually did have a nice play-off run or two with LA.

Cujo was a very talented goalie but a technical nightmare, and yes he did look heroic making saves that should have been routine, but fans and media love that (see Jonas Gustsavsson's following here a year and more ago) Still I felt that Cujo would carry a team for a play-off round or two and then burn out.
He also seemed to need a team where he faced a lot of shots. He really was pretty incredible on St. Louis and Edmonton as well.

Belfour was by far the best of the three technically.

I don't think meaningful comparisons can be made with goalies before Potvin as the game position and equipment was incredibly different in say Palmateers time. The Popcorn kid was talented and a battler for sure, but he simply didn't have the benefit of the coaching and technique of modern goaltending.

My list of all time favorite Leaf goalies is probably odd:
1. Jacques Plante. He is why I am a Leaf fan and a goalie.
2. JS Giguere, though in fairness it is much more about his play in Anaheim.
3. Felix Potvin
4. Mike Palmateer

Bower and Sawchuck were just before my time but in clips I think Sawchuck was a crazy talented goalie and Bower was pretty great too. They were from the bravest/craziest era of goaltending for sure!!!

 

[Lucky Leaf]

Between the two of them I would clearly pick James Reimer, that guy is awesome.

 

[BraveCanadian]

I remember that series.. Potvin was incredible.

Wasn't that the one where he did that diving glove save across the net too?

Got to go with the Cat.

I remember this beauty of a save:

I think that's the one!

 

[BooRadley]

Potvin got on a roll but really wasn't that good, so Joseph by default.

Belfour was considerably better than both.

Belfour never got the Leafs past round 2.

 

[Mat Fratthouse]

Potvin cause he was into punk rock! I'd see him at shows all the time!

 

[Christ]

....he did a bit more work tonight, I think.

I stick with what I said, he may one day top this list but he has yet to do enough in a Leaf's uniform to merit discussion in the same context as these other Leaf goaltenders. In a few seasons, hopefully with several playoff seasons under his belt, we will be able to better judge if his name belongs to stand with (or above) these other Leaf goaltenders.

 

[Blaylock38]

The Cat was awesome!!!!! I liked Cujo, but the Felix was awesome, Leafs own drafted goalie, take them to conference finals!!!! Is Reimer Felix 2.0????

 

[RonEllisFan]

Got a soft spot for Cujo, still remember those playoff series with the red wings, we use to knock them out in the first round, hard to believe now, but cujo was standing on his head back then, made the mistake on leaving the leafs though and admits it himself.

 

[e84*]

leafs fan growing up and i remember a goalie by the name of Felix potvin came out of no where and took the league storm, had 2 great years when he helped take the leafs to 2 conference finals, he was very exciting to watch, unorthodox style, but dude put on a show, i remember as kids we would imulate his hotdog splits glove saves haha.

And then after we got another darn good goalie, Curtis Joseph. Went from cat to dog. Cujo was beastin too, helping us to 2 conference finals as well. Had a lot of big games as well.


Leaf nation, who do you like as leafs goalie more, potvin or Joseph ?

Definitely Potvin. Like you, we would also emulate his stylish play. Something about the "Felix the cat" persona also rang home, like he was a comic book hero. Was a role model for me growing up in the 90's as a kid.

 

[marquee]

It's clear many are choosing potvin be a use of how Mlse tarnished Joseph's image. Quinn recently claimed the team chose not to resign cujo so why is there grief 10 years later?

Anyways I began watching this team in 99 so I remember that run until we met hasek. Can't speak on potvin but Joseph is the best leaf tender I've watched, Belfour comes second.

 

[WillNyeTheHockeyGuy]

I don't understand having Reimer in this conversation. Sure Reimer's been great for us this season, but until he can single-handedly win us a playoff series and stand on his head, I wouldn't consider him in this at all.

 

[Starkiller]

Definitely Potvin. Like you, we would also emulate his stylish play. Something about the "Felix the cat" persona also rang home, like he was a comic book hero. Was a role model for me growing up in the 90's as a kid.

haha awesome! yeah, potvin brought a lot of coolness to the game, he had the cool mask, then his pads started to match his cat gimmick, I think he started a trend and other goalies after in the league started to follow his style a little bit.

 

[Mess]

I don't understand having Reimer in this conversation. Sure Reimer's been great for us this season, but until he can single-handedly win us a playoff series and stand on his head, I wouldn't consider him in this at all.

While I agree, not everyone has the same standards for evaluation, and age of the evaluator as to whom they have actually seen play will also determine the outcome for some.

I'm with you in using playoffs success and victories as a measure of success as regular season games are meaningless other than playoff positioning to begin them.

When Felix the Cat went head to head verses Cujo and the Eagle in the playoffs in the 1990's, he was the victor and thus the clear winner for me.

 

[Just Rude]

Jiri Crha was better than both of 'em.

 

[Patty Lee]

While I agree, not everyone has the same standards for evaluation, and age of the evaluator as to whom they have actually seen play will also determine the outcome for some.

I'm with you in using playoffs success and victories as a measure of success as regular season games are meaningless other than playoff positioning to begin them.

When Felix the Cat went head to head verses Cujo and the Eagle in the playoffs in the 1990's, he was the victor and thus the clear winner for me.

you forgot to answer my question about how you think the series would have gone if Joseph and Potvin traded teams. Should we look up the shots for that series? review some footage? or do you remember it well enough without that stuff? If you do, I'm pretty sure there is NO WAY you could say the series would have gone 7 games, and been so close, if Joseph wasn't in the Blues net.

he may have been on the winning team, but the Cat did NOT out play Joseph in that series. Quite the opposite despite the Leafs moving on.

 

[timlap]

you forgot to answer my question about how you think the series would have gone if Joseph and Potvin traded teams. Should we look up the shots for that series? review some footage? or do you remember it well enough without that stuff? If you do, I'm pretty sure there is NO WAY you could say the series would have gone 7 games, and been so close, if Joseph wasn't in the Blues net.

he may have been on the winning team, but the Cat did NOT out play Joseph in that series. Quite the opposite despite the Leafs moving on.

Cujo was amazing in that series. That's when he became my favourite non-Leaf.

 

[Just Rude]

Remember when? Name the Leaf goalie (70’s – early 90’s)

While we move towards a playoff spot, thought I would take a look back at yesteryear and run a light little stumper quiz for fellow Leaf fans. I saw a post this morning about how certain goalies made a poster become a goalie as well, and the same applies to me. Won’t say who it was right now, as he is below.

This is a bit of a walk down memory lane for some of us, and a little lesson in Leaf history for the younger fans. The time period is 70’s until the early 90’s, and some of these names were well known, some you may have forgotten. This is not a best-of list, so I have left some obvious names off.

How many can you name (1 to 10, with 1 being the top image). Any memories, games or playoff series you have of these goalies, please share.

Reminisce, if you will:

 

[Mess]

you forgot to answer my question about how you think the series would have gone if Joseph and Potvin traded teams. Should we look up the shots for that series? review some footage? or do you remember it well enough without that stuff? If you do, I'm pretty sure there is NO WAY you could say the series would have gone 7 games, and been so close, if Joseph wasn't in the Blues net.

he may have been on the winning team, but the Cat did NOT out play Joseph in that series. Quite the opposite despite the Leafs moving on.

I'll leave the admiration of the opposition goalie to you, as I prefer to focus on my Leafs goalie, cheering him on instead.

Felix Potvin let in only 11 goals in 7 games (a sparkling 1.57 goals against average) in that series verses Cujo who let in 22.

Without Potvin in Leafs net, I agree the series doesn't go 7 games for Toronto, as they're eliminated earlier. If you believe that Cujo would have given up less than < 11 goals in 7 games than that is up to you to speculate on for your own admiration purposes. Blues stars like 50+ goal scorers Brett Hull & Brendan Shanahan simply couldn't dent the amour of Felix the Cat, as he kept their snipers at bay in the series to the best of his abilities.

Dougie's wrap-around goal in the 2nd OT period beating Cujo giving Leafs a 2-1 win, is among the most memorable Leaf plays of recent history, and without Felix in Toronto's net that never happens.

 

[Just Rude]

Dougie's wrap-around goal in the 2nd OT period beating Cujo giving Leafs a 2-1 win, is among the most memorable Leaf plays of recent history, and without Felix in Toronto's net that never happens.

Leafs had over 60 shots in Game 1. The Blues only made it to OT was because of Cujo, and the only reason the Blues won Game 2 in OT was, again, because of Cujo.

Not taking anything away from Felix, he was amazing. But without Cujo, that series could have been a sweep. (the 6-0 final game was simple domination by Toronto)

 

[Mess]

Leafs had over 60 shots in Game 1. The Blues only made it to OT was because of Cujo, and the only reason the Blues won Game 2 in OT was, again, because of Cujo.

Not taking anything away from Felix, he was amazing. But without Cujo, that series could have been a sweep. (the 6-0 final game was simple domination by Toronto)

I enjoyed every single goal that beat Cujo, while relishing in all that Felix turned aside.

Not many would want the losing goalie in a 6-0 game for Toronto in the Leafs net instead, believing that he was better than the one recording the shutout. Surrendering 6 goals in game 7 of a playoff series doesn't impress me much ..

Game 4 - Toronto 4 - St Louis 1, or Game 5 - Toronto 5 - St. Louis 1 also didn't get me believing Cujo was better than Felix. So in games 4 & 5 & 7 of the series Potvin 2 GA verses Cujo 15.. If Potvin would have given up 15 goals against in 3 games like Cujo he would have been crucified by Leaf Nation, but when the opposition goalie does it he is admired by some for his outstanding performance in the series. Head to head Potvin annihilated Cujo in that series..

While in 2 of STL 3 wins in the series of scores of 2-1 the Cat only gave up a single goal against in the losses. However I agree that Cujo prolonged the series for his team, based on his efforts in the Blues wins.

 

[Just Rude]

I enjoyed every single goal that beat Cujo, while relishing in all that Felix turned aside.

Not many would want the losing goalie in a 6-0 game for Toronto in the Leafs net instead, believing that he was better than the one recording the shutout.

Yes, Cujo in Game 7 wasn't the same as Games 1 and 2. I still think to this day Wendel's shot that knocked his mask off scarred him for life. Well, for the rest of the game anyway....

Felix was pretty awesome for us, though, no doubt. And again, I still love the guy for his fight with Hextall. Never forget Domi razzing Hextall after the fight, and pointing above his eye to let him know Felix cut him open.

 

[Patty Lee]

I'll leave the admiration of the opposition goalie to you, as I prefer to focus on my Leafs goalie, cheering him on instead.

Felix Potvin let in only 11 goals in 7 games (a sparkling 1.57 goals against average) in that series verses Cujo who let in 22.

Without Potvin in Leafs net, I agree the series doesn't go 7 games for Toronto, as they're eliminated earlier. If you believe that Cujo would have given up less than < 11 goals in 7 games than that is up to you to speculate on for your own admiration purposes. Blues stars like 50+ goal scorers Brett Hull & Brendan Shanahan simply couldn't dent the amour of Felix the Cat, as he kept their snipers at bay in the series to the best of his abilities.

Dougie's wrap-around goal in the 2nd OT period beating Cujo giving Leafs a 2-1 win, is among the most memorable Leaf plays of recent history, and without Felix in Toronto's net that never happens.

nice gutless answer