How does the future of Canada's goaltending look?

[Big Phil]

Alright, if we have a 2022 Olympics we are probably alright in net. Fleury is maybe even the favourite to win the Vezina this year and who knows how far Vegas will go in the playoffs. Price could turn it around, and Binnington is another possibility. After that we are starting to get thin.

Anyway, at one point I can remember Canada being easily the king of goaltending. We had a "problem" in 2002 with how can we fit Roy, Brodeur, Joseph and Belfour on the team. One of them had to be left off. It turned out to be the latter three and we had to figure out who to start, which again was a good problem. Even after that there were more than capable goalies who could have filled in as back ups. There wasn't a shortage. Burke, Theodore, a young Luongo, even Osgood. Even Giguere, Biron, Turco, etc. were all decent goalies and even these guys were better choices than the ones Canada will have to pick from after the top 5 if needed be. So there was never an issue. That being said, Fleury is 36, Price is 33 and perhaps has his best years behind him and that leaves...................who?

There isn't a problem anywhere else. In 2021 Canada had 6/10 top scorers in the NHL and 10/20. 12/20 of the top assist leaders and 8/20 top goal scorers. On defense you have 6/10 top scorers and 10/20. The NHL draft in 2019 had 13/31 Canadians in the first round and 2020 had 19/31 and 2021 which is a "take a wild guess" draft is about 50% Canadians in the first round. So there always seems to be the normal idea that 45-50% of the best skaters in the world are still Canadian. But what about the goalies? The top Canadian-born goalie for the 2021 draft Sebastian Cossa who put up excellent numbers this year as well as last year, but there just seems like a scarce amount out there now. The Patrick Roy factor brought in a lot of French Canadian goalies but you could say Fleury is probably among the last of that group that would have remembered Roy as a Canadien.

Anyway, your thoughts?

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[Mathieukferland]

The fact the butterfly was invented in Québec gave them an advantage for a brief period before everyone caught on; generally I think playing pro and university is better for goaltending development than playing junior so there’s that as well

 

[Rabid Ranger]

The hope was that Hart would be that next guy but he's been middling. Other than him who is the next established Canadian goalie to take that next step? I don't see any. Cossa looks to be a fine prospect but the next six/seven years might be a problem. I know Hockey Canada invests a lot in goaltending so am curious what the root issues are.

 

[Back in Black]

Luongo will come out of retirement.....

 

[ORRFForever]

The hope was that Hart would be that next guy but he's been middling. Other than him who is the next established Canadian goalie to take that next step? I don't see any. Cossa looks to be a fine prospect but the next six/seven years might be a problem. I know Hockey Canada invests a lot in goaltending so am curious what the root issues are.

I'm hoping Hart has a bounce back / break out season next year. Other than that, a whole lot of average.

It makes no sense given the number of players we produce - you would think, just by accident, we would produce a top end goalie every half decade.

 

[Czechboy]

I'm hoping Hart has a bounce back / break out season next year. Other than that, a whole lot of average.

It makes no sense given the number of players we produce - you would think, just by accident, we would produce a top end goalie every half decade.

I think you will. I get it isn't amazing compared to forwards or D but Canadian goalies are still half of the 62 (31 teams by 2) or higher.. ftr... Totally guessing here

 

[Big Phil]

I think you will. I get it isn't amazing compared to forwards or D but Canadian goalies are still half of the 62 (31 teams by 2) or higher.. ftr... Totally guessing here

I'd have to look it up, you might be right, but how many of them are starters vs. back ups? Also, how many are elite starters right now? And what country are the best goalies in the world coming out of now? Not Canada. Not sure where, but the answer would be "everywhere else" at the moment.

You never want to rely on a goalie being just average, even with a great team in front of them, because sometimes needing to make that big save in a big game is the difference. I guess not every goalie that has won the Cup in the last 20 years was great or needed to be either, but it is a risk if you don't have an elite one.

Since Brodeur's string of Vezinas ended in 2008 you've had two Canadian born goalie - Price and Holtby (in 2016) - win the Vezina. That's it. Maybe Fleury this year, but again he's 36.

The hope was that Hart would be that next guy but he's been middling. Other than him who is the next established Canadian goalie to take that next step? I don't see any. Cossa looks to be a fine prospect but the next six/seven years might be a problem. I know Hockey Canada invests a lot in goaltending so am curious what the root issues are.

It is possible it still could be Hart. We'll see. Carey Price's 3rd season in the NHL was poor as well.

 

[Czechboy]

And what country are the best goalies in the world coming out of now?

I can answer that.. Russia! They are like the old school Quebec goalie factory. Askarov on the way and then they have just a tonne of very good NHL goalies. Here are the main 8 in NHL. Khudobin took his team to the finals last season. Vasi will probably win Vezina.

Since I was loooking it up.. 32 Canadians played net in the NHL this season!

Here is the Top 8 by save percentage... not a bad group at all. That list is missing Price and Hart.

 

[jj cale]

The situation is indeed scary.

 

[ORRFForever]

Since I was loooking it up.. 32 Canadians played net in the NHL this season!

Here is the Top 8 by save percentage... not a bad group at all. That list is missing Price and Hart.

View attachment 434531

Terrific job.

 

[Czechboy]

The situation is indeed scary.

I really don't think it is bad... And if there is one nation that could win with an average goalie... It is Canada. Having said that... I don't think Canada will have an average goalie.

 

[MosTLucky]

Mackenzie Blackwood has the potential to be a very good goaltender

 

[jj cale]

I really don't think it is bad... And if there is one nation that could win with an average goalie... It is Canada. Having said that... I don't think Canada will have an average goalie.

Possibly so but the margin of victory is very small these days, I would feel a lot more confident if we were more well stocked in that position, it's a weakness that for some reason continues to go unaddressed. I find it very strange we have this problem and for some time now, makes no sense to me.

 

[NyQuil]

A strong goaltender allows you to win games in which you can be outplayed or outshot.

Some past Canadian teams have relied on it from time to time in an elimination situation.

I agree that it's concerning.

 

[Czechboy]

Possibly so but the margin of victory is very small these days, I would feel a lot more confident if we were more well stocked in that position, it's a weakness that for some reason continues to go unaddressed. I find it very strange we have this problem and for some time now, makes no sense to me.

I looked at the Vezina winners and the only multiple winner in the last 20 years is Brodeur. I was in shock Price has only one it once. I was even more surprised I didn't remember Theodore winning it at all.lol Still, most the Canadians would be starters for several countries and still make up half the NHL.

It is crazy though because I remember the old school World Juniors where a consistent comment used to be that 'this tournament would be better if Canada could give each nation a Canadian goalie'. That was during the Quebec Goalie factory days and was true! Need a new goalie factory... maybe Manitoba can start churning them out!

Good luck at the World's. I think Canada will be a strong medal contender in this particular field (best goalie is probably Kuemper and 90% all NHL squad).

 

[Mathieukferland]

Fleury should be fine for China, after that you hope Hart and Cossa are able to live up to their potential

 

[jj cale]

I looked at the Vezina winners and the only multiple winner in the last 20 years is Brodeur. I was in shock Price has only one it once. I was even more surprised I didn't remember Theodore winning it at all.lol Still, most the Canadians would be starters for several countries and still make up half the NHL.

It is crazy though because I remember the old school World Juniors where a consistent comment used to be that 'this tournament would be better if Canada could give each nation a Canadian goalie'. That was during the Quebec Goalie factory days and was true! Need a new goalie factory... maybe Manitoba can start churning them out!

Good luck at the World's. I think Canada will be a strong medal contender in this particular field (best goalie is probably Kuemper and 90% all NHL squad).

I don't know what has happened and it's been telling far too often at all tournaments aside from the olympics (thank God) but it will soon burn us there too, possibly as early as next year. We simply have to start producing more world class prospects at that position and we have to start doing it soon. It makes ZERO sense why we are struggling with this.

On an aside, how do you think the Czechs look this year for the WHC?

 

[ORRFForever]

WE (myself included) are making things worse than they are.

Having said that, I can't remember a time when a Canadian goalie stole us a BIG game in an international tournament.

 

[Lartsaman]

You have:

- Carter Hart
- Mackenzie Blackwood
- Chris Driedger
- Devon Levi
- Joel Hofer
- Sebastian Cossa

Maybe not a new Brodeur or Roy coming, but still a decent situation.

 

[JackSlater]

It doesn't look very good. I don't know why goaltender production has been so poor, but you would expect an elite goaltender to emerge just based on numbers. It also isn't as bad as some claim. People still cry about Canada's goaltending at the world juniors yearly when it hasn't been a recurring issue for a decade. Canada doesn't have a goaltender who can carry the team but at the best on best level that hasn't been required since the semi finals against Czech Republic in 2004. It's an area that needs improvement and Canada should be looking at what countries like USA and Russia are doing when it comes to producing goaltenders.

 

[Czechboy]

I don't know what has happened and it's been telling far too often at all tournaments aside from the olympics (thank God) but it will soon burn us there too, possibly as early as next year. We simply have to start producing more world class prospects at that position and we have to start doing it soon. It makes ZERO sense why we are struggling with this.

On an aside, how do you think the Czechs look this year for the WHC?

It's a good team for us... Some good NHL players. Lots of youth. Have our best dman in hronek and about 5 guys from our best on best team. Unfortunately no NHL goalie.

For this tourney I'd say we are a medal contender (big 5 plus a really good looking Swiss team).

It's a nice bonus of the big 5 being weaker for this one.. games should be real close! I think the quarters will be the highlight of the international season as I don't foreseeany blowouts.

 

[jj cale]

It's a good team for us... Some good NHL players. Lots of youth. Have our best dman in hronek and about 5 guys from our best on best team. Unfortunately no NHL goalie.

For this tourney I'd say we are a medal contender (big 5 plus a really good looking Swiss team).

It's a nice bonus of the big 5 being weaker for this one.. games should be real close! I think the quarters will be the highlight of the international season as I don't foreseeany blowouts.

Just bought by month subscription on TSN to watch the tournament and by your explanation of how it looks to be rounding out this year competition wise I am now geared up for it. I haven't checked out the swiss team yet, I'll have to get on that now with your heads up.

Will have to renew the subscription for Euro 2021 coming up too. With the NHL playoffs on(especially that Habs-Leafs series starting tonight), the WHC and the Euros I have a whole plate of sports to watch coming up.

 

[Czechboy]

Just bought by month subscription on TSN to watch the tournament and by your explanation of how it looks to be rounding out this year competition wise I am now geared up for it. I haven't checked out the swiss team yet, I'll have to get on that now with your heads up.

Will have to renew the subscription for Euro 2021 coming up too. With the NHL playoffs on(especially that Habs-Leafs series starting tonight), the WHC and the Euros I have a whole plate of sports to watch coming up.

Yup... Tomorrow is an awesome one... 9am Czechs vs Russia and 9pm game two for my Oil! Hoping for a good 1pm game at world's as well.

The u18 and such always has soany blowouts.. don't think this will be the case here!

 

[jj cale]

Yup... Tomorrow is an awesome one... 9am Czechs vs Russia and 9pm game two for my Oil! Hoping for a good 1pm game at world's as well.

The u18 and such always has soany blowouts.. don't think this will be the case here!

Should be wide open this year, I think these years with low quality NHL turnout tends to favour Russia though.

 

[Peiskos]

I really like the look of Benjamin Gaudreau, just won gold with Canada at the U-18's, great stats and lot of potential, wouldn't want to act like a pro scout but he looks mature and composed in goal.