Recalled/Assigned: Jake Allen recalled

[Celtic Note]

Do you guys truly believe Halak is the goalie for this team? In his 3 years he still has not shown he can be a true #1 goalie. Yes he has flashes but he is not consistent and can't play as many games to be considered a true #1.

I didn't believe he was the goalie for the job at the time of the trade. A month after, I forced myself to believe there was a chance I was wrong.

To be frank, I always suspected Halak was one of those "ok" starters who got hot. That's not the kind of goalie I wanted then and it isn't now either. I really don't want to hope our goaltender is hot at the same time as the team, because it might never happen. Plus, now I question his health over full seasons.

 

[Mike Liut]

But you neglected to point out that I put this voluminous post on THE WRONG THREAD! It's hell getting old!

I must be getting old too, because I didn't even realize. I started reading and kept agreeing with everything you were saying and didn't even pay attention. It's all good.

 

[Mike Liut]

Jake might take this opportunity and run with it. I loved what I saw from him. Play good D in front of him and he will make most of the routine saves and some really good ones too. That's all I ask.

 

[rumrokh]

I'm just an armchair analyst, but I think Allen's fundamentals are better and he appears to think the game in a way that Halak and Elliott cannot.

Sure, there were and are going to be rookie mistakes and he had to adjust, but watch how he uses his trapper. When there's a shot coming in that he can catch, he does. Ignore the fact that Halak and Elliott can't catch and control the puck for **** when there's a legit chance - catching the puck can be especially valuable on long, low gloveside shots. The other two (especially Halak) either kick out or allow those to go wide. It's not infrequent that those choices result in continued attack time for the opposition. Allen sees what's going on and gobbles those up.

His ability to play the puck is also notably superior and shows a player who thinks the game well. I can't think of many puck-handling goalies who otherwise couldn't hack it in the NHL.

He may not be the answer this year or even next year, but Allen has shown me specific things about which to get excited instead of just hoping against reason that he pulls their ass out of the fire.

 

[Captain Creampuff]

I didn't believe he was the goalie for the job at the time of the trade. A month after, I forced myself to believe there was a chance I was wrong.

To be frank, I always suspected Halak was one of those "ok" starters who got hot. That's not the kind of goalie I wanted then and it isn't now either. I really don't want to hope our goaltender is hot at the same time as the team, because it might never happen. Plus, now I question his health over full seasons.

I gave him a chance but even after watching him the first season we had him, he played mediocre. I heard from everyone "He has to get used to playing in the West."

Last year he had that legendary start that forced Brian Elliott to go into god mode, giving the team life and got Jaro scared. He played well but he definitely underachieved last year. His play was much worse than his stats showed. However I thought Elliott's play warranted his stats last season.

I can't count how many times last year we said "This team just doesn't play the same in front of Jaro." now everyone is saying it about Elliott this year, but Jaro hasn't been any better either.

TLDR; I still do not think Halak is the goalie for this team. Allen could be the best goalie prospect we've had since CuJo.

 

[ManyIdeas]

Allen getting called up and playing while halak is seemingly healthy could be the spark to get halak back on point. I'm of the opinion that we need to run halak/allen and trade ells or just bench the rest of the year.

 

[Halak Ness Monster]

I didn't believe he was the goalie for the job at the time of the trade. A month after, I forced myself to believe there was a chance I was wrong.

To be frank, I always suspected Halak was one of those "ok" starters who got hot. That's not the kind of goalie I wanted then and it isn't now either. I really don't want to hope our goaltender is hot at the same time as the team, because it might never happen. Plus, now I question his health over full seasons.

People thought I was an idiot for wanting Carey Price over Halak. Everyone cited his immaturity and inconsistency and Halak's postseason run.

I liked Halak too, though, and I still do. I think he will be fine if we keep going back to him. Like you said, he may be more of an ok starter but I don't think he is another Turek, Johnson, Osgood. I'm more worried about his health than anything.

 

[Halak Ness Monster]

I'm just an armchair analyst, but I think Allen's fundamentals are better and he appears to think the game in a way that Halak and Elliott cannot.

Sure, there were and are going to be rookie mistakes and he had to adjust, but watch how he uses his trapper. When there's a shot coming in that he can catch, he does. Ignore the fact that Halak and Elliott can't catch and control the puck for **** when there's a legit chance - catching the puck can be especially valuable on long, low gloveside shots. The other two (especially Halak) either kick out or allow those to go wide. It's not infrequent that those choices result in continued attack time for the opposition. Allen sees what's going on and gobbles those up.

His ability to play the puck is also notably superior and shows a player who thinks the game well. I can't think of many puck-handling goalies who otherwise couldn't hack it in the NHL.

He may not be the answer this year or even next year, but Allen has shown me specific things about which to get excited instead of just hoping against reason that he pulls their ass out of the fire.

Agree about everything. What I also like about Allen is that despite being only 22 and in his first NHL season, the kid has some swagger and confidence to him.

His numbers up until this year have always led us to believe that he is on track to play in the NHL. I think his numbers have dipped this year because Peoria is just awful. Allen is a legit goaltending option for the future.

 

[542365]

Allen definitely has some swagger. My favorite example of this was Ryan Kesler's shootout attempt. I know exactly what he was thinking. Basically, it's a rookie in his first NHL shootout, he's going to be nervous, and bite one of the first moves I make. So he goes down and does like 8 head fakes and Allen doesn't move an inch and then swallows his weak shot up. Loved it. That's confidence.

 

[Vladys Gumption]

I'm just an armchair analyst, but I think Allen's fundamentals are better and he appears to think the game in a way that Halak and Elliott cannot.

Sure, there were and are going to be rookie mistakes and he had to adjust, but watch how he uses his trapper. When there's a shot coming in that he can catch, he does. Ignore the fact that Halak and Elliott can't catch and control the puck for **** when there's a legit chance - catching the puck can be especially valuable on long, low gloveside shots. The other two (especially Halak) either kick out or allow those to go wide. It's not infrequent that those choices result in continued attack time for the opposition. Allen sees what's going on and gobbles those up.

His ability to play the puck is also notably superior and shows a player who thinks the game well. I can't think of many puck-handling goalies who otherwise couldn't hack it in the NHL.

He may not be the answer this year or even next year, but Allen has shown me specific things about which to get excited instead of just hoping against reason that he pulls their ass out of the fire.

I agree. He has all the tools to be a very good goalie. At this point the only thing that's going to be in his way is Jake himself. If he can mentally handle the load, he is talented enough to do it.

 

[DatDude44]

do u guys think elliott to boston for a project player/ spec to back up rask if they don't think khudobin is a viable option in the long run? idk maybe ryan spooner or khoklachev? I don't know much about spooner but i know that it would take more than just elliott for khoklachev. just throwing this out there.

 

[Captain Creampuff]

do u guys think elliott to boston for a project player/ spec to back up rask if they don't think khudobin is a viable option in the long run? idk maybe ryan spooner or khoklachev? I don't know much about spooner but i know that it would take more than just elliott for khoklachev. just throwing this out there.

Elliott wouldn't grab us a decent prospect. 5-7th round pick at best. Goalie values are already low and with how Elliott has been playing makes him next to worthless.

 

[2 Minute Minor]

I don't think the Blues could get anything for Elliott, especially if he is likely to be exposed to waivers. Heck, I'm not even sure anyone will claim him if/when he goes down.

 

[DatDude44]

I feel. ya. I just can't see zero teams taking a chance on him. i'm sure he'll get another shot next year whether he's part of a trade or signed by someone else at the end of the year

 

[Vladys Gumption]

do u guys think elliott to boston for a project player/ spec to back up rask if they don't think khudobin is a viable option in the long run? idk maybe ryan spooner or khoklachev? I don't know much about spooner but i know that it would take more than just elliott for khoklachev. just throwing this out there.

Boston wouldn't go near that deal. We'd be absolutely bending them over. My take is they probably value Spooner more. He's almost a point per game in the ahl right now.

 

[KirbyDots]

Sharks fan coming in peace. Allen looked great against us and I was wondering how the starts are going to be divided here on out. Is Allen the starter from here on out? If its split starts, who gets more?

 

[Captain Creampuff]

Sharks fan coming in peace. Allen looked great against us and I was wondering how the starts are going to be divided here on out. Is Allen the starter from here on out? If its split starts, who gets more?

Depends on Allen's play. If he continues to win, he continues to play. He will get a break every now and then if he continues his stellar play and Elliott will most likely sit in the pressbox until/if Allen cools down.

 

[JusticeBeaver]

Halak should bounce back for you guys, especially with Allen creating some competition. Worked out for Halak with the habs, he is a good goalie, great lateral movement, but needs work up top. May never be a true #1, but get him in a situation like last year playing limited games and I would be happy. I am a habs fan, but I've always liked the blues. Snagged Perron in both of my pools.

BTW, Lars Eller is a beast.

 

[542365]

Yeah I think most of us expect Jaro to turn it around and take over the majority of the starts. The season is so short, though, that if the Blues are winning with Allen, he's going to keep playing.

 

[the]

Bash Jaroslav Halak all you want but if blues are going to have success during the playoffs they need him.

I'm not too worried about him, it's just a matter of time before he starts playing well again.

 

[Mike Liut]

Bash Jaroslav Halak all you want but if blues are going to have success during the playoffs they need him.

I'm not too worried about him, it's just a matter of time before he starts playing well again.

Nobody is writing off or bashing Halak. I think he's actually playing pretty well with the exception of the end of the LA game. I just personally think Allen is the better goalie. I love the idea of an Allen/Halak combo. Having 2 stud goalies is huge imo.

 

[Robb_K]

I think that Allen and Halak will share the duties until the end of the season. If Allen keeps winning, he'll get the majority of the starts (60-70%). Elliott will not likely get a start, unless one of the other two gets hurt.

If Allen is still hot at the end of the season, he'll probably start first in the playoffs.

 

[DeuceNine]

I think that Allen and Halak will share the duties until the end of the season. If Allen keeps winning, he'll get the majority of the starts (60-70%). Elliott will not likely get a start, unless one of the other two gets hurt.

If Allen is still hot at the end of the season, he'll probably start first in the playoffs.

After the last three games, the #1 job is now Allen's to lose.

 

[Mike Liut]

I'm think Allen Tuesday and Saturday and Halak Sunday. Thoughts?

 

[Captain Creampuff]

I'm think Allen Tuesday and Saturday and Halak Sunday. Thoughts?

Sounds solid