Not to stir up this hornet's nest again, but hey, why not?
No doubt that Henrik is the best goalie in the world today. He is so good that he is taken for granted around much of the NHL. If he retired today, he is a HOF goalie and one of the best things about him is knowing that he has probably 5 or 6 more years, at least, where we will see him at his best. His play last night was phenomenal, and he seems to be getting on one of his rolls that could carry us far into the playoffs. He is steadily making it into the conversation about the greatest goalies not only of his era but of all time. It is hard to imagine anyone better, he is simply that good.
I don't want to bring up Lundqvist vs Richter again. I love Mike, the heart and soul of the teams of his era. Henrik, talent-wise is certainly the better goalie and must be considered as superior to Mike although we sometimes forget just how good he was and he does have that Cup.
But can we say that Lundqvist was better than Eddie Giacomin? No we can't.
Can we say that Giacomin as better than Lundqvist? No, we can't say that either.
In fact, although they played in different eras and their styles of play were very different, I find the arcs of their careers, at least at this point to be very similar. By the way, I was at the old MSG when Eddie made his NHL debut in 1965 and was at the Garden when he returned after his trade to Detroit in 1975 (I'm sure most of year have seen film of that night).
One is a HOFer, the other will be. Both recorded a ton of shutouts. Both have won Vezinas (although Eddie's was shared with Gilles Villimure when it was a team trophy for least goals allowed). Eddie never won us a Cup. Henrik hasn't done that either (but hopefully will).
I know its common for those who were born after a player's career is finished to minimize players who came before them. That's human nature and certainly understandable to me (although I once found it hilarious that Yankee fans voted Don Mattingly the greatest Yankee first baseman of all time over Lou Gehrig). Hey, I've probably done it myself.
Henrik is certainly phenomenal. I was in awe of his play last night. No adjectives can do him justice. He certainly ranks as one of the greatest Ranger goalies ever and it is hard to imagine anyone playing better. But others have played just as great. Lundqvist vs Giacomin. A great conversation and argument. Just because I bring Eddie into the ongoing love fest for Henrik, which is certainly deserved, doesn't mean I am devaluing him. Just wanted to say, don't forget Eddie Giacomin in discussions about the greatest Ranger goalie of all time. Hopefully Henrik will win more Vezinas and get up another Cup. Then the conversation will be pointless and there will be no doubt.
The Rangers have a great tradition of outstanding goaltenders: Gumper, Eddie, JD (when he was healthy), Beezer, Mike, and now the King. Wow.
