Prospect Info: Mads Sogaard, Goaltender, 37th Overall

[DJB]

He is the smallest big goalie I’ve ever seen if that makes any sense.

Hes not ready and not sure he ever will be

 

[Micklebot]

He is the smallest big goalie I’ve ever seen if that makes any sense.

Hes not ready and not sure he ever will be

For what it's worth, Bishop had similarly bad numbers at the NHL level at the same age.

There's definitely work to be done before he's ready, idk why but he's looked better in the limited AHL games I've seen, might be a confidence thing idk.

 

[PlayersLtd]

Sure but if playing him in 3 NHL games is a detriment to his development we’ve got bigger issues. He’s next in line when we have an injury, this is the responsibility that comes with that. And he was playing well in Belleville so evaluating him to see whether he’s NHL ready or not would make sense anyway, clearly he’s not and we have that info now.

Sure. I'm not saying he shouldn't have been called up. I'm saying he shouldn't have started the Colorado game and that now after three bad starts I'd rather send him back and not risk further damage.

 

[Icelevel]

He is the smallest big goalie I’ve ever seen if that makes any sense.

Hes not ready and not sure he ever will be

I was never sold on the “goalie of the future” they’ve been selling but he seems like a great and very mature guy, definitely is tall etc. Happy to be wrong and see him succeed.

 

[BoardsofCanada]

I still think Sogaard has potential to be a NHL starter. Some goalies take forever to figure it out. Look at Daccord; drafted almost 9 years ago. Dreidger was another guy that I thought was starting to figure it out in Florida a few years ago. He seems to have dropped off.

More than anything, it's about consistency. It's one thing to have a break through season but entirely another thing to perform at a consistent level in the NHL. Sogaard is only 23, he's 6'7, and he was posting solid numbers in the AHL. For those reasons, I think he still has potential for the future.

 

[Tuna99]

I still think Sogaard has potential to be a NHL starter. Some goalies take forever to figure it out. Look at Daccord; drafted almost 9 years ago. Dreidger was another guy that I thought was starting to figure it out in Florida a few years ago. He seems to have dropped off.

More than anything, it's about consistency. It's one thing to have a break through season but entirely another thing to perform at a consistent level in the NHL. Sogaard is only 23, he's 6'7, and he was posting solid numbers in the AHL. For those reasons, I think he still has potential for the future.

he seems to lose pucks all the time. Two games in a row he had no idea where the puck was - media calls it a ‘weird olay’ but truth it’s it’s only weird because the goalie doesn’t know where the puck is which should never ever happen

One thing Soggard and Korpisalo have in common is they don’t seem to have the ability to concentrate for 60 minutes. They have really soft sequences where they look desperate and overwhelmed and it’s not a winning look

 

[GCK]

I’m still high on Sogaard but I have been consistent in saying he needs to stay in Belleville until Forsberg’s contract is up at the end of next year.

 

[Xspyrit]

He needs to have at least one full AHL season where he dominates (like he was doing). Hopefully he goes back soon and doesn't lose a beat. Confidence might be affected though, exactly what I apprehended

It's not about what he wants, it's about what is good for him long term, like when you raise a kid

Ottawa has been a goalie GRAVEYARD for 7 seasons now. Sogaard just turned 23 y/o, which is still pretty young for a goalie. He had 0.889 SV% and 3.32 GAA last season and the team was playing much much better in front of him. If he comes in and has worse stats, do you think it would help building some confidence or it could affect him like it has affected EVERY goalie who has played here in the last 7 seasons?

We still need to figure out TEAM DEFENSE, might as well use guys that are already paid (Korpisalo, Forsberg) or a goalie who is not in long term plans (Mandolese) until we do.

ok this is a valid response, as long as we don't run with him again like we did last season, I'm ok with it

I just hope people's expectations are very low if he posts 3.32 GAA and 0.883 SV% again. Don't judge him as a prospect based on that

We have been throwing young players to the wolves the whole Dorion's rebuild, can't say it has paid off well so far...

These posts were from before the call-up

Only 164:56 minutes played but 5.09 GAA and 0.825 SV%

Can't say it was a successful call up, which is why I thought it wasn't a good idea.

IMO can't afford to put him in for another game this season

I’m still high on Sogaard but I have been consistent in saying he needs to stay in Belleville until Forsberg’s contract is up at the end of next year.

Absolutely, you have to take the long road with most goalies. The NHL is not an easy league to play in.

 

[Loach]

I saw an article that said since the late 80s, early 90s the average height of goaltenders went from 5'11 1/2 to 6'4". Skaters only went up 1 1/2". It might have been the Athletic. This next part are my thoughts. After the first lock out teams started drafting smaller skilled skaters because of the rule crack down. Goalies got bigger though. That may have been due to the crack down on goalie equipement. Before skill was taking a backseat to size in skaters. Maybe the same is happening with goalies now. A skilled goalie at 6' goes undrafted for others who are 6'2" + and less skilled. This might also account for goalies playing less games per season. Their size and the rigours of the position won't physicaly allow it.

 

[bert]

For what it's worth, Bishop had similarly bad numbers at the NHL level at the same age.

There's definitely work to be done before he's ready, idk why but he's looked better in the limited AHL games I've seen, might be a confidence thing idk.

I mean Bishop was not nearly as fundamentally flawed as Soogard. His structure and his disciplin in his technique, movement and style is not remotely close to NHL. I dont even think its AHL but he is big and athletic so he gets by. He needs years and years of work. He also needs to improve on tracking and his hockey sense, like big time. Which isnt really something you can teach

 

[OD99]

he seems to lose pucks all the time. Two games in a row he had no idea where the puck was - media calls it a ‘weird olay’ but truth it’s it’s only weird because the goalie doesn’t know where the puck is which should never ever happen

One thing Soggard and Korpisalo have in common is they don’t seem to have the ability to concentrate for 60 minutes. They have really soft sequences where they look desperate and overwhelmed and it’s not a winning look

He has had 3 very bizarre goals go against him and the one last game was really a bad bounce with a johny on the spot Pred ready to put it home.

The Tomasino goal was, uh...interesting. Good for him to be so flexible but how in the heck does a guy that size leave the entire upper part of the net open on the short side?

He seemed to over play the puck on the 3rd goal, leaving the net open for the deflection.

Lots of time though. We just need an established goalie to play well for us and stop the shots you expect an NHL goalie to stop, until some of our young guys season a bit more.

 

[bert]

He needs to have at least one full AHL season where he dominates (like he was doing). Hopefully he goes back soon and doesn't lose a beat. Confidence might be affected though, exactly what I apprehended




These posts were from before the call-up

Only 164:56 minutes played but 5.09 GAA and 0.825 SV%

Can't say it was a successful call up, which is why I thought it wasn't a good idea.

IMO can't afford to put him in for another game this season



Absolutely, you have to take the long road with most goalies. The NHL is not an easy league to play in.

He has had massive amounts of regression since last season. I simply do not see it. He's the opposite of Gustavsson. Who is incredibly technically sound and disciplin in his style while also being patient. I cant believe that staff looked at these two players and thought it made Gus expendable. Its a mind bogglingly bad evaluation.

 

[Xspyrit]

He has had massive amounts of regression since last season. I simply do not see it. He's the opposite of Gustavsson. Who is incredibly technically sound and disciplin in his style while also being patient. I cant believe that staff looked at these two players and thought it made Gus expendable. Its a mind bogglingly bad evaluation.

Well, we know a LOT of things went wrong during Dorion's tenure.

Our goaltending last year should have been Forsberg - Gustavsson - Sogaard - Merilainen - Mandolese and then we'd have extended Gus (for cheaper since his numbers wouldn't have been as a good as they were in Minny) but still have that pipeline this year. Maybe sign a veteran goalie in the AHL so it doesn't have to be Sogaard/Merilainen getting called up

That being said, don't give up too quick on Sogaard, the guy has the size and athlecism to still end up in a good goalie. He'll need the coaching and mental fortitude though

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Restricted free agent. Handled goaltending for Belleville in the playoffs (ahead of Merilainen) but is there a path to the NHL for him?

And is he worth more than a standard qualifying offer?

 

[Senscore]

Restricted free agent. Handled goaltending for Belleville in the playoffs (ahead of Merilainen) but is there a path to the NHL for him?

And is he worth more than a standard qualifying offer?

He's had opportunities and will probably have more, but I think the clock is ticking on him. He needs to find another gear at the NHL level.

Some people are optimistic about him because he had a decent year in the AHL, and because well, he's very tall. I'm personally not sold on him. He rarely uses his size to his advantage and has had issues tracking pucks.

I'm more confident about Merilainen going forward as a legit goaltending prospect. I think he'll get his chance to prove that soon enough. But for the time being he's below Sogaard in the depth chart.

 

[DJB]

Other than being tall he’s terrible. Needs to become more technically sound and to stop relying only on his size and athleticism

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Restricted free agent. Handled goaltending for Belleville in the playoffs (ahead of Merilainen) but is there a path to the NHL for him?

And is he worth more than a standard qualifying offer?

No.

 

[h2]

More excited about Merilainen as a goalie prospect.

Sogaard is a bust imo

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

More excited about Merilainen as a goalie prospect.

Sogaard is a bust imo

Seemed like they gifted Sogaard #1 playing time to me. Merilainen was not consistent though. Still neither was Sogaard and he looked terrible at tiimes. I think they should have given Merilainen more rope.

 

[ottawagm]

More excited about Merilainen as a goalie prospect.

Sogaard is a bust imo

Lets see how he does with coaching from a goalie coach that knows what they are doing.

 

[Micklebot]

More excited about Merilainen as a goalie prospect.

Sogaard is a bust imo

I mean, he's 23. Goalies take longer than that, Markstrom didn't find his footing until 25, Ulmark didn't solidify his job until 25, Bishop was 25 when he finally got his break here, Binnington was 25 when he broke in,

Our goaltending issues forced us to play him before he was ready in a really poor environment, and imo that's coloured opinions on him.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

I mean, he's 23. Goalies take longer than that, Markstrom didn't find his footing until 25, Ulmark didn't solidify his job until 25, Bishop was 25 when he finally got his break here, Binnington was 25 when he broke in,

Our goaltending issues forced us to play him before he was ready in a really poor environment, and imo that's coloured opinions on him.

Not for me. I am talking strictly Belleville with my comment. I give him a complete pass in Ottawa but we did see somethings in his game then that persisted in Belleville that need to be cleaned up and not minor things. IMO things are a) close to not progressing or b) progressing much slower than we'd like. I don't know anything about correcting goaltending fundamentals nor the schedule that is realistic so no comments on where things will be to start next year. For his sake I hope he can correct his issues relatively quickly .

 

[h2]

I mean, he's 23. Goalies take longer than that, Markstrom didn't find his footing until 25, Ulmark didn't solidify his job until 25, Bishop was 25 when he finally got his break here, Binnington was 25 when he broke in,

Our goaltending issues forced us to play him before he was ready in a really poor environment, and imo that's coloured opinions on him.

I don't disagree, that was not ideal.

Even looking back exclusively at the BSens playoff games this year, I felt Sogaard was a weak point in the games. While Merilainen looked notably more comfortable in the crease when they made the switch which was already too late.

 

[BoardsofCanada]

I mean, he's 23. Goalies take longer than that, Markstrom didn't find his footing until 25, Ulmark didn't solidify his job until 25, Bishop was 25 when he finally got his break here, Binnington was 25 when he broke in,

Our goaltending issues forced us to play him before he was ready in a really poor environment, and imo that's coloured opinions on him.

Exactly!

He's 23... he posted 0.916, 2.45 GA, 18-9 win/losss and posters here are calling him terrible. A little hyperbolic I think.
He's not ready for the NHL but he's got potential. That's what counts. He'll continue getting better. I like his progress.

 

[Samsquanch]

Lol I dont remember many people singing Gus the buses' praise not all that long ago either. Had a bad year this year, but looked like a stud last year. We gave up on Lehner when he was about 23yrs old too...

Trading or giving up on Sogaard now would be beyond frustrating, and very short sighted. We really need to accept that goalies need much more time on average than skaters do for development. Like I wouldnt expect them to be a starter before 25yrs old - and its just a bonus if you find one thats ready earlier than that.