Fair enough. I'll take your word for it as I don't watch SJ.
What do you think changed between NJ and SJ? A change of scenery? Less pressure because expectations are lower in SJ? More consistent playing time?
My concern with goalies that come to Carolina is that if a guy is used to seeing a lot of shots and regular #1 playing time, that likely won't be the case in Carolina. Carolina plays a systems where goalies don't see a lot of shots for stretches, but when it breaks down, it's often a high danger shot.
One thing I’ve noticed from watching NJD the past few years is their goalies face weird shots. They did a good job of keeping everyone to the outside and limiting shots against or at least most of the time. Then suddenly because their defense wasn’t very good, they give up grade A chances on relatively cold goalies. I watched this happen with Blackwood and Vanecek. This is all eye test and I have no idea if the stats back it up.
With goalie being such a repetition based position, I think that had a lot to do with the stinkers they both put up in NJD. Now I will say neither are high end starter level goalies but I think both are better than Adin Hill who showed that with the right defensive system, you can win with him.
Blackwood especially has made some absolutely highlight reel saves and has been very very good this season. His numbers don’t really show it but also you have to look at our defense and put it in context. Basically if Sharks don’t get at least a 2nd back especially right now, I think the popular opinion on HF is to resign Blackwood and trade or waive Vanecek to bring up Askarov at the TDL.
