Pleased overall with what we have seen from Portillo so far. 5-1, .927 sv %, 2.17 GAA, outstanding numbers really, especially for a rookie. He's only had one poor start where he looked out of place and had some pretty busy feet. It will be interesting to see if the Kings think he has progressed enough in his first pro year to consider him to compete for a roster spot next season. He'll turn 23 in September. Good to possibly have someone in the pipeline that has potential in net.
Busy feet was always the annoying thing for a dude so big. He seems so much calmer and settled in net, which is what you really need when you're a 6'6" sumo wrestler. No NEED to post to post every save like Quick.
Thomas so far is very mediocre.
Fagemo, Lee, Maltsev and obviously Turcotte are much better.
Let Thomas build back up. I think he 'gets it' at some point, if Amadio can do it so can Akil. We've seen how guys coming off injuries go. I can't see the Kings not giving him one more year to figure it out after being such a good trooper.
Fagemo--like others I think he's a guy who won't get a real chance here and NEEDS reps and rhythm to get going in the NHL. Maybe needs a team like Chicago that can work him in because he's not going to learn anything being an 8 minute forward deep in the lineup.
Lee--I absolutely love Lee. I don't think he has the foot speed for the NHL but I'd love to be wrong because I love his moxie and his hands in front. But like the above--when and how does he get an NHL chance? not likely in LA.
Maltsev was an interesting one as we discussed before becuase there's maybe some upside there and he's at least got a checking game. In a world where I'm not worried about getting Turcotte reps I'm thinking about him if a 4th liner goes down.
