Will Marc Andre Fleury Choke Again?

[pistolpete11]

You don't want a ****** goalie performance to give Bylsma an excuse, though.

Very true. Good point.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

I'll answer the question with a question:

If MAF does **** the bed, how screwed are the Pens? Jarry and Murray are years away, while there isn't anyone in WBS I feel can be a cup caliber goalie.

There aren't many money goalies in the league, and the few that there are, get locked up long term.

Who are the Pens going to pick up in FA or via trade that can out battle a Rask or Quick?

I guess everyone is thinking, "neither can MAF" and that's fair. However, he is the most talented goalie in the league, physically IMHO. I just hope he can get his **** together and keep it together starting this year, because finding a money goalie is a huge crapshoot.

 

[themethod7]

I was talking playoffs.

If he ***** the bed again this year, I'd be inclined to start looking elsewhere, I just don't think we've seen the best he's got yet. I realize I'm in the minority but I think he's one of the few bright spots this postseason and has finally turned a corner. I still think we don't make it past the second round (and wouldn't be surprised if we got upset in the first), I just don't think it'll be due to an epic collapse on his part like he had against Philly.

 

[IcedCapp]

let's say I agree with the premise that Fleury is tradeable (because in theory, I do), someone sell me on a team who would actually trade for him.

 

[Sideline]

Or think they can fix him, or have a better defensive scheme that will shelter him a lot more than he is here, or any number of things. Seriously, when I read things like "almost anyone would be an improvement", I wonder if people actually watch the other teams in the league. He may not be in that elite top-5 group, but he's still a hell of a goalie and if people think there wouldn't be at least 8-10 teams going after him if he hit FA, they got another thing coming.

In the last five regular season he's been league average in save percentage +/- 0.03 with 3 very slightly above average seasons and 2 very slightly below average season.

He's not a "hell of a goalie" any more than Tyler Kennedy is a "hell of a third liner." He's the definition of average goalie in the regular season.

 

[Assorted Nuggets]

At this point, I have more faith in him than winning by "getting to our game" with Gladams and Scudorpik

 

[Zero Pucks]

He'll choke. There's no reason to think otherwise.

 

[StaalForOne]

Hiller is a FA and the ducks are pretty well off as far as goal tenders go, even after Fasths departure.

I do think this is MAFs last chance to show he can perform under pressure and I tend to think that he can be very good for us. I've been an apologist/supporter of his for a while so I'll be rooting for him, but I'll be the first to jump ship if he has another bad showing.

 

[pensfan71]

let's say I agree with the premise that Fleury is tradeable (because in theory, I do), someone sell me on a team who would actually trade for him.

Winnepeg

 

[IcedCapp]

Winnepeg

sell me on it, though. They (Winnipeg) were close this year. Fleury seems like the girl you wanna date and sleep with, but don't wanna marry and impregnate, right?

So if you bring him to the 'Peg, are you saying, "all we care about right now is MAKING the playoffs" ?

 

[Hophog]

let's say I agree with the premise that Fleury is tradeable (because in theory, I do), someone sell me on a team who would actually trade for him.

I think a number of teams who haven't seen the playoffs in a few years would be happy to have him. I also think that if he lands on a team that can box out and give up a limited number of high quality scoring chances they probably get pretty far with him.

Fleury has his issues with handling the puck and rebound control but we don't do any favors by giving teams an unlimited amount of attempts at the rebound either. We see plenty of goaltenders that have poor rebound control but opposing defenses won't let our forwards anywhere near the front of the net.

Hate to miss out on a chance to blame the coaches too but if he goes someplace where the coaches hold him accountable or coach him on how to handle the puck behind the net and when to leave it or play it he may turn this aspect of his game around. I have no reason to believe that he hasn't been coached extensively on this but, like I said, I hate to have a post that doesn't blame the coaches for his poor play

BTW: I'm in the camp that Bylsma needs to go. I can't overlook his resistance to playing younger, hungrier and more talented players when he has them at his disposal.

 

[IcedCapp]

I think a number of teams who haven't seen the playoffs in a few years would be happy to have him. I also think that if he lands on a team that can box out and give up a limited number of high quality scoring chances they probably get pretty far with him.

Fleury has his issues with handling the puck and rebound control but we don't do any favors by giving teams an unlimited amount of attempts at the rebound either. We see plenty of goaltenders that have poor rebound control but opposing defenses won't let our forwards anywhere near the front of the net.

Hate to miss out on a chance to blame the coaches too but if he goes someplace where the coaches hold him accountable or coach him on how to handle the puck behind the net and when to leave it or play it he may turn this aspect of his game around. I have no reason to believe that he hasn't been coached extensively on this but, like I said, I hate to have a post that doesn't blame the coaches for his poor play

BTW: I'm in the camp that Bylsma needs to go. I can't overlook his resistance to playing younger, hungrier and more talented players when he has them at his disposal.

So I was thinking of Edmonton. But then I have to kind of discount them, right? Because they used two draft picks on goalies this past season?

I think(?) the Flames are set. Florida is set. Ottawa is set.

Buffalo?
Washington? (huehuehue)
Islanders?
Minnesota maybe?

who else?

 

[Crafton]

let's say I agree with the premise that Fleury is tradeable (because in theory, I do), someone sell me on a team who would actually trade for him.

Winnipeg is the only team that i can think of. with MAF in net instead of Pavelec (who they'd have to buy out) they probably sneak into the playoffs last year and make a respectful run at it this year. now why would they trade for MAF when the likes of Hiller, Miller, Halák and even a resurgent Bryzgalov are available in free agency? well, MAF has a year on his contract and as long as there are enough staring jobs to go around, i doubt free agent goalies are tripping over themselves to head over there. it's certainly not a slam dunk, but it's the best i can think of right now. i think Winnipeg, at this juncture, is a fit for MAF in terms of expectation: getting the team to the playoffs for a few seasons in a row. i think the likes of Buffalo/Edmonton are still too far away from the playoff race and Minnesota has expectations that are far too high to let their success ride on MAF.

edit: missed post #60, but basically yes, for now. does Cheveldayoff survive another season of not making the playoffs? MAF seems like a cost-effective upgrade over Pavelec. it's not an overwhelming upgrade, but it'd probably be enough to grab a 7th/8th seed for a season or two. with that playoff experience in hand and some seasoning for their youngsters, they can then build on that (with or without MAF).

 

[Al Smith]

I assume this meant "choke" by the standards of NHL goalies, not of MAF's post-2009 playoff appearances.

 

[themethod7]

Also consider that he only has one year left @ $5 million. If a team signs him with the hope that he turns things around and he does, they just found their goalie for the next 3+ years, and if not then they cut him loose and look to the draft/FA again. Not much risk involved for a 29y old goalie with 5 straight seasons of 35+ wins (not including the lockout season).

 

[Hophog]

So I was thinking of Edmonton. But then I have to kind of discount them, right? Because they used two draft picks on goalies this past season?

I think(?) the Flames are set. Florida is set. Ottawa is set.

Buffalo?
Washington? (huehuehue)
Islanders?
Minnesota maybe?

who else?

Yeh, I don't know, I was taking a guess at who might want him. I don't keep up with other teams as much, especially their goaltenders, ever since I had kids. I'm pretty much limited to only watching the Pens and a few Flyers games here and there

It's just my feeling that a perennial loser would want a guy like Fluery if only based on his name and hype alone. Other teams don't seem to rate our players as low as we, on the boards, typically do.

 

[themethod7]

Winnipeg is the only team that i can think of. with MAF in net instead of Pavelec (who they'd have to buy out) they probably sneak into the playoffs last year and make a respectful run at it this year. now why would they trade for MAF when the likes of Hiller, Miller, Halák and even a resurgent Bryzgalov are available in free agency? well, MAF has a year on his contract and as long as there are enough staring jobs to go around, i doubt free agent goalies are tripping over themselves to head over there. it's certainly not a slam dunk, but it's the best i can think of right now. i think Winnipeg, at this juncture, is a fit for MAF in terms of expectation: getting the team to the playoffs for a few seasons in a row. i think the likes of Buffalo/Edmonton are still too far away from the playoff race and Minnesota has expectations that are far too high to let their success ride on MAF.

edit: missed post #60, but basically yes, for now.

Wouldn't count them out with Fletcher running things over there now, iirc there was some talk about dealing Fleury to the Wild last summer.

 

[Crafton]

Wouldn't count them out with Fletcher running things over there now, iirc there was some talk about dealing Fleury to the Wild last summer.

personally, i felt those rumors were a negotiation ploy to get Bäckström to sign a more reasonable contract. then again, the interest may be genuine.

 

[pensfan71]

sell me on it, though. They (Winnipeg) were close this year. Fleury seems like the girl you wanna date and sleep with, but don't wanna marry and impregnate, right?

So if you bring him to the 'Peg, are you saying, "all we care about right now is MAKING the playoffs" ?

Well with Maurice at the bench, they've definitely been playing better hockey than with whoever they had before. Bring Fleury into the mix and they've got a far better goalie than Pavelec.

Adding him gives them a much better chance to make the playoffs over Minny or Dallas. They're in the Western conference, no way in hell they end up in the top 3 in their division

 

[AjaxTelamon]

So I was thinking of Edmonton. But then I have to kind of discount them, right? Because they used two draft picks on goalies this past season?

I think(?) the Flames are set. Florida is set. Ottawa is set.

Buffalo?
Washington? (huehuehue)
Islanders?
Minnesota maybe?

who else?

I still think it's Minny or bust, considering the Yeo factor. Classic change of scenery, but with enough familiarity on both sides to give it a chance of success. If he works out, they can re-sign him. We can get a forward prospect or some picks/conditional returns.

You just hate to be looking for a band-aid solution for Sid and Geno's prime years until something comes out of our system. I think you need to go for a Hiller or other established guy, and not an Emery. I liked Khudobin a lot, but he just re-signed.

 

[GarrettC]

Fleury is the least of my worries going into the playoffs, and that is a scary thought.

 

[IcedCapp]

okay, you guys have sold me. Fleury will need to buy a snow blower and kiss the sun goodbye next year.

 

[Riptide]

Voted no. Not so much because I don't think he will... but because I'm hoping like hell he won't.

IF he does, that brings up several things. Is that Shero's excuse for not firing Bylsma (MAF sucked, not his fault we're out in the first rd)? While I want to win... I do not see this lineup (baring a major run and players over achieving) winning it all. I know Vokoun is in the minors on a conditioning stint... will he be game/playoff ready for the playoffs?

Good news is there's a couple top level FA goalies who could hit the market (Miller/Hiller/Halak). If MAF sucks it up, hopefully we could trade him, or buy his ass out and sign someone else.

 

[Still Apps]

Why would anyone expect one of the most physically gifted goalies in the league to choke in the playoffs? Because he has a track record of doing just that.

That dichotomy of talent and performance is something that deceives. One looks at the skill and says this guy should be dominant! But how many athletes with great talent and a tendency to inconsistency/choking this deep into their careers ever really change? Serious question. I can't think of any.

Unfortunately, IMO choking for MAF appears to be a pattern that is well established and unlikely to change.

 

[Michael8771*]

Voted no. Not so much because I don't think he will... but because I'm hoping like hell he won't.

That's my sentiment as well. We NEED him to play up to his abilities, he's capable to play at an all star level, let's hope he does.