Will Marc Andre Fleury Choke Again?

[Ugene Magic]

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.

That's what happen in 2009. The Pens were not world beaters with a few guys stepping up huge. Obvious one would be, Talbot. Everyone just blow at the same time and build up a manufactured storm for them to ride.

 

[PensPlz]

The problem is people rip MAF apart for goals that aren't his fault. Ya he had his fair share of blunders, but I fully believe the defense is going to snap infront of him and leave him out to dry in the playoffs. So regardless, best goalie in the world or not, he'll be alone out there.

 

[Jacob]

I certainly hope not. He's looked more composed and in control and has probably had his best regular season to date, so if there ever was a time to turn his playoff blunders around he appears poised to do that now.

 

[Mordax]

The problem is people rip MAF apart for goals that aren't his fault. Ya he had his fair share of blunders, but I fully believe the defense is going to snap infront of him and leave him out to dry in the playoffs. So regardless, be goalie in the world or not, he'll be alone out there.

Welcome to the life of a NHL goaltender

 

[IcedCapp]

The problem is people rip MAF apart for goals that aren't his fault. Ya he had his fair share of blunders, but I fully believe the defense is going to snap infront of him and leave him out to dry in the playoffs. So regardless, be goalie in the world or not, he'll be alone out there.

This is the coach and the defense they have. If they aren't changing, all you can do is judge Fleury based on that.

 

[bambamcam4ever]

I'd say it's probable. I really hope Fleury doesn't read this site.

 

[Darth Vitale]

Choke during the moment of truth? Of coursh!

 

[radapex]

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.

Don't forget...

Limited NTC (can designate a list of teams he will accept a trade to)

So it has to be a team that he would accept a trade to.

 

[radapex]

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?

Buffalo has Linus Ullmark, who was the top goalie in the Swedish Hockey League this season.

 

[StaalForOne]

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.

There is absolutely no chance in hell Miller signs with Pittsburgh. He's been rumored to be going to Cali since the Sabres started going South.

Also on the Sabres they have about 5 or 6 goalies who are injured right now, but they Have Neuvirth, and Enroth who I believe they'll roll with next year. No need to bring a high priced goalie when they're in the middle of a rebuild. Plus if we're talking trade with the Sabres, they are going to want to give up older guys which leaves... not much in terms of desirable assets.

 

[Coach Travis]

I think he will, I have zero confidence in him.

This. I love the guy and would like to see him succeed but he's our #1 obstacle to ever having Playoff success ever again. All it's going to take is one bad game and he'll crack.

 

[Tender Rip]

Flip a coin.

Ultimately I just hope for him to play at a level where he isn't the determining factor. Considering how he has played most the season, and simply the improbability of him blowing quite as hard as he has the last two years, that should be feasible.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

I think he'll choke.

I'd rather doubt him and have him prove me wrong, than believe he's turned a new leaf and prove he's still a choke artist.

 

[joeyjake5]

Yes, he choked against Montreall, the Flies, and NYI. This year, you are asking to be super great to make up for scrubs like Scuds, Orpik, Adams and Glass who do not belong in the NHL. This is a flawed team. If somehow the Pens manage to get out of the first round, Sid, Geno and the Flower have to be not great but SUPER GREAT.

 

[cassius]

Flip a coin.

Ultimately I just hope for him to play at a level where he isn't the determining factor. Considering how he has played most the season, and simply the improbability of him blowing quite as hard as he has the last two years, that should be feasible.

Improbability?

Dude.. .we're talking about Marc Andre Fleury here. Statistically, he's been the worst goalie in the post-season for the past 4 years. Not to mention, he had a $20M+ defense backing him up too.

Allow me to refresh your memory...

<PRE>
Goal Scor
Season Age Tm Lg GP W L T/O GA SA SV SV% GAA SO MIN GA%- GSAA G A PTS PIM
2009-10 25 PIT NHL 13 7 6 0 37 339 302 .891 2.78 1 798 0 0 0 2
2010-11 26 PIT NHL 7 3 4 17 168 151 .899 2.52 1 405 0 0 0 0
2011-12 27 PIT NHL 6 2 4 26 157 131 .834 4.63 0 337 0 1 1 0
2012-13 28 PIT NHL 5 2 2 17 145 128 .883 3.52 1 290 0 1 1 0

</PRE>

Statistically, Fleury playing even remotely average is the only improbable thing at this point

 

[Jag68Sid87]

Go with the smart money on this one. The smart money says he will.

 

[Til the End of Time]

i really think there were viable options for a goalie the past few season that shero should have pursued. not just older ufa but younger(ish) guys with upside waiting to breakout.

fasth could have been a great relatively cheap acquisition, although not young. guys like schneider and bernier would have cost a bit more, but the penguins could have afforded it had they made goaltending a top priority. maybe that means shipping out sutter, or letang, or orpik, or using the assets that are spent on rentals for a goalie instead. adding one of those goalies might mean the pens experience a dip in their regular season performance. but you would have a guy with upside, at a reasonable cap hit, with a fairly decent chance of being good in the playoffs.

now instead the penguins are stuck with one of the worst playoff goalies of all-time and no help in the future.

there are only ~60 spots for goaltenders in the nhl. there are plenty of decent goalies currently in the league, with plenty of intriguing goalie prospects out there waiting to get into the league. i refuse to believe fleury is the best the penguins can do. there are other options out there. all it will take is for shero to look at the goaltending situation objectively and make a tough call. that shouldnt be so hard, but i fear it is.

 

[wgknestrick]

He just isn't very good (relative to NHL starters) and it is comical that some people still do not see this. Take a below average starter and throw in an additional goal against/game (due to "random" blunders) and you have MAF in the playoffs.

He has a career .903 SV% in the playoffs (80 games). That is a season's worth of data that says he is terrible when it counts. That still isn't much worse than his .910 career SV%.

Tom Barrasso had a career playoff SV% of .902 playing with much smaller pads and half the defensive systems that are in the game now. SV%s were much, much lower in that era as well.

Of course he is going to "choke". He just has to play to his career average to do it. If he plays "lights out" relative to his self, he is still only an average NHL goaltender. We are like TOR wondering if their #1 center (whoever that may be) is going to be as good as Crosby and carry us through the playoffs. Pipe dreams. You cannot have weakness in the most important position in the game.

 

[Til the End of Time]

fleury's continued employment by the penguins is a perfect microcosm of what ails this organization-- merit, production, work-ethic, etc. take a backseat to favoritism and cronyism.

just an embarrassing organization to root for right now.

 

[cassius]

fleury's continued employment by the penguins is a perfect microcosm of what ails this organization-- merit, production, work-ethic, etc. take a backseat to favoritism and cronyism.

just an embarrassing organization to root for right now.

But he's really great in the locker room and he's an amazing regular season goalie!

 

[Jag68Sid87]

But he's really great in the locker room and he's an amazing regular season goalie!

40 wins! Where are we going to get 40 wins!

 

[cassius]

40 wins! Where are we going to get 40 wins!

40 wins is a function of Fleury's exceptional individual talent, not the star-studded cast in front of him. Common miscconception.

 

[metalan2]

Yes, 100% certainty.

If Vokoun is not back it will not matter what lines Disco throws ut on the ice. He will unequivocally be the Penguins worst player for the seventh year in a row.

 

[DanFailsma]

I'm a realist with pessimistic leanings so I'll say yes, he will choke again. It's happened one too many times before. Praying Vokoun can get himself ready somehow.

 

[Dragon Priest]

MAF doesn't "choke"....he just has meltdowns and confidence problems. He has won the Stanley Cup. So it's not like he has never done it before granted that was 5 years ago. He isn't THE cause of the Penguins demise. But he has definitely been A cause of it.

Watch him be really good this year only for the team to fail to score goals.