World Cup - Bobrovsky

[Old Guy]

As I keep going over this team, so much of the coming year will depend upon Bobrovsky. Is he healthy? Can he stay healthy? Can the new "Groin Whisperer" make a difference? Can Bob stop the puck?

Then I realized that Bobrovsky is going to get some serious high-level competition backstopping the team from Mother Russia in the World Cup. So then I wondered if this would be a good thing or a bad thing? If Bob does great, that would do nothing but build hope. If Bob gets shelled, he could start CBJ camp with a strike against him. Neither scenario would be be a guarantee of what the CBJ would get, but human nature would expect any trend to continue. About the only thing that would bring certainty would be another groin injury <shutter>.

What say you? What do you expect from Bob in the World Cup and will that influence your expectations of him as he returns to CBJ camp?

Click to read more...

 

[Inquiring Minds]

"Past performance is no guarantee of future results."

If I remember correctly, two of the worst starts in CBJ history were preceded by near perfect pre-season records.

Improved D will help tremendously.

Still, aside from groin injuries, our season lies largely between Bob's ears.

 

[Fro]

i was hoping he'd pass it up to focus on ensuring he's healthy for game 1...but I get it, you don't get many chances to represent your country...

if he gets shelled, it will help the "we should have traded him" crowd
if he stands on his head, it will help the "that's why we kept him" crowd...

lots of scenarios to play out here...if he gets hurt in the World Cup, we can write off the season

 

[JacketsDavid]

He appears to usually get off to a slow start - so may as well have him get that start with Russia.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Yeah I'm gonna try not to draw too many conclusions about how his play at the tourney will affect his play in the NHL regular season. The injury thing does make me nervous, though.

 

[JohnnyJacket13]

It usually takes Bob a good amount of games to get into a solid rhythm between the pipes. We've seen it a few times during his time in Columbus (most notably in '12-'13 before Mason was dealt and '14-15 during the 15-1-1 stretch.) Here's to hoping that he gets a nice warmup in during the WCH and preseason.

 

[Pokamom]

Segei is the man

 

[Nordique]

If he can complete the WC in good health, it will only be a good thing for his CBJ season imo.

 

[NotWendell]

Honestly, I fear THIS is the contract we ought to be moving. (ducks)

 

[major major]

Bob usually starts terribly, so if he can get that out of the way early I wouldn't mind.

It's Torts double commitment I'd worry about.

 

[niflheim]

between Bob's ears.

Right.

ps. expectations? as always. in God we trust

 

[blahblah]

Yeah, don't care what he does in the WC.

 

[MAHJ71]

If a good performance boosters his confidence .. great!

If he has a bad performance.. well.. lets just hope we don't have to think about how he responds.

 

[lakai17]

Varlamov is also good competition.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

I don't have any particular feeling on the World Cup, but I am very concerned about Bob in general.

The past two seasons he ranked 19 out of 45 (2014-15) and 38 out of 48 (2015-16) in save percentage of goalies who played in a minimum of 25 games. Korpisalo outplayed Bob in terms of GAA and save percentage last season, so there is a viable alternative to a slow-starting or injured Bob. However...............Bob is in year two of a four year $7.425m per season deal and he'll get every opportunity to prove he's worth that kind of money-even if it is a detriment to the team. The CBJ aren't fundamentally different from most other teams in this regard. There is a very good chance that Bob's best days are behind him. It's my hope that he plays near to his Vezina form, but if it's clear that that's not in the cards, then it's vital to recognize that and play (or not play) him accordingly.

It's a very interesting situation with him this season. In my view, it's a make or break season for Bob to re-establish himself as a premier goalie. If he doesn't, then he's just another really bad contract on a team already loaded with them. He'll be very hard to move, not even taking into account his NMC clause, if he spits the bit again this year.

 

[TheOllieC]

Varlamov is also good competition.

Bob has consistently outperformed him on the National team. Don't really expect that to have much of a positive or negative effect on him.

If it allows Bob to shake off rust and adjust I suppose it'll be good for him. He needs to start the season on point.

 

[NotWendell]

I was hoping someone would post a video of Bob's post to post robbery vs Czech Republic.

 

[WhiteWings*]

I was hoping someone would post a video of Bob's post to post robbery vs Czech Republic.

https://gfycat.com/KlutzyRelievedGonolek

 

[niflheim]

https://gfycat.com/KlutzyRelievedGonolek

Thanks. Russian D sucks ( as usually ) but Bob in good shape. I really hope he stays healthy

 

[NotWendell]

https://gfycat.com/KlutzyRelievedGonolek

Sweet! Thank you.

 

[DEF]

Bob looks marvelous tonight.

 

[Tulipunaruusu*]

Bob looks marvelous tonight.

Was his play any good?

 

[DEF]

Let in 3 on 45 shots. Lost in o.t. No softies.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Was his play any good?

He was the best player on the ice by far. I mean, not just for Russia, but for both teams.

 

[Old Guy]

He was the best player on the ice by far. I mean, not just for Russia, but for both teams.

Didn't get to watch. Better than Ovie? Wow.