BTP: SOMEWHERE, UNDER THE RAINBOW…
Every year when it comes to draft day, the elite goalies always go in some variation of preference order for the names like Price, Rinne, Lundqvist, Quick, Crawford and Rask that go off the board first. Most poolies know that having that stabilizing force in your fantasy lineup does wonders for your compete level. But there are always goalies that never appears on one’s screen at draft time, goalies like Winnipeg’s rookie Connor Hellebuyck, or even an established veteran like Toronto’s James Reimer, and then there are those that never get the credit they deserve because of being rather inexperienced at the NHL level or poor performance records from their past. Today we will take a look at some under-rated goaltenders from around the NHL.
Cory Schneider-New Jersey Devils— New Jersey wasn’t expected to do well this season, with projections of the team missing the playoffs once again. One thing hockey fans know is that if you have a good enough goalie to keep you in games, you have a chance to be in the dance come April. The Devils are one such team with Cory Schneider in net. Clearly under the radar more for the team he is playing for than his own abilities, the New Jersey net minder has been a steady rock for the Devils. He is tied for 5th in the NHL with 13 wins and has very good metrics of 2.09 GAA and a .926 SP. Not too shabby considering Schneider wasn’t selected probably until the mid-to-later rounds in some pools.
Schneider may not give you elite numbers especially in the win total column, but overall you could do worse. And the good thing, you could probably get him for a lot less than some other goalies and get better-than-average numbers.
Devan Dubnyk-Minnesota Wild— I must admit I was expecting a bit of a letdown from DD only because he hasn’t done it consistently and consecutively. Last season’s numbers were incredible and Dubnyk used it to cash in big time. And what about this year? Well, in 23 games, he has 13 wins with average metrics of a 2.30 GAA and a .918 SP. Some poolies probably steered clear of the Minnesota goaltender because of the reasons I stated earlier. One other thing. He has 4 shutouts already.
You most likely will never see the likes of last season’s performance again but playing on a defensive-minded team like the Wild will provide Dubnyk with the chance to post decent numbers for an NHL goaltender.
Michal Neuvirth-Philadelphia Flyers-- Everyone assumed that the starting job in Philadelphia was Steve Mason’s and who could argue with the way he has performed since donning a Flyers jersey over the past 2 seasons, including the stellar performance against the New York Rangers in 2013-2014. However, Philadelphia improved their backup position during the off-season by signing Michal Neuvirth to a 2-year deal. Neuvirth was highly touted with having extraordinary save performance against very high percentage shots around the crease last season which made him all the more desirable among NHL teams.
Neuvirth may not have the wins to rank amongst the tops in the league, but he does have 7 wins in 13 starts while playing in 15 total games so far. And what is more impressive is the 2.00 GAA and .939 SP. After losing his first start against Florida, he posted back-to-back shutouts and earned more starts than what may have been previously planned. Neuvirth has appeared in 15 games while Mason has been in 18, so the split is pretty even.
You would think something would give at some point, but the way this is unfolding, it could be along the lines of what the St. Louis Blues have been doing with their goaltending over the past few years with splitting time and going with the hot hand. Situation needs monitoring, but look for other options until this one clears out.
ICE POPS: BIG BOLT--After a slow start, the Tampa Bay Lightning have started to turn it around lately going 6-3-0 behind the hulking Ben Bishop. It is fair to say that Big Ben Bishop is back in form and not ready to relinquish any of his starts going forward….HOT HOLT—Washington Capitals Braden Holtby is atop most of the goaltending statistical categories with a 1.95 GAA, tied with Bishop, and leads in wins with 17. Did anyone expect anything less being coached by Barry Trotz? You see the difference in Pekka Rinne since Trotz left Nashville?...STREAKING KANE—It’s not the 25th that most of us are waiting for, but Chicago Blackhawk’s Patrick Kane couldn’t wait for Christmas, so he got his 25th on Friday, extending his game-point streak to 25. Congratulations and keep on going…NOT SO SLIPPERY WHEN WET—Have you happened to see that the Edmonton Oilers are climbing up the standings of late. G Anders Nilsson, an Islanders reject, has provided stability in net, notwithstanding the 7-5 win against the NY Rangers on Friday night. These young Oilers aren’t wet behind the ears anymore, well most of them aren’t. Perhaps this is the improvement that everyone has been waiting for. Scores like 7-5 are reminiscent of days long gone in Alberta….CHARGING BUFFALO—Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, I wish his first name was Risto, has been under everyone’s radar but that may be changing as he is beginning to make a name for himself with 21 points in 29 games, just 4 points behind team leader Ryan O’Reilly. Don’t get in his way! He recorded a hat trick in a 4-3 loss to Calgary on December 10th. Visions of Al MacInnis dancing in my head.