Player Ratings: Goaltenders

It's been a while since I wrote one of these player rating things. And ranking the goaltenders this time proved quite challenging. The position has become decidedly top-heavy, as traditional stars like Jose Theodore, Evgeni Nabokov, and Nikolai Khabibulin have plummeted into obscurity, leaving available spots for unproven rookies or one-year wonders.

Keep in mind, these ratings are for the upcoming season. They have nothing to do with last year or a player's past history. It's all about the best goaltenders on the planet at this very second. These are the guys LCS Hockey would want on our team in 2006-07.

While the top five spots are pretty much carved in stone, the bottom five sparked plenty of debate. In the end, we decided to go with transcendent talents over proven veterans. So get those angry letters ready.

Listen, it would be real easy to fill out the bottom half of the list with guys like Marty Turco, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Dwayne Roloson, and Martin Gerber. They probably deserve to be there. And I'm sure every other respected hockey publication would put them there. But where's the fun in that? We like to play it fast and loose around here. Just ask our parole officer.

Genius is never recognized in its time. Right now, the bottom half of the Top 10 may read like lunacy, but a year from now you'll look back and say, "Wow, them boys is smart." We're giving you the future, people. Surrender to the wisdom.

And remember, this is only an exhibition. It's not a competition. So please, as always, no wagering.

1. Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames: It's hard to believe, but Kiprusoff has really only been on the scene since 2003-04. He was stuck in San Jose early in his career, fighting for playing time with Evgeni Nabokov and Vesa Toskala, until the Sharks shipped him to Calgary for a second-round pick, marking perhaps the worst trade since I gave up gin for sobriety.

Kiprusoff's career ignited with the Flames. Since arriving in Calgary, Kipper has gone to Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Finals, backstopped Finland to a silver medal at the 2004 World Cup, won the Jennings and Vezina Trophies, and been nominated for the Hart. In 2005-06, he led the NHL in goals-against average (2.07) for the second consecutive season, finished second in wins (42), third in save percentage (.923), and first in shutouts (10). But other than that...

Like a lot of goaltenders these days, Kiprusoff favors a hybrid style, mixing the best elements of the butterfly and standup to stop pucks. He's always in position, so you won't see him flopping around a lot to make phenomenal saves, but when needed, he has the quickness, flexibility, and recovery speed to make the impossible a reality. And he appeared in 74 games last season, displaying astounding durability, especially considering he played through a hip injury.

There's really nothing bad to say about Kiprusoff. He's the best goaltender in the world right now. Enjoy the show.

2. Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils: Brodeur is one of the all-time greats, perhaps even the second-best goaltender in the history of hockey, behind only Patrick Roy. He has three Stanley Cups, two Vezinas, and 446 career regular-season wins. He remains the picture of positional perfection and the premier puck-mover amongst netminders. But at 34, Brodeur is no longer the best goaltender in the league.

2005-06 was Brodeur's first season without Scott Stevens and Scott Niedermayer. Playing behind a revamped Devils defense showed in the stats, where Brodeur finished tenth in goals- against (2.57) and eleventh in save percentage (.911). The pressure of covering up for his teammates, not to mention his advancing age, did little to affect his unearthly stamina, as he tied for the league lead with 73 starts, leading to an NHL-best 43 wins. In fact, Brodeur has started at least 70 games in each of the past eight seasons. Do the Devils even have a backup goaltender? That Lou Lamoriello will do anything to get under the salary cap.

Interestingly enough, games played and wins are really the only standout stats on Brodeur's hockey card. He's only had a save percentage higher than .917 once in his 12-year career, and that was a .927 mark set in 1996-97. He's only been .915 or higher four times. A good shot will beat Brodeur. He's never been a spectacular, first-save goaltender. Brodeur's strength is that he doesn't make mistakes. He forces the opposition to earn everything they get. And he's remarkably consistent. He brings the same level of excellence to the rink each time he takes the ice. He rarely, if ever, plays two bad games in a row, although he did get yanked in consecutive losses to the Penguins and Islanders last March, giving up 12 goals on 40 shots. But even Picasso spilled some paint.

It's not like Brodeur has slipped tremendously or is doing anything wrong. If someone else wants to say he's still the best goalie in hockey, I'm not going to argue the point. His durability, experience, and big-game history speak for themselves. I just think it's Kiprusoff's time. He's at the peak of his abilities, while Brodeur, no matter how you slice it, has probably seen his best days.

3. Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers: Abba. Ace of Base. Henrik Lundqvist. All three were Swedish sensations, but only Lundqvist didn't induce suicidal behavior in lab mice.

A resurgent Jaromir Jagr got most of the hype, but Lundqvist's goaltending was the true reason for the New York Rangers' surprising renaissance. Of course, when Jagr got injured in the playoffs, Lundqvist didn't exactly rise to the occasion, going 0-3 with a .835 save percentage, but nobody's perfect. And if there's any doubt about Lundqvist's ability to win big games, look no further than the Olympic gold medal around his neck. Where are your gold medals?

Considering his playoff meltdown, it may seem bold ranking Lundqvist third, but LCS is all about making brash, bold predictions and then denying them later. In Lundqvist's case, I think we're pretty safe. The guy is amazing. He likes to spread out and take away the bottom of the net, so, like most goalies, he's vulnerable upstairs, but his catching glove is superb, and his blocker is among the best. Where Lundqvist truly shines is in rebound control. If pucks aren't smothered, they're effortlessly steered to the corners or away from traffic. And at 23, he's only going to get better.

And did I mention he's Swedish?

4. Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks: Luongo is listed at 6'3", 205 pounds, but those measurements must be from like his eighth grade yearbook. He's 50 feet tall if he's an inch. A lot of people don't know this, but the reason he had so much trouble coming to terms with Florida was because he was in Japan at the time, terrorizing Tokyo. He's a convincing argument against atomic testing.

Luongo appeared in 75 games for the Panthers last season, setting a career-high in wins with 35, even though his 2.97 goals-against average and .914 save percentage were his worst totals since his rookie season with the Islanders in 1999-00 (3.25 GAA, .904 SV%). That tells you something about Luongo, when a .914 save percentage is a bad year. But let's not kid ourselves, he didn't play anything close to his best hockey in 2005-06, often appearing disinterested, perhaps allowing his contract situation to become a distraction.

Obviously, Luongo's chief asset is his overwhelming size. He's a unique presence in net, occupying more space than Ken Hitchcock's pants. His body alone forces shooters to be fine with their shots, prompting the uninitiated to go for corners and perfect placement rather than merely throwing pucks on net. But the smart opposition simply pours shots towards the cage. Luongo is the best first-save goaltender in hockey. The only way to beat him is through quantity, not quality. Luongo faced a league-high 2488 shots last season, 383 more than Martin Brodeur and 537 more than Miikka Kiprusoff, both of whom played more minutes. Luongo also led the league in shots faced in 2003-04 with 2475, some 515 more than second place Marc Denis.

When facing a big goaltender, you generally want to get him moving side to side, but Luongo has the speed and agility to keep up with the play, and his lengthy limbs span the Atlantic, making for a quick trip from one post to the other. Low shots, especially those directed five-hole, are traditionally the bane of all gigantic goalies, but Luongo once again defies logic, excelling at getting down in the butterfly, spreading his massive pads to conquer the entire crease. He can be virtually impossible to beat down low. Your best bet is top right corner, since he does have a tendency to drop his glove, or fire low and crash the net. Rebound control is Luongo's true Achilles' heel.

Luongo also needs to prove he can be a winner at the NHL level. He's been on awful teams his entire career, compiling a 115-168-33 record over his first six seasons in the NHL, having yet to appear in a single playoff game. He does have some international experience, winning two golds and a silver at the World Championships and another gold at the 2004 World Cup while serving as Brodeur's backup, but until he does it in the postseason, he hasn't done anything.

At 27, Luongo is just now entering his prime, where physical ability meets mental preparation and experience. The problem is the Canucks aren't going to be any better than last year's Panthers.

5. Tomas Vokoun, Nashville Predators: Nashville's rise from expansion laughingstock to legitimate playoff contender began with Vokoun, who emerged in 2002-03 to provide the club with the steady, reliable play of a true franchise goaltender. Over the past three seasons, Vokoun has started 201 games, going 95-78-21 with a .915 save percentage. He was on pace for a truly titanic 2005-06 campaign, boasting career-highs in wins (36) and save percentage (.919), when a rare blood-clotting condition forced him to miss the final two weeks of the regular season and the entire playoffs. Vokoun was recently cleared to resume practicing, and doctors don't believe the condition will return, so Vokoun should be ready to roll for next season.

Vokoun is rock soild in all aspects of his game. He's quick, precise with his angles, moves the puck extremely well, and he's strong enough to take the pipes 70 times a year. And even though he hasn't won a playoff series, he was extraordinary in his only postseason appearance, posting a .939 save percentage in a six-game defeat at the hands of Detroit in 2003-04.

Some eyebrows were raised when Vokoun imploded at the Olympics, even being relegated to the bench for the Czech Republic's semifinal matchup with Sweden. But Vokoun showed his character when he returned for the Bronze Medal game, stopping 28 shots to blank the Russians, 4-0. Assuming he's healthy, Vokoun will be playing for some silver next Spring.

6. Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes: The first time I saw Ward play, and I was privileged enough to see his very first NHL game, I was amazed at how much he reminded me of Martin Brodeur. After a middling regular season, in which he had the second-highest goals-against average (3.68) and the fourth-lowest save percentage (.882) in the league, Ward delivered on my expectations in the playoffs, coming off the bench to lead Carolina to the Stanley Cup. What can I say? I've got an eye for talent, although it's generally reserved for strippers and cocktail waitresses.

Ward was a revelation in the postseason, going 15-8 with a 2.14 goals-against and a .920 save percentage. Only 22, Ward displayed veteran composure and played with an unshakeable confidence, bouncing back from devastating losses in Games Five and Six of the Cup Finals to stifle the Oilers in Game Seven, stopping 22 of 23 in a 3-1 triumph. And he wasn't just steady, he was also spectacular, denying more sure-things than a nagging conscience. But was it a fluke?

There's simply no defending Ward's regular season. He was awful. It wasn't like there was a natural maturation process, either. If anything, his numbers got worse as the year went on. Some of that can be blamed on inactivity, as he only got eight starts over the final three months. Then again, had he played better, he would have gotten more starts.

Until he does it for a full season, there are always going to be question marks. Personally, I think Ward's the real deal. The Hurricanes must agree, since they let Martin Gerber go to Ottawa. Some of you may think I have him too high. Some might even think I have him too low. The important thing to remember, though, is that I don't care.

7. Manny Fernandez, Minnesota Wild: After four seasons of splitting starts with Dwayne Roloson, Fernandez finally emerged as Minnesota's main man, going 30-18-7 with a 2.29 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage. Fernandez appeared in 58 games; his previous high was 44. That workload will only increase in 2006-07. For the first time in his career, Fernandez will face the challenge of carrying a team as a clear No. 1. Maturity shouldn't be an issue. Manny will be 32 next season. That's a little late in the game to take off the training wheels, but better late than never.

Aside from the lack of solitary starting experience, Fernandez really doesn't have any glaring weaknesses. He's quick, athletic, and positionally sound. He's recorded a save percentage of at least .915 in five of his six full seasons in the league. He's got the goods. And with Pavol Demitra and Marian Gaborik in place, Fernandez could be poised for a serious playoff push.

8. Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres: We've been waiting for Miller to arrive for years. After playing 14 games for the Sabres in 2002, he only appeared in three NHL contests in 2003, spending most of those years dominating the AHL. Another standout performance for the Rochester Americans during the lockout solidified his status as Buffalo's future stopper, and, at the ripe old age of 25, he finally got his chance at stardom in 2005-06. It was worth the wait, as Miller won 30 games and posted a stellar .914 save percentage. He was also real wizard in the playoffs, leading the Sabres into the Eastern Conference Finals.

Miller is 6'3" and tips the scales at about 160 pounds. Thankfully, to this point, no pucks have actually gone through his body. But since shooters don't see him from the side, Miller looks huge in net. He's exceptionally mobile and does a good job of staying tall even when he butterflies. He appeared in only 48 regular-season games last year and may need to add more weight if he's going to handle a full 82-game schedule. Coincidentally, I'll have to add more weight if I ever hope to go outside on a windy day. I'm very thin.

I don't think Miller has as much upside as the next two guys on the list. I doubt he'll ever crack the top five, but he gets placed eighth simply because he's three years further along in his development, and he's taken his team to the conference finals.

9. Kari Lehtonen, Atlanta Thrashers: Had it not been for a nagging groin injury that limited his rookie season to 38 games, Lehtonen would already be a household name. The 22- year-old Finn is incredibly poised for his age and seems to thrive under pressure. Despite an intimidating 6'4" frame, Lehtonen is effortless in net, mixing sound positional play with superior speed and agility. He's going to be a monster next season for the Thrashers.

Until he proves he can stay healthy, Lehtonen really won't be deserving of this lofty ranking. But I'm not scared to go out on a limb. Make no mistake, Lehtonen will dominate the NHL. It's a question of when, not if.

10. Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins: LCS Hockey's poster boy, Fleury is already the most spectacular goaltender in the world. He's the fastest, quickest, most agile goalie I've ever seen. If we were just ranking talent, this kid would be number one. He's that special.

Clearly, at this point in his career, Fleury, like Lehtonen, hasn't done anything to deserve a spot in the Top 10, but these rankings aren't based on what someone did last year or throughout their career; they're projections for next season and the immediate future. I wasn't going to put him in the Top 10, and I realize it's somewhat silly, but I simply couldn't think of 10 other goaltenders I'd rather have on my team than Fleury. Actually, I wouldn't trade him straight up for any other goaltender in the league. Fleury's potential is frightening. Sure, potential usually gets people fired, but that's cool, because I don't really have a job anyway.

The big knock against Fleury is that he plays just good enough to lose, often giving up soft goals late in games. It's a valid criticism. But that's what 21-year-old goaltenders do. And it's not like he's playing behind the 1970s Montreal Canadiens, either. Pittsburgh's idea of defensive support is to yell "Look out!" from the bench. Fleury makes at least three saves every game that no mortal man could. Would it make anyone feel any better if he stopped that one soft goal and let in the five or six others no one else could possibly stop? Oh no, the Penguins were losing 3-2 instead of 6-2, the horror, the horror!

Fleury was 13-27-6 last season. Of those 33 losses, 18 were by one goal. Overall, including overtime and shootouts, the Penguins lost 60 games. One goal decided 28 of the 60 total defeats. So, in other words, the Penguins were within one goal in 55% of Fleury's losses. When Fleury wasn't in net, the Penguins were within one goal in 37% of their losses. That's simply because Fleury makes miraculous saves no one else can, and, as a result, he keeps the Penguins in games that should by all rights be blowouts.

Last season, Fleury managed a 3.25 goals-against average and an .898 save percentage. That may not sound like much, but all other Penguin goaltenders combined for a 4.23 goals-against and an .877 save percentage.

During his first two seasons in the league, Fleury had to learn on the job behind one of the worst teams ever assembled. And whenever he would find his stride, the Penguin brain trust, and I use that term loosely, would ship him to the minors or sit him on the bench so he couldn't achieve contractual bonuses. On November 16, Fleury stopped 45 of 47 shots in a 3-2 overtime win in Philadelphia and was rewarded the next day with a trip to Wilkes-Barre Scranton. Pittsburgh's treatment of Fleury has been criminal.

Well, those days are over. The Penguins are Fleury's team now. He has a new two-year, one- way contract, and he's ready to get to work. He still needs to improve his angles and puck- handling, but Fleury already has that extra something that can't be taught. His future is brighter than his swank yellow pads.

But why take my word for it? Here's what Martin Brodeur had to say about Fleury in the March 26th edition of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review...

"From the first game I played against him last year to now, that's one thing that's impressed me is how quick he is and how good of a skater he is in the net," Brodeur said. "He's not a goalie that will just go down and block and not really move. He's got the skill and the enthusiasm in the game to challenge and fight in there, and that's what I like about him.

"I think some nights it's tough for him because of how the team plays in front of him. But I think they have a gem in him in Pittsburgh, that's for sure."

Speak on, brother! As absurd as it sounds, there are actually some people out there frustrated with Fleury's progress. If you're one of these misguided fools, please consult the following list of notable netminders and the ages at which they made their mark on the NHL, not when they were rookies or all-stars, but when they stepped up to be solid No. 1 goalies.

Patrick Roy               21
Martin Brodeur            21
Roberto Luongo            21
Henrik Lunqvist           23
Curtis Joseph             24 
Jean-Sebastien Giguere    24
Ed Belfour                25
Ryan Miller               25
Tomas Vokoun              26
Miikka Kiprusoff          27
Marty Turco               27
Dominik Hasek             28

Fleury will be 21 when the 2006-07 season gets underway. Granted, he's not going to win a Stanley Cup this year like Roy, but I think that list shows he's right where he should be. If anything, he's ahead of schedule.

The only concern would be if Pittsburgh's losing ways have ruined his psyche. But I don't see that being a problem. While Fleury looks like an innocent young lad, he's a fiery competitor. He hates losing. With Sidney Crosby up front and Fleury in net, the Penguins will be positioned to win multiple Stanley Cups over the next decade. Get used to it.

Now, I'm not saying Fleury is going to win 40 games next season. Let's face it, the Penguins are still going to suck, particularly if Evgeni Malkin stays in Russia. I'd be satisfied with 60 starts, 25 wins, and a save percentage somewhere in the .910 neighborhood. But don't worry about the numbers. Just watch this kid play. You'll thank me later.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Anaheim Ducks: On the surface, Giguere had a decent season, going 30-15-11 with a 2.66 goals-against and a .911 save percentage. But things turned sour in the playoffs, where J.S. scuffled against the Calgary Flames and had to watch from the bench as Ilja Bryzgalov led the Water Fowl to the Western Conference Finals. The Ducks reportedly tried to trade Giguere over the off-season but couldn't find any takers, his $4-million price tag scaring away potential suitors. There seems to be a full-fledged goaltender controversy brewing at the Pond. Quack, quack, quack.

Cristobal Huet, Montreal Canadiens: At the end of last season, Huet was quite possibly the best goaltender in the world, making Jose Theodore expendable and singlehandedly transforming the Canadiens into a playoff threat. From February 4 to April 4, Huet went 15-3-3 and allowed two or fewer goals in 15 of the 21 contests, including seven shutouts. Who knew the French could win anything?

Yes, the native of St. Martin D'heres, France, was dynamic, ending the season with the NHL's best save percentage (.929) and fourth-best goals-against (2.20). He carried the strong play into the postseason, where he virtually duplicated his astounding regular-season numbers, going for a 2.33 goals-against and a .929 save percentage. Unfortunately, Montreal's offense dried up after the injury to captain Saku Koivu, scoring a mere five goals over the final four games of the series. Huet allowed nine goals over that same span, dropping four straight one-goal decisions.

Prior to last year, Huet spent parts of two seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, doing little to distinguish himself. He spent the lockout in Germany, where he must have gotten hold of some magic bratwurst or something, because he came back a new man. It was just beautiful watching him play. He was flawless in his positioning, always appearing in complete control and making saves look easy. The performance earned him a new two-year, $5.75-million contract over the summer, ensuring he'll return as Montreal's starter next season, although he could lose upwards of 30 starts to David Aebischer.

Based on his late-season showing, Huet could easily be in the Top 10, possibly even the top five. But I need to see him do it more than once. He's never played more than 33 games in a season. The guys on the list ahead of him are all proven commodities, except for Lehtonen and Fleury, but they're 10 years younger and have freakish talent.

Dwayne Roloson, Edmonton Oilers: Never considered a legit No. 1 in Calgary, Buffalo, or Minnesota, Roloson came to Edmonton and removed all doubt in the postseason, pacing the Oilers to an unexpected run to the Stanley Cup Finals. Roloson was the tournament's top goaltender and a sure Conn Smythe winner until he blew out his knee in Game One of the Finals. Now, for the first time in his nine-year career, Roloson will have the starting job all to himself next season. Don't choke.

Marty Turco, Dallas Stars: Despite the worst goals-against (2.55) and save percentage (.898) of his career, Turco posted a career-best 41 wins in 2005-06, marking his third consecutive campaign with at least 31 victories. That's odd. Maybe if Turco only stops three of every four shots next season the Stars will win the Cup.

Dallas' championship chances would also increase if Turco didn't have to play in the postseason at all. He's 2-8 over his last 10 playoff games, with a bloated 3.35 goals-against and a lowly .858 save percentage.

The officiating crackdown hit few teams harder than the Stars, who used to get off the bus clutching and grabbing. The restrictions on goaltenders playing the puck also severely impacted Turco, who, along with Brodeur and Rick DiPietro, is one of the best puck-handlers in the league. If all the new rules weren't bad enough, he also lost Richard Matvichuk and Derian Hatcher, two old-school defensive defensemen. No doubt, it was a tough year for Turco.

Even with his struggles, Marty should still be a lock for 60-70 starts and 30-40 wins. He can look a little awkward in net at times, and he probably doesn't have as much pure talent as a lot of other guys competing to make the list, but he's a reliable workhorse. Durability shouldn't be overlooked. And don't forget, winning is most definitely a skill. Turco's got 109 wins over the past three seasons, second to only Brodeur's 122.

With that in mind, I still couldn't put him in the Top 10. I would completely understand if people from Dallas want to write and say I'm an idiot for ignoring Turco; he certainly has the track record of success in his favor. But I gotta go with my gut. It really came down to Ryan Miller or Turco. I just think there's been a changing of the guard in the NHL. It's all about the younger, faster, quicker goalies. The kids are all grown up. It's their time.

MOVIN' ON UP

Ilja Bryzgalov, Anaheim Ducks: When J.S. Giguere faded in the playoffs, Bryzgalov rode to the rescue, posting three shutouts and allowing only five total goals in rattling off six straight wins. Everyone was quick to bury Giguere and anoint Bryzgalov the savior, but the 26- year-old Russian wasn't so fortunate in the Western Conference Finals, losing the first three games to Edmonton before handing the reins back to Giguere.

Bryzgalov (6'3", 208 pounds) is a beast. He likes to keep his game simple, staying on his angles and allowing his gargantuan girth to block most shots. And it's a good plan, because he isn't exactly nimble in net. His regular-season numbers were solid (2.51 GAA, .910 SV%), and he was ridiculous in the playoffs (1.46 GAA, .944 SV%), but Bryzgalov is the kind of goalie who gets easier to beat the more he plays. It will be interesting to see how he fairs his second time around the league.

And remember, he was Giguere's backup, meaning his level of competition was less than fearsome. Bryzgalov was 9-4-1 against non-playoff teams, but he was just 4-8-0 against the rest of the league.

Pascal Leclaire, Columbus Blue Jackets: A poor man's Marc-Andre Fleury, Leclaire is similar in size and style to the Pittsburgh phenom, relying on quickness and acrobatic reflexes to stop pucks. He's got great instincts for the position and a wicked good glove hand. Columbus paved the way for Leclaire when it shipped Marc Denis to Tampa, so good ol' Pascal will be the man for the Blue Jackets. If the second half of last season was any indication, he's up to the challenge. From January 1 onward, Leclaire was 9-7-2 with a brilliant .923 save percentage. And he did it all while facing 36.1 shots per game, the most in the entire NHL.

Hannu Toivonen, Boston Bruins: Keep an eye on Toivonen. The 22-year-old Finn was just starting to come into his own when an ankle injury sidelined him for the final three months of the season. As it was, he went 9-5-4 with a 2.63 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage, allowing two or fewer goals in seven of his last 10 outings. Having Zdeno Chara in front of him next season certainly won't hurt. He'll make for a nice sleeper pick in fantasy drafts.

Vesa Toskala, San Jose Sharks: Finland is to goaltending what John Buccigross is to lame musical analogies. Toskala burst on the scene over the final three months of the 2005-06 season, going 18-2-3 with a 2.18 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage.

The 29-year-old Toskala posted remarkable numbers in limited opportunities the previous two seasons, but had the misfortune of coming along just as Evgeni Nabokov was establishing himself as an elite netminder. When Nabokov finally stumbled, Toskala was quick to claim the starting job, his consistent excellence making it impossible for Ron Wilson to leave him on the bench.

Toskala was sharp in San Jose's first-round win over Nashville, but he faltered a bit against Edmonton, yielding 11 goals on 49 shots in Games Four and Five of an eventual six-game defeat. Fatigue could have been a factor. Toskala is on the small side (5'11", 190), and he'd only played 76 games total in his first three full NHL seasons.

And while Toskala isn't Chris Terreri small, he isn't exactly imposing in net. The lack of size makes him particularly susceptible to point shots and deflections. He also does this weird thing with his glove where he kind of holds it in front of him and then rotates it into position just as the shot is taken. It's a definite flaw.

San Jose's starting gig will supposedly be up for grabs in training camp. Toskala will have to elevate his game even further if he expects to hold off a fierce charge from Nabokov and shake the backup goaltender label.

WHICH WAY DO I GO, GEORGE?

Nikolai Khabibulin, Chicago Blackhawks: Khabibulin was brilliant in leading Tampa Bay to the Stanley Cup in 2003-04. Sadly, instead of going to Disney World, he decided to go to Chicago. Little did he know the Seven Dwarves were better than the Blackhawks.

Khabby went 17-26-6 with an .886 save percentage. He still has the talent to occasionally dominate games, but he isn't consistent enough to singlehandedly alter the fortunes of a team, especially one as mediocre as Chicago. At 33, and Chicago years away from competing, he may not get another chance with a contender, so Khabby's days among the NHL elite would appear to be over.

Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose Sharks: When the 2003-04 season ended, Nabokov was an absolute stud and arguably the third or fourth best goaltender in hockey. What happened? I know the lockout was long, and everyone needed to keep busy, but Nabokov didn't have to take up sucking.

Thanks to a 3.10 goals-against average and an .885 save percentage, Nabokov lost his starting job to the upstart Toskala, and he may not get it back. Worse yet, not many teams were beating down San Jose's door to trade for him, so Nabokov needs to be on a mission come training camp.

Jose Theodore, Colorado Avalanche: Once the heir apparent to Martin Brodeur for French-Canadian goaltending supremacy, Theodore fell off the hockey map last season, landing awkwardly in the tabloids. Luckily, Paris Hilton and Jose's chemically-enhanced hair broke his fall.

Theodore was absolutely horrible with Montreal, posting a pitiful .881 save percentage, and he never really had a chance to establish himself with Colorado before getting bounced in the second round of the playoffs. 2006-07 will be a make-or-break year for Jose. At his best, he's a top five netminder. Perhaps being out of Montreal's media spotlight will allow him to concentrate on stopping pucks. He has a lot to prove. But doesn't his hair look nice?

LOOK OUT BELOW

Andrew Raycroft, Toronto Maple Leafs: Andrew Raycroft won the 2003-04 Calder Trophy. No, seriously, he did. Honest. He hardly looked like the reigning rookie of the year last season, getting booed out of Boston with a pathetic 8-19-2 record. Raycroft's 3.71 goals-against average and .879 save percentage were the worst totals in the league, and they marked a precipitous drop from his rookie numbers of 2.05 and .926. Now he gets to go to Toronto, typically one of the worst defensive teams in the league. Have fun. Do the names Jim Carey and Blaine Lacher ring any bells?

SEND FLOWERS

Dominik Hasek, Detroit Red Wings: I don't want to hear about all the Vezina Trophies or the Stanley Cup ring or last season's sparkling .925 save percentage with Ottawa. Hasek is 41 years old, has cobwebs for groins, and he quit on the Senators during the playoffs. He quit on the Red Wings during his first tour of duty, and he'll quit on them again the minute things don't go his way. He's the worst teammate in sports. He makes Terrell Owens seem like Father Flannigan. Hasek's time is over. Don't remember him fondly.

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