Dont hate the move at all but I also dont see it as "writing on the wall". Last time he got benched for a few after looking like shit was in 2013. People calling for his head back then too. 5 months later we were playing for a cup and he had a ridiculous finish to that season, including an unbelievable performance against Pittsburgh in round 2 to pull us out of that 3-1 hole. He will be fine.
Unless hank is somehow traded the cap hit keeps him here for the next 4 years or so. As these types of contracts usually end up the end years suck.
You're talking ancient history Prod. It's obvious Hank isn't near the goalie he was 2 years ago. He's played a ton of hockey. His reflexes are going downhill.
And I heard those same arguments being made back then pretty much word for word. At that point, he was 2 years from his vezina season and people were saying he was washed, finished, not the goalie he was, etc. Yet he brought us to the cup finals.
I think it's just good in terms of him getting a little extra rest and tune-up time heading into the new year. Thankfully we have an outstanding backup.
Prod. Your point is not valid. You are completely dismissing age. When they went on that cup run he started the year at 32. He's going to be 35. That was the age that Brodeur started to show a lot of decline. You are still talking like he's a young man. He's not. Most guys his age are thinking about retiring from the NHL
I'm not dismissing it at all, and I also didn't say he is going to continue to be elite. I am saying he was written off before for pretty much the same reasons, and I think he will be fine. I didn't say he was gonna go out and win the Vezina down the stretch but he can still be a starter.
And just for the record I fully admit I may be, and probably am, biased in my opinion as Hank is one of my favorite athletes of all time. I understand there will come a time when trotting him out there will be a huge liability for this team, I just don't think we're there yet despite his shaky play lately.
Looks like the coach is going with Raanta tonight vs. the stingy Blackhawks and their goalie, Scott Darling.
