Vermette for Leclaire?

Neely4Life wrote:We just got Campolli, why do people want to see Russell here? So we can have the smallest blueline in the league and the softest group of forwards going?

Guys, Vermette wont be in Columbus unless its a 1st coming back.

You can never have enough puck movers, especially blazing fast ones with skill?

That would be my short answer. But y'all know I'd rather keep Vermette.

504Heater wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:We just got Campolli, why do people want to see Russell here? So we can have the smallest blueline in the league and the softest group of forwards going?

Guys, Vermette wont be in Columbus unless its a 1st coming back.

You can never have enough puck movers, especially blazing fast ones with skill?

That would be my short answer. But y'all know I'd rather keep Vermette.

a full year of Vermette under Clouston might really be interesting, that is provided Clouston is still coaching? I am not sure what to suggest there.

He absolutely should be coaching unless Columbus fires Hitchweiner or there's another substantial firing.

504Heater wrote:He absolutely should be coaching unless Columbus fires Hitchweiner or there's another substantial firing.

I agree, I know we have gone the way of inexperienced coach and look where it has got us, but hitch is in columbus and torts is in NYR, so forget anyone else but Clouston and give him the reins.

I found something interesting at HFBoards:

Brian Elliott: 8-4-3, 2.73 GAA, .909 SV%

Justin Pogge: 1-3-1, 3.95 GAA, .855 SV%
Ondrej Pavelec: 6-9-0, 3.38 GAA, .892 SV%
Cory Schneider: 2-4-1, 3.38 GAA, .877 SV%
Jimmy Howard: 1-5-0, 2.76 GAA, .907 SV%

THe numbers speak for themselves^^.

Haha, I just read that a second ago.

I re-iterate, if we're gonna get someone from free agency, make it someone amazing and let Elliot ease into the NHL.

Otherwise I'd bet good $$ that Elliot and Auld are excellent next year.

marakh wrote:I found something interesting at HFBoards:

Brian Elliott: 8-4-3, 2.73 GAA, .909 SV%

Justin Pogge: 1-3-1, 3.95 GAA, .855 SV%
Ondrej Pavelec: 6-9-0, 3.38 GAA, .892 SV%
Cory Schneider: 2-4-1, 3.38 GAA, .877 SV%
Jimmy Howard: 1-5-0, 2.76 GAA, .907 SV%

THe numbers speak for themselves^^.

2 of those teams being playoff teams, 3 of them ahead of us in the standings.

People see the weak goals he lets in and say "he isnt ready" or "he cant be the number 1". ROOKIES let in those kid of goals, he shows how good he can be a solid goaltender in this league. Confidence is an issue for sure, but to say he isnt good enough is just being short sighted.

We will have a decent goaltending tandom next year for under 2 million dollars... That allows us to do a lot of other things and more flexability in terms of building a good, smart, and fast D.

My argument for bringing in someone like LeClaire isn't because of a lack of confidence in Elliott - in fact I believe that he will, in time, develop into a very capable #1 goalie. My concern is that Auld won't be able to handle the rigours of 50-55 games and thus Elliott will be pushed too hard too fast.

Two years of LeClaire (assume he'd be expendable at either next year's draft or the year after's deadline, and it's really less than two years) is just enough time for Elliott to be brought around properly.

Leclaire fully expects to be traded.

"If I get traded, I won't be surprised. Usually, it's the older of the two (referring to his losing the starting job to younger Steve Mason) who leaves."

Text of the article here: http://www.corussports.com/hockey/pascal_leclaire_attend_bouger-20090302-1445331.html

Podcast interview with Leclaire here:
http://www.corussports.com/radio/audioplayer.php?file=1445331.mp3&mode=cn&id=1445331&date=20090302

Corus Sports also suggests that Nik Antropov, Brendan Morrison and Olli Jokinen are being considered--besides Vermette--as elements in a trade which might include Leclaire.

504Heater wrote:He absolutely should be coaching unless Columbus fires Hitchweiner or there's another substantial firing.

Quinn?

Seriously, if its Vermette for Leclaire straight up, its a mistake IMO. Auld would have to be going the other way too.

Bring Gerber backup to finish off the year with Elliott.

Maybe if it was Vermette and a 2nd for Leclaire and a 1st, I could see it. Still, 2 more years at 3.8, big risk for an unproven goalie.

Yet you're willing to go with Auld (proven inconsistent) and Elliott (still an unproven rookie)?

I'd argue that at least Leclaire's stamina would allow Ottawa to develop Elliott - he may not be a significant upgrade over Auld, but he gives flexibility, and that's worth the extra $2.8M.

Acrobat wrote:Yet you're willing to go with Auld (proven inconsistent) and Elliott (still an unproven rookie)?

I'd argue that at least Leclaire's stamina would allow Ottawa to develop Elliott - he may not be a significant upgrade over Auld, but he gives flexibility, and that's worth the extra $2.8M.

Leclaire's stamina might be up to par, but it's irrelevant if he's injured.

I dunno. Tough call.

Then he's on LTIR and he costs nothing.
We just have to make sure that Bingo is stocked.

Besides - Luke (Richardson) is around to teach the D how to defend the goalie. Smith is here (for now). A-train, and maybe even Big Rig...

Goalies should be safe

Acrobat wrote:Yet you're willing to go with Auld (proven inconsistent) and Elliott (still an unproven rookie)?

I'd argue that at least Leclaire's stamina would allow Ottawa to develop Elliott - he may not be a significant upgrade over Auld, but he gives flexibility, and that's worth the extra $2.8M.

I really dont think he is that much of an upgrade over Auld, if at all. Yeah, I would rather go with those 2 because other things in Ottawa need to be fixed first and re-tooled/rebuilt.

The cap will be a problem for a lot of teams come 2010/11, and we dont want it to become one in Ottawa. Something will have to be done that year when teams are screwed and Ottawa might be able to take advantage of that as well when players are available all over the place, including goaltenders.

This team is no where near a cup so there is no need to take any major risks or give up players that are valuable and proven at a good price and short term contract.

I had to laugh at TSN calling this a possible move for a veteran goaltender. 125 games over parts of 5 seasons, with a career (heh) SV% of .907 and GAA of 2.82. Compare that to Auld's 173 games, .905 and 2.77. I don't see enough of a difference.

Agreed. Anyone who takes Leclaire's contract of CBJ's hands will be doing them a favour, and they would deserved to be compensated as such. It would have to be Leclaire + for BM to even thing about it.