Rick Wamsley hired as Senators' goaltending coach

Well there you go, I did not know that. +1 lol

I didn't know that before either, until I saw it on GoalieGuild about a week ago. Apparently he used to work with Ottawa goaltenders as a whole as well.

SpezDispenser wrote:[1]He sounds like he's about to push Leclaire to the extremes to get into top condition.

[2]If anyone can get me excited about Leclaire, it's this goalie coach.

I'm not sure if we have read the same articles or not, maybe, but I am a little taken a back by some of the comments by Wamsley.

Wamsley is a great coach, his resume speaks for itself and I know he has a great mind for the game and more, the goaltenders position.

[1]From what I gather, Wamsley was the goaltending coach for Columbus in 2001 when Leclaire was drafted 8th overall by the Blue Jackets. Upon first meeting between the twoin 2001, Wamsley ordered a strict physical and meal plan regimen for Pascal. Leclaire was and still is a bean-pole to this very day. He is a soft body with very little muscle tone. It's fine to be small (eg. Ryan Miller), but muscle fibres and strength would be assets (eg. Ryan Miller). Sure he has got himself is better condition over the years, but I'm not sold on Leclaire being a health-nut yet and until I see an improvement in that area, I won't be. Yes, goalies are different (eg. Brodeur) they don't need the same body type as skaters, but I think we can all agree, Leclaire is in poor shape as per NHL goalie standards.

I agree with you on this one SpezDispenser, I can see Wamsley coming in and mandating a better overall fitness regimen.

But as for point #2:
[2]Wamsley said of Leclaire that he needs, "constant reminders on how to be a goalie." Are you serious? I would and do take huge offense to that. If I was Leclaire, I would be steaming mad. First of all, constant reminders? What am I, a child? Second of all, I am a goalie already and I get paid very well to do just that.

I'm not saying Leclaire is thinking these things, I am just saying I would be if I was him.

Now do I agree with Wamsley's sound bites, yes. In my opinion, he is right on the ball his analysis and quotes about Leclaire; I just don't think he should have said them.

Leclaire is a goalie that relies solely on reflexes and fast movements to make saves, he really isn't that positionally sound. We all know that. From what I have read in this thread SpezD, you aren't his biggest fan. I'm not either. The reason he gets hurt all the time is rounding into form with my post. He doesn't take care of himself physically and he puts himself in risky positions on the ice that can lead to his body "of glass (you said)" to breaking down.

You said Wamsley can get you excited about Leclaire, I see the exact opposite which is the reason for this whole convoluted post by me. I see the exact opposite, I see a goalie coach that has verbalized that he has his hands full with Leclaire.

Hope this makes sense and I hope I have read Wamsley all wrong to be honest.

He's not trying to insult Leclaire, he's trying to motivate him and actually make his overall game better. That's why he was brought it in...If I'm Leclaire I realize that Wamsley is 100% correct and I strive to become a better, more focused goalie.

Big Ev wrote:He's not trying to insult Leclaire, he's trying to motivate him and actually make his overall game better. That's why he was brought it in...If I'm Leclaire I realize that Wamsley is 100% correct and I strive to become a better, more focused goalie.

Fair enough.

Goalies are a fickle bunch though. I hope Leclaire takes it the right way.

CockRoche wrote:
Hope this makes sense and I hope I have read Wamsley all wrong to be honest.

If I was guessing I would say that Wamsley is just saying Leclaire tends to be too fancy in situations where perhaps staying in the net or square to the puck (or whatever) would be better.

I don't think that was meant as a diss in that respect.

i'm of the belief that leclaire will be with this team past this season. obviously that's counting he's gonna have a good year. but i have a feeling he's a sens past next summer.

just for the playoffs he gave us... nice!

I told Francois Allaire about the hire. He seemed to think it was good. But he works for the Leafs so I wonder if he was being sincere?

SeawaySensFan wrote:I told Francois Allaire about the hire. He seemed to think it was good. But he works for the Leafs so I wonder if he was being sincere?

Did you really?

SpezDispenser wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:I told Francois Allaire about the hire. He seemed to think it was good. But he works for the Leafs so I wonder if he was being sincere?

Did you really?

I seriously did. I was at his goalie camp with my son last week. So was Ron Tugnutt, but I didn't say anything to him because I wasn't sure how he would take it.

SeawaySensFan wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:I told Francois Allaire about the hire. He seemed to think it was good. But he works for the Leafs so I wonder if he was being sincere?

Did you really?

I seriously did. I was at his goalie camp with my son last week. So was Ron Tugnutt, but I didn't say anything to him because I wasn't sure how he would take it.

Really neat stuff SSF, nice job in getting some feedback from a real pro in the industry.

SpezDispenser wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:I told Francois Allaire about the hire. He seemed to think it was good. But he works for the Leafs so I wonder if he was being sincere?

Did you really?

I seriously did. I was at his goalie camp with my son last week. So was Ron Tugnutt, but I didn't say anything to him because I wasn't sure how he would take it.

Really neat stuff SSF, nice job in getting some feedback from a real pro in the industry.

He's really easy to talk to. Too bad he works for the enemy.

SeawaySensFan wrote:
He's really easy to talk to. Too bad he works for the enemy.

Meh, these guys are the real pros, they're trying to help current NHLers get better and future NHLers learn the ropes. I wouldn't hold that against him.

SpezDispenser wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:
He's really easy to talk to. Too bad he works for the enemy.

Meh, these guys are the real pros, they're trying to help current NHLers get better and future NHLers learn the ropes. I wouldn't hold that against him.

I should probably feel bad about calling him a no good for nothing chump working for a Mickey Mouse operation then.