Monday, December 05, 2005
Tracking The 'Tenders
A couple of weeks ago, a lot of fans were screaming and ready to hand Alex Auld the starting job. Funny what a few losses can do to change the Canucks *ahem* faithfuls' minds - Alex Auld boosters sure have been quieter recently. That's not to say that Auld has been terrible. In fact, he has played admirably (for the most part) and even with a couple of blowout losses, his season stats aren't too shabby. Those losses, however, exposed 24-year old Alex for what he truly is at this stage of his career - a back-up goaltender with the potential to eventually be a number one goalie.
Worth noting is that Auld, who is making $513.000 this season, has already appeared in more games than Cloutier and his $2.45 million salary, and will start a few more before Cloutier returns. Cloutier, whose most recent injury is already his third of the early season, is reportedly still experiencing swelling in his knee and will continue to undergo evaluations.
Given this current Canucks team's closing window of opportunity and Cloutier's injury problems, can the Canucks count on him to return to form and remain injury-free for what will hopefully be a long playoff run? Can they count on a young Auldy to lead the veteran team?
What do you think?
3 Comments:
It's way too early to tell. Cloutier did return from his injury and led an incredible run to the division title last season, and played well until his supposedly unlucky injury during the playoffs. It's still early in the season and Cloutier has not even been back on ice yet, so let's just wait and see.
I agree with kel,cloutier will be ready come the playoffs to lead this team,besides theres no better goalie out there.( besides brodeur)that is attainable
Let me preface by saying that I am a big Cloutier supporter and I agree that at his salary, there is no better, attainable goalie unless the Canucks downgrade somewhere else (ie. lose a Jovo, a Morrison or a Bertuzzi).
Here's something to consider, and it's actually why I posted this - Cloutier has been sidelined with an injury:
- twice in the 2003/2004 season, including in the last 5 games of the playoffs
- during the 2004/2005 lockout season in Austria in the playoffs
- three times already in the first two months of the current 2005/2006 season
At least three of those are his recurring groin injuries.
Knowing that the Canucks will lose key players at the end of the season and the team is in "win-now" mode, can we trust Cloutier's durability come playoff time? He may be a good goalie - actually a very good goalie - but this won't mean anything unless he can stay healthy enough to be on the ice.
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