If you had to rank Ilya Bryzgalov against the other starting goalies in the NHL, where would place him? Shortly before the start of the 2011 playoffs, an ESPN fantasy hockey columnist
ranked Bryzgalov 10th in the NHL in terms of expected wins, goals against average and save percentage in 2011-12. Of course, this was before he switched teams and only reflects projected fantasy hockey -- not actual -- value.
Nevertheless, it makes for an interesting debate to discuss where Bryzgalov currently stands among NHL goalies; not from a career merit standpoint but strictly in terms of his two most recent seasons and his outlook for 2011-12.
Right now, I don't think anyone can dispute that Tim Thomas is the best goalie in the NHL. Despite his advancing age, it's hard to go against the reigning Vezina and Conn Smythe winner who backstopped his team to the Stanley Cup. Thomas had an injury-related off-year in 2009-10 but has won two Vezinas in the last three seasons.
After Thomas, I would personally place Pekka Rinne second, although some may argue for 2010 Vezina winner Ryan Miller or Vancouver's Roberto Luongo. I would also place the Rangers' Henrik Lundqvist ahead of Bryzgalov. I am not a particularly big Marc-Andre Fleury fan, but he had a strong season (after a rough first couple weeks) last season and a Cup within the last three seasons. Therefore, I could understand why he would also also currently be placed above Bryzgalov.
In terms of career merits, Martin Brodeur may very well be the NHL's best all-time goalie. However, I think he's finally showing his age. Carey Price is at the opposite end of the spectrum. He's finally starting to live up to his early hype and, at age 24, should keep getting better and better.
Meanwhile, it's hard to figure where to rank an All-Star goalie such as Cam Ward, who plays on a team that has missed the playoffs the last two years. Where would you put All-Star selection Jonas Hiller in his attempt to return from vertigo? How about someone like Jonathan Quick, who has been very good the last two regular seasons? How will veteran Tomas Vokoun do now that he's left Florida to play for a contending Washington club.
In the NHL, there is probably more parity among goaltenders than at any other position on the ice. Any top 15 goalie is usually going to be pretty damn good, and there are also some goalies currently stuck as backups who could be outstanding starters in the near future.
For ranking purposes, I would put Bryzgalov seventh in the NHL
right now, behind Thomas, Rinne, Miller, Lundqvist, Luongo and Fleury. But there is a lot of room for debate here, and you could justify many different candidates between about the fifth to 15th spots. It'll be interesting to see what folks say on the message boards.
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Kudos to Matthew Brigidi for writing a tremendous blog at
The Checking Line on how "quick strike" goals affected the Flyers last season. His research was first-rate and the piece he wrote is a must read.
Brigidi came up with the following parameters for defining a quick strike goal:
1. Any goal scored within the first 1:30 of any regulation period
2. A second goal scored within 2:30 of a goal for
3. A responding goal scored within 2:30 of a goal against
According to Brigidi's research, the Flyers fared the worst in the NHL in terms of allowing quick strike goals (68 GA). Incredibly, quick-strike goals composed around 41% of all regulation goals against that the Flyers allowed last season -- and a disproportionate number consisted of opposing clubs answering right back after Philly scored a goal.
It would be real interesting to see where the Flyers ranked in terms of late-period goals (goals for/against within the final 1:30 of a regulation period). I suspect that they ranked high in the first half of the season and among the bottom third of teams in the second half.
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Believe it or not, the unofficial start of the 2011-12 international hockey slate and scouting season prior to the 2012 Entry Draft is just around the corner. The annual Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in the Czech Republic and Slovakia kicks off on Aug 8.
This week's installment of my
Across the Pond column at NHL.com previews the tournament with a focus on 2012 Draft-eligible prospects expected to participate for their national teams.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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