Remember to Give Michael a Follow on Twitter!
During last season’s debacle in Tampa Bay, goaltending was a big topic of discussion for fans of the Lightning. Dwayne Roloson was bad, Mathieu Garon was injured, and Dustin Tokarski was less than inspiring. Combined, they helped to form the worst goaltending trio in the league. Fast forward just a few months and the Bolts are in a completely different situation. Anders Lindback is the team’s new number one, there is depth in the system, and there’s a visible future. Today, in the concluding segment of this piece, it’s time to look at Andrei Vasilevski, Jaroslav Janus, and Cedrick Desjardins.
Andrei Vasilevski
When the Tampa Bay Lightning’s season fell apart last year, General Manager Steve Yzerman made some key decisions that will ultimately help shape the future of this franchise. He shipped out pieces, and acquired draft picks to help bolster the prospect cupboard.
In a three way deal last February, the Tampa Bay Lightning sent Steve Downie to Colorado, and received Detroit’s first round pick in exchange. That pick, which ultimately ended up being the 19th overall selection, turned into Andrei Vasilevski.
Since being drafted, Vasilevski has been the epitome of superb. In 27 games with Tolpar Ufa of the MHL (Russia’s minor league), he has compiled a 1.93 goals against average and a 0.930 save percentage. To be blunt – those are stellar numbers. In addition, Vasilevski has also seen playing time in the KHL against much stronger opponents, and some near-NHL level talent. In eight games with Salavat Yulaev Ufa, he put up a 2.22 goals against average and a 0.924 save percentage. Not too shabby for a young player coming straight off his draft year.
While it’s easy to look at stats and be impressed, watching Vasilevski play his position is even more awe inspiring. He’s big, he’s quick, he’s smart, he’s agile, he’s mobile, and he’s remarkably consistent for a young tender. When people send me messages asking why I’m not overly concerned about the Lightning’s goaltending situation moving forward, Vasilevski is always the answer. Despite still having a lot to prove, Vasilevski is definitely showing the Lightning that he can be, and will be the real deal.
Jaroslav Janus
A relative unknown to many fans around the National Hockey League, Janus was selected in the sixth round of the 2009 draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning. While his name might not ring a bell or resonate with you, his stat line and play in the KHL certainly will.
After a good season in the American Hockey League with the Norfolk Admirals last year, Janus and the Lightning decided that it would be best for him to return to Europe in order to play as many games as possible. With Lindback, Helenius, Tokarski, and Garon in North America, there had to be an odd man out. That man was Janus.
Since returning to Europe, Janus has been spectacular. Like the Lightning wanted, he is playing a lot of games, playing well, and playing like a number one goaltender. To be frank – he hasn’t looked like a sixth round pick at all. Through 47 games with HC Slovan Bratislava, Janus has compiled a 2.17 goals against average and a 0.928 save percentage. On a team that has struggled to score goals at times this year, Janus has stolen games and given the guys in front of him everything they could ever need from a goaltender.
While questions still surround Janus regarding whether or not he will ever be able to transition from AHL/KHL goaltender to a National Hockey League goaltender, it is at least promising to see that he’s having a great deal of success over in Europe. He adds yet another wrinkle to an already surprisingly deep Tampa Bay Lightning goalie core.
Cedrick Desjardins
Last, but certainly not least, we come to Cedrick Desjardins. Since playing two games with the Lightning in 2010-11, when he went 2-0 with a 1.00 goals against average and a 0.968 save percentage, Desjardins has been somewhat of a mysterious legend in Bolts Nation.
After two seasons that saw him float through the Avalanche organization and the Canadiens organization, Desjardins is back with the Lightning. Traded to the Bolts in exchange for Dustin Tokarski, Cedrick gives the Lightning some veteran experience in the American League as well as a guy who can come in and play at the NHL level if need. Take right now, for example. With Mathieu Garon injured, Desjardins has been backing up Anders Lindback. Having the 27 year old on the bench with Garon injured gives Guy Boucher a certain comfort that might have been missing before.
Despite a slow start to his 2012-13 season with the Hamilton Bulldogs, Desjardins has played incredibly well since joining the Syracuse Crunch. Through six games, he has a 4-2 record, a 0.928 save percentage, and a 1.85 goals against average. While it’s perhaps easy to look at those stats and say that they are inflated because he’s playing on a great team, it’s not as though he hasn’t had success like this before.
While the likelihood of Desjardins ever becoming the Lightning’s number one goaltender is slim, he does provide the team with options. As mentioned, he’s a veteran presence who has had success nearly everywhere he’s played.
--
With these three gentlemen, Anders Lindback, Mathieu Garon, and Riku Helenius, the Lightning’s goaltending situation is in great shape moving forward. There’s a good combination of youth, experience, and raw talent. All in all, Lightning fans should be excited about the prospect of a brighter future in goal.
As always, thanks for reading.
Ottawa Senators Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»