Unload Fleury? With no replacement? Absolutely not.

Frankly, out of the players you mentioned, I'd be more than happy to unload Letang. Every year that goes by and he doesn't bother to adjust the defensive side of his game is another year closer to him being out of the league. He freely admits he relies on his speed and quickness to cover up for his defensive gaffes, but that speed won't last forever.

Without major adjustments, there won't be any mention of Letang in the NHL when he's in his late-thirties/early-forties, much less him being an actual Norris calibre defensemen like Lidstrom.
- Kineada

I think I entered the twilight zone!!! I thought I was in the playoff hockey blog not the cut our top goalie and defensemen blog.... Someone pass me the joint you guys are obviously hogging it.

Suggest you ride the hot goalie. Isn't that what you do in the playoffs? Vokoun for sure for now. Defense and goaltending won the last series and when and if Vokoun falters play MAF. But not until that time.
- powerhouse

Have been saying you ride the hot goalie. Defense and goaltending won the last series? Vokoun and our penalty kill won it for me.

I think I entered the twilight zone!!! I thought I was in the playoff hockey blog not the cut our top goalie and defensemen blog.... Someone pass me the joint you guys are obviously hogging it.
- lloyd095

Anyone who suggests that you amnesty Fleury outright is insane. He has value league-wide. However, I think he may need a fresh start.

I think I entered the twilight zone!!! I thought I was in the playoff hockey blog not the cut our top goalie and defensemen blog.... Someone pass me the joint you guys are obviously hogging it.
- lloyd095

The conversation of which goalie to start led to conversation of completely getting rid of Fleury to save some bucks which led to conversation of being able to keep other players with those same bucks which led to conversation of why the so-called Norris calibre defenseman isn't worthy of any of those theoretical saved bucks.

Now you're updated.

The conversation of which goalie to start led to conversation of completely getting rid of Fleury to save some bucks which led to conversation of being able to keep other players with those same bucks which led to conversation of why the so-called Norris calibre defenseman isn't worthy of any of those theoretical saved bucks.

Now you're updated.
- Kineada

They need somma dat intanet monay!

And that's all Fleury? Have you honestly seen our defense other than Letang and Martin? Even Orpik isn't the guy he use to be. Amazing that Fleury was good enough in goal with guys like Scuderi and Gill in front of him. Niskanen sucks. Engo cant move. Eaton has looked great because our bottom half of defense is so bad. He was unemployed a month into a delayed season. These guys suck at picking up a rush.
- lloyd095

I want what you are smokin'! Here is a fairly reasonable analysis of MAF and his difficulties handling pressure. Tiger Woods he ain't. More like Sergio Garcia. He has all the skill but not the mental toughness.

http://sports.yahoo.com/b...dre-fleury-135451781.html

The conversation of which goalie to start led to conversation of completely getting rid of Fleury to save some bucks which led to conversation of being able to keep other players with those same bucks which led to conversation of why the so-called Norris calibre defenseman isn't worthy of any of those theoretical saved bucks.

Now you're updated.
- Kineada

Oh I read it...

I love how people are so willing to cut ties with Fleury based on the three playoff series. One of those years, we should be thanking Fleury for letting us watch playoff hockey.

I'm alright with giving Vokoun the reins for now as he is the hot hand, but I'm not okay with the idea of that the team would be better without Fleury.

That said, I will hate to see what happens if they lose a playoff series.

I want what you are smokin'! Here is a fairly reasonable analysis of MAF and his difficulties handling pressure. Tiger Woods he ain't. More like Sergio Garcia. He has all the skill but not the mental toughness.

http://sports.yahoo.com/b...dre-fleury-135451781.html
- powerhouse

Yeah. He hasn't driven his SUV into a telephone pole yet.

Also, I'd be skeptical of any commentary that comes from a source named "Puck Daddy".

Oh I read it...
- lloyd095

It's all about the reading comprehension then!

I want what you are smokin'! Here is a fairly reasonable analysis of MAF and his difficulties handling pressure. Tiger Woods he ain't. More like Sergio Garcia. He has all the skill but not the mental toughness.

http://sports.yahoo.com/b...dre-fleury-135451781.html
- powerhouse

I guess because Vokoun stood on his head and still let up 3 goals he's now better than Fleury. The Pens have more problems than goaltending if you guys didn't see that in the Islanders series then you missed the fact they we're outplayed by an 8 seed.

I will also say that Vokoun who I like and hope continues to play good is slow and relies on positioning. That might work against not very offensively talented teams like NYI or even OTT but (IF) you get to a team like the Blackhawks an athletic Fleury is way better matchup.

I love how people are so willing to cut ties with Fleury based on the three playoff series. One of those years, we should be thanking Fleury for letting us watch playoff hockey.

I'm alright with giving Vokoun the reins for now as he is the hot hand, but I'm not okay with the idea of that the team would be better without Fleury.

That said, I will hate to see what happens if they lose a playoff series.
- Ben37

We don't have a goalie of the future in our organization as it stands now. Hartzell could be, but he is two years away. For all we know, he could go Thiessen and be a non factor. Letting Fleury walk the plank - trading him or buying him out is a calculated risk. You had better have a goalie capable of playing behind this system already to go, if that happens. The problem, you would be spending more on the replacement than Fleury and its not a given that goalie succeeds either.

I love how people are so willing to cut ties with Fleury based on the three playoff series. One of those years, we should be thanking Fleury for letting us watch playoff hockey.

I'm alright with giving Vokoun the reins for now as he is the hot hand, but I'm not okay with the idea of that the team would be better without Fleury.

That said, I will hate to see what happens if they lose a playoff series.
- Ben37

Exactly Ben... Let Bylsma use Vokoun and they end up losing. I would feel more comfortable starting Fleury and having Vokoun in game 2 if we don't win but to just stop using Fleury only hurts us.

I guess because Vokoun stood on his head and still let up 3 goals he's now better than Fleury. The Pens have more problems than goaltending if you guys didn't see that in the Islanders series then you missed the fact they we're outplayed by an 8 seed.

I will also say that Vokoun who I like and hope continues to play good is slow and relies on positioning. That might work against not very offensively talented teams like NYI or even OTT but (IF) you get to a team like the Blackhawks an athletic Fleury is way better matchup.
- lloyd095

Team jitters is a team thing. MAF is the equivalent of a high strung racehorse. He has difficulty not overreacting and being efficient in his movement. He has the potential to do this but in the end of season pressure cooker he goes back to old bad habits. Vokoun won, MAF didn't. Same team, so must be the goalie, no?

Exactly Ben... Let Bylsma use Vokoun and they end up losing. I would feel more comfortable starting Fleury and having Vokoun in game 2 if we don't win but to just stop using Fleury only hurts us.
- lloyd095

If they start MAF and he gets pulled after a game or 2 and Vokoun wins Round 2, how many times do you keep going back to him? Do you put him in to start every series? What has MAF shown you this year (not past years) to make you think he gives you a better chance of winning than Vokoun?

Exactly Ben... Let Bylsma use Vokoun and they end up losing. I would feel more comfortable starting Fleury and having Vokoun in game 2 if we don't win but to just stop using Fleury only hurts us.
- lloyd095

Wouldn't you go with the best guy at work?

Hot goalie?

Vokoun started with a shutout in his first game, but then, so did Fleury. He was the beneficiary of the team playing MARGINALLY better defense in front of him in his second start. He was also fortunate that the Islanders missed some open nets, and almost put the puck in his own net himself had he landed a second sooner on that shot that ended up gliding harmlessly through the goal crease.

Having said that, I'm actually fine with starting either one. But I'm NOT going to pretend that Vokoun is some sort of savior who is far and away a better choice than Fleury.

Whichever goalie is in, the team in front of him better shape up a whole lot defensively, or everyone will be screaming for the college kid to get a start...
- Kineada

Vokoun stole game 6. Every goal that beat him was a slick passing play into an open net.

Team jitters is a team thing. MAF is the equivalent of a high strung racehorse. He has difficulty not overreacting and being efficient in his movement. He has the potential to do this but in the end of season pressure cooker he goes back to old bad habits. Vokoun won, MAF didn't. Same team, so must be the goalie, no?
- powerhouse

The team I watched played good in Game 1 and Game 5 which we're both shutouts. The Isles out played us the other games Fleury won 1 and Vokoun won the other. Just my opinion of the series.

Wouldn't you go with the best guy at work?
- powerhouse

All I'm saying is if Fleury goes in and plays bad you have a confident Vokoun ready to step in. If Vokoun goes in and plays bad then you have a guy going in that you lost your trust in. To me starting Fleury says we believe in you.

Team jitters is a team thing. MAF is the equivalent of a high strung racehorse. He has difficulty not overreacting and being efficient in his movement. He has the potential to do this but in the end of season pressure cooker he goes back to old bad habits. Vokoun won, MAF didn't. Same team, so must be the goalie, no?
- powerhouse

MAF won 2 games. Vokoun won 2 games.

MAF was bad at some points in this series, but the D was hanging him out to dry sometimes in this series, just like they did to Vokoun on Saturday. I personally think you start MAF, but with a very short leash. MAF is your starter, Vokoun is your back-up. Vokoun agreed to come to Pittsburgh knowing he would be backing up MAF, and i don't think he cares, as long as the Pens are winning.

MAF won 2 games. Vokoun won 2 games.

MAF was bad at some points in this series, but the D was hanging him out to dry sometimes in this series, just like they did to Vokoun on Saturday. I personally think you start MAF, but with a very short leash. MAF is your starter, Vokoun is your back-up. Vokoun agreed to come to Pittsburgh knowing he would be backing up MAF, and i don't think he cares, as long as the Pens are winning.
- cap1681

You can't afford leaky goals going in at all, especially these first two games at home. One leaky goal is the difference between a win and a loss. Anderson isn't Nabakov. Vokoun could give up a leaky goal, sure. However, I'm more confident in him not surrendering one than Fleury. This short leash is bull poop. He would have no leash.

I can remember a time about 2 months ago when Vokoun had a shaky stretch and everybody wanted him traded or gone.

I can remember a time about 2 months ago when Vokoun had a shaky stretch and everybody wanted him traded or gone.
- Ben37

Pens' fans are almost getting as bad as Flyers' fans with their goalies.

I think I entered the twilight zone!!! I thought I was in the playoff hockey blog not the cut our top goalie and defensemen blog.... Someone pass me the joint you guys are obviously hogging it.
- lloyd095

It has a very distinct smell....

How many years ago was that? Remind me how he looked against Tampa; Philly and the Islanders.

Fleury is a very good regular-season goalie. Sure, he has won a Cup and got to the finals another year. That said, he isn't much of a play-off goalie right now. He isn't one you bank your hopes on. Then again, Vokoun isn't either. That said, I have more faith in one goalie over the other right now based on what I saw int he first series. It's not hard to comprehend, unless you didn't watch the series or are Stevie Wonderish.
- Oneonta Penguin

Tampa- No Sid or Geno, Habs- Freak Goaltending by Halak, Philly- bed pooping