For all of his flakiness, Cechmanek was a Vezina finalist his first season in the NHL, and won the Jennings his 3rd. Beat Ed Belfour in a 7-Game series in 2002-03. Flyers lost to Ottawa in playoffs in 2002 (scoring just 2 goals the entire series) and 2003 (never scoring more than 2 in any game of the series). The combined 3 games the Flyers won in the two series vs. Ottawa were all via Cechmanek shutouts, one being a 1-0 OT win.

Esche shared the Jennings with Cechmanek in 2002-03. The next year, he outplayed Martin Brodeur and Belfour in the first two rounds of the playoffs and got the Flyers to within a 2-1 loss in Game 7 vs. Tampa of getting to the Cup Final.

Leighton had three shutouts in the 2010 Eastern Conference Final vs. Montreal. In the Cup Final vs. Chicago, he was no worse (but, alas, no better) than Antti Niemi over most of the series up until Patrick Kane's impossible angle Cup winner in OT in Game 6.

Sadly, the Flyers goalies can't all be like all those Vezina-winning goalies the Leafs have had since Johnny Bower and Terry Sawchuk, with all those Cup Finals runs and subsequent Cup rings to show for it in the last 51 years. Maybe the Flyers can someday, we pray, at least unearth the next Andrew Raycroft or post-1993 Felix Potvin for their very own so they needn't look so covetously at all those Leafs netminders who really shined in so many playoff elimination/series clinching situations.
- bmeltzer

Ouch...BM just tossed a match in a barrel of Leafs.

Forums :: Blog World :: Bill Meltzer: Hart Makes CHL History Reply
Bill Meltzer
Yesterday @ 9:50 PM ET
Bill Meltzer: Hart Makes CHL History
Mordecai
Yesterday @ 10:01 PM ET

daddytc
Yesterday @ 10:27 PM ET
Bust.
Just5
Yesterday @ 10:32 PM ET
Bart
GPerogie
Yesterday @ 11:04 PM ET
Good news indeed Still don't count Stollie out of it yet, but the future in goal at least has some nice potential and hope - something we have not had in a few years

bird_dog_pa
Yesterday @ 11:10 PM ET
No pressure kid. The stereotype of flyers mediocre to terrible goaltending doesn’t rest on your shoulders or anything.
wolfhounds
Yesterday @ 11:26 PM ET
Wow. Very impressive. Congratulations to Carter, can't wait to see him in the next year or so.

Griffen Outhouse


How very unfortunate...
2Real
Today @ 12:40 AM ET
need him NHL ready asap
leafsfann
Today @ 1:02 AM ET
No pressure kid. The stereotype of flyers mediocre to terrible goaltending doesn’t rest on your shoulders or anything.


Greats like Cechmanyk, Esche, and Leighton?
Bill Meltzer
Today @ 3:08 AM ET
Greats like Cechmanyk, Esche, and Leighton?
- leafsfann


For all of his flakiness, Cechmanek was a Vezina finalist his first season in the NHL, and won the Jennings his 3rd. Beat Ed Belfour in a 7-Game series in 2002-03. Flyers lost to Ottawa in playoffs in 2002 (scoring just 2 goals the entire series) and 2003 (never scoring more than 2 in any game of the series). The combined 3 games the Flyers won in the two series vs. Ottawa were all via Cechmanek shutouts, one being a 1-0 OT win.

Esche shared the Jennings with Cechmanek in 2002-03. The next year, he outplayed Martin Brodeur and Belfour in the first two rounds of the playoffs and got the Flyers to within a 2-1 loss in Game 7 vs. Tampa of getting to the Cup Final.

Leighton had three shutouts in the 2010 Eastern Conference Final vs. Montreal. In the Cup Final vs. Chicago, he was no worse (but, alas, no better) than Antti Niemi over most of the series up until Patrick Kane's impossible angle Cup winner in OT in Game 6.

Sadly, the Flyers goalies can't all be like all those Vezina-winning goalies the Leafs have had since Johnny Bower and Terry Sawchuk, with all those Cup Finals runs and subsequent Cup rings to show for it in the last 51 years. Maybe the Flyers can someday, we pray, at least unearth the next Andrew Raycroft or post-1993 Felix Potvin for their very own so they needn't look so covetously at all those Leafs netminders who really shined in so many playoff elimination/series clinching situations


Savage
- corduroy

Leafs fans live in a world of delusion, they haven't won a Cup or even been to the finals since 1967, and they've missed the playoffs 21 times since then as well. They really shouldn't be talking smack to anyone.

edit: Also, if you were going to rate the top 50 NHL players since the 1967 expansion, would any Leafs be on the list? Salming, Sittler and Sundin were all good players, but top 50 in the last 50+ years? I don't think so. Meanwhile, Clarke and Lindros would certainly make the list and Parent, Barber and Howe would at least get some consideration as well.

Leafs fans are the main reason why I hate that franchise. Well, them and Darcy Tucker.

You guys haven't had top flight goaltending since forever. Hope this guy can be the Next one.
- Rang

Do you consider Andersen a "top flight goaltender"?

Nice to see someone stand up for the past Flyers, Personally loved Check, Wouldnt trade the 2010 playoff run for anything, even with how it ended, Philly has a winning franchise and sometimes its a shame to see the Flyers best writer have to be the one to stand up for the team on his own blogs, Although I think he enjoyed writing that last one just a bit!

Leafs fans live in a world of delusion, they haven't won a Cup or even been to the finals since 1967, and they've missed the playoffs 21 times since then as well. They really shouldn't be talking smack to anyone.
- BiggE

It's Leaf Nation, if it wasn't for them the NHL wouldn't exist...at least that's what they think.

Do you consider Andersen a "top flight goaltender"?
- Glak18

Only when he's standing at the top of a flight of stairs.

It's Leaf Nation, if it wasn't for them the NHL wouldn't exist...at least that's what they think.
- Glak18

Flyers need a surprise season from a goalie or another player, could be Nuevy if not traded staying healthy and playing to his potential or it could be Stolarz coming back from injury. Or it could be Simmonds tearing it up...

call it, who is going to have a surprise season...

I would say Nuevy but my sense he is gone... So I will go with Stolarz

There are two things that will always stick with the Flyers:
1) They will always be the Broad Street Bullies, built with big bodies and goons.
2) The Flyers always have goaltending issues.

Ok those stigmas are obvious.

I was curious about Toronto's history of goaltending, so I looked at every single years goaltending roster.

OMG

Where is Sean Avery when you need him. Talk about goaltending sloppy seconds heaven. Other than Felix Potvin who I enjoyed watching in the 90's, who in retrospect was very mediocre in production, the rest were just final years leftovers (Belfour, CuJo, Barrhineyhole, etc.).

I never realized a team had worst history of goaltending than the Flyers until I saw Toronto. That is unbelievably gross and no wonder they haven't won a real Stanley Cup ever.

It's Leaf Nation, if it wasn't for them the NHL wouldn't exist...at least that's what they think.
- Glak18

Best reply. Ever.

Is there even a 1% chance this kid starts in the NHL next season? I would say no. You have to think no matter what he does Hexy plays him in the AHL and when injuries strike he thinks about bringing him up, that’s when it gets interesting. Maybe keep Nuevy just for a better chance of seeing Hart?

Greats like Cechmanyk, Esche, and Leighton?
- leafsfann

Hey, not all franchises can get players like Justin Pogge and Damian Rhodes.

There are two things that will always stick with the Flyers:
1) They will always be the Broad Street Bullies, built with big bodies and goons.
2) The Flyers always have goaltending issues.

Ok those stigmas are obvious.

I was curious about Toronto's history of goaltending, so I looked at every single years goaltending roster.

OMG

Where is Sean Avery when you need him. Talk about goaltending sloppy seconds heaven. Other than Felix Potvin who I enjoyed watching in the 90's, who in retrospect was very mediocre in production, the rest were just final years leftovers (Belfour, CuJo, Barrhineyhole, etc.).

I never realized a team had worst history of goaltending than the Flyers until I saw Toronto. That is unbelievably gross and no wonder they haven't won a real Stanley Cup ever.
- Glak18

I just did that same exact thing.

So gross:

http://hockeygoalies.org/bio/nhl/toronto.html

Flyers need a surprise season from a goalie or another player, could be Nuevy if not traded staying healthy and playing to his potential or it could be Stolarz coming back from injury. Or it could be Simmonds tearing it up...

call it, who is going to have a surprise season...

I would say Nuevy but my sense he is gone... So I will go with Stolarz
- wcorvette

Patrick will put up 60 points and Sanhiem will score 10 goals and 25 assists

I just did that same exact thing.

So gross:

http://hockeygoalies.org/bio/nhl/toronto.html
- johndewar

I looked at the same website.

Greats like Cechmanyk, Esche, and Leighton?
- leafsfann

Call him weird or whatever but Checkmanek put up really solid numbers..

Oh wait, Bill already dropped the poutine on you

Is there even a 1% chance this kid starts in the NHL next season? I would say no. You have to think no matter what he does Hexy plays him in the AHL and when injuries strike he thinks about bringing him up, that’s when it gets interesting. Maybe keep Nuevy just for a better chance of seeing Hart?
- coffee junkie

It’s always possible. Lyon could get moved in the offseason, Neuvy could blow out his knee while tying skates prior to the first camp practice and Stolarz leg could fall off at some point during the first week of the season.

post

Guys, what the hell is a captital? How is Vegas going to do their opening performance thing? Are they going to have their knight fight a damn bald eagle? I am losing sleep over this
- YuenglingJagr

They are going to fight a group of Presidents.

Is there even a 1% chance this kid starts in the NHL next season? I would say no. You have to think no matter what he does Hexy plays him in the AHL and when injuries strike he thinks about bringing him up, that’s when it gets interesting. Maybe keep Nuevy just for a better chance of seeing Hart?
- coffee junkie

No way. The jump from CHL to AHL is going to be difficult enough for him.

They are going to fight a group of Presidents.
- VladDrag

Missed Yeung’s post and had a similar thought on the Caps blog.

I personally want some kind of Independence Day video with the White House blowing up.

They are going to fight a group of Presidents.
- VladDrag

Low chance. He is good but seasoning they will want to give him before they pull him up. Emergency only type situation next year. But this kid has the tools for sure.

Question: Are they going to have to burn a protection for the next expansion draft?

Sorry. Wrong post. This was into referencing about Hart in the NHL next year.

Saw that Morin will be out to February. It is finally time to call a spade a spade and realize that he is a bust(but not really as he never should have been drafted that high) and that this organization made a huge mistake drafting him. If you remember at the time, when he was chosen, the commentators immediately said that it was a reach, an off the board selection and they probably could have had him in the second round. 2013 was a pretty good draft and the list of players we could have chosen at that spot is maddening then and especially now in hindsight(don't look back on it unless you have a strong stomach). I personally like Morin and would have liked to see him in the NHL permanently last year, but he is ridiculously injury prone. Unfortunately, there is no way we can even unload him now for anything decent so all that's left is to cross fingers and hope he can make it back. We all assume that we will continue to get better because of our drafts, but what if the players we draft don't make it. We hit on Provorov(slam dunk), Patrick(slam dunk) and Konecny(good selection), but so far that is it and we're talking 5 years of drafting. Sanheim shows potential and Haag is pretty good. I hope Hart is the real deal because that alone could make us a good team. I like the direction the team is going, but I believe they are waiting too long to get some guys in the nhl. I also have little faith in Hextall as most of his signings and trades have been mediocre to awful. Not doing anything about the PK coaching and assembling the worst goaltending tandem in the league is also disappointing. I hope the remainder of the offseason brings some solid additions...and subtractions. If not, I hope to see Hextall gone next offseason, as this is not a lifetime job and the goal is not mediocrity.

Saw that Morin will be out to February. It is finally time to call a spade a spade and realize that he is a bust(but not really as he never should have been drafted that high) and that this organization made a huge mistake drafting him. If you remember at the time, when he was chosen, the commentators immediately said that it was a reach, an off the board selection and they probably could have had him in the second round. 2013 was a pretty good draft and the list of players we could have chosen at that spot is maddening then and especially now in hindsight(don't look back on it unless you have a strong stomach). I personally like Morin and would have liked to see him in the NHL permanently last year, but he is ridiculously injury prone. Unfortunately, there is no way we can even unload him now for anything decent so all that's left is to cross fingers and hope he can make it back. We all assume that we will continue to get better because of our drafts, but what if the players we draft don't make it. We hit on Provorov(slam dunk), Patrick(slam dunk) and Konecny(good selection), but so far that is it and we're talking 5 years of drafting. Sanheim shows potential and Haag is pretty good. I hope Hart is the real deal because that alone could make us a good team. I like the direction the team is going, but I believe they are waiting too long to get some guys in the nhl. I also have little faith in Hextall as most of his signings and trades have been mediocre to awful. Not doing anything about the PK coaching and assembling the worst goaltending tandem in the league is also disappointing. I hope the remainder of the offseason brings some solid additions...and subtractions. If not, I hope to see Hextall gone next offseason, as this is not a lifetime job and the goal is not mediocrity.
- darkerens

So...he is a bust because he had 1 bad year of injuries? I'm not sure what the one has to do with the other.