In day eight of newyorkrangers.com's '20 Prospects in 20 Days' they take a look at Chad Johnson...Gordie Clark, Rangers' Director, Player Personnel, says...
"I love his cool, calm demeanor. I remember seeing that in (Roberto) Luongo when he was an NHL prospect. Some people may think it's a detriment, bit I think it's so positive that you don't get too high or too low."
...lots of debate out there as to whether the Rangers should save some money on a backup goaltender and go with Johnson. I would say to go with Johnson but my concern is that Torts, who notoriously has a short leash with goalies (just ask Valiquette), will lose confidence in him if he has a few early hiccups and run Hank out there every night similar to last year.
...Torts may feel more comfortable having a reliable vet (Hedberg?) to go to 25 times this season to give Lundqvist some much needed rest.
...let me know what you guys think.
17 comments:
Money needs to be spent elsewhere, let Johnson have at it.
i'm with Michele. Johnson impressed me the few times i've seen him. We already have Lundqvist. He is young and cheap, nothing wrong with that.
Some rumors from Montreal tell that the Rangers are very interested to Tomas Plekanec!
http://www.hockey30.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=itemlist&layout=category&task=category&id=4&Itemid=18
gotta go with johnson, really could use that money at other positions...torts will have to let the kid play through his growing pains and hopefully he can grow and be a decent back up he has the potential.
Appreciate the link Anonymous, but that looks like a HockeyBuzz type rumor site. Although, I can see Sather being interested in Plekanic as he fills an obvious need. Also please use a name next time thanks.
I'd rather have Johnson continue to receive playing time in the AHL. While he may be calm and cool, I don't see him at his full potential. And with Hank signed for another few years, a "mentor" relationship is not needed. Let him play and get better every day.
If the season hinges on Lundquist having to play 80 games and be superhuman in all of them, we've got no shot at a real playoff run anyway. Put chad in goal for 20-25 games and rely on a stronger offense and defense to cover up any of his mistakes. If we can't win like that, we won't win the Cup.
I'd only like to see Johnson on the Rangers if he's going to see action (25-30 appearances). I don't want the kid rotting on the bench when he could be getting valuable game action in Hartford.
Wow Jonah, big expectations with the Cup talk I'd be psyched just making the playoffs next year.
LUNDQVIST should play 65-70 games every season, which gives your backup 15-18 starts every year. As a top 5 goalie in the NHL Hank should play that much and needs to play that much for this team to be successful!!!
Johnson needs to be in Hartford where he can continue to grow....
I think Richter played 66-68 games in 1993-1994!!
I believe that Johnson has the makings of a top NHL goalie and that Hank needs to play less than he did last year. My idea would be to give Johnson 20 starts or so, figuring that he would also relieve Hank 4 or 5 times. That would give Hank 62 starts and maybe a relief appearance or two and leave him fresher at the end. Any less use for Johnson would be a waste and he would be better off in the AHL.
I like Johnson, and still support the play less makes you better plan. Its good for a goalies development to start at backup and work your way up, a lot of good goalies made their trade that way. With the need for money elsewhere, I have no problem with this kid being the backup
would like 3 or more viable goalies in our system so would like auld or hedberg here with johnson as 1st call up. extra money for these guys vs for johnson is not that much.
henrik should not play more than 65 games or he'll have zero left for playoffs. most goalies who went far this yr had plenty of rest and i think that is not a coincidence.
Anyone whos ever played sports knows that your (players) confidence and coaches belief in you is essential, right? Now, during the season there will be losing and winning streaks. I would use Johnson any time we were on a winning streak and faced a Western Conference opponent. I would give him, or any other back-up, atleast 22 and up to 30 games in order for us to be able to achieve anything in the playoffs. So far not only has Hank had to play 60+ games but whats the defence been like? Its easier to be a goalie with solid D in front of you. Do you really think Marty would put up those numbers if he hadn't had Stevens, Daneyko, Rafalski and the gang in front of him PLUS a defensive system on top of that. We need a Stevens, Pronger-type. Something big, ugly that plays dirty and that you hate when he's on the other team but love to have on yours... and the kid will be fine as a back-up
my thoughts
Love all the comments keep them coming. Real great dialogue.
really kevin? 25-30 games for him would leave lundy about 50 games...not much room for him to break 30 wins...
-andrew794
andrew794, I was also including relief appearances which should be around 5. So more like 20-25 starts. Which would give Hank around 60 starts.
I was one of the few people who voted for "veteran back up goaltender" in a recent poll on the blog for two reasons: first, while I would love to see Johnson get 20 starts this year, I don't have faith in Torts to actually do it so I think Lundquist will wear down again. Second, with all of the cap constraints we have a solid back up is the biggest impact player we can bring in. Think about it, who else could we sign for 2 million? Owen Nolan or Mathieu Schneider? Plus back ups don't usually sign multi year deals so it won't create a logjam for younger player, and finally: Think about how great Hank has been the last few years down the stretch, now imagine him rested & healthy...Sick!
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