Backup Goaltender?

by jienco17 on Feb 2, 2011 2:50 PM EST

Patrick Lalime's struggles as the backup goaltender for Ryan Miller are well documented and Lindy's refusal to play him is well warranted. The Lightning waived Mike Smith, I know that he has struggled being the main man in Tampa Bay, but he was a very solid backup in his time spent in Dallas behind Marty Turco and I think a change in scenario would help him get out of his funk in Tampa Bay and help lessen the burden on Millsie.

Poll

Should we claim Mike Smith and waive Patrick Lalime?

Yes

60 votes

No

13 votes

Either way our backup sucks?

23 votes

96 votes | Poll has closed

This is a fanpost written by a member of the community, it doesn't necessarily express the views or opinions of Die by the Blade

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Comments

Not a bad idea

He can’t be any worse than Lalime, and these are the types of signings Regier loves to make. However, I think Enroth will be the back-up next year for good.

by Rafal Ladysz on Feb 2, 2011 3:58 PM EST reply actions

Not unless Enroth gets to play 25 games. The kid will not get any better riding the pine for all but 10 games. He needs to play 60 games down in Portland to continue his development.

Actually, then I would love to see the Sabres trade him if he has any value at that point.

by powerslave on Feb 2, 2011 5:13 PM EST up reply actions

I think that Enroth would play 25 games if he was here. Remember, everything could be completely different next offseason.

Die By The Blade - Where even we would rather watch the Bills.

by Zachary Zielonka on Feb 2, 2011 9:02 PM EST up reply actions

I’ve watched Mike Smith play in Tampa and to be honest he hasn’t impressed me at any game I’ve been to. Back up goalies are just that Back ups. I think if your team actually shows up in front of your back up goalie then it doesn’t matter who’s there.

"Who else but Chris Drury!" - 2007
"Who else but...... um... yea.. about that.." 2010

by FloridaBuffalo on Feb 2, 2011 7:23 PM EST reply actions

I think if your team actually shows up in front of your back up goalie then it doesn’t matter who’s there.

Agreed

by krytime on Feb 2, 2011 10:20 PM EST up reply actions

Lalime: .890, 2.96 GAA
Smith: .883, 3.20 GAA.

Also Smith is way more likely to get injured. But regardless, if we somehow were to pick up a backup goaltender (only acceptable price would be “free”) He’d have to be better than our current backup goaltender:
Enroth: .897, 2.90 GAA

On the Mike Weber bandwagon (no longer with a lack of stupid boarding penalties!)
Admissions of guilt: "It was me guys, I ruined PPP." - nhlcheapshot

by Ubiquitous on Feb 3, 2011 9:14 AM EST up reply actions

Smith is one of those guys who seems to have all the raw tools (size, reaction time, technique)

but doesn’t seem to be able to take that next step and develop the secondary skills (rebound control, poise).

It’s tempting because if he can put it together he could have a lot of value, and maybe if Lalime was a distraction and we were really in contention I’d say pull the trigger, but neither of those things are the case. I say pass, ride out the year with Lalime and hand the job to Enroth next year..

Save Jenrry Mejia!

by Ogre39666 on Feb 3, 2011 2:02 PM EST reply actions

The only reason I see to keep Patty around is the fact he and Miller get along well. He can’t play. We can’t afford for him to play EVER! I think you could win 30-40 percent of games Miller sits out if you played Smith or Enroth. Lalime doesn’t come anywhere close to that.

by Zack Holiskey on Feb 4, 2011 6:54 PM EST reply actions

I would really like to see David Leggio show up with the Sabres at some point. I used to watch him at Clarkson while I was there. It would be great to see someone from my Alma Mater on the team. Granted I think he’s still a couple of years from showing up in the NHL, and chances are we’ll have a backup goalie by then.

by davinci7584 on Feb 5, 2011 6:33 PM EST reply actions