Goalies are Overrated: Evidence.

Funny feature to read

I like the idea of this guy's feature - "who's play is just uncharacteristically crappy". That's kinda funny. But see if you find this edition of the article annoying. I do and here's why...

If anyone has been watching Calgary - Jonas Hiller is not the problem. Hiller plays well if he has a defense to support him (as is the case with most NHL goalies). Don't get me wrong, I think Hiller is only an adequate goalie, anyway - he played on Anaheim when the Ducks were a tight defensive puck control team (despite what the Advanced Analystical folks might say). Anaheim made Hiller look pretty good, but he still would have nights where he looked shaky. And a shaky goalie can lose games for you...

Regardless, Hiller is not Calgary's problem. No goalie saves this team. It is a systemic issue with the skaters not buying in or reading off each other well. Something in the chemistry is off from last season.

As I've said, goalies are good thermometers for how the team is playing its system. Hiller is a particularly sensitive thermometer. I think his style of play is easy to take advantage of if the shooter has time. He is often back in his net with late committal to the shooter. So if a shooter has time and a lot of net, Hiller is going to look like a sieve. And he has.

Calgary has to protect the middle ice in front the goalie - no matter who it is.

Hiller might end up being the backup, no matter what happens, but replacing him with All-World Carey Price won't make Calgary a playoff contender.

And the author of the article, PuckStopsHere guy, is just too certain. He states rather plainly Hiller is largely to blame for Calgary's record - why they are last in the Western Conference. And that is why I have to proclaim Goalies are Overrated.