Regarding Giguere!

[chrisjames105]

Many people over at the "other forum" meaning beckett, for those who may not know, have been saying that Giguere was overrated. This is what I had to say and would love to know what you guys here at Hobby Insider think of Giguere...

"For anyone who stated that JS Giguere was overrated, shame on you! Giggy isn't overrated nor underrated, everyone in the NHL knows how good he is. He has a 3-1 lead over the Sens, one of the NHL's top teams this year, mostly every year. He is one of my personal favorite goalies. The guy doesn't let any rebounds out, especially down low, which is most important. I say Go Giguere! and if you remember the playoffs a few years ago when he was making people look like fools, when they lost to the Devils in the finals, then you should show him some love. Thanks."

 

[DredJAw]

Since the lockout (last 2 seasons):

66 wins, 25 losses, 19 OT losses

2.46 GAA average over the last 2 years
.915 SV % average over the last 2 years



If the most telling stats are playoffs, well:

43 games in the playoffs:

29 Wins, 13 losses, 1.95 GAA, .930 SV% (6 shutouts)
12-1 in overtime playoff games!

Oh and he won a Conn Smythe the year prior to the lockout. He's not overrated.

 

[chrisjames105]

Since the lockout (last 2 seasons):

66 wins, 25 losses, 19 OT losses

2.46 GAA average over the last 2 years
.915 SV % average over the last 2 years



If the most telling stats are playoffs, well:

43 games in the playoffs:

29 Wins, 13 losses, 1.95 GAA, .930 SV% (6 shutouts)
12-1 in overtime playoff games!

Oh and he won a Conn Smythe the year prior to the lockout. He's not overrated.

Well done!

 

[nckidd15]

hell yea man go giggy

 

[PhilM]

He isn't overrated,
if anything he's over looked because of the team he plays on (west coast bias)

He's a real good goalie,
his pads help, but, he's a real good goalie regardless

 

[malskelton]

I'm not sure whether he is over rated - I do feel that in the run to the cup finals a couple of seasons ago he was over hyped - and through no fault of his own, he couldn't maintain the levels some people expected of him. Then when he failed to match those standards the season later everyone dumped on him

So much so that there was debate even among the Ducks goalies over who would be the starter in 06/07 - I remember Ilya Bryzgalov expecting to get the start and Giggy being shopped around.

I think he is a good goalie - I'm not sure he is going to steal games or even series on his own ( ala Roy or Brodeur ) but he certainly keeps his team in it, allowing his team's 'stars' to get about their jobs.

So many times players talk about having confidence in their goalie allowing them to concentrate on their own work - either scoring or defending ...... I think that's what Giggy brings.

He's not a world beater on his own - but I think he's solid enough to bring home the Cup

Mal Skelton

 

[jaywings19]

The interesting question is whether Anaheim will make the same mistake that Tampa Bay made a few years ago. Letting a Stanley Cup (and Conn Smythe) winning goaltender walk away via free agency... only to watch their goaltending situation flounder the next 2 years.

 

[malskelton]

The interesting question is whether Anaheim will make the same mistake that Tampa Bay made a few years ago. Letting a Stanley Cup (and Conn Smythe) winning goaltender walk away via free agency... only to watch their goaltending situation flounder the next 2 years.

Spot on

Before Tampa won the cup there were only 3 or 4 Stanley Cup Winning goalies left in the league ( Hasek, Belfour, Brodeur, Osgood ? I think ) and they were commanding premium salaries.

Having a goalie capable of winning the Stanley Cup shouldn't be underestimated - as I'm sure Giggy's agent will remind the Ducks management should they win it

There are several goalies floating around with bigger salaries than Giggy, but without the silverware ( assuming Anaheim goes on to win it ! )

Mal Skelton

 

[chrisjames105]

I think you're both right on the money. I think Khabi should have stayed in Tampa too, I'm not quite sure on the story, whether he left for more money or they just refused to work with him. Anyway, he goes to Chicago and you dont hear about him. I would love to see Giggy stay in Anaheim.

 

[malskelton]

I think you're both right on the money. I think Khabi should have stayed in Tampa too, I'm not quite sure on the story, whether he left for more money or they just refused to work with him. Anyway, he goes to Chicago and you dont hear about him. I would love to see Giggy stay in Anaheim.

I think Tampa's problem was that they had to do whatever they could to keep Richards, Lecavalier & St Louis ......... meaning that they didn't have room for Khabby salary.

I guess therefore that they decided the one player that was replaceable was the goalie - which appears to have backfired on them ( I'm not sure salary wise, but there is no way Denis is a replacement for Khabby )

It was a surprising decision for me - because as has been shown over and over, a Stanley Cup winning goalie is something to be treasured.

I wouldn't be suprised if Giggy had a few suitors should he land himself a ring - there are a few big teams with goaltending issues ( colorado - montreal - toronto etc etc )

Mal Skelton

 

[DredJAw]

The interesting question is whether Anaheim will make the same mistake that Tampa Bay made a few years ago. Letting a Stanley Cup (and Conn Smythe) winning goaltender walk away via free agency... only to watch their goaltending situation flounder the next 2 years.

Similar situations BUT the Ducks have a very capable backup goalie in Bryzgalov... the Lightning didn't. Simple as that. Bryzgalov can be a starting goalie on plenty of teams.... he's capable of winning playoffs games so the Ducks wouldn't be totally screwed if Giggy bolted. The Lightning on the other hand had total 100% career backups.

 

[Drewphoria]

He's a good goalie... nothing special. He's similar to Martin Brodeur (now he's over-rated). They are products of a defensive system... strong defensive forwards, strong defensive defensemen. They fell into good careers thanks to great coaching and team building.

 

[Drewphoria]

... oh yeah, and what Conn Smythe winning goalie did TB let walk away? Or is Khabibulin stealing trophies these days?

 

[jaywings19]

Ernie - Bryzgalov is good (from what we've seen so far). However, he's been a pinch hitter for Anaheim in his career. I'm curious what type of stretch run and playoff performances Anaheim would get if he had to play 60+ games during the regular season (instead of his 20ish games played lately). He's also had his share of the injury bug in his limited time.

He's a good goalie... nothing special. He's similar to Martin Brodeur (now he's over-rated). They are products of a defensive system... strong defensive forwards, strong defensive defensemen. They fell into good careers thanks to great coaching and team building.

Good lord... please don't start the "Martin Brodeur is a system goalie" arguement. It sickens me that even a Rangers fan (such as myself) has to come and defend Brodeur.

Giguere is not a "system goalie" either. He faced an average of 28 shots per game this year (hardly a "defensive" system) and posted a .918 save percentage.

And to further make the case... he had even better numbers in his Conn Smythe season... and didn't have the luxury of Niedermayer or Pronger that year.

... oh yeah, and what Conn Smythe winning goalie did TB let walk away? Or is Khabibulin stealing trophies these days?

That comment in brackets was referring to Giguere who already has a Conn Smythe under his belt (in a losing cause no less!)... and possibly one win away from a second Conn Smythe.

 

[sprague11]

Brodeur - one of the all time best.
Giguere - Good goaltender playing behind great Defense

 

[chrisjames105]

I agree with jaywings in the statement that both, Brodeur and Giguere, are not system goalies. Brodeur is one of the best ever, stated above by sprague but giggy hasnt always had the defense he had this year and he had an even better season a few years back without them.

 

[jaywings19]

Giguere - Good goaltender playing behind great Defense

Please name that "great defense" the year he won the Conn Smythe.

I cannot argue the point this year because he has Pronger and Niedermayer in front of him half the game. However, he didn't have those luxuries prior to last year... and still took his team to the Stanley Cup Finals and won a Conn Smythe.

If you want to peg anyone as a "system goalie," then please ask Chris Osgood to raise his hand.

 

[sprague11]

The other finals year was ALL Giguere standing on his head. The Ducks didn;t have a Number 1 Defenceman, but they did play a fairly tight game as a team.

 

[Drewphoria]

Quantity of shots is a poor argument... it's the quality of shots. There's a big difference between blue-line floaters and in-close slot shots. Scoring chances saved is a more accurate indicator.

 

[davetheking75]

Giguere will always be overated to me he just butterflys to take up as much of the net as possible and hopes the puck hits him