Goalies To Target in Long Term Leagues
By Ray Calder
Here are 6 names that those of you in Keeper and Dynasty leagues should be looking to add for the long-term ;
Cory Schneider (Vancouver)- The 22 year old US born netminder no doubt has as much talent as anybody on this list . What he does not have at least for the foreseeable future is opportunity . He'll get an NHL look over several weeks while franchise stopper Roberto Luongo sits with a significant groin injury, but once Luongo is healthy, he'll return to the AHL where he'll play more regularly and will almost certainly become a huge trade chip when the Canucks want to add a substantial piece this year or next to make a playoff run . You'll have to be patient, but he's going to be a #1 goalie in the NHL in the next 12-18 months, and could have the same kind of fantasy value as Montreal's Carey Price .
Steve Mason (Columbus)- Mason is only 20 years old and it sure looks as though he's in the NHL to stay at this point . In his first 16 NHL games he has a pair of shutouts as well as a stellar effort against the Sharks that saw him stop 47 of 48 shots in a 2-1 Jackets win . Fredrik Norrena was just waived and has left North America to play in the KHL, so Mason will only need outplay Pascal Leclaire to keep getting starts . He's looked at as the franchise stopper here and on the Jackets who appear to finally showing signs of improvement, the buy low opportunity is not going to last long. I'd be glad to trade Kari Lehtonen , or Vesa Toskala for him right now in a long term league .
Simeon Varlamov (Washington )- Varlamov won't even turn 21 until this regular season is over but in a couple of starts last week he acquitted himself very well before being returned to the AHL . The Caps are a high scoring team and grabbing this guy now off the waiver wire (assuming you can stash him while he's in the minors) will no doubt pay dividends in the future . The team's current netminders Brent Johnson, and Jose Theodore possess no upside at this point and when Varlamov steps in he's going to register a lot of wins just on the teams offensive strength . He's definitely a candidate to return and contribute this season if either or both Caps goalies get injured or falter .
Jonas Hiller (Anaheim)- With a save percentage closing in on .940 he's been better than starter Jean- Sebastien Giguere to this point and it's obvious he could start on several NHL teams right now . Look for him to get more work as the season goes along and at some point like Ilya Bryzgalov before him , he'll end up getting the top billing in another teams crease .
Pekka Rinne (Nashville)- It's pretty clear that Rinne is going to continue to push Dan Ellis all year and already possesses more upside . Three shutouts in his first 10 appearances this season suggest the window is closing quickly for those of you in keeper /dynasty formats that are looking to acquire him .
Justin Pogge (Toronto) Added Dec. 21- Pogge has just been recalled from Toronto (AHL) with a Vesa Toskala minor groin injury being the reason . He's still seen as the Leafs netminder of the future, but it's unclear how new GM Brian Burke views him . He will get a couple of NHL starts, but should spend most of the rest of 08/09 in the AHL .