Claimed:The Current Goalie Crop Sucks [Reviewed]

[Devise 4,475]

That is right, you heard it. As a former Shaw winner in this league, I feel absolutely not qualified to say that the current goalie crop, and this current goalie era in the VHL is garbage. Don't want to take my word for it? How about some statistics! 

 

Since Martin Brookside, the last goalie of what felt like era after era of stellar goalie performances we have seen nothing but pedestrian to "solid" goaltending outings each season. The first season without any notable names or carry overs from those days, Season 44, saw Hans Wingate win the Shaw with a petty .923 save percentage. Season 45 saw Mikaelson, now retired, take it with a .922. And now, pending how the voting goes Wingate looks to take his second with another .923, and he played all 72 games because he was traded this season. He'd likely be lower if you took away the last 8 games. All people can seem to talk about in the VHL these days is offense. O'Malley has a shot at making crazy high point totals and cracking top ten all time for his career. We had 6 players break the 100 point mark, and several where in the high 90's. 

 

The facts don't lie. The previous era of goalies weren't just more dominant, they were the reasons their teams won games. Consider this, the .923, .922. and .923 top overall save percentages the past 3 seasons are the lowest save percentages posted by top goalies since Season 30 when Henchoz posted a .921 to take the Shaw. In the 13 seasons, 9 times did the top goalie finish above .930. 9! Even the "lower end" seasons saw players hit at least .926. Now goalies are even struggling to hit .920-.925 much less .930. I mean this past season, Wingate was the only goalie above a .920 save percentage. So with more goals, more points, worse goalies, what do these statistics tell us? Well they tell us that the current crop of goalies really aren't "elite." Some of them may have the TPE earning pace to be elite, but TPE as anyone can tell you is only half the battle.

 

The VHL is likely going to be on a down stretch for netminding due to tons of factors, at least until some of the younger names can start to establish themselves. Names like the Cleganes, like Gow and Weinstein. Perhaps it also tells us that the VHL went through a stretch where they were spoiled. It felt like we went right from Shaw (who the trophy is named after) Kanou, and Bjorkman to Glover and CAL G to Labatte, LeBeau, Tukio and Rift to Bagelface, Moher, Brookside, Wahl, and Statkowski Jr. While not every player listed won a Shaw, the battles were not only more intense, but the numbers for goalies were consistently better than we see now. Even the "lesser" goalies of those era's like a Bjorkman, Rift and Wahl all had seasons where they posted strong numbers. The same cannot be said for the current crop. While Wingate is clearly the leader of the pack, it feels more like he's a good goalie in a sea of prospects and capable starters. But until we see an elite netminder truly begin to stick out, look for a continued increase in the offense output around the league.  

[Devise 4,475]

Bump, you know what...this meets the word count and I don't have to format to get a 6 on Media Spots anymore, can someone with the power just move this to the MS section and I'll take it as a Point Task? 

[boubabi 4,725]

Hard to look good when you play 8 games a year vs the alley Cat THOMAS O'MALLEY

[Devise 4,475]

2 minutes ago, boubabi said:

Hard to look good when you play 8 games a year vs the alley Cat THOMAS O'MALLEY

 

Curious how much not playing against him since he played with him, helped Brookside in his final seasons ha.  

[boubabi 4,725]

It's not only the goalie crops that sucks, it's the whole league in general that doesn't follow his precedents. We have less and less actives elite players and more and more semi active players. Therefore, the league is filled with average players.

[CowboyinAmerica 2,889]

16 minutes ago, Mr. Power said:

And now, pending how the voting goes Wingate looks to take his second with another .923, and he played all 72 games because he was traded this season. He'd likely be lower if you took away the last 8 games.

 

To be fair, believe it was actually around .925 or .926 before the final eight games, which were filled with a lot of New York and Davos. Relatively, don't think you can take anything away from what my dude has done so far just because I'm playing in an environment where every single top TPE player between S38 and S41 (barring Mikaelson who retired, and Waldron was slower developing) went offense or offensive-oriented defenseman.

 

But I'm very interested to see what happens come S48-S50. By that point, think you'll see a swing the exact opposite direction - guys like the Cleganes, Weinstein, and Advantage's new guy will all be high TPE and in the prime of their careers (and I'm saving up contract cash to help with depreciation), while the high-TPE S40 guys will be gone.

[Devise 4,475]

Just now, CowboyinAmerica said:

 

To be fair, believe it was actually around .925 or .926 before the final eight games, which were filled with a lot of New York and Davos. Relatively, don't think you can take anything away from what my dude has done so far just because I'm playing in an environment where every single top TPE player between S38 and S41 (barring Mikaelson who retired, and Waldron was slower developing) went offense or offensive-oriented defenseman.

 

But I'm very interested to see what happens come S48-S50. By that point, think you'll see a swing the exact opposite direction - guys like the Cleganes, Weinstein, and Advantage's new guy will all be high TPE and in the prime of their careers (and I'm saving up contract cash to help with depreciation), while the high-TPE S40 guys will be gone.

 

It's highly possible. I didn't look into your stats before the 8 games so my apologies there. I just assumed they would of been worse.  But it is different for sure, I mean that stretch had to fade though. We really took for granted how many elite level goalies we had during a long stretch there. 

[Molholt 2,185]

You will never escape Max Mølholt, Wingate.

[Daniel 565]

Feedback:

 

Good article, and it seems like it's really well researched. Grammar is on point and it's nicely laid out, perhaps a bit more formatting and an image or two could make it easier on the eye? Overall, good stuff, hopefully the new crop of goalies can come through and prove you wrong!

[eaglesfan036 4,603]

Also something to consider is the lack of dmen

[Victor 10,942]

[STZ 5,360]

#SethKnew

[Devise 4,475]

2 hours ago, Victor said:

 

 

.....u wot m8?

[Baozi 1,658]

Standards are set too high lol.

 

Interesting nonetheless.

 

 

Edited December 22, 2015 by tfong

[Kendrick 4,741]

Claimed