Translated and reposted from Le Magazine All Habs. You can find the original article (in French) at our sister site: Enfin de la profondeur devant le filet!
par Pierrick Cusson, Chroniqueur, Le Magazine All Habs
MONTREAL, QC. — Many fans often question the impact on the Canadiens should Carey Price suffer a serious injury that would keep him out of action for a few weeks. Do the Habs have the depth next season?
At the time of writing this article, the Habs will have a Carey Price – Dustin Tokarsi duo in Montreal, and a promising tandem in St. John’s with Mike Condon and the arrival of young prospect Zach Fucale. It will be interesting to see the progression of the goalies next season and to see the beautiful battle ahead for the role of back-up to Carey Price.
Here is an analysis of the goaltenders in the organization.
1- Carey Price
27 years old | 6-foot-3-inches, 212 pounds | first round draft pick (5th overall) in 2005
So much has already been written about the excellence of Carey Price, and the best is yet to come. He is without doubt the best goaltender in the NHL and one of the best players in the league. By the end of his career, Price should rewrite most of the record books of the blue-white-red. Price is currently in the prime of his career and is regularly the best player on the ice.
STRENGTHS: Carey Price is a goalie who does a great reading the game unfold in front of him. He is rarely out of position since he always finds a way to see the puck. He anticipates the offensive sequences of opposing team exceptionally well. The most difficult saves often seem routine for No. 31 as he positional play is very good. He is also very strong technically and can regularly direct pucks into the corners of the rink. Price excels at covering the bottom of the net and his size allows him to cover a lot of space in the upper part of his net.
WEAKNESSES: Price is one of the best puckhandlers in the league with excellent puck control. Some worry that he tries to do too much to help his defensemen. Price is also has a powerful lateral thrust that sometimes takes him too far to either side. To continue to be at the top of the league, Price will continue to refine his movements.
PROJECTIONS: Another season of 40 wins is possible, with 60 games under his belt.
2- Dustin Tokarski
25 years old | 5-foot-11-inches, 198 pounds | fifth round draft pick (122nd overall) in 2008 by the Tampa Bay Lightning
For Dustin Tokarski, the 2014-15 season was a learning process at the NHL level. For the first time in his career Tokarski played as back-up, not as No.1 keeper. It goes without saying that the adjustment was not easy for the successor of Peter Budaj. The season was dotted with ups and downs. For Tokarski, he will have to demonstrate to the organization during training camp that his performance during the 2013-14 playoff series were not a flash-in-the-pan and that he has the right stuff to excel in the NHL. At 25 years old, Tokarski can no longer be considered a prospect.
STRENGTHS: Tokarski is a goalie who has won at every level he has played. As a small goaltender, his movements are very aggressive. He likes to challenge his opponents playing high in his crease. Tokarski is a battler who always tries to make the save, although it is not always pretty to watch.
WEAKNESSES: Tokarski tends to play deep in his net when pressed, and kneels quickly. While his movements alone are not a problem, he it is not big and fast enough to play this type of game. Tokarski has difficulty controlling rebounds, and often allows second and third scoring chances. Tokarski also has difficulty handling the puck around his net.
PROJECTIONS: Backup goalie of the organization. Must be able to give 25-quality starts to his team. He must continue to perfect his technique otherwise he could be returned to the American League.
3- Mike Condon
25 years old | 6-foot-2-inches, 195 pounds | undrafted, signed as a free agent in 2013
Here is a goalie who continues to impress in the blue-white-red. Mike Condon dislodged Joey Macdonald as No. 1 goalkeeper in Hamilton last season with more than a satisfactory season. Rewarded with a two-year contract from Marc Bergevin, Condon should be the No. 1 goalie in the fall with St. John’s.
STRENGTHS: Condon has good size, and like Carey Price, he can control rebounds. Condon has a good mental strength which is essential for a goalkeeper who aspires to play in a market like Montreal.
WEAKNESSES: Condon must continue to improve his lateral movements as he adapts to professional hockey.
PROJECTIONS: Unless there’s an extraordinary development, Condon will start the season in the American League as the number one starter. His goal will be to become a dominant goalie in the AHL if he hopes to join the big club during the season .
4- Zach Fucale
20 years old | 6-foot-2-inches, 180 pounds | second round draft pick (36th overall) in 2013
Many hope that someday, Zach Fucale will be Carey Price’s successor capable of taking the reins of the blue-white-red. It is unsure that he will have an opportunity before Price’s retirement and at this stage in his career there is no guarantee that Fucale will progress to the NHL.
STRENGTHS: Fucale is quiet and good technically for his young age. He has been a winner capable of good performance in high-pressure encounters with star-studded teams.
WEAKNESSES: Fucale uses butterfly style but flops too quickly to his knees leaving the top portion of his net vulnerable. His movements can be erratic and his puckhandling can be sloppy. Both need to be refined if he is to progress.
PROJECTIONS: Fucale will likely take the backup role in the AHL, but we shouldn’t rule out the possibility that Fucale is assigned to the Brampton Beast (ECHL) to give him the competition to match his development. Fucale is a promising goalkeeper. There is no urgency to get him to the NHL level. With Carey Price to lead the Habs the organization has the luxury to be patient with his development.
SUMMARY
The Montreal Canadiens have nice depth in goal, however, we might expect the arrival of an experienced goalkeeper to assist Price or to pave the way for a transaction with respect to the current complement of players.
With Price, Tokarski, Condon, and now Fucale, it is safe to say that stability will be the word to use this upcoming season. The future looks bright for the position of goaltender with the Canadiens.