Is it possible that JS Giguere is underrated?
Names like Martin Brodeur, Henrik Lundqvist, Miikka Kiprusoff and Roberto Luongo always seem to get drafted before Giguere every season.
Last season he finished ahead of Brodeur in 2 of the 4 most important categories and tied him in another.
In 2006-07 the only goalies who finished ahead of him were Brodeur, Luongo, Hasek and Backstrom.
Personally, I think it has to do with his equipment. I believe that he is underrated because of his oversized LEGAL equipment. People tend to think that he is cheating, but Giguere has perfected the technical art of goaltending and has used the rules to his advantage. There is no doubt he does not have the same ability as Luongo or Brodeur, but in fantasy it doesn't really matter.
As long as the NHL continues to employ a guy for $80,000 a year to monitor goalies, instead of invest in a crew full of people to measure and maintain that a goaltender actually fit his equipment, Giguere is going to remain among the fantasy elite.
But in a keeper league, be wary. It is not a mystery why Giguere bounced from Hartford to Calgary before ending up in Anaheim. Should the NHL change the rules and force Giguere to go
from this....
To this....
Then you may have a slight problem.
With thanks to the Goalie Post, on to today's starters
Florida Panthers @ Boston Bruins
C. Anderson (vs Devils, 2-1-0, 1.64 GAA, .955 SV%) probable
T. Thomas (vs Panthers, 1-5-1, 4.97 GAA, .857 SV%) probable
Tim Thomas and the Bruins continue to roll along, the scary thing to think about is how good the Bruins would be with an elite goaltender. This is shaping up as an Ottawa Senators story, Thomas is more Lalime than Brodeur. Remember, a good system in Boston was capable of making Andrew Raycroft look like a future star at one time.
NY Islanders @ NJ Devils
J. MacDonald (vs Devils, 1-1-1, 1.67 GAA, .951 SV%) firm
K. Weekes (vs Islanders, 8-9-2, 3.01 GAA, .896 SV%) firm
Wow, the Islanders are one strained groin away from starting Peter Mannino. Has a GM ever strapped on oversized equipment and been the emergency starter? You better start stretching Mr. Snow. And what does it say about Kevin Weekes when he is under .500 against the NY ISLANDERS!!
Phoenix Coyotes @ Carolina Hurricanes
I. Bryzgalov (vs Hurricanes, 0-1-0, 5.74 GAA, .786 SV%) likely
C. Ward (vs Coyotes, 0-2-0, 5.40 GAA, .822 SV%) probable
Is it possible to fire the coach if he is a part owner? Just asking.
Philadelphia Flyers @ Buffalo Sabres
M. Biron (vs Sabres, 2-2-1, 3.88 GAA, .864 SV%) firm
R. Miller (vs Flyers, 7-3-1, 2.78 GAA, .905 SV%) probable
Martin Biron returns to the city that launched his mediocre career. Yawn. Something tells me the Sabres are not losing any sleep over that decision.
Nashville Predators @ Tampa Bay Lightning
D. Ellis (vs Lightning, 0-0-1, 1.97 GAA, .920 SV%) probable
M. Smith (vs Predators, 2-1-0, 2.34 GAA, .892 SV%) probable
The Lightning are 5-6-7. Only in NHL 2.0 could you lose 13 of 18 games and be within 4 points of a playoff spot. How does Gary Bettman have a job again?
Anaheim Mighty Ducks @ St. Louis Blues
JS Giguere (vs Blues, 10-2-2, 2.04 GAA, .920 SV%) probable
M. Legace (vs Ducks, 4-8-1, 3.82 GAA, .878 SV%) probable
Manny Legace was the second rated fantasy goaltender in 2006. Just thought I would mention that.
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