Posted Feb.18/2010

THE OLYMPICS ARE HERE!

Of Course that means that I intend to analyze the goaltenders of the main contenders.

I thought I'd do some goaltending analysis and make my suggestions for Olympic Team's Goalies!

Based on this NHL season only, here's how I think the NHL goalies should be placed for the Olympics!!

Canada
Starter - Roberto Luongo
Backup - Cam Ward
Spare - Carey Price

Actual Roster Picks - Brodeur, Luongo, Fluery

Thoughts - Luongo is in his prime.  Ward is next in line and Price is Canada's future.  Brodeur is old news and Fluery overrated!

USA
Starter - Ryan Miller
Backup - Jimmy Howard
Spare - Craig Anderson

Actual Roster Picks - Miller, Quick, Thomas

Thoughts - Miller is peaking in his prime and has been hot this season.  Howard is for real in Detroit but the NCAA route hasn't made him a household name, yet.  Thomas is not as good as last year and Anderson has proven himself as a good NHL starter.

SWEDEN
Starter - Henrik Lundqvist
Backup - Johan Hedberg
Spare - Robin Lehner

Actual Roster Picks - Gustavsson, Liv, Lundqvist

Thoughts - Lundqvist is the clear leader.  Gust' and Liv' are unproven.  Hedberg should be there - even if he is 36.  Lehner is the goalie of the future.

RUSSIA
Starter - Evgeni Nabokov
Backup - Ilya Bryzgalov
Spare - Alexander Pechurskiy

Actual Roster Picks - Varlamov, Nabokov, Bryzgalov

Thoughts - Nabokov may put this team over the top.  Iilya is a solid backup if Nabokov falters.  Look for Alexander Pechurskiy in a few years!

CZECH
Starter - Tomas Vokoun
Backup - Ondrej Pavelec

Actual Roster Picks - Vokoun, Pavelec, Stepanek

Thoughts - I have Vokoun as the top rated goaltender in the NHL this season.  Can he pull a Hasek?

SLOVAKIA
Starter - Jaroslav Halak
Backup - Peter Budaj

Actual Roster Picks - Halak, Budaj, Stana

Thoughts - Halak is my 2nd best ranked goaltender.  Does he have the team to support him?

FINLAND
Starter - Tuukka Rask
Backup - Miikka Kiprusoff
Spare - Antero Niittymaki

Actual Roster Picks - Backstrom, Kiprusoff, Niitymaki

Thoughts - I wouldn't even have Backstrom 4th!  Rask is only 22 but he SHOULD be on this roster, if not starting.  Sorry Kipper but Tuuka is the next generation of great Finnish goalies!

The rest of the team's have lesser know tenders, or little question who is the best.  Switzerland has Hiller.  Should be great to see who comes out on top!

    Jerry Shields
 -Goaltending Coach
 -Statistical Analyst
 -Scouting
 -Hockey Reporter
 -Goalie Historian

Finally SOMEONE Who Understands Goaltenders!

"Over 35 years of playing, watching, analyzing, coaching and projecting goaltending have cumulated into my ability to accurately evaluate talent.  Until NOW, the hockey world has known little about the most important position in hockey!"