Two more hockey pack reviews, first 2009 Between The Pipes:
J-S Giguere is of course the starting goalie (although not for much longer) for the Anaheim Ducks. Before this season he had never had a GAA above 2.66, this year it was 3.10 and he had all kinds of injury issues this year. He is still one of the best goalies in hockey even with the last season. Pencil him in for another 30 win season with a GAA of around 2.55 for next year.
Justin Pogge is a goalie for the AHL Marlies (Toronto affiliate). Too bad for Justin that Toskala is doing well for the Leafs. The truth is thoughm, he is going to have to make the jump soon. He is just too good to be in the minors. His last 2 seasons he has averaged 26 wins and a GAA of around 2.60. This season he had some injury issues, next season he should be ready for the leaf to the majors.
Gary Smith nicknamed “Suitcase” for playing on 6 teams in 13 seasons. The WHL was the last stop on his career and he was on the 1978 Indianapolis Racers team that featured Wayne Gretzky just before they folded. He then moved on to the Jets and led the team to a cup.
Curtis McElhinney is currently the backup with the Calgary Flames. He is a solid backup and deserves some more time. Even if it might not be with the Calgary Flames.
Pack Rating: 2.0/5.0, besides the Guiguere and Pogge the pack was a bit weak.
Now for the Heroes and Prospects pack:
What a pack!
Victor Hedman is a stud defensivman who is likely going to be the second overall pick in this upcoming draft. He could very well be the next great defensive Swede.
Zach Bogosian is a former first round draft pick of the Thrashers. He went 9-10-19 in 47 games, then got sent down to the AHL team. Next year he will be with the parent club, and he should be one of the best defensive guys on that team.
Max Paxioretty has already gotten a taste of the majors this year with Montreal, and what little I have seen of him, I like and he is an exciting player. He went 6-23-29 for the Hamilton Bulldogs before getting the call, then helped out down the stretch for the Canadiens going 3-8-11 in 34 games.
Steven Stamkos was last years first overall pick in the draft for the Lightening. This season he sure had his ups and downs as he was trying to get used to the speed of the NHL. He ended up going 23-23-46 and had a monster second half. He is going to be a star in the league and it might not be long before he is one of the best in the league.
Oscar Moller is a right wing prospect for the LA Kings. He spent most of last season in LA and went 7-8-15 in 40 games. He is still very young and could probably use a season in the AHL to get used to North American play.
Pack Rating: 5.0/5.0 – what can I say not a bad player in this pack and all should be starters in the NHL very soon.
Have any stories with the above players? Don’t like my rating? Leave us a comment.
Wow. Really the best pack you could have without any inserts. Stamkos had a huge tournament at this year’s WHC for Canada.