wc17 said:
x.jr.benchwarmer said:
Reimer obviously had a bad 1st and 2nd period, (as well as the shoot-out) against the Penguins last night. But he played well in the third period, keeping the Leafs close.
Scrivens has more upside, IMHO. He has better quickness, and normally sees the puck a bit better. And, notwithstanding his awkward style, his glove hand is stronger.
It was interesting hearing from the commentators that the "book" on Reimer is to shoot it high. I really don't think that it is much of a secret, since his glove is not that good, nor has it ever looked that good. Even when he had that terrific run 2 years ago, the opposition was always trying to shoot it high on him. And it wasn't really all that fair watching Reimer in the shoot-out against Crosby since he was just overmatched trying to stop that high shot with his glove. In fact, it may be doubtful that Reimer can play at an excellent level for the entire year, given his glove, and suspect puck-handling, and bad rebound control.
But hopefully Scrivens will be able to play a significant number of games at a reasonably high level. The Leafs have had a terrific year, for their talent-level, principally because of solid goaltending, and hopefully we won't have to be stuck with a goaltender playing regularly who isn't playing well, like it has been for about the past 5 years or so.
I totally agree with you that Reims gets a lot more slack then Scrivens does by the fans. Is it fair, probably not...but oh well.
As of right now, Reimer is calm and quiet in the net, has better rebound control and is a better puck handler then Scrivens...
I find it crazy that you say that Scrivens has more upside then a guy that is better overall then him right now, and is 2 years younger...
Some more tweaks in Reimers style (getting him more upright and out at the top of the crease more) and I think we have a real good goalie for years to come...
I tend to think that the upside on Scrivens is higher because we have seen Reimer for 2+ years or so. His first season, which was basically for a solid 2+months, was absolutely terrific, especially since the way that he played forced the Leafs' management to finally play him, and bench Giguere and Gus. But of course last year was a virtual waste-land of bad goaltending, bad goals, injuries (which perhaps should have dictated that he should not be playing if they were still affecting his play but nevertheless have given him some slack), and just total frustration with the Leafs goaltending amongst us Leafs fans.
I don't know if his rebound-control is really that strong, especially after the Penguins game, and again last year's lamentable rut. Of course, he is again coming back off the IR, and is rusty, but, who knows?
And I agree that he is calmer, but that often seems to be the case after he lets in a bad goal too, and I am not sure if that is a factor in goaltending, per se. But again, I guess, time will tell.
I think the biggest thing that may be lacking in Reims' game is his lack of a quick glove hand, as I noted before, and a comparative lack of quickness. He plays much better slightly a bit more out of the net, I agree with you, and he should be standing taller. But there have been many (many) bad goals, and even if he plays well, it just seems that there is that Toskala aura whenever he lets in a soft one (or two or three like against the Pens).
I certainly agree that the sample size in Scrivens' play is pretty small, but , to me at least, it seems that his glove is much better, and he has really fast reflexes, and is pretty good on rebound control. And his puck-handling is certainly not good, I agree with you, but I'm not sure that James can be described as the next Brodeur with the puck, from what I've seen at least in his play.
I'm sure hoping that Reimer can play well throughout the year.
It's just that if he isn't, he should be pulled (quite simply) in favour of Scrivens, without any political/management considerations that seemed to permeate the Burke years, especially with some of the contracts that the older guys had signed (which of course happens regularly in the NHL). It's just that the Leafs haven't resorted to playing the overpriced non-produing veterans, by and large, which is refreshing and which another commentator noted earlier, I believe.
