The only time he was given any kind of consistent starting schedule was the beginning of his rookie year, and he played great. Since then, it's been downhill as Reese overcoaches him and Laviolette yanks him around. So every time he steps in net, he has got to be overthinking and worried sick. He shows exceptional skills, but he's never been given the chance. To dump him based on the way he's been used so far would be ridiculous - especially for one of 2 goalies with pretty much teh same beginning to their young careers.
And I really can't buy into the "Russian goalie" thing. Tretiak was probably the best goalie in the history of hockey. Khabibulin won a cup already. Goalies are all head cases, being Russian has nothing to do with it.
Posted on May 21, 2012, 4:30 PM from IP address 208.87.234.180