Canes Country Members' Choice Awards: The Vezina
by Carolyn Christians on Apr 13, 2010 11:02 AM EDT
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While the Carolina Hurricanes 2009-10 NHL season fell short of the expectations we brought to table back in October, that doesn’t mean there weren’t many bright spots for the players and fans this season. Canes Country thought we’d look back at some individuals whose performances were exemplary, and whose efforts and skill inspired us to keep watching. Using the traditional team and annual NHL Awards as a guide, Cory, Bob and I have each nominated a player from the Carolina roster for nine of these awards. Over the next week, we will ask you, our insightful readers, to vote for and tell us why you think one Hurricane player deserves our recognition for a job well done.
The Vezina Trophy
What is it?
The Vezina Trophy is an annual award given to the goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at this position as voted by the general managers of all NHL clubs. [The] owners of the Montreal Canadiens presented the trophy to the National Hockey League in 1926-27 in memory of Georges Vezina, outstanding goalkeeper of the Canadiens, who collapsed during an NHL game Nov. 28, 1925, and died of tuberculosis a few months later.
Who received the Vezina over the last 3 years?
2009: Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins,
2008, 2007: Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils (4 times in career)
After the jump Bob, Cory and Hockeymom each make their nominations and tell why.
And the nominees are:
Bob nominates: Manny Legace
With my nomination, I'm not suggesting that Legace is more talented or has more ability than either Ward or Peters. But I am saying that the Hurricanes got more for their money from his performances than they did from anyone else.
Legace stole the job away from Michael Leighton by quite frankly, out-playing the previous backup. He came in when things were at their darkest during the season and usually performed well. His humor also helped to lighten the mood in the dressing room and during practice.
Who was a part of the longest winning streak of the season for the Canes? Legace.
Who earned the only shutout of the season for the Canes? Legace
Who was not around for most of the 14 game winless streak which was the primary reason the Hurricanes failed to make the postseason? Legace.
I think a strong case could be made that he was the outstanding goaltender this season for the franchise.
Cory Lavalette nominates: Cam Ward
Yes, Ward was in net early in the season when things went wrong. But if you look beyond the win-loss record, Ward matched last season's career-high .916 save percentage — though his goals-against average did go up. Justin Peters and Manny Legace performed admirably this season, but you can't compare either to what Ward is able to do between the pipes.
Hockeymomof2 nominates: Justin Peters
Justin Peters, age 23, may have only played in 9 games, but boy, didn't he make an impression in Carolina? Until his last couple games, his stat line was phenomenal, proving he is ready to challenge former All-Star Manny Legace for the back-up spot next year. Peters had been a solid #1 in Albany, but when Ward went out the second time, in February with his back problem, Peters got the call to join the big team. His debut in the Nassau Coliseum, giving up just one goal to the Islanders and receiving the first star, was an inspiration to the team and the fans, just when we were wondering what else could possibly go wrong this season. He went on to take wins over Martin Brodeur and the Devils, and the offensive hotshots of the Pittsburgh Penguins (twice!) and the Washington Capitals. Truth be told, his stay with us was too brief to be considered a valid Vezina candidate, but his accomplishments were both superb and significant for what they meant to the season and so for that, his name deserves to be included here.
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I had to give the nod to Manny here. Considering how the season started, and him having to come into a situation like this and to perform the way he did, I have to tip my hat to the guy.
And…fantastic interviews. He seems like a guy you’d generally like to sit around with and talk to for a long time about everything.
Can someone please get Manny a new shirt? He DESERVES one.
Legace gets my vote. Granted Ward was injured and didn’t see alot of action, the goals Cam let in seemed in my opinion “softer”. All goalies get a +1 because they struggled through a good portion of the season with a very poor performing D. I also felt when Manny was in net he gave us the best chance at a win… Boston game spoiled my appetite for Cam this season…
Manny
Cam Ward was the only goaltender on the roster w/ a losing record…. That automatically puts him in a distant 3rd place.
"The coaches on the Carolina bench are all grinning like butchers dogs...."
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Apr 13, 2010 11:34 AM EDT reply actions
Least Worst
Manny was the least worst of the 3, I don’t find much consolation in attempting to reward what was by committee mediocre to poor. Our goaltending wasn’t the primary reason we didn’t make the playoffs but it certainly didn’t help, especially during the 14-game drought. If we could have just couple of big saves during that drought at key times we all wouldn’t be putting away our tailgaiting stuff. Also, neither Peters nor Legace qualify, you have to play at least 25 games.
If this award is based solely on the numbers, then Cam wins it. If it’s based on how much a goalie helped keep the ship afloat, then it’s got to be a Manny/Peters combination.
Maybe we can just break the trophy into three pieces and they can all have one.
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
What, no love for Michael Leighton? He’s been pretty good in Philly.
I just wish JR would have given up Ray Whitney for Lent.
I wanted an “All of the Above”. I never thought our goaltending was mediocre to poor. Every goalie is going to let in goals they want back, but I don’t remember many instances where I thought the goalies were the ones that cost us a game. In fact I think there were many times they kept us in the game as long as they could in spite of ourselves.
I thought they all performed well. What broke the tie for me was the guy who came in during our darkest hours, fit in from the moment he stepped on the ice barely an hour after he signed the contract, was a great mentor and friend in the locker room, treated us all to great humor and demonstrated love for the sport, and in my opinion was a big part in getting this season finally turned around. We may lose Manny after this season, but I will never forget him.
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU
I don’t remember many instances where I thought the goalies were the ones that cost us a game. In fact I think there were many times they kept us in the game as long as they could in spite of ourselves.
I agree with that LTD. I think the closest case you could make to “a goalie costing us the game” would be the last game in Boston and THE PP. But even then some of the blame has to go to the 5 other guys out there on the PP. Like Cam said in his exit interview, he probably should have been able to steal us a game or two (he was speaking specifically about the 14 game losing streak), but I’d have a hard time making the argument that any of the goalies (Leighton included) cost us a game.
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
There were a couple of games early in the year when we needed saves and didn’t get them. We either needed to hold a lead or keep the game within a goal and it didn’t happen, there were about 5 games early in the year when we went into the 3rd and blew the lead eventually costing us the game (Atlanta game was one of them). I don’t know what happened after Christmas but it seemed that whoever was in net was making that one save we needed to get the win. So to put it more succinctly, our goaltending at the beginning of the season was mediocre to bad, which is what ended up costing us – possibly 5 saves. The blame can’t solely be put on the goaltenders, but to make the playoffs you need those 5 saves.
Manny, hands down. He helped the canes so much this season, plus he’s just an all-around great guy.
If he leaves over the summer, he will be missed :(
by silent_shadow36 on Apr 13, 2010 3:33 PM EDT reply actions
None of them.....
2Goals20secCam……and sometimes 3Goals20secCam….get over it Cam and move on, another puck will be coming soon. Even Cam said the Goalie needs to pull the team out of a 14 game losing streak…you know what your RIGHT!
Manny just not consistant enough, I can think of quit a few games where he himself even said he SUCKED.
Peters….well he tried and had a real good start but near the end kinda started to slip ( probably from rotating every other game, I know I won’t like doing that).
Mo leave the F**kin first line Staal, Jussi, and the Wizard, whats wrong with ya!
I know you’re just breaking out the 2 goal thing to mess with those of us on here who are goalie people and that I’m playing right into your weird little web. But even you have to admit that probably 95% of those 2 goal 20 second moments were just as much a result of defensive breakdowns in front of the goalie as they were the fault of the goalie.
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
I’d like to know the amount of times that’s happened during Ward’s career honestly…it seems like most of it happened this year. I personally don’t remember it happening that much beforehand, but then again, that could be me just blocking it out subconsciously. ;)
Can someone please get Manny a new shirt? He DESERVES one.
It was mostly this year and I did have a list of them that I kept posting but I no longer have it. I stopped keeping track at around 10 or so times he did this. One or two games he did it two different times in the same game. Hey, at least his consistant at something…….
Mo leave the F**kin first line Staal, Jussi, and the Wizard, whats wrong with ya!
Again here Cam lovers :)
Flyers 2-0 final 2nd period…….goals scored 22 seconds apart.
Boston 7-2 final 1st period……..goals scored 66 seconds apart.
Tampa 5-2 final 2nd period…….goals scored 15 seconds apart.
NYI 4-3 final 2nd period………….goals scored 89 seconds apart.
COL 5-4 final 1st period…………goals scored 31 seconds apart.
2nd period………..goals scored 40 seconds apart.
St.Blues 5-2 final 1st period………goals scored 56 seconds apart.
Sharks 5-1 final 2nd period……….goals scored 82 seconds apart.
Florida 6-3 final 3rd period……….goals scored 37 seconds apart.
Atlanta 5-3 final 2nd period………goals scored 72 seconds apart.
Flyers 4-2 final 2nd period……….goals scored 105 seconds apart.
Flames 4-1 final 2nd period……….goals scored 33 seconds apart.
Tampa 5-8 final 3rd period………goals scored 85 seconds apart. ( we won this one)
Boston 4-2 final 2nd period…….3 goals scored in 45 seconds.
'AWARDS!' Nobody on this team deserves ANY awards.........well maybe JUSSI.
CG, I think that the 5 in front of him do share some of the blame, but I do worry that it is becoming a problem for Cam. It may just have to do with the overall pressures of trying to correct a season that went off the rails early, though, to be fair.
Like Tachi said above, I don’t remember this kind of thing happening with any kind of frequency prior to this season. If it is becoming a pattern, then it is definitely a cause for concern. I just have a hard time making judgments about goaltending patterns based off of a season like this one.
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
We have to be careful with placing blame, soon it turns into excuses , just like Staal would be so much better with a power winger… Cam let in alot of softies, and spent alot of time with the flood gates open. Using Canescups numbers above, is there a way to crunch and find what other 5 were on the ice. So far the common denominator is Cam. JUST SAYIN’
and Manny did start winning with the same 5 in front in front of him that Cam had.. again just sayin’
I can tell you before the trade deadline F**kin AWard was out there for most of them. But again if your an ELITE goalie (which Cam is not yet) you just got to stop the puck regardles of the defense.
'AWARDS!' Nobody on this team deserves ANY awards.........well maybe JUSSI.
I think your expectations of just what an elite goalie can do when a team’s D is letting skill players shoot from the slot is perhaps a bit unrealistic.
There’s 24 square feet of goal opening, and not that much of any goalie (even with Luango’s pads) to go around.
Those that can bust plates at the skill competition can find holes when you let them shoot from there.
It’s a goalies job to stop pucks period end of story. Breakaways no one in front……shootouts no one in front……STOP the PUCK thats it, thats all thats asked.
'AWARDS!' Nobody on this team deserves ANY awards.........well maybe JUSSI.
Fortunately, 0-0 games are not the norm.
If you had it your way, NO one would ever score.
How completely boring.
I’m fine with any goalie that stops better than 9 out of 10 shots. We are supposed to score a few goals ourself, you know.
From a cursory look at last season’s schedule, I see us shut out seven times, and scoring one goal nine times.
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU
by Jamie Kellner on Apr 13, 2010 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Now your just being redic, I’m not asking him to stop EVERY puck we were talking about the back to back goals. No goalie can stop EVERY goal…..come on man :)
'AWARDS!' Nobody on this team deserves ANY awards.........well maybe JUSSI.
Ah, but you didn’t say anything about back-to-back goals, just that you expected elite goalies to stop goals, period.
Nonetheless, put a rattled defense out there, and back-to-back goals for an energized team with momentum swung solidly their way is suddenly much easier.
Elite defenses dig in at that exact point in time, simplify things, and puck-goes-in-puck-goes-out.
Not stress-test your goalie. I’m still hanging this phenom on the defense, not Cam.
We need an elite defense to complement our elite goalie.
I understand what you’re saying (and agree with you), but my point was more that you can’t create a theory around 1 season. Meaning, you can’t say that Cam gives up a lot of goals close together as a general rule based off of this season alone. That’s not an excuse, but rather a guiding principle. Small sample size=low validity.
As far as who was on the ice…I’m on it. :)
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
Philly: both goals were PPG off of Sammy’s phantom 4 minute highsticking penalty. Players on the ice: 4, 8, 41, 59, 7, 12, 17, 77
Boston: 1st was a PPG and 2nd was EV. Players on ice: 4 (times 2), 18, 41 (times 2), 29, 8, 15, 36
Tampa: both goals were EV. Players on the ice: 4, 7, 13, 8, 59, 6, 12, 14, 15, 77
NYI: both were EV. Players on the ice: 7, 8, 59, 17, 77, 6, 14, 15, 25, 36
COL: 1st period ones were both EV. Players on the ice: 7, 8, 29, 38, 77, 4, 15, 14, 25, 36
2nd period-1st one was a PP and the 2nd was EV. Plyaers on the ice: 8, 25, 29, 41, 4, 17, 38, 44, 59
St.Blues : both goals were EV. Players on the ice: 14, 16, 36, 41, 44, 4, 12, 13, 59, 25
Sharks: both goals were EV. Players on the ice: 7, 8, 17, 24, 77, 14, 29, 36, 41, 44
Florida: both goals were EV. Players on the ice: 12, 14 (times 2), 15, 25, 27, 16, 24, 33, 41
Atlanta: both goals were EV. Players on the ice: 4, 11, 18, 39, 41, 17, 21, 25, 26, 29
Flyers: 1st goal was a PP; 2nd was EV. Players on the ice: 6 (times 2) , 7 (times 2), 8, 59 (times 2), 16, 19
Flames: both were EV. Can’t find players on ice since it’s linked to the Chicago gamesheet.
Tampa: both goals were EV. Players on ice: 13, 16, 26, 28, 33 (times 2), 14, 17, 27, 29
Boston: all three were SH. UGH. Players on ice: 12 (times 3), 13, 28 (times 2), 33 (times 2), 36 (times 3), 5, 21, 27, 59
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
Wow…I was right about one thing I see a lot of #4 at least seven times….ummm
'AWARDS!' Nobody on this team deserves ANY awards.........well maybe JUSSI.
Not really sure I agree with that. Actually I know I don’t agree with that. You’d have to go back and watch each of those goals to determine who was at fault. Is it truly 100% Cam’s fault when the D gets caught pinching and an odd-man break comes his way? Is it truly 100% Cam’s fault when the D falls apart and an All-Star is left wide open in the slot?
I do agree with you that some of that blame has to rest on Cam’s shoulders (he is the goalie), but there is an equal amount of blame to go around for every player on the ice.
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
Maybe on Cam was harsh, but as far as this voting goes I believe Manny was the better tender for us this year. No doubt, plenty of blame to be spread across the ice..
Also didn’t Cam pull himself one game?? I have a flash of something like that in one of my few remaining brain cells..
Hmmm…I don’t remember that. Manny sort of pulled himself in Tampa after getting hurt.
Cam got pulled against the Canadiens I think, but I don’t remember him pulling himself.
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
I just remember an image of him storming off the ice and going to the locker room… might have to do some hunting on this one…
It definitely wasn’t any of the games I went to. But your image may be right even if he didn’t pull himself. Mo could have given him the signal, but Cam could easily have been upset enough with himself that he had a mini goalie meltdown on the way to the locker room.
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
My Vote is
For Manny…He did the best he could with what the Canes management & players in front of him gave him.. if we all could talk with say a tony Esposito and Roy other notables who have had stellar times in the NHL…they too would freely admit to wanting to get back a goal or 2 that got in when it shouldn’t…So and even though the numbers may not be great for any of the 3 nominiees…I vote for manny..
" Chadness" is contagious ! Go Canes !!
Cam is the Man
I was going to vote for Manny, following the “darkest hour” argument…until it came time to vote.
Then I clicked Cam’s button, because, after all, he’s the best of the three, so wins my Vezina vote.
We got pretty good goaltending from all three candidates, other than some understandable rocky moments for all three.
But, Cam has that game-stealing edge, and is what gives me confidence going into next season.
He got my vote.
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