There was a time in the NHL when a team's potential for success was judged almost exclusively on who occupied the space between their pipes.
Indeed, for several years, if the man keeping your goal did not have the name "Roy," "Brodeur," "Hasek," or "Belfour" on the back of his jersey, your team was largely left out of any discussions concerning Stanley Cup contenders.
But, one of the most interesting developments since the inception of the "new NHL," which began after the 2004-05 lockout, has been the diminishing need for so-called "big money" goalies.
In the years proceeding the lockout, only one high-dollar goalie has won the Stanley Cup - JS Giguere in 2007 with the Ducks.
Aside from him, in the five years since the lockout, the Cup-winning goalie has been either a rookie (Cam Ward - 2006, Antti Niemi - 2010), a has-been back-up (Chris Osgood - 2009) or an emerging net-minder not quite solidified as a top-tier tender (Marc-Andre Fleury - 2009).
Clearly, spending big money on a goalie is no longer necessary to secure a championship in the NHL.
However, though team-depth and defensive skill are the two "must-haves" ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Matt Hutter
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