goaltender screening

On Wed, 30 Jan 2008 10:19:02 -0800 (PST), Mark
<itsmarkwagner.DeleteThis@gmail.com> wrote:

>On Jan 29, 6:46 pm, "haggie" <jh....DeleteThis@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> I've noticed for several years now, that Holstrom has been very effective with his backside in the goaltenders face
><snip>
>> We need a Holstrom.
>
>I too would like to see someone good at screening goaltenders, a big
>bruising body in front of the net... a guy that is not afraid to mix
>it up, clearing the D out.... (if they could be groomed to specialize
>in this area)
>
>I'd like Clowe for that when he comes back... but I also wonder if the
>new guy (Shelly) might be tried there?

Standing in front of the net doesn't fit the Sharks rigid 5:5 game
plan. Two guys work the forecheck, the 3rd guy stays high in the
slot, and doesn't break for the net unless his teammate has broken
free with the puck on his stick. No one has time to get to the net if
the puck goes to the point, and the point players don't generally get
the puck on net anyway. I am only being slightly sarcastic, here.

On the PP, yes, they should get a guy there, and have been doing
better with that lately. Michalek had two tips last night, and
Cheechoo was standing on the weak side of the crease waiting for the
puck, or a rebound.

Detroit doesn't just have Holmstrom play at the net. They have a guy
on every line who does it, and pretty well too. Holmstrom is just
best at it. They also have two guys who dependably deliver low, hard
point shots, Rafalski and Lidstrom. Ask Guerin how much fun it is to
stand in front of the net with Ehrhoff shooting. You'd definitely
want to have your life insurance paid up, just in case...

As for Shelley, he *will* go to the net, and bump the goalie too. He
enjoys it. And as Mr. T says, he's a real prick. I think Wilson
acquired him mostly to deal with just a handful of teams that have
been taking liberties with the Sharks skill players, such as Anaheim.
Otherwise, I expect Shelley will be skyboxed quite a bit. While $650K
doesn't sound like much money in hockey terms, when you figure the guy
will play less than 20 games this season, and less than 10 minutes per
game, he's making about as much as Michalek, per minute on the ice! I
am probably over-estimating here, and he probably makes closer to Joe,
per ice minute.
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