Thread: Franchise Goaltending Depth

I'd like to open up a discussion about the state of the Kings' goaltending depth, and what people think should be done in the near and long term future to make sure this stays an organizational strength.

No need to rehash what we already know about Quick--He is the franchise #1 goaltender, and will be for a very long time, baring major injury.

Bernier will be traded soon, possibly before seasons starts (and without a doubt before next season), and we will have a hole in our depth chart. We have Jones, Berube, and Gibson in the wings, with only Jones playing at the AHL level currently. I would love to hear anyone's opinion who's been able to watch Gibson and Berube play this season and last, but as to Jones...

Jones is not close to being NHL ready, even in a backup role. He has the size and the fundamentals to potentially handle the job, but as of now he neither has the mental tenacity and unwillingness to give up on a loose puck/rebound like Quick, nor has the agility or reaction time of Bernier. He looks more like LaBarbera than anything else if you ask me. And because Jones is starting in Manchester, it tells me that Berube and Gibson probably aren't any closer to LA than MJ. Even if one of these 3 will eventually make the big club, I think we're talking 2-3 years before any of them realistically "deserve" the job.

What do we do in the meantime? Who will be available through trade or free agency? Is it worth it to make a package deal of Bernier + Richardon/Loktionov/any-somewhat-skilled-but-replaceable-player for a veteran backup (that stays sharp even on long stretches on the bench) plus a stronger player than we'd give up? Do we sign a veteran backup and try and get a high pick for Bernier?

Here' a list of potential 2013 UFA goaltenders:

Niklas Backstrom -- 34 years old, definitely did not earned his 6 mil cap hit the last four years. One would imagine they'll let him go to try and retain their upcoming F/D UFA. He made 3.1 mil in his previous contract.

Tim Thomas -- will most likely retire.

Nikolai Khabibulin -- No thanks.

Evgeni Nabokov -- 37 years old, making 2.75 and has expressed he's (surprisingly) happy to be on Long Island. With their lack of G depth and DiPietro being injured all the time, you'd have to imagine he stays for a year or two more.

Jimmy Howard -- 28 years old, making 2.25. You'd have to imagine Detroit brings him back to be Osgood 2.0, cuz Gustavsson is no Vernon/Hasek.

Mike Smith -- Im sure he'll be PHO/someone's starting goalie.

Jose Theodore -- 36, 1.5 cap hit. They'll go with Markstrom soon and will have Clemmensen until 2014 (or maybe Louongo). Theodore will probably become available.

Chris Mason -- 36, 1.5 cap hit. Not the best candidate, not the worst...

Mathieu Garon -- 34, 1.3 cap hit. We're all familiar. Seems like a reliable backup option, and he knows he wont be a #1 anymore.

Jason LaBarbera -- 32, 1.25 cap hit. Has only played 17, 17, 19 games in the last 3 seasons, had decent backup stats. He's probably worn out his welcome here though.

Ray Emery -- 30, 1.15 cap hit. Might be a decent option but Chicago has real goaltending question marks all over the place; they may hold onto him depending if he does much this season. However, if CHI lets him go without improving their G depth, it's probably a bad omen for Emery... Catch-22. Ex-Flyer!

Peter Budaj -- 30, 1.15 cap hit. If Desjardins challenges for the backup role, Budaj could be an option for LA.

Brian Boucher -- 35, .950 cap hit. Reliable and knows his role. Peter's will probably take the backup job soon. Ex-Flyer!

Michael Leighton -- 31 .900 cap hit. Nope............. Ex-Flyer!

Al Montoya -- 27, .601 cap hit. Remember when he was supposed to be the next Richter? He'd be a very last resort, but maybe still better than Leighton or Khabibulin.


Anyways, this post is getting long, and I'd really like to hear other thoughts on what direction our goaltending depth will take from the moment we trade Bernier to years down the line. The lines are open, let's see some ideas!

Mannino! FTW!

Transactions: Signed as a free agent by New York Islanders on July 3, 2008...Signed as a free agent by the Atlanta Thrashers on July 6, 2009...Transferred to Winnipeg after Atlanta franchise relocated on June 21, 2011...Assigned by Winnipeg to the ECHL’s Chicago Express on January 4, 2012...Loaned to the Portland Pirates by Winnipeg on March 3, 2012...Signed a professional tryout agreement with the Manchester Monarchs on October 11, 2012.

Meh, not to worried about goaltending.
Hit the jackpot on Quick. Reap the benefits for a few seasons.
clear #1. Backups and prospects are plentiful.

Just read about the Colorado system. They gave up a #1 for Varlamov, and still added 3 prospects last spring. lol Avs.
It's all a crapshoot.

Uh, I don't think it makes much sense to trade Bernier to get a different backup. JB is already better than anybody we'd get back in trade, don't see we'd want to move in that direction. But the Kings may be counting on Marty Jones getting into NHL shape before they move JB. If that doesn't happen, I can't see the Kings making any move with JB. But if Jones does improve enough, then on to part 2.

I see Deano just sitting back and waiting for a team begging for a new goalie and who is willing to pay the price. I wouldn't expect JB to be moved till the deadline and then Deano will likely want high draft picks and not players in return.

BTW, Berube just got demoted to Ontario, so I don't think he's going to be in anyone's future for a long time. Gibson is a wild card, he appears to have a very high upside, but once again, he's quite raw and is a long ways from the NHL.

Originally Posted by KHenry14

Uh, I don't think it makes much sense to trade Bernier to get a different backup. JB is already better than anybody we'd get back in trade, don't see we'd want to move in that direction. But the Kings may be counting on Marty Jones getting into NHL shape before they move JB. If that doesn't happen, I can't see the Kings making any move with JB. But if Jones does improve enough, then on to part 2.

I see Deano just sitting back and waiting for a team begging for a new goalie and who is willing to pay the price. I wouldn't expect JB to be moved till the deadline and then Deano will likely want high draft picks and not players in return.

BTW, Berube just got demoted to Ontario, so I don't think he's going to be in anyone's future for a long time. Gibson is a wild card, he appears to have a very high upside, but once again, he's quite raw and is a long ways from the NHL.

Bernier has asked to be traded and he's going to be unrestricted after the "season" so he's going to have to be replaced one way or the other.

Originally Posted by CUP4LA

Bernier has asked to be traded and he's going to be unrestricted after the "season" so he's going to have to be replaced one way or the other.

1) I don't care if JB asked to be traded or not. He's our first, best choice at backup. If Quickie's back acts up, JB can easily step in a play a lot of games. Unlikely to get that from anybody we might trade for. And since the Kings are the Champs, you have to have a good back up just in case something happens to your starter. I believe JB could step in an win if he had to. I wouldn't say that if say, Garon or JLB were the backup.

2) Sure, since JB is unrestricted ( please note, the new CBA may change that) you might be inclined to deal him just to get something back. But having an untested back up with a possibly wonky first string goalie, I hold on to JB as long as I can. Unless...

3) If Marty Jones shows he can play at the NHL level, then I'm much more comfortable in dealing JB. I believe Marty will play in the NHL someday, but it may not be this season.

So unless Deano gets his socks knocked off by an offer, or Jones shows he can play in the NHL, or somehow a quality backup can be signed, I keep JB for the whole seasn. JMHO...

Originally Posted by BDTR

Jason LaBarbera -- 32, 1.25 cap hit. Has only played 17, 17, 19 games in the last 3 seasons, had decent backup stats. He's probably worn out his welcome here though.

I came here to make a lame LaBarbera joke, but I'm just too tired to even try...

All I can say is, ANYONE but JLB.

I do believe bernier will still be a rfa.

Is this for real?????