We need Cory Schneider

[Erndog]

Forgive me for making this it's own thread, but I wanted to highlight the importance of stability in goal. 

We haven't had it since pre-lockout.  Well, we had it in the second half last season, and look what it did for us.  Reimer gave us consistent .920 goaltending and we were a very good team from January 1 on.

This year?  We are getting mostly .900 caliber goaltending and you can see it's just not good enough.  Take last night for example.  Turris' shot was okay sure, but it was a wrister that Reimer 'shouldered' at.  The book is out- he has basically no glove hand.  That shot was probably the difference between 1-2 points, no doubt.  This has been happening a lot this year.

To me, neither Reimer nor Gustavsson are long term solutions.  I am more than comfortable with either as a backup, but I think it's becoming clearer and clearer that neither is a starter.

This leads me to Cory Schneider. 

I'm hesitant sure, because how much is Cory vs. the Canucks being a very good team?  Who knows, but then again, a guy has to start somewhere.  He could very well be an elite starting goalie.  He's young, cheap, extremely talented, has loads of potential, and he could be available.

Forget JVR, Ryan, Getzlaf (for now)... we need stability in goal.  We need a guy who we can throw out there night after night and have the confidence that we'll win.  I have no doubt he could be a .~915-.920 SV% goalie for us and that difference is MONUMENTAL.

Thoughts?  Interested?  What would you give up?  I'd easily offer up Schenn, or Aulie + a 1st or perhaps even Kadri/Colborne.  Goaltending is vital.

 

[maplesyrup]

Last night in the "conundrum" thread I said go with the status quo unless we're talking Schneider or Bernier so yeah, I'm with 'ya.

 

[Tigger]

Wait, you're not sure if Cory looks good because of the team he plays for but you'd trade that much to get him? Confusion and disagreement there.

Uh, forget Ryan and Getzlaf? If it's in any way shape or form possible ( and I'm not saying it is ), definitively no possible agreement there.

I agree the Leafs need to have great goaltending at this point to merit serious consideration as a playoff team but I don't think you solve it like this.

 

[Erndog]

Wait, you're not sure if Cory looks good because of the team he plays for but you'd trade that much to get him? Confusion and disagreement there.

Well you're going to have to give to get... and second, you're dealing potential for potential (Schenn and Schneider) where 1 guy is clearly progressing well while the other seems to be regressing.  In terms of 'value' it's pretty damn fair.

And I don't value Schenn nearly as highly as most Leaf fans.

Uh, forget Ryan and Getzlaf? If it's in any way shape or form possible ( and I'm not saying it is ), definitively no possible agreement there.

I said FOR NOW.   I didn't mean literally forget them as obviously both would be fantastic additions.  I meant it more like, "let's concentrate on acquiring a potential elite goalie" right now.

I agree the Leafs need to have great goaltending at this point to merit serious consideration as a playoff team but I don't think you solve it like this.

I think you do. 

 

[maplesyrup]

Would Gustavsson + Gunnarsson + a pick get you Schneider? I mention Gunnarsson only because he would seem to be a nice replacement for Salo who is an upcoming UFA and who I think is hurt. 

 

[Kin]

I'm hesitant sure, because how much is Cory vs. the Canucks being a very good team?  Who knows, but then again, a guy has to start somewhere.

I'd, uh, want to be pretty sure about that one. I mean, wasn't the Toskala argument that he'd had good years on good teams.

 

[Erndog]

Would Gustavsson + Gunnarsson + a pick get you Schneider? I mention Gunnarsson only because he would seem to be a nice replacement for Salo who is an upcoming UFA and who I think is hurt.

Possible.  I think I'd rather send them Aulie. 

I just think Schneider has that sort of potential where in 2-3 years we could be talking about a top 5-10 goalie in the NHL.  Other than Tuuka Rask (and even then, it's probably a toss up), he's probably the best young capable "starter" in the league.

 

[Peter D.]

I'm going to say it and get it off of my chest (again) -- the fact we are discussing this continues to make the Rask trade sicken me.  Anyways...

I'd be all over Schneider.  He, along with Rask, are the most ready to take over the reigns of a team.  And I'd probably give up the players you suggested.

But I'd still prefer and rather allocate the assets for a Getzlaf/Staal than I would Schneider.  I truly believe that the lack of a true #1 centre is really holding this team back, even more than the goaltending is right now. 

 

[Erndog]

I'm hesitant sure, because how much is Cory vs. the Canucks being a very good team?  Who knows, but then again, a guy has to start somewhere.

I'd, uh, want to be pretty sure about that one. I mean, wasn't the Toskala argument that he'd had good years on good teams.

Yes.

Which will be the same argument every single time a backup has a good year on a good team.

A big difference between a midget sized Toskala, who came out of nowehere with very little background/pontential, vs. a former first round pick, who has great size for the position and was always projcted as a very good capable starter.

 

[maplesyrup]

Would Gustavsson + Gunnarsson + a pick get you Schneider? I mention Gunnarsson only because he would seem to be a nice replacement for Salo who is an upcoming UFA and who I think is hurt.

Possible.  I think I'd rather send them Aulie. 

I just think Schneider has that sort of potential where in 2-3 years we could be talking about a top 5-10 goalie in the NHL.  Other than Tuuka Rask (and even then, it's probably a toss up), he's probably the best young capable "starter" in the league.

I agree... Not sure if VAN bites on Aulie but what do I know? Curious, do you feel the same was about Bernier? Personally, I'd put him in that Rask/Schneider group too. 

 

[Kin]

A big difference between a midget sized Toskala, who came out of nowehere with very little background/pontential, vs. a former first round pick, who has great size for the position and was always projcted as a very good capable starter.

Well, leaving aside issues of hindsight and the general question of size I'm more responding to the idea that we should be all that hot and bothered about acquiring a guy who seems by your description to be a shot in the dark.

 

[bustaheims]

But I'd still prefer and rather allocate the assets for a Getzlaf/Staal than I would Schneider.  I truly believe that the lack of a true #1 centre is really holding this team back, even more than the goaltending is right now.

I'm sort of in the same boat. I'd much rather see the Leafs build a team that looks like it can do some damage without needing elite goaltending and then add the goalie or possibly even find they have the guy in the system (Rynnas? Owuya? Someone they draft this year?). Obviously if the opportunity to pick up a Schneider or a Bernier comes up and the price is reasonable, I'd do it, but I wouldn't be out hunting for that guy just yet.

 

[rdowdall]

The trades for goaltenders will continue until the Leafs make the playoffs.  That is all.  Thank you.

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

As I said prior, Brian Burke won't fix the goaltending issues just like he couldn't fix the goaltending issue in Vancouver.

 

[Erndog]

A big difference between a midget sized Toskala, who came out of nowehere with very little background/pontential, vs. a former first round pick, who has great size for the position and was always projcted as a very good capable starter.

Well, leaving aside issues of hindsight and the general question of size I'm more responding to the idea that we should be all that hot and bothered about acquiring a guy who seems by your description to be a shot in the dark.

Fine, that's fair.

At the end of the day I think we need an improvement in goal... and I don't think it is coming internally.  Whether it's Schneider (or whoever else) I think it's worth taking a look at.  We can poke holes in any potential target.  I think Schneider makes a lot of sense (based on age, cap hit, current play, potential and cost to acquire, etc). 

 

[Tigger]

Wait, you're not sure if Cory looks good because of the team he plays for but you'd trade that much to get him? Confusion and disagreement there.

Well you're going to have to give to get... and second, you're dealing potential for potential (Schenn and Schneider) where 1 guy is clearly progressing well while the other seems to be regressing.  In terms of 'value' it's pretty damn fair.

And I don't value Schenn nearly as highly as most Leaf fans.

You also threw out Kadri/Colborne which seems like a lot to me for an unproven goalie too, I mean what did Halak go for?

I said FOR NOW.   I didn't mean literally forget them as obviously both would be fantastic additions.  I meant it more like, "let's concentrate on acquiring a potential elite goalie" right now.

Sorry, for what I've seen since the lockout and in my experience that's just kind of backwards.

I think you do.

Clearly.

 

[Erndog]

Wait, you're not sure if Cory looks good because of the team he plays for but you'd trade that much to get him? Confusion and disagreement there.

Well you're going to have to give to get... and second, you're dealing potential for potential (Schenn and Schneider) where 1 guy is clearly progressing well while the other seems to be regressing.  In terms of 'value' it's pretty damn fair.

And I don't value Schenn nearly as highly as most Leaf fans.

You also threw out Kadri/Colborne which seems like a lot to me for an unproven goalie too, I mean what did Halak go for?

huh?  Kadri and Colborne are more unproven than Schneider.  They are both in year 3 of their pro careers and neither has shown they are everyday players yet (if ever).

Halak went for Eller and a 2nd.  Eller was a 1st round pick, 13th overall.  He's similar to Kulemin actually (minus Kulemins 30 goal season abberation).

I said FOR NOW.   I didn't mean literally forget them as obviously both would be fantastic additions.  I meant it more like, "let's concentrate on acquiring a potential elite goalie" right now.

Sorry, for what I've seen since the lockout and in my experience that's just kind of backwards.

Trying to acquire an elite goalie?  I don't get it.

 

[Tigger]

As I said prior, Brian Burke won't fix the goaltending issues just like he couldn't fix the goaltending issue in Vancouver.

...and what you've said has been challenged with no response from you, the statement is a hollow/cursory indictment of what happened.

By your own logic Nonis 'fixed' the situation... I'm expecting crickets.

 

[Redleaf]

Nobody here thinks Reimer is just having a typical sophomore slump type year? I mean his save percentage was fabulous last season.

I realize how important it is to have great goaltending, but I'm not sure I'd break the bank and give up assets that could be used to get that elusive front line centre in order to an address an issue that may take care of itself.

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

As I said prior, Brian Burke won't fix the goaltending issues just like he couldn't fix the goaltending issue in Vancouver.

...and what you've said has been challenged with no response from you, the statement is a hollow/cursory indictment of what happened.

By your own logic Nonis 'fixed' the situation... I'm expecting crickets.

Nonis is not the GM here.