The Dallas Stars have really been a wreck of a team so far this season. Dallas is dead last in the Western Conference with a 9-11-4 record. Things got even more interesting when Sean Avery was suspended this week for an inappropriate comment that he made to the media.
The Stars won their game without Avery, so perhaps he is a large part of the problem. Team management has since talked about how they intend to hold him accountable, and about how his actions are unacceptable to their organization. They should have thought about that before they signed him. They knew what they were getting, and now they are suddenly paying for their mistake. Avery signed for a four year deal, so the Stars are stuck with him for awhile.
The thing is the team doesn't even want him around anymore. One of the biggest critics that Avery has in his own locker room is goalie Marty Turco. Turco describes Avery's comments as "ignorant", and this isn't the first time that the goalie has condemned his teammates behavior. The Stars need to realize that Turco's contract is up in 18 months, and there is no reason to believe that he would elect to continue playing on a team with Avery who will still have two years left at that point. Perhaps Turco's problem this season is that he honestly does not care about the success of his team.
The Stars lack of leadership is what is killing them this season. The loss Stu Barnes is what is killing this team. Mike Modano is still there, but given how the team is doing you have to wonder why. About Avery Modano said that "out of what we expect out of each other" and that "It's gonna be dealt with". Still the team is a mess, and Avery will continue going on doing whatever he wants.
Even if the team released Avery it looks as if the Star's current season is already a loss. The bigger issue is that in the coming seasons it only looks as if things are going to get worse for Dallas in the coming seasons.
Showing posts with label Marty Turco. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marty Turco. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
Ranking the top 41 NHL goalies
Below is a ranking of the top 41 goalies league wide. This also shows why some teams, such as Los Angles, do not have a chance at all this season. Buffalo came out ok, with Miller at number 8 and Lalime doing respectable at number 32. The most stacked team is obviously Chicago with both Huet (#10) and Khabibulin (#18). The top ten show and even split between the east and the west although both of the top two are in the Pacific division, and numbers three and four both play in the Atlantic division. A few of these are a little uncertain such as #17 Carey Price who has seen very few starts, as well as Curtis Joseph (#37) who has been out of the spotlight for a while now. Also half of the top six (numbers one, four, and six) are all named Marty, which is a bit unusual. Chris is the only other name repeated at numbers 14 and 21.
#1 Marty Turco
#2 Evgeni Nabokov
#3 Rick DiPietro
#4 Martin Brodeur
#5 Dan Ellis
#6 Martin Biron
#7 Roberto Luongo
#8 Ryan Miller
#9 Henrik Lundqvist
#10 Cristobal Huet
#11 Jean-Sebastien Giguere
#12 Marc-Andre Fleury
#13 Miikka Kiprusoff
#14 Chris Osgood
#15 Tim Thomas
#16 Tomáš Vokoun
#17 Carey Price
#18 Nikolai Khabibulin
#19 Niklas Bäckström
#20 Ilya Bryzgalov
#21 Chris Mason
#22 Martin Gerber
#23 Pascal Leclaire
#24 Manny Legacé
#25 Johan Holmqvist
#26 Peter Budaj
#27 Mathieu Garon
#28 Cam Ward
#29 Jose Theodore
#30 Alex Auld
#31 Vesa Toskala
#32 Patrick Lalime
#33 Kari Lehtonen
#34 Dwayne Roloson
#35 Andrew Raycroft
#36 Jason LaBarbera
#37 Curtis Joseph
#38 Olaf Kolzig
#39 Johan Hedberg
#40 Manny Fernandez
#41 Fredrik Norrena
#1 Marty Turco
#2 Evgeni Nabokov
#3 Rick DiPietro
#4 Martin Brodeur
#5 Dan Ellis
#6 Martin Biron
#7 Roberto Luongo
#8 Ryan Miller
#9 Henrik Lundqvist
#10 Cristobal Huet
#11 Jean-Sebastien Giguere
#12 Marc-Andre Fleury
#13 Miikka Kiprusoff
#14 Chris Osgood
#15 Tim Thomas
#16 Tomáš Vokoun
#17 Carey Price
#18 Nikolai Khabibulin
#19 Niklas Bäckström
#20 Ilya Bryzgalov
#21 Chris Mason
#22 Martin Gerber
#23 Pascal Leclaire
#24 Manny Legacé
#25 Johan Holmqvist
#26 Peter Budaj
#27 Mathieu Garon
#28 Cam Ward
#29 Jose Theodore
#30 Alex Auld
#31 Vesa Toskala
#32 Patrick Lalime
#33 Kari Lehtonen
#34 Dwayne Roloson
#35 Andrew Raycroft
#36 Jason LaBarbera
#37 Curtis Joseph
#38 Olaf Kolzig
#39 Johan Hedberg
#40 Manny Fernandez
#41 Fredrik Norrena
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Why I will not be rooting for any team in the West
Cheering for an eastern conference team, leaves you with a lack of knowledge about what is going on out in the western conference. However come playoff time you have to pick a few teams to root from on the other side of the country.
After watching his team get eliminated in seven games after earning three shutouts in the series, I got over the whole no-goal thing, and started rooting for Marty Turco and the Dallas Stars. Given how much they rely on their goaltending they had a decent postseason this year. And then this offseason they sign free agent Sean Avery. It's already hard enough to root for a hockey team in Texas, and with Avery now in the equation I don't think I can do it.
So out west I then have to turn my attention to the Calgary Flames. The Flames have Jerome Iginla as a captain, who is probably the best and most classy player in the league. Given that Kiprusoff and Phaneuf are both likable enough, and being in Canada, the city has no below the frost line reasons to dislike it. Then what does my beloved western conference team do? They sign Todd Bertuzzi. I'll still have a problem rooting against Iginla, but this isn't going to have me rooting for the Flames this season. Even without the whole Moore incident there are plenty of reasons to not like Bertuzzi. It's sad to see a class organization like Calgary go down like this.
Next thing you know the Chicago Blackhawks will be trading hard working Buffalo boy Kevyn Adams to Ottawa in exchange for Chris Neil. Then I really would have no use for any team not in the East.
After watching his team get eliminated in seven games after earning three shutouts in the series, I got over the whole no-goal thing, and started rooting for Marty Turco and the Dallas Stars. Given how much they rely on their goaltending they had a decent postseason this year. And then this offseason they sign free agent Sean Avery. It's already hard enough to root for a hockey team in Texas, and with Avery now in the equation I don't think I can do it.
So out west I then have to turn my attention to the Calgary Flames. The Flames have Jerome Iginla as a captain, who is probably the best and most classy player in the league. Given that Kiprusoff and Phaneuf are both likable enough, and being in Canada, the city has no below the frost line reasons to dislike it. Then what does my beloved western conference team do? They sign Todd Bertuzzi. I'll still have a problem rooting against Iginla, but this isn't going to have me rooting for the Flames this season. Even without the whole Moore incident there are plenty of reasons to not like Bertuzzi. It's sad to see a class organization like Calgary go down like this.
Next thing you know the Chicago Blackhawks will be trading hard working Buffalo boy Kevyn Adams to Ottawa in exchange for Chris Neil. Then I really would have no use for any team not in the East.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
The Stars may be for real
The Dallas Stars have won their second straight game against the Detroit Red Wings with a 2-1 victory on Saturday afternoon. Detroit is still up in the series 3-2, but Dallas actually has a realistic chance at this point.
As is usual when Dallas wins Marty Turco had an excellent game. Turco finished the game with 38 saves, and even had an assist on the game winning goal.
Detroit got their one goal on the powerplay, but had a limited number of opportunities with the man advantage throughout the game. The Red Wings had almost twice as many shots on goal as the Stars did at 39 to 21 for the game. Still Turco is the best goalie remaining in the playoffs at this point, and as a result has a greater amount of control over how his team does then anyone else.
As is usual when Dallas wins Marty Turco had an excellent game. Turco finished the game with 38 saves, and even had an assist on the game winning goal.
Detroit got their one goal on the powerplay, but had a limited number of opportunities with the man advantage throughout the game. The Red Wings had almost twice as many shots on goal as the Stars did at 39 to 21 for the game. Still Turco is the best goalie remaining in the playoffs at this point, and as a result has a greater amount of control over how his team does then anyone else.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Osgood improves to 9-0
Dallas has a solid team, but they are not able to pull off a 4-0 run against a team that is this good. Turco may steal one or two, but without any offense, he won't be able to do more than that.
Turco has actually had a bit of a let down in this series, and while he hasn't gotten any help, neither has he been over the top outstanding like he usually is. The Red Wings scored five goals on only 21 shots last game. Dallas is the type of team that needs their goalie to be saving around 98% every night so .761 save percentage is not going to come close to cutting it.
Meanwhile the undefeated Chris Osgood has a solid enough team in front of him that a mediocre save percentage of .889 is more than enough.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Finishing the series in overtime
The Penguins finally finished off the Rangers. While New York fought back from a 2-0 deficit to get to overtime and make things interesting it was not enough, and resulted in Pittsburgh moving on to the next round, and an Eastern Conference final taking place solely in Pennsylvania.
Out west the Sharks tried to hang on against the Dallas Stars, but ultimately lost during the fourth overtime. Dallas was (as always) carried by Turco who had 61 saves on 62 shots, and had a shutout for the final 87:27 of the game. Former Sabre and Sharks defenseman Brian Campbell lead all players (besides goalies) in ice time, playing 56:23 during the game. However he was partially to blame for both of the goals for Dallas, as he was on the ice for the first one, and in the penalty box for the second.
Out west the Sharks tried to hang on against the Dallas Stars, but ultimately lost during the fourth overtime. Dallas was (as always) carried by Turco who had 61 saves on 62 shots, and had a shutout for the final 87:27 of the game. Former Sabre and Sharks defenseman Brian Campbell lead all players (besides goalies) in ice time, playing 56:23 during the game. However he was partially to blame for both of the goals for Dallas, as he was on the ice for the first one, and in the penalty box for the second.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Playoff update
Now that Turco can win without a shutout, he seems to be abusing this opportunity by allowing a single goal with less then ten seconds remaining in the game. Still the Stars won 3-1 and have an opportunity to eliminate the Ducks next game.
The Flames-Sharks series continues to be exciting, with the Sharks grabbing a 3-2 lead overall. This came in a close 4-3 game where the team that scored first once again lost the game. The math says that scoring first should help the team, but you might want to avoid that advice in this series. In fact it was being suggested even before game five.
The Capitals are now down 3-1 to the Flyers, but probably have the best chance out of all of the teams that are two games back. Their last loss was a hard fought double overtime game where they may have leaned on Huet a little too much, but actually had a lead going into the third. Daniel Briere scored the goal to tie up the game, which he would not have done last year. Briere was dreadful in the playoffs last season, but seems to be actually trying now, and has scored five goals, and has a game winner as well.
The Bruins managed a win, but that shouldn't matter. Colorado is now up on the Wild. The Rangers have a chance to finish off the Devils tonight.
The Flames-Sharks series continues to be exciting, with the Sharks grabbing a 3-2 lead overall. This came in a close 4-3 game where the team that scored first once again lost the game. The math says that scoring first should help the team, but you might want to avoid that advice in this series. In fact it was being suggested even before game five.
The Capitals are now down 3-1 to the Flyers, but probably have the best chance out of all of the teams that are two games back. Their last loss was a hard fought double overtime game where they may have leaned on Huet a little too much, but actually had a lead going into the third. Daniel Briere scored the goal to tie up the game, which he would not have done last year. Briere was dreadful in the playoffs last season, but seems to be actually trying now, and has scored five goals, and has a game winner as well.
The Bruins managed a win, but that shouldn't matter. Colorado is now up on the Wild. The Rangers have a chance to finish off the Devils tonight.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Is a shutout needed?
Marty Turco won a playoff game last Saturday and it was amazing. There is nothing special about simply winning a playoff game, but for Turco the fact that he won without earning himself a shutout is something extra special.
For the nine previous playoff games Turco had earned himself four shutouts, yet only had four wins. Last season he had managed to get three shutouts in a single series, and yet still not move on. Although the Stars have made the playoffs every season since the lockout, this was only the second time since then that Turco has won on a night he wasn't perfect himself.
Even when the Sabres rode Hasek all the way to the cup finals they were not as reliant on him for wins as Dallas has been the last few years. In those four playoff series in 99 Hasek only had two shutouts.
It is possible of course that Turco has just passed the curse on. Marty Biron now has two playoff games under his belt and one shutout, and only one win. If the FLyers think they can shutout Ovechkin for four out of seven games they are going to be in trouble...
For the nine previous playoff games Turco had earned himself four shutouts, yet only had four wins. Last season he had managed to get three shutouts in a single series, and yet still not move on. Although the Stars have made the playoffs every season since the lockout, this was only the second time since then that Turco has won on a night he wasn't perfect himself.
Even when the Sabres rode Hasek all the way to the cup finals they were not as reliant on him for wins as Dallas has been the last few years. In those four playoff series in 99 Hasek only had two shutouts.
It is possible of course that Turco has just passed the curse on. Marty Biron now has two playoff games under his belt and one shutout, and only one win. If the FLyers think they can shutout Ovechkin for four out of seven games they are going to be in trouble...
Friday, January 25, 2008
Buffalo enters the all star break on a high note
The Sabres won a close game against the Dallas Stars with a score of 2-1. Derek Roy got both of the goals for Buffalo, while former Sabre Stu Barnes scored the lone point for Dallas.
It was a close game throughout, and both teams had plenty of opportunities to get the win, but the goalies on both ends played well. Although both goalies were not named for any of the games three stars, both were deserving and played exceptionally well. This would have been a radically different game is both teams had played their backups. Along with the Islanders' DiPietro, Marty Turco is one of the best stick handling goalies in the league. As an aside, ten percent of the league's starting goaltenders are named Marty (Biron and Brodour), what are the odds of that?
The problem that both of the teams had in this game was special teams. Both the Sabres and the Stars were very poor in this regard, many times not even coming close. In a combined twenty minutes of five on four play the teams combined for a grand total of seven shots on goal. Only one of those shots was by the Sabres. In four powerplay oppertnities the Sabres had zero goals and one shot. Having an extra man on the ice is supposed to be an advantage.
The good news is the Sabres have finally won a close game. This is still only their second win since Christams. Lets hope that following the All Star break, this is the team that we see, and that the effort and the ability to win is still there. The Sabres are back at .500 but that doesn't get you into the playoffs anymore...
Official Three Stars
Derek Roy
Thomas Vanek
Stu Barnes
My Three Stars
Derek Roy (two goals)
Drew Stafford (two assists, plus one)
Stu Barnes (only goal for the Stars)
It was a close game throughout, and both teams had plenty of opportunities to get the win, but the goalies on both ends played well. Although both goalies were not named for any of the games three stars, both were deserving and played exceptionally well. This would have been a radically different game is both teams had played their backups. Along with the Islanders' DiPietro, Marty Turco is one of the best stick handling goalies in the league. As an aside, ten percent of the league's starting goaltenders are named Marty (Biron and Brodour), what are the odds of that?
The problem that both of the teams had in this game was special teams. Both the Sabres and the Stars were very poor in this regard, many times not even coming close. In a combined twenty minutes of five on four play the teams combined for a grand total of seven shots on goal. Only one of those shots was by the Sabres. In four powerplay oppertnities the Sabres had zero goals and one shot. Having an extra man on the ice is supposed to be an advantage.
The good news is the Sabres have finally won a close game. This is still only their second win since Christams. Lets hope that following the All Star break, this is the team that we see, and that the effort and the ability to win is still there. The Sabres are back at .500 but that doesn't get you into the playoffs anymore...
Official Three Stars
My Three Stars
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
