Boucher Re-Signs W/Coyotes

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Edit: confirmed now.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/0802boucher-ON.html

 

[Stronso]

That is what I saw from Eklund who has Khabby going to the Hawks

Balls - I wanted him back in PHX

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

I cant get confirmation on Boucher resigning yet. However, it does look highly unlikely that Khabibulin will sign here.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Brian Boucher has resigned.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/0802boucher-ON.html

 

[Stronso]

beat me to it

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I would much prefer Khabibulin. It seems like a logical move, I mean we have all of our forward and defensive positions filled, and we have one major need in the most important position on the ice. It's not like Khabibulin would turn us down if we made him a competitive offer. If we don't sign him, I think that says a lot about the financial situation of the Coyotes, because we have a ton of money, and should make every effort to upgrade the goalie position, whether it be Nikolai or somebody else. I don't like the idea of watching Boosh in goal for another year especially when the addition of another goalie would make us a top contender in the West...

 

[Murf]

I don't like the idea of watching Boosh in goal for another year especially when the addition of another goalie would make us a top contender in the West...

I agree. Big disappointment here. I'm sure the Coyotes aren't done though. Probably not going to Khabi, but I still have hope that they will bring in someone decent. If for no other reason, to push Boucher to actaully perform. He seems to need job competition to actually play up to his capabilities.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

I would much prefer Khabibulin. It seems like a logical move, I mean we have all of our forward and defensive positions filled, and we have one major need in the most important position on the ice. It's not like Khabibulin would turn us down if we made him a competitive offer. If we don't sign him, I think that says a lot about the financial situation of the Coyotes, because we have a ton of money, and should make every effort to upgrade the goalie position, whether it be Nikolai or somebody else. I don't like the idea of watching Boosh in goal for another year especially when the addition of another goalie would make us a top contender in the West...

Obviously, Khabibulin is leaps and bounds better than Boucher. Unfortunately, the one thing we seem to need (goaltending) is the one thing this free agent market is completely devoid of, as Khabibulin is really the only solid starter out there. I was a big fan of the idea of signing him before I heard the rumors that he was looking for a maximum deal, or close to it. Khabi at $7M/year would put us pretty close to the cap, and I really do not think he is worth that large of a contract anyhow. That $7M could be spent better elsewhere.

Buffalo, on the other hand, is most likely going to trade one of its goalies. I believe all three of them (Biron, Noronen, Miller) must be put onto the NHL roster as none of them can be sent back down to the minors, therefore one must go. Noronen is the most tradable of the trio and would be a decent option to go alongside Boucher, but I would really be trying to strike a deal for Biron. He is reasonably priced and has shown that he is a decent (but unspectacular) starter at the NHL level.

 

[Hordispack]

I prefer Boucher. Khabbys a head case and Gretzky won't put up with his crapov.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Obviously, Khabibulin is leaps and bounds better than Boucher. Unfortunately, the one thing we seem to need (goaltending) is the one thing this free agent market is completely devoid of, as Khabibulin is really the only solid starter out there. I was a big fan of the idea of signing him before I heard the rumors that he was looking for a maximum deal, or close to it. Khabi at $7M/year would put us pretty close to the cap, and I really do not think he is worth that large of a contract anyhow. That $7M could be spent better elsewhere.

Buffalo, on the other hand, is most likely going to trade one of its goalies. I believe all three of them (Biron, Noronen, Miller) must be put onto the NHL roster as none of them can be sent back down to the minors, therefore one must go. Noronen is the most tradable of the trio and would be a decent option to go alongside Boucher, but I would really be trying to strike a deal for Biron. He is reasonably priced and has shown that he is a decent (but unspectacular) starter at the NHL level.

It seems pretty simple to me, we have one glaring need, with talent up and down our other lines....where else could money be better spent elsewhere? Nik would cost a pretty penny, but he deserves it, this certainly is no JJ situation...With the rule changes which could cause a huge increase in offense, having a good goalie could be the same as having good pitching; i.e. you can't win big without it...

While I would prefer Nik, I wouldn't mind the route of trade, because we have lots of young talent. To be a legitimate contender though, we need something better than Boucher in goal.

 

[Hordispack]

332 minutes with out being scored on!. A record. Why all the sudden do we have no confidence in Boucher?

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

332 minutes with out being scored on!. A record. Why all the sudden do we have no confidence in Boucher?

Because of what he did for the other 2032 minutes.


Boucher is still very young and has the talent to be an excellent starter in the NHL. However, we just havent seen him be able to produce at a consistent level. He does seem to really elevate his game when surrounded by a decent defensive core though, he just really wasnt the same once guys like Tanabe started to drop because of injuries. The much improved defense (although it could stand to be improved even further) is the main reason why I am not upset that we are giving Boucher one last shot. I would definately prefer Khabibulin, and you would be crazy not to; Khabi is a proven all-star. But at the type of money he is looking at, I would rather go after a handful of solid guys to fill some other holes in the team, and then take my chances with Boucher (and possibly another, like in a trade scenario above).

 

[KingLouieLouie]

My main concern about Boucher (and I've said this on my occasions) is that he seems very complacent whenever he doesnt have another goaltender better or equal to him..... It seemed that he began to struggle once the Coyotes traded Burke.... Johnson didnt really push him whatsoever and the Coyotes are still in the market for another goalie to replace Johnson since they declined their option for him....

Also.. I honestly dont think the Coyotes are in the position to push LeNeveu up too prematurely...A move that could backfire immediately...

I guess one way to look at it...At least they have Boucher guaranteed to a contract which is absolutely better than nothing and this doesnt necessarily suggest that they still cannot sign Khabby (if indeed he still hasnt signed elsewhere) or they may also still sign someone w/in their price-range.....

Isnt Burke still available on the market? I do seem to recall that he left the Coyotes still on positive terms and I dont see why he wouldnt want to return at a fair price... Or pehaps someone like Manny Fernandez may be adequate enough to split time w/Boucher?... Stay tuned.....

 

[Murf]

Because of what he did for the other 2032 minutes.

Yeah, take a couple inches off those pads and I think you have trouble-a-brew'in.

My wife made a great observation when Burke and Boucher were sharing time. When you watch Burke, he is always looking around. He is always trying see what options the puck holder has, and instictively prepares. With Boucher, he focuses on the puck holder, then is in panic mode when the the pass moves somewhere else. Pass goes side to side and Boucher is scrambling to get over there. Burke seemed to have already considered the scenario, and was already going that way when the pass was made.

I could live with a 'Burke backed up by Boucher' goalie combo. The Coyote management might be talking Boucher up, but you don't pay the most important person on the team $900,000. I think they are still shooting for someone else.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Manny Fernandez just re-signed with Minnesota.

Remember this name - Martin Biron. I think he is the guy we should go after in a trade to solve our goaltending.

 

[Murf]

What are you guys' thoughts on CuJo? I know he had problems in Detroit, and Toronto wasn't all that kind to him. At last check, he is still available...

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

What are you guys' thoughts on CuJo? I know he had problems in Detroit, and Toronto wasn't all that kind to him. At last check, he is still available...

He is rumored to be signing in Pittsburgh soon, and his health and consistency are too large of question marks. I dont believe it would be wise for the Coyotes to sign him at the kind of contract he is going to command (a lot of which will be based on reputation rather than recent performance).

 

[Kel Varnsen]

He is rumored to be signing in Pittsburgh soon, and his health and consistency are too large of question marks. I dont believe it would be wise for the Coyotes to sign him at the kind of contract he is going to command (a lot of which will be based on reputation rather than recent performance).

Wow. The Pens signed Gonchar, too. They must be serious!