If Price isn’t right, who’s in net for Canada?
The World Cup is still seven months away, but someone else might be needed to take over the crease
It was supposed to be a position of strength, the one thing Canada did not have to worry about.
With the World Cup of Hockey still seven months away, there are the usual questions regarding who will play with Sidney Crosby or whether the country has enough natural-born wingers or left-shooting defenceman. But no one is questioning who will be in net. Well, until now, that is. Carey Price, who won almost every major NHL award last year and led Canada to a gold medal at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi (where he allowed just three goals in five games), has appeared in 12 of a possible 55 games for the Montreal Canadiens this season, suiting up most recently Nov. 25.
According to La Presse, which reported Price has a torn MCL in his right knee, it could be the last game he plays this season.
Canadiens head coach Michel Therrien refuted that report, telling reporters Price has not ruled out a return and it was “speculation” to suggest he would be done for the season. But with the team sinking further and further out of the playoffs, a comeback is looking rather slim.
WhatthismeansforCanada’sWorld Cup team, which must submit a list of 16 names by March 1, is not yet known. Would the Canadiens, whose general manager Marc Bergevin is also part of Canada’s management team, want Price’s first game back to be in a meaningless, yet competitive tournament just before the season starts? And even so, would a goaltender who missed so much time necessarily be a better option than Braden Holtby or Corey Crawford?
With Price’s health a question mark, here are five other goaltenders who could be Canada’s answer:
BRADEN HOLTBY, WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Even if Price is healthy, there could be a case for Holtby winning the No. 1 job for Canada. As the oddson favourite to win the Vezina Trophy this season, Holtby is not quite carrying the Capitals the same way Price did for the Canadiens last year. But his numbers are not far off from what Price put up. The Lloydminster, Sask., native, who had a breakout season in 2014-15, headed into Friday’s NHL games with a 2.10 goals-against, a .927 save percentage and a league-leading 35 wins. He has a realistic chance at breaking Martin Brodeur’s single-season win record of 48 set in 2006-07 and could become the first goaltender to hit the 50-win mark.
COREY CRAWFORD, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
It’s not always easy playing behind a talented team. When you win, it is because you are supposed to; when you lose, it’s mostly your fault. But while Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith get most of the credit for Chicago’s success, Crawford is more than just an afterthought. The 31-year-old from Montreal, who had a .932 save percentage when the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2013 and a .924 save percentage when they won again in 2015, has shown he can win on the big stage. He headed into Friday’s games among the league leaders in goals-against average (2.17) save percentage (. 929) and wins (31).
ROBERTO LUONGO, FLORIDA PANTHERS
Remember when Luongo replaced Martin Brodeur and won gold at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver? That seems so long ago. But after losing his starting job with the Canucks to Cory Schneider, then being traded to Florida in 2014, the Montreal native has found his game again with the Panthers. Luongo, who will be 37 when the tournament starts, might be considered too old for World Cup consideration, especially if he is not the No. 1 or No. 2 goalie, but his experience is invaluable. And he flat out deserves to be there. Heading into Fridays action, Luongo had a 2.17 goals-against average and .928 save percentage for the Atlantic Division-leading Panthers.
MARTIN JONES, SAN JOSE SHARKS
If Canada wants to bring along a younger goaltender for future experience, Jones is an interesting option. Since being traded from the Kings to the Sharks in the summer, the 26-year-old has established himself as a legitimate No. 1 goaltender who can handle a heavy workload in a very competitive Western Conference. In 44 games — fifth-most among goaltenders — Jones has a 25-15-3 record and a 2.38 goalsagainst average and a .915 save percentage. The North Vancouver native has been particularly strong in his last 12 starts where he has lost just twice in regulation and recorded two shutouts to help keep San Jose in the playoff picture.
JAKE ALLEN, ST. LOUIS BLUES
Another young goaltender who could come along for the ride is Allen, although first he might have to win back his starting job in St. Louis. While the 25-year-old had been the Blues No. 1 goalie for most of this season, since injuring his knee in January he has watched backup goaltender Brian Elliott — another Canadian — post an impressive 2.07 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage. When Allen returns, he will have to battle Elliott for playing time. But if Allen can win back the net and have a better playoffs than he did a year ago, when he had a .904 save percentage in a firstround exit, then maybe an invite is in his future.