Kari Lehtonen has re-signed with the Thrashers.
There’s not a whole lot to write about here. He was a restricted free agent so there wasn’t much question that he was going to get signed. I don’t think there’s any question that he’s the best goalie the Thrashers have ever had. The questions have never been about his ability, but about his health. If he can stay healthy he’s a force to be reckoned with. The re-signing of Lehtonen gives the Thrahsers three NHL caliber goalies (Hedberg and Pavelec are the others) and two more with proven AHL track records who would like a chance to show their stuff at this level.
If no goalie trade materializes before the season I’m perfectly fine with the top three goalies battling it out in camp for the top two jobs. May the best keepers win.
I think D-Wad missed the bus when he had the opportunity to trade a goalie. It looks like every team is set with their top goalie and backup. Thats par for the course for our brilliant GM!
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If Kari stays healthy hes a very serviceable goaltender. Please stay healthy.
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ex-STH- I don’t think there was a good chance to trade a goalie. The market has been flooded with adequate (though not great) goalies and teams were happy to sign them if the asking price for one of our guys was too high. If Alex Auld was only worth a 6th round pick I don’t think our guys would have garnered the roster players everyone is expecting.
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I have to agree with Ben…it’s a crappy year to try a shop a goaltender when there were dozens up for grabs in the free agent market. Best bet is to hold on to them until someone’s newly signed goalie doesn’t pan out a third of the way into the season. Some team will be a little more desperate with limited options then, and the trade should be more lucrative.
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Kind of like trading Jeff Francouer when he’s slumping… not much value to be had in return.
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If defense would step up and do the job, Kari would be an incredible goaltender. Watch New Jersey for example. The defense clear the rebounds and stop the the shots before they are shots on goal. More than 24 shots on goal is too many for the coach who is very vocal about it and our goalies face 40 to 50 a game. Defense also protects Brodouer physically. I like Ex and will miss him, but he was often in the cornor checking instead of protecting the goal.
Why do we have too many goalies right now anyway? In the past, we have always had a starter, backup and at least one good backup in the AHL. Pave’s has not proven he is NHL ready as his record was worse the Moose.
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