It seemed to me that during last night’s post-game interview scrum with Terry Murray, the elephant in the room was being ignored. Murray (rightfully) talked about his team’s strong play in a number of areas, but goaltending was never mentioned until the end, when I asked for his thoughts on Erik Ersberg’s play.
Today, a good question came up. Murray was asked if, during a team meeting, he would talk to the team about a goalie’s poor game or, since it’s just one person, and has little relevance to the rest of the players’ responsibilities, he would leave it for individual discussion. Murray said it’s mostly the latter. Coaches (not just Murray) don’t seem too inclined to analyze goalie play. Goalies either play well or they don’t, and adjustments are left for the coaches to work on in practice. Here’s what Murray said today…
MURRAY: “I didn’t address (goalie play) in front of the team. There are always situations that pop up for a goaltender though, that we will review on video with the team. I didn’t do that today. But that’s something that, a lot of the time, if there’s a technical thing, I’ll leave that to a 1-on-1 issue with me and the goalie, or with the goaltender coach.
“We don’t do reviews to put players on islands, or anything like that. If there’s something that’s critical in the structure of the system, I won’t hesitate to point out individuals, but if it’s just a clear-cut thing where somebody got beat, you’re almost embarrassing them in front of their peers, and I wouldn’t do that.’’
Murry has the right approach. Very proffesional. I wouldn’t mind seeing Ersberg back in there for another chance & to boost his confidence.
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I tend to think that putting Ersberg in against a team playing as well as NY was a tall order for a first outing. Quick’s first game was lost to the Coyotes, and it was clearly not indicative of Quick’s abilities. Taken on an individual basis, a loss to the Coyotes (where Quick didn’t play well) is more surprising than a loss to the Rangers (regardless of how Ersberg played).
You’re doing a great job John. I’m glad you’re given the freedom to be honest.
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I meant Rich! That’s what I get for working and posting at the same time! So sorry (and embarassed!)!
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I wouldn’t mind seeing them bring up Bernier if Ersberg has another performance like that. Bernier has had an amazing start down in Manchester…
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Bernier in La right now doesn’t make sense he wont get the ice time needed to keep his game sharp.
Ersberg has been terrible going back to last year…. Bottom of the league in stats along with Labarbera. Check out Quispy’s take, which I very much agree with.
http://kwisp.wordpress.com/2009/10/14/i-would-just-like-to-point-out-that-erik-ersberg-has-not-won-a-single-game-since-jonathan-quick-joined-the-kings/
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Re Eresberg:
It is understandable that the coach wouldn’t want to be ‘embarrassing them in front of their peers’; but the tape of the game will speak for itself.
Eresberg did not play with the confidence one would expect to see from an NHL goalie. *Shaky* seems to hit the nail on the head.
I thought he had a great opportunity–playing against feted countryman Henrik Lundqvist–to show why he deserves the Number Two goalie spot ahead of Jonathan Bernier.
I was disappointed in his play and how it effected the final score.
While we are on the subject of *embarrassing* moments: I think Erik Eresberg’s temper tantrum–when he broke the glass, last year–showed just how immature and unprepared for an NHL role he really is.
As I said in another post: I think Eresberg deserves one more chance to prove himself; but, if he doesn’t come prepared to play against the best the NHL has to offer, if he misses *stopable* shots–like Gaborik’s goal in the Ranger’s game–then bring up Bernier; who has been proving he is ready to deliver.
Eresberg may need some time in Manchester in order to really light a fire under him. He certainly didn’t play with fire in the Ranger’s game.
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I disagree with the negative thoughts on Ersberg. I think he did a great job last season for a man that sat for weeks and then was thrown in. I also don’t think we should hang him for last night. Quick had a poor start in Game 1 as well. Just let Murry continue with that schedule he has and see where it goes.
Great article here as well. We really catch a glimpse of the kind of man that coach is here. Great stuff.
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TM shows you why he’s a good coach..especially with young kids. There’s no need to embarrass them in front of their teammates. When a player makes a boneheaded play, he’s usually the 1st to know anyway.
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p.s. I’m not anti-Ersberg; I’m just a little alarmed at his eleven month losing streak. True, there’s an entire summer in there, but when it’s eleven months, there has to be. Back-up goalie must have winning record for team to make playoffs. Period.
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I am kinda anti-ersberg…… The team doesn’t win when he is in…
And he has this serial killer/weird goalie look to him. Goalies are weird, but C’mon.
In all seriousness, I wish him well but I get just as nervous with him in net as I did LaBarb’s
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i like ee…but i do think he needs to be competent & prepared with every opportunity he gets…
and because quick has elevated the standard(s) of our goaltending, when we fans see ee play like we did, the shaky performances of years past come to mind, along with the ever-ingrained disappointment of them…
quick has become better with each game…maybe ee will take the same path…folks, it was only his first game…
however, i understand the immediate concern when almost all of the team is playing above average…i want to give ee another look and hope that some of his mistakes he made last night cease and he’s able to find his fundamentals, positioning and confidence…i think he’s earned that chance…
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The whole team was terrible in the first game of the season minus Simmonds and Smyth…Ersberg just used his bad game pass…as for 11 month losing streak, that is not all his fault, there were games he played well and the kings could not muster up 2 goals to help him out…lastly, he lost to the hottest team in the NHL in his first regulate season start in 7 months…its not time to say the sky is falling, call it what is, just a bad game.
He will have his chance at redemption next week against either the Coyotes (preferable) or the Blue Jackets
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