A few things, as I head out to the week’s final practice. First, if you missed any of yesterday’s news and notes, my LAKings.com notebook can be found below:
I finished up my Kings all-decade team with the, uh, best goalie of the decade. Who did I pick and, perhaps more interesting, who was the honorable mention? Who are your picks?
The picks go on this week, on LAKings.com, with a few more categories…
Potvin, Fiset is a distant second.
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I know there’s no “honorable mention” category but Stephane Fiset was underrated and played on some awful Kings teams and played on his head. The Kings put too much confidence on the lackluster and sub par Jamie Storr WAY too long instead of committing to Fiset. (although he was often injured which hurt his career as well)
But yes without a doubt, the cat was incredible. He and Deadmarsh’s stint with LA were short but, their impact was substantial and downright memorable.
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The list of King’s goalies in the 2000s reads a lot like a Wal-Mart Employee of the Month nomination ballot: Oddly notable people but in a sad and tragic manner.
This is actually a funny category because you have to wonder did the teams stink because of the goaltending or did the goaltending stats stink because of the team in front of it. Or maybe everyone just stunk. I blame Anthony.
It’s also interesting to see the goalies who have left here to go on and be decent goalies elsewhere (Huet, Lord Byron, Jamie Storr in Russia…I kiiid! I kiiid!)
For my money, the greatest Kings goalie of the decade is…wait for it…a 3 way tie!
- Adam “Doogie” Hauser
- Barry Brust
- Yutaka Fukufuji (for one shining moment the people of Japan were on the side of Kings hockey. then he crashed and burned like…well.. you get the gist…)
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Fiset was horrible. Potvin had some moments but he wasn’t consistent either.
I hate to say it after a year but it might be Quick that could end up being the best. Who else had 20 wins this soon into a season?
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I go Potvin first, Fizz second and Quick third.
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Potvin.
Honorable mention goes to Yutaka Fukufuji. It’s the wonderful twists and turns of fate that drove The Fukster from prospect to the Kings much too soon, then back down to the minors where he would up with the Bakersfield Condors. He spent parts of three seasons with the Condors, then left for Holland this year. Due to his release from the Kings, Yutaka became a fixture with the Kings through last year, when he played goalie for a Ducks farm team.
He was truly a gentleman, and probably had more upside if his confidence hadn’t been ruined early…
Shakes: I, too, blame Anthonyy (jest kiddn!)
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I am also leaning towards Quick. The revolving door of netminders over the decade has seen the likes of Fiset, Potvin, Storr, Huet, Cechmanek, Garon, LaBarbera, Cloutier, Brust, Burke and I think a Passmore in there somewhere. It has been a mess.
I think Quick primarily due to his performance last season and so far this year because for once, in a long time, since perhaps Hrudey, there is hope in goal for the Kings. Someone solid who is going to stand on his head to make saves and, as a result, his teammates are responding.
First is Quick and the various “gaping 5-hole” guys as a distant second. I think you could have driven a truck through there.
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I agree with Rich. Potvin was the only goalie to get us into the playoffs and, as a goalie steal games for us while there. Quicker and/or Bernier will be the next decade(god willing), and honorable mention should be Fiset.
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milan hnilicka….
ok…ok…potvin…
by far, the easiest choice on this team…i think the team confidence factor when he was in net can’t be overlooked…and there were a couple of stretches that i remember the cat playing like the top goalie in the league…of course, we all know how those moments were fleeting…but nonetheless, felix did win us a playoff series…and no other goalie for us can say that in the 00′s…
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Potvin hands down.Too bad we were so banged up.It leaves me thinking what could’ve been.During the 00′s we were always trying to find an identity.The only thing we could be identified for was consistantly crappy goaltending.
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Potvin, and that isn’t saying much. No offense Felix, as you were at the end of your career. Fukufiji was a “feel good” story, for about 20 minutes. Quicker hasn’t played enough, yet. So, it’s Felix-the-Cat, and Quicker. What a miserable decade between the pipes….
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Sooooo many goalies to choose from…How many have we used in the last 10 years, 30?
Potvin by a mile and that’s really sad considering his tenure here.
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I cant believe they brought in Chechmanek to replace Felix…that was a head scratcher if there ever was one.
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When we got Chechmanek he was an asset.Unfortuntely he immediately(like so many other Kings goallies)went from asset to a** in no time at all.
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Fuhr, Clutier…
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I gotta go with Barry Brust. I remember him once stopping four consecutive shots without letting one in….Sorry, I think our goalie situation for the vast majority of the past decade deserves a laugh. Potvin? Come on – he had some great games, but goalie of the decade? Fiset? If he is goalie of the decade, I am the King of England. I like Quick a lot, but he hasn’t even played a full season yet. Check back in 10 years for a more serious answer from me.
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Grant was a good one.All 400lbs. of him.
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WOW – that goes to show why the kings have been so bad
this decade! Felix had his moments, but decade goalie! OUCH.
Sad part is I can’t argue with it.
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