Holtby vs. Neuvirth

[Iceguy24]

Now that the Washington coaching vacancy has been filled, which of Holby/Neuvirth do you see Oates leaning towards? Barring injury, I see a 50-50 split until one of them establishes themself as the number one.

[Shake]

Now that the Washington coaching vacancy has been filled, which of Holby/Neuvirth do you see Oates leaning towards? Barring injury, I see a 50-50 split until one of them establishes themself as the number one.

They'll probably give the keys to Holtby to see if he can build upon last years playoff success. But its a fluid situation. Best to own both, if you own one of them.

[hockeyrobot]

As Shake said, it wont be 50-50 to start, the keys will initially go to Holtby. I actually think that Holtby will even be given a bit a leeway to start the year. Neuvirth has been in this exact same spot for the past two seasons and has been unable to take advantage.

[Carcillo]

Too early to say who'll be Oates' new favorite pet. But Holtby has the edge because of his playoff performance and looks like the real deal. Just don't count out Neuvirth yet. He's got the talent to take over if Holtby can't handle the starting duties over a long regular season.

[Dakkster]

This one is obviously going to be a dogfight from the start of training camp going on very long into the season, possibly even into the playoffs.

Saying that Neuvirth hasn't been able to take it yet is just silly. We're talking about goalies and Neuvy is, what, 24 years old? Most goalies don't even get a sniff of the NHL at that age. He's been gathering experience, plain and simple. To even suggest that this is given to Holtby from the start is just silly and possibly even ignorant.

[Hey Robbie]

Stop making plurals with apostrophes, you illiterate boobs.

Excellent restraint, Sentium. You left out: "...establishes himself as number one," "...it's a fluid situation," "...it won't be 50-50," and, "...to start; the keys will..."

[Dakkster]

Excellent restraint, Sentium. You left out: "...establishes himself as number one," "...it's a fluid situation," "...it won't be 50-50," and, "...to start; the keys will..."

Say what again?

[Hey Robbie]

Say what again?

Sorry, I was just noticing that despite your being well aware of them, you are better than I am at letting most of the grammar issues fly.

[Dakkster]

Ah, gotcha.

Well, if I would go after every single error I came across, my head would explode. I let my signature be a voice for my two biggest annoyances. A close third would be "should of" constructions instead of "should've".

[sparrowtrini]

As Shake said, it wont be 50-50 to start, the keys will initially go to Holtby. I actually think that Holtby will even be given a bit a leeway to start the year. Neuvirth has been in this exact same spot for the past two seasons and has been unable to take advantage.

I actually believe Oates will come in with the idea that the slate is clean. Whoever runs with it from training camp will be #1 in the beginning.

[dongjohnson]

I strongly disagree. Oates isn't going to get totally free reign and it appears Holtby established himself as ATLEAST having the inside track on the job. That could change but I really don't think it'll be a clean slate situation.

[Dakkster]

I strongly disagree. Oates isn't going to get totally free reign and it appears Holtby established himself as ATLEAST having the inside track on the job. That could change but I really don't think it'll be a clean slate situation.

See, that's only your view of it. To me it's quite obvious that two young guys will battle it out with no one having an edge. Holtby is the flavor of the week, yes, but Neuvy has LOADS more experience. Also, the team stands to gain more by putting them in a position where they compete.

[dongjohnson]

See, that's only your view of it. To me it's quite obvious that two young guys will battle it out with no one having an edge. Holtby is the flavor of the week, yes, but Neuvy has LOADS more experience. Also, the team stands to gain more by putting them in a position where they compete.

While there is clearly some truth to that, I think that Washington has seen constantly rotating goalies is not the way to win long-term. Isn't insanity defined as doing the exact same thing and expecting a different result? Plus, several teams would likely be interested in Neuvy and he would be the best trade chip they have. Given his performance recently, I really think Holtby will have *the edge*. It's not a guarantee, but it should make it more likely to give him the nod if they're close.

[sparrowtrini]

Guess we'll have to wait and see then.

i have full confidence in Oates

[Dakkster]

While there is clearly some truth to that, I think that Washington has seen constantly rotating goalies is not the way to win long-term. Isn't insanity defined as doing the exact same thing and expecting a different result? Plus, several teams would likely be interested in Neuvy and he would be the best trade chip they have. Given his performance recently, I really think Holtby will have *the edge*. It's not a guarantee, but it should make it more likely to give him the nod if they're close.

Well, they've had veterans who have been the starters when they were healthy and not sucking. Neuvy and Varly were given the reins temporarily at times because they were hot or because the team didn't have a choice. While that was cool and all, they still didn't have enough experience. Everyone who reads Justin Goldman knows that the most important thing for goalies is maturity to handle what's thrown at them and most often, that comes with experience. Varly and Neuvy are still young by goalie standards and Holtby is even younger. But they've taken steps and they will get there eventually. All three of them.

So yes, in some cases it's crazy to try the same thing over and over. In the case where experience is gained and the variables change, it's not. Even so, Washington hasn't voluntarily had platoons except for that year with Neuvy and Varly. They HAVE had inconsistent or injury-prone starters, though, which is why it's been a good thing that they've had solid backups.

And even if Holtby and Neuvy start out with a clean slate, who's to say that one of them doesn't take the ball and run with it and Washington gets a clear starter anyway?

The point is that anyone saying that Holtby has a clear advantage is suffering from a bad case of "what have you done for me lately?" and is completely forgetting that the ONLY reason Holtby even got a chance to start was because Neuvy was injured. Are we done with this silliness now?