In the Cage: Stay Patient

[GoalieGuild]

Here is my weekly fantasy goalie advice piece for NHL.com, which also includes my first crack at a Top-30 fantasy goalie power rankings. I've never done one of these before, so I think it will take a few weeks before I'm comfortable doing something like that, but nevertheless, here you go:

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=595305

"Stay Patient with your Picks" is a lesson I've taught on here for years.

Three Risers:

1. Kari Lehtonen
2. Devan Dubnyk
3. Jose Theodore

I wrote this on Sunday night, so add:

4. Al Montoya
5. Semyon Varlamov

Three Fallers:

1. Craig Anderson
2. Mike Smith
3. Steve Mason

[Killer67]

Your killing me Mike Smith!!! Do I stay patient with him too

[arctic_rogue]

Great article! Patience is always important, especially early in the season. I remember last year I was a little too patient with Steve Mason.

Why the shift in some rankings so early? I see Rinne, Bryz, and Miller as more or less a wash, so why flip them around? Also, why the substantial drop with Luongo? If he had two bad weeks, sure. But it was only one game.

[GoalieGuild]

I should have clarified about the rankings. I did not do the original one, that was done by Matt Cubeta, who is my editor. He did the original rankings. I didn't even know there was a +/- comparing it to an original ranking haha.

So the one you see today was my first crack at the Power Rankings. To be honest, I don't really like doing a weekly ranking, but it's my job now. I'll do my best.

I am personally not seeing Luongo having a very good season. He'll still win 32-33 games, but I've learned enough about his mindset that I'm not feelin' it right now. Combined with Cory Schneider playing more and that would be why Luongo is lower.

Hang on to Mike Smith. He was bad for first 2 periods vs. San Jose but since then has been a rock. I know I had him as a "downfall" or whatever, but I think as time goes on, he'll continue to get better. Best puck-moving goalie in the NHL now that Turco is gone.

[arctic_rogue]

Thanks for the clarification. Understandable to have goalies ranked a different positions, but I always groan when I see rankings change so early. Since the first set weren't yours, I can't really fault you for that.

I look forward to your weekly articles!

[pahlsson26]

What's your opinion on Al Montoya? I am in a keeper league, where you can keep 1 or 2 goalies (manager's choice). My goalies at the moment are Thomas, Theodore, Neuvirth, Schneider, Garon. Should I drop one of them (Theodore? Garon?) for Montoya? Only other notable FAs are Greiss and Hedberg.

[GoalieGuild]

I literally just posted a thread about montoya. Check it out for my thoughts!

I would look at dropping Garon for Montoya. I think Theodore posting a shutout in his first game has revived some of his confidence and he could continue to play well. Also, I would wait until Theodore's game is over tonight. See how he does. If he bombs, it will change his outlook. If he has another strong game, that's two in a row. The first 2 weeks of the season are huge. Stay patient for now but if Theo bombs then get Montoya.

[Old_Smokie]

I'd hate to screw up your ratings and promote a huge shakeup but with Markstrom on my farm I'm really hoping Theo bombs.

[Vintage]

It's killing me that my starters are eating me alive.

Brodeur and Halak have done quite poorly over the first week. How patient should I be with them?