Breaking Down the 2010-11 Blues: Goalies

As the 2010-11 NHL season approaches the BlueNote Zone will take a look at the St. Louis Blues roster. Breaking down each position. First up are the goaltenders.

Since the lockout the St. Louis Blues have employed older, gap filling netminders as the organization rebuilt. This season the youth movement finally reaches the space between the pipes. Canadiens playoff hero, 25 year old Jaroslav Halak, has migrated south to a more moderate hockey climate.

How will he fair in St. Louis? The Halak STOP signs point to success.

His record of 105-65-11 record in 190 professional games should be an indication of what the Blues are going to see in net. No matter the level, ECHL, AHL or NHL, Halak is a goalie who finds ways to win games. A track record that the Blues have not had from a starter since Grant Fuhr and Roman Turek.

Yet, some still question if Halak “can do it”.

The Slovakian Olympian can only answer with continued superior gameplay. Training Camp can only show if he is in shape and mentally prepared. It will take regular season Wins, Losses, GAA, Save %, penalty kill heroics, shutouts and a playoff appearance to silence his critics.

Halak ready to prove that he is not the next Jim Carey.

Providing back-up services is Ty Conklin. The well traveled journeyman is sure to do as he has always done. Show up every night ready to play and be a positive veteran influence on his compatriot in the crease.

One area Conklin must improve on is his performance at Scottrade Center. His home record was a stark opposite of his play on the road.

At Home: 7 Games, 1 Win, 6 Losses, 4.24 GAA, .868 Save%, 0 Shutouts

On Road: 19 Games, 14 Starts, 9 Wins, 4 Losses, 2 OTL, 1.79 GAA, .943 Save%, 4 Shutouts

Any loss in your own house hurts. It hurts even more when you miss the playoffs by six points and one if your netminders lost 86% of his seven home starts. Cut Conklin’s home loss total by half and the Blues finish one point ahead of Colorado.

Ty knows he must be better and he will be. It’s his contract year in a down trending free agent maker for puck stoppers.

Ben Bishop is the incumbent starter for the Peoria Rivermen. This is also a contract season for Bishop. Can his play improve enough totaled over the back-up role on St. Louis in 2011-12 or will he stagnate in the AHL?

Jake Allen starts his professional career off with a solid 2.00 GAA and .938 Save % performance at the Traverse City NHL Prospects Tournament. He will help to push Bishop to become s better goalie.

Bishop and Allen will battle for time in Peoria.

What’s in the numbers?

Look for Halak to pick up 50-60 starts with Conklin taking the rest.

A ten game swing in starts is pretty large for a goalie. The spread is so large because Halak’s play and conditioning level will determine how many games he can start. Conklin is an experienced and reliable secondary option. Head Coach Davis Payne won’t forget to keep Conklin active and keep Halak hungry.

If Halak sees 60 starts, he will have 30-35 wins. That leaves Conklin 22 starts (one more than 2009-10) to pick up roughly 10-15 wins to be in playoff contention. If Halak hits his career average, Conklin still must step up and do his part.

Not a One Man Show

The Blues may have upgraded in net, but neither can do it alone. Halak knows this from the great job his defenseman did in the playoffs. Next up for preview are the forwards by Randall. I will be back early next week with the defenseman.

Stay Tuned.