Who is the Next Big Thing?
I’d like to start this article with a question if I may? Hasn’t anyone noticed that some of the premier goalies in this league are getting a little long in the tooth? There are some goalies that may or may not have broken out last season, but are they for real? So let me ask you all this:
Who is the NHL’s next big thing between the pipes?
Now let’s take a look at some of the lead candidates to take this honor.
JOSE THEODORE: Is this guy for real?
or is this guy another Jim
Carey? I know this guy is
good, but I’m waiting until
he struts his stuff a second
time.
MIKA NORONEN: This guy has been a minor
league stand out for years
and could finally show his
stuff fulltime this year.
Can he and Biron co-exist?
MATHIEU BIRON: This guy gets beaten up
by the press sometimes,
but I feel it’s undeserved.
It’s not easy succeeding
Hasek. Because he
certainly has the skill and
the mentality to bounce
back after a tough
game. That’s maturity.
DAVID AEBISCHER: This guy is showing skill.
I guess it can’t hurt having
St. Patrick as a tutor. He
has been hyped for years,
thus the departure of Marc
Denis. He will get his
chance once Roy hangs
them up. Will he be ready?
MARTY TURCO: This his year to strut his
stuff. Belfour is gone, he is the
maN for now. But Dallas is
smart, good ol’ Ron Tugnutt is
there to spell him when times
get tough. Which they most
likely will at some point. It’s
growth.
ROBERTO LUONGO: This guy is a stud. Has
superstar written all over
him. He has the skill and
mentality. But will it show
in Florida? Not anytime
soon by the looks of it.
RICK DIPIETRO: Has the mentality, but has
he the toughness for a full
NHL season? He’s got the
skill, but with Osgood in
Long Island, will he show
his ability with the
Islanders.
Now these were just a few netminders out there. There are many more. Blackburn, Nabokov, Kiprussof, Oullette. But which one will be crowned “THE NEXT BIG THING”? Most will make it, but will any of them become consistent stars in this goalie graveyard we call the NHL?
Al
