I have been following Marc-Andre Fleury since his junior days and I am not convinced he will ever live up to his potential. He seems to give up one goal too many a game, it was that way in the World junior championships and it still seems to be a problem. I thought he might be like Grant Fuhr used to be in Edmonton on a talented team, giving up a bunch of goals but never the big one or the one that got the team in trouble.
I feel that Pittsburgh may brought him along too quickly. They have never had a decent backup either. I guess the question is can Pittsburgh be a cup contender with Fleury in goal?
Thoughts?
2007-10-23 08:45:40 · 8 answers · asked by cdn24fan 6 in Sports ➔ Hockey
LITY, I could not agree more. Pitt will need a more capable defense and goaltending before we start the Edmonton comparisons, A cup or two would help too.
Erica, I have always liked the guy but something nags at me. I may be expecting another Jocelyn Thibault- drafted in first round, supposed to be the second coming of Roy and never came close to the expectations
2007-10-23 09:22:41 · update #1
...Did you sleep through the last half of the season or something? Marc-Andre Fleury DID play like a money goaltender (a la Grant Fuhr, but Fleury's not that good yet) and made the big saves. If he hadn't, the Pens wouldn't have gone on that streak they did, because a lot of those were one goal games.
3 things to remember:
- It's early in the season.
- The kid's only 22-years-old.
- It's only his 2nd full season in the NHL.
I don't know about juniors, but since he's played for the Baby Pens and Pens, he's been improving every year. His positioning already this year is waaay better, actually. He just needs to improve his puck-handling and control his rebounds.
Ray Shero's not worried yet. Michel Therrien's not worried yet. His teammates have faith in him.
So don't jump ship yet.
ADD: Alright, alright... maybe it's impossible for me to be without bias because I like the kid and have faith in him so far. I'm not going to get all Buffalo wishy-washy though and start making "MAF - Dream, Hope, Believe!" signs or anything. Lol.
ADD2: Yeah, I don't know if he'll win a cup for Pittsburgh. I just think it's too early to tell. This will be a telling season.
2007-10-23 08:58:36 · answer #1 · answered by Erica 6 · 10⤊ 1⤋
Players rarely ever meet expectations of that level, which is somewhat unfair to start. Unfortunately for Fleury, there is one on his team that lives up to the hype, making the scrutiny as to why he isn't even more intense.
I think it's still too early to tell if he'll be a dominant, game-altering goaltender. In 4-6 years, he'll have more experience, maturity, and, if the Pens can't score their way to a Cup, more hunger. That'll increase his focus and maybe his head will be in the game for a full 60 minutes (or more).
2007-10-23 17:09:06 · answer #2 · answered by Flyers Fan of #18 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A big problem with Fleury was/is he was thrown in the mix and expected to produce immediately. Most young 'tenders get some time on the bench to mature and "learn". Like many of the best targets over the years have been able to do.
But in this day and age with big salaries paid out to the young guys I guess owners want the immediate results instead of the long term gain.
2007-10-23 17:49:22 · answer #3 · answered by jeffwar03 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Fleury is probably the quickest goalie in the NHL today. Lightning fast reflexes, but he is out of position a lot, and sometimes seems unsure of what to do. His head needs to catch up to his physical abilities. For now, the entire Pens team isn't playing too well, let's not drop the axe on him yet. I think he will come around.
~
Just as I said that, Fleury shuts out the Rangers with 36 saves in a 1-0 win for the Penguins. See? I told you he'd come around.
2007-10-23 17:25:36 · answer #4 · answered by N/A 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I've never been sold on Fleury. His consistency has always been lacking. Not sure if it his concentration or what it is.
Having said that, if Pittsburgh can become the offensive juggernaut that Edmonton was (and there seems to be a lot of experts who think they will - again I'm not sold) then he could lead them to the promised land.
As Ottawa found last year.............you can score your way to the promised land............but once there, you have to keep scoring.
It should be noted, I am in a pool with 13 other NHL talent people, and in a hockey pool we all picked 2 goalies. Fleury was one of the three starters not picked (Columbus and Phoenix had no representation either) 27 starters and Gerber were picked. It's a telling sign when the scouts won't pick you in a hockey pool.
2007-10-23 15:54:18 · answer #5 · answered by Like I'm Telling You Who I A 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
I also followed him through junior with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and Team Canada and I think he is a good goalie but now that you mention it, I may just be hoping for him to suceed. Great guy, always has a smile on his face too.
I have always maintained- NEVER take a goalie in the 1st round. That said, he is only 22 and in 5 years we could be (I hope) talking about how he is one of the best.
2007-10-23 18:16:53 · answer #6 · answered by Bob Loblaw 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Fleury is the best when on form. his only problem is consistency.
for 2 or 3 games he'll give up one goal total, then in half a period he'll let in 6.
If he was consistently on form, theyd be winning 60+ games a year
2007-10-23 16:11:28 · answer #7 · answered by shotgunmerc 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Was I the only one that watched last season?
2007-10-23 16:44:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋