Running 2017-18 NHL thread

I'll admit, I was souring on Barry in late February, right around the time they had those two totally unprofessional efforts in losses to Chicago and Columbus, games they didn't even show up for. But I like the way he's juggled things here at the end of the season, and he has the team playing well at the right time. Will it translate to playoff success? Who knows? Those who want to scrap this season just to get rid of Barry need to understand there are only so many shots that the Ovechkin-Backstrom duo will have down the stretch of their careers.

 

If there’s one thing I hope I can teach people, it’s that you’ll always be able to find a job with an accounting degree.

Scott Foster, accountant by day, makes NHL debut with Blackhawks

 

Emergency goalies are such a weird, great NHL ideosyncrasy. I always wonder why they don't just make some rostered fourth-line plug put on the gear. It's not like you do the equivalent in any other sport. NFL teams always know which one of their WR played QB in HS and can fill in for an emergency. MLB teams just use position players to pitch in a pinch. But NHL teams just find some guy at the local beer league who happens to have his gear.

I didn't know that they actually have an emergency goalie on call every game, rotating between a list of guys who usually sit in the press box. I was imagining a frantic rush to the rink after getting the call.

 

In Feb. 1962 Toronto Marlboros goalie Dave Dryden (Ken's brother) was summoned from the stands at Maple Leaf Gardens to sub for Gump Worlsey who was with the Rangers at the time and injured early in a game against the Leafs. Dryden was 20 at the time and wouldn't get to the NHL again until 1965.

I was working at the NHL office last night and when Foster came in any eye that wasn't otherwise occupied monitoring one of the other games on at that time was watching the Hawks.

 

That is both interesting and disappointing that they keep the emergency goalie in the building for nights like this. I liked the idea of him frantically packing his gear bag and rushing to the United Center after getting the call. But it's still amazing.

 

Watching Quenville laughing was great. How hungover is he this morning?

 

I think the emergency guy in O.C. is part owner of Hockey Monkey, a sporting goods store. The story I heard a few years ago was that he was paid $400 and got to keep the jersey. His name is Rob Laurie. Here is a story from USA Today about 2 years ago.

From day job to NHL player: Emergency goalies turn dreams into reality