Why haven't they named Legace their playoff goalie yet?

[road doggy dogg]

Holy hell. Joseph's done for the season, so at the earliest he'll be back is when playoffs start, so that there gives Legace a big nod. Not to mention his outstanding play (including those 2 big wins against the Avs) I mean c'mon, what else does the guy have to prove?

He's spent 4 years being overshadowed in Detroit by all the big name signings of goaltenders, and has been a consistently great back-up. He has shown time and time again that he's ready to be the team's #1 goalie. Why won't they just go ahead and say it? Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar poor Manny :'(

[Y2Ant]

If you go to the Joe Louis again and throw a Bion at him, I bet he would save it, because he rules

[MoRcHeEbA]

They probably don't want to name him starter cause everytime they name a new starter they get injured :$

[The Mackem]

This is a sad day for Ice hockey.

[The Icon of Elisim]

Probably because if they name him their starter and then Detroit loses in the playoffs even though Legace had a .00001 GAA and .999 save percentage he would get run out of town, which would be bad.

[Splaya]

I dont think it's that. Even though everyone knows that Cujo is hurt and everything, I think what Detroit is trying to do is throw teams off, saying that Cujo might start the playoffs, but ultimately the goal right now is to start Legace. Personally being a die hard for the wings, they need to make Legace their #1. The guys career record is like 74-25-12-3 or something like that, haven't looked lately. The guy had huge wins against the Avs in a playoff like atmosphere. He stopped 62 of 63 shots in those 2 games. He should have had 2 shutouts but the one goal he gave up could not be helped. I've said all season that Legace should be the starter because I knew Hasek was hurt as soon as he mentioned groin injury, and Cujo, although being professional about what has happened, dicked us over when we were shopping in the off season. We had a potential trader in Boston, but then Cujo went off and had ankle surgery. Ever since then teams have had little or no interest in him, up until the trade deadline passed. The sad fact for Cujo is that unless he plays in a Stanley Cup finals game, if the Wings win the cup he will need special exemption from the NHL Commisioners office if he can get his name on the cup because he has played fewer than 40 games. Sure he'll get to skate around the Cup but what good is it without having your name on it.

In conclusion
1)Legace should and needs to be starter in the playoffs. IF they start Cujo, I'll still be the diehard that I am. But I will always have my doubts as to if that ankle can hold up in the playoffs. Always in the back of my head.
2) If they do not lockout next season (which they probably will) Detroit needs to either shop Cujo, restructure his contract to where he takes a huge pay cut, or just put him on waivers. AKA Legace needs to be starter next year as well.
3) Detroit will excel in the playoffs 20% behind their offense, 30% on defense, but 50% with their goaltender. And Legace can provide them with some credible victories.
4) If Legace does poorly the first game, DO NOT, and I repeat, DO NOT bench him for Cujo or even Lamothe. Legace will not play poorly in 4 games to be swept like the Wings last year.
5) I think Legace could be the Jean Sebastian-Guigerre of this years playoffs.

Your thoughts/comments flames?

[Guest #1]

I agree with most of what Splaya said, with the exception of Manny being this years JS. JS stood on his head and brought a non-contender to the show and Det. isn't an underdog. Manny could play lights-out but he still has a monster team in front of him. I don't see the point in naming Manny the starter. I only see teams going out of the way to name their starters when the guy who gets the nod is fragile, which he is not. Also, this is a Bowman system, where everything (including brand of waters) are kept secret. Manny should and probably will play, but we're not gonna know until it's over

[Arashi Kage]

Legace's always been a great goalie with lots of potential. I don't think he'll let the Wings down if Cujo fails to be prepared for playoff action.

Anyone remember Legace when he played for the Niagra Falls Thunder (OHL)??? I have his hockey card from '90 or '91.

[da_king]

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manny deserves to be the starter going into the playoffs (and i think he will be) but still i dunno how he's gonna do. a lot of unproven goalies entering the playoffs this year.

</font>

[road doggy dogg]

Well if I were in their position, I'd be more comfortable going in with a HEALTHY unproven goalie who's been playing tremendously lately, than an injured older goalie who may or may not be on his game (which has been lacking lately anyways)

[Splaya]

Well if I were in their position, I'd be more comfortable going in with a HEALTHY unproven goalie who's been playing tremendously lately, than an injured older goalie who may or may not be on his game (which has been lacking lately anyways)


Just be honest. It's lacked all season.