NHL Draft: A look at goaltenders

Sunday, June 21, 2009-8:16:pm
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Overall, the group of goaltenders eligible for this year's NHL draft is considered weak by the experts. But there may be a few good ones in the mix. Here's a brief look at some of the better goaltenders that will be available to NHL teams in Montreal.

Olivier Roy
Born: July 12, 1991 in Amqui, Quebec
Height/Weight: 6-0/165 pounds
2008-09 Team: Cape Breton (QMJHL)

Ranked second among North American goaltenders by Central Scouting, 1st overall among goaltenders by The Hockey News and 2nd overall among goaltenders by International Scouting Services

2008-09 Season: Was 35-13-0 with a 3.04 goals against average and a .906 save percentage for Cape Breton (QMJHL).

The Hockey News: "What scouts like most about Roy is his consistency. The goaltender might not be spectacular all the time, but he rarely has any shaky outings."

Edward Pasquale
Born: November 20, 1990 in Toronto, Ontario
Height/Weight: 6-2/218 pounds
2008-09 Team: Saginaw (OHL)

Ranked 3rd among North American goaltenders by Central Scouting, 1st among goalies overall by International Scouting Services and 6th overall among goalies by Red Line Report.

2008-09 Season: Had a 3.02 goals against average and .911 save percentage, which ranked 9th in the OHL. Ranked 6th in wins with 32. 

NHL Central Scouting:  "He's got the look of an NHL goalie down the road. I like his foot speed, he's got an excellent butterfly, and when he goes down he covers the net well. He moves well with excellent net coverage."

Robin Lehner
Born: July 24, 1991 in Gothenburg, Sweden
Height/Weight: 6-3/220 pounds
2008-09 Team: Frolunda (Sweden, Jr.)

Ranked 1st among European goaltenders by Central Scouting, fourth overall among goalies by Red Line Report and 6th overall among goalies by International Scouting Services.

2008-09 Season: Had a 3.05 goals against average and a .916 save percentage playing for Frolunda's junior team. Posted a 2.80 goals against average and .918 in four games at the Under-18 World Junior Championship for Sweden.

International Scouting Services: "A huge hulking goaltender – leaves little space to shot at, moves well and can be extremely frustrating to play against. He takes up a lot of the net and has excellent focus."

Scott Stajcer
Born: January 14, 1991 in Cambridge, Ontario
Height/Weight: 6-3/180 pounds
2008-09 Team: Owen Sound (OHL)

Ranked 5th among North American goalies by Central Scouting, 1st overall among goalies by McKeen's Hockey and 5th overall among goalies by International Scouting Services

2008-09 Season: Was 15-15-5 with a 3.57 goals against average and a .906 goals against average with Owen Sound of the OHL. Split playing time with Stars prospect Tyler Beskorowany.

International Scouting Services: "A big goalie who takes up a lot of net. He does a good job of getting out to the top of his crease to challenge shooters. He has quick pads and does a good job of taking away the bottom of
the net."

Matt Hackett
Born: March 7, 1990 in London, Ontario
Height/Weight: 6-2/170 pounds
2008-09 Team: Plymouth (OHL)

Ranked 1st among North American goaltenders by Central Scouting, 2nd overall among goaltenders by McKeen's and 3rd overall among goaltenders by International Scouting Services

2008-09 Season: Was 34-15-3 with a 3.04 goals against average and a .913 save percentage for Plymouth (OHL).

Central Scouting: β€œHe has great potential, very good size, very poised. His angles, his net positioning are very good. He's a very smart goaltender with excellent net coverage.”

Jean-Francois Berube
Born: July 13, 1991 in Repentigay, Quebec
Height/Weight: 6-1/155 pounds
2008-09 Team: Montreal (QMJHL)

Ranked 10th among North American goaltenders by Central Scouting, 1st overall among goalies by Red Line Report and 3rd overall among goalies by The Hockey News.

2008-09 Season: Was 6-9-0 with a 2.89 goals against average and .900 save percentage in a backup role with Montreal of the QMJHL.

Red Line Report: "Very good positioning - plays with an economy of motion and lets the play come to him. Alert and aware - follows the puck well and squares up to the shooters. Absorbs pucks well into his body."

Mike Lee
Born: October 5, 1990 in Fargo, North Dakota
Height/Weight: 6-1/185 pounds
2008-09 Team: Fargo (USHL)

Ranked 4th among North American goaltenders by Central Scouting, 4th overall among goalies by International Scouting Services and 5th overall among goalies by McKeen's.

2008-09 Season: Was 26-15-4 with a 2.40 goals against average and a .918 save percentage for Fargo (USHL).

International Scouting Services: "A butterfly style goalie who moves well in the crease and with his technique covers the lower area of the goal very well. He manages the crease area fairly well and controlled the rebound activity out front with a few exceptions."

Igor Bobkov
Born: January 2, 1991 in Surgud, Russia
Height/Weight: 6-4/192 pounds
2008-09 Team: Magnitogorsk (Russia-3)

Ranked 10th among European goaltenders by Central Scouting, 2nd overall among goalies by Red Line Report and 7th overall among goalies by International Scouting Services.

2008-09 Season: No regular season statistics available. Had a 3.33 goals against average and a .927 save percentage in six games for Russia at the Under-18 World Junior Championship.

Red Line Report: "Huge and naturally athletic goalie is quite flexible for such a big netminder. Excellent reflexes and never gives up on a play. Terrific pad work, tough to beat low with extremely long legs Absorbs pucks into his body, very soft pads."

Michael Zador
Born: May 8, 1991 in Toronto, Ontario
Height/Weight: 6-2/172 pounds
2008-09 Team: Oshawa (OHL)

Ranked 7th among North American goaltenders by Central Scouting and 6th overall among goalies by McKeen's

2008-09 season: Had a 3.65 goals against average and .897 save percentage with London and Oshawa of the OHL.

McKeen's: "Zador is patient in his approach and uses his frame to cover the net. He likes to challenge shooters and waits from them to commit first. ... Has good size but isn't great technically and can struggle controlling rebounds."

Nathan Lieuwen
Born:  August 8, 1991 in Abbotsford, British Columbia
Height/Weight: 6-5/180 pounds
2008-09 Team: Kootenay (WHL)

Ranked 11th among North American goaltenders by Central Scouting and 5th overall among goalies by Red Line Report.

2008-09 season: Missed time with injury. Was 14-12-2 with a 2.95 goals against average and a .885 save percentage for Kootenay of the WHL.

Red Line Report: "Huge, gangly netminder has the physical tools to be the best goalie in this draft but just can't stay healthy. Great leg quickness and long limbs make to beat down low. Anticipates and recovers well. Good balance and smooth around the crease. Makes a lot of tough saves." 

Mikko Koskinen
Born:  July 18, 1988 in Vantaa, Finland
Height/Weight: 6-7/187 pounds
2008-09 Team: Espoo (Finland)

Ranked 2nd among European goalies by Central Scouting and 4th overall among goaltenders by The Hockey News.

2008-09 season: Was 17-7-9 with a 1.91 goals against average and a .931 save percentage with Espoo in Finland's top league. He ranked third in both goals against average and save percentage.

NHL Scout (Quoted in The Hockey News): "He's still a raw talent, but you might have another Pekka Rinne on your hand in five years."

Jaroslav Janus
Born:  September 21, 1989 in Presov, Slovakia
Height/Weight: 5-11/192
2008-09 Team: Erie (OHL)

Ranked 13th among North American goalies by Central Scouting and 7th overall among goalies by Red Line Report.

2008-09 Season: Registered a 3.24 goals against average and a .908 save percentage for Erie of the OHL.  Had a 3.20 goals against average and .900 save percentage for Slovakia at the 2009 World Junior Championship.

Kyle Woodlief, Red Line Report: "His outstanding natural quickness and long legs make him tough to beat down low. He's got a tremendous glove and excellent balance, and his post-to-post movement is exceptional. However his athleticism masks some technique flaws, and he doesn't handle the puck well at all."