Originally Posted by generaladm
+1 on that.
You can go back thru the list of Stanley Cup champs, and there will be no more common thread than a money goaltender. Since expansion, there have been relatively few teams who went all the way without an all-timer between the pipes. Parent, Dryden, Smith, Roy, Fuhr, Brodeur, those are all clear HOF. Even Barasso, Richter, Vernon (CGY & DET), Giguere, Belfour, Osgood, Hasek, Joseph, were top goalies in their time. The only SC winning goalies I can't name off the top of my head are BOS with Orr (top 3 player all time), and CAR conn smythe winner cam ward. Just to make the finals, you need at least a hot as hell goalie (Kolzig, Beezer, Potvin, Hextall). I don't see Mase going out like Carey, but goalies are a special breed, so you can never tell.
Lidstrom had a ruptured ball for the last two rounds. He wasn't the same player, but come on. I don't think he's done. His game isn't dependent on strength or speed, so I think he could have a few more years in him. It depends on how he recovers, and his desire to play in the league. Let me know the details of the vbet (Lidstrom? Nash? Cups in 11-12?), and I'll take it.
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