Many people in Ottawa say that Martin Gerber is fantastic and he should be the Senators' number-one goalie.
It has also been argued that the Sens should trade Ron Emery, because his skills are overrated and his attitude creates problems in the dressing room.
My, how things get twisted when fans have short memories. Lets take a look back:
Emery went into the playoffs for the first time as a rookie after Hasek had been hurt. He won the first series in five games, and then lost a series to Buffalo where every game was decided by one goal game, three of his four losses came in overtime.
He then had to fight for the number-one job after Gerber was brought in to be the team's "saviour." He won the starting job back by helping carry the team out of a slump and straight to the Cup Finals—and did it with a wrist he injured in middle of November.
Because of surgery, Emery had no off-season training, no training camp and no preseason outside of two periods—for a total of six shots faced.
Gerber had a strong season in Carolina, but still had his job taken away by a young backup. He came to Ottawa and crumbled under the unfamiliar pressure of playing in a Canadian city—and again, his job was taken by a young backup.
Now, Gerber has started to show that he is capable of being a number-one goaltender.
Lets not forget that last year Gerber was hated by the fans, who wanted him shipped out of town. He turns his game around, and now the same fans want Emery gone instead?
Emery is playing like any goalie would play at the start of training camp. He needs time to get the rust off. Emery also brings 18 playoff wins and experience in the Stanley Cup Finals, whereas Gerber has just one playoff win to his credit.
Also, I recall the fans liked that Emery had a bit of an attitude, since everybody felt felt the Sens were lacking in that area.
Let's not ship Emery out of town just yet. The Sens should keep them both, because if Gerber again chokes under the pressure, then at least they will have an experienced goalie coming off the bench.
8 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Mark Marino about 1 year ago
Are you defending an over-rated goalie-who is the first one to leave after practice (if he does in-fact show-up- and the last to arrive?
Trade him, dump his contract, and lean on Gerber to continue his Vezina-season, and the Sens potential cup victory.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
over-rated? seriously? how is he overrated? and so what if he leaves practice first. Someone has to leave first. its just the nature of people leaving somewhere.
also, the "sens potential cup victory". first of all, its still too early for that. right now the should probably worry about winning now to make it to the playoffs and its not as if Gerber is guaranteed to have a better shot at winning in the playoffs anyways. Emery has more playoff experience and really, thats whats important. just look at the penguins last season. experience really is an important part of the playoffs whether you care to admit it or not.
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PAUL VDV about 1 year ago
Emery got this team out of it's slump last year WITH AN INJURED WRIST!!! Then all he did was help his team get to the Cup final WITH AN INJURED WRIST!!! His injury caught up to him in the final but he has yet to play a full season as the number one goalie and he is still young. Sorry but I don't think he can be considered over rated. He also did all of those things above with the same practice habits he has always had. Not everyone is going to go crazy with practice habits. Not everyone will nor can they be the first to arrive and be there an hour before and an hour after everyone else. This team needs a little attitude. And I'm sorry but you can't argue that this team made it to the Finals for the first time with Emery in the net.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Just a matter of time and Gerber will implode, oh wait that's happening already!!!!
Get the Razer back in net!!
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PAUL VDV about 1 year ago
Looks like a replay of last year. Gerber struggles as does the team. Emery steps in and steals a point out of Tampa Bay and 2 points out of Florida. Emery will have a strong game against Dallas and will carry the ball from here on out. Aren't we glad Emery wasn't shipped out of town?
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PAUL VDV about 1 year ago
Looks like I was right about a strong game in Dallas. The 2 goals he let in? One was on a 5 on 3 off of a rebound - Not a lot he could have done on that. The other was off of one of his own players skates and in so you can't fault him on that one either. Look for a shut out against Carolina unless one of his own players scores on him again.
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TheRealist beatTheOdd about 1 year ago
Hokey is a White man game, No matter how good Ray is and no matter what he did for the club (taking them to the final), the fact remain that he is Black even though he is born canadian and Gerber is not. the Bigots in ottawa are not going to win a championship because they don't deserve it.
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PAUL VDV about 1 year ago
I really don't believe his colour has anything to do with it. I could be wrong but I don't think it's a race issue. I was simply trying to point out to the FANS that BOTH goalies are #1 calibre and that Emery needs time. Ofcourse he now has both back and hip issues to deal with now which will set him back even further now. Even when Gerber struggled last year I still felt he could turn his game around just as Emery will do. I do think we need to stick with one and trade the other because having 2 number 1 goalies just doesn't work long term.
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