Penguins' Goalie on Thin Ice

If observers are looking for what could be plaguing the Pittsburgh Penguins early in this NHL season, they would do well to start by looking between the pipes.

Marc-Andre Fleury was drafted 1st overall by the Penguins in 2003.  He came into the league being touted as the Penguins' savior in goal.  He has been anything but.

Before I tear him completely to pieces, I will play the devil's advocate by suggesting the Pens' management mismanaged Fleury's development by throwing him to the wolves as an 18 year old rookie playing behind the worst defense in the league at the time.  Fleury's initiation would have been better served by spending a few full years down in the AHL, adjusting slowly to the speedier forwards and more accurate shooters.  Being thrown in and facing 40+ shots a night some nights did little to promote healthy confidence.  But he's no longer an 18 year old.  He has spent time during the lockout in the minors.  He is no longer playing behind the league's worst defense (insert Maple Leafs joke here).  While the Penguins may not be the tidiest team in their own end, they have come a long way since his first season.  The Penguins have been considered a contender for the Cup...until Fleury has come crashing down.

Consider the fact that his backup, Dany Sabourin, has started in recent games and played well, and consider the fact that some days, Fleury's own coach won't discuss him.  These are not promising signs for a goalie who is supposed to lead his team to the promised land.

Fleury's status as the number one in Pittsburgh is on thin ice, and well it should be.  His statistics (3.50 GAA, .892 save percentage) are terrible, and that is amplified by the draft status under which he was picked.  He's just not getting the job done.

The Penguins need to solidify their goaltending in a hurry.  They have the capability to go a long way this season, but it's hard to play with confidence if they are playing on a mine field regarding their netminder.

What the Penguins are lacking is a veteran goaltender to calm their young star down.  Someone who has been through the wars of the NHL for several seasons.  Curtis Joseph would be an ideal candidate.  He's stated he would be willing to accept a backup role, and should Fleury falter, Joseph is more than capable of taking the reigns for a few games.  On a bad Coyotes team, he still had respectable stats.  The Penguins would do well to pursue a free agent veteran such as Joseph to show Fleury the ropes.  Until Fleury calms down and plays like a number one pick, the Penguins will never mount a serious challenge for the Stanley Cup.