Jason LaBarbera or Erik Ersberg: Los Angeles Kings' Netminding Conundrum

From the start of training camp, Terry Murray named Jason LaBarbera as the Kings’ starting netminder.

In a position that had seen so much instability for LA over the past two seasons, some continuity was desired.

LaBarbera had played well in the 07-08 season, but was troubled with injuries yet again, thus allowing him to only make 45 starts.

He had several challengers for the No. 1 spot as well—Erik Ersberg, Jonathan Quick, and Jonathan Bernier. Ersberg had re-signed for the Kings after a breakout season with LA last year.

The former SEL (Swedish Elite League) MVP was 6-5-3 for LA last year after starting the season with Manchester in the AHL. Just in case that needs repeating, he was 6-5-3. A Kings goalie with a winning record!

However, Ersberg did not start camp healthy, like Jonathan Bernier. Bernier was quickly sent down to Manchester and has remained there since.

Arguably, Quick was not going to challenge for the starting job this season, so naturally LaBarbera was named starter. Quick was kept around for a while due to good performances, and was challenging Ersberg for the backup position, but the Swedish netminder won through and got the nod.

Murray held to his word, and LaBarbera was the starting netminder. He played almost to exhaustion in some circumstances, but he was the guy.

However, it was a common consensus that Ersberg was just waiting in the wings for his chance to shine, and after a couple of dodgy games between the pipes, Ersberg started instead.

This coincided with a run of victories for LA, propelling towards the heady heights of almost making the playoffs.

Well, the Kings hit ninth in the West, so they were nearly in a playoff spot. But then the same happened—Ersberg had a couple of dodgy games, in particular a dodgy first period against Edmonton, and JLB was back in net.

His first start back? A shutout against Columbus. I understand that you need to go with the hot hand in net. Whoever he is, you need to make sure he’s in the zone and the guy that gives your team the best chance of winning.

I suspect for the Kings that it’s Ersberg. LaBarbera is a good netminder, but realistically too inconsistent to be a No. 1 NHL goalie. The same could be said about Ersberg, but we are yet to find this out.

In either event, it was once said that if you have two guys contending for a starting netminder job, what you don’t have is a starting netminder. You don’t have two No. 1s—you have two No. 2s.

This was the case in Ottawa last season with Emery and Gerber, and is now the case in LA. You don’t see Luongo or Brodeur giving those spots up. In a couple of years time, hopefully one of the prospects will take the puck and run with it, and be that No. 1 guy.

Until then, we can debate who is the better No. 2.