Martin Gerber to Phoenix?
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by user Pbcoyotes
Thanks to Kukla's Korner, there is a link to a story that the Ottawa Senators are trying to deal expensive backup goaltender Martin Gerber to a team in need of goaltending. One of the teams that is mentioned in the article is the Phoenix Coyotes, but there are other teams that are in need of goaltending help as well ( Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning, and the St. Louis Blues). In Ottawa, Gerber has seen limited ice time thanks to the stellar performance from goaltender Ray Emery. Plus, it's intimated that the pressure of playing in such an intense market like Ottawa’s contributed to Gerber’s lack of success.
If Gerber comes here, the only thing he will have to worry about is stopping the puck. Mikael Tellqvist performed admirably in a desperate situation when the Coyotes traded Tyson Nash for him in November of last year. Since then, Tellqvist has signed a two year contract. Therefore, Gerber will have to compete for the job.
Ranking both goaltenders by save percentage, Gerber is a better goalie based on his .906 to Tellqvist's .885 for 30 games played. Also ranking both goaltenders based on goals against average, Gerber bests Tellqvist with his 2.78 to Tellqvist's 3.39. However, the Senators were a better team overall and both goaltenders for the Coyotes had to find ways to win games every night.
It does come down to a question of price and longevity. Can Goaltending Coach Grant Fuhr make Tellqvist a better goaltender in the long run? He is five years younger than Gerber, but does he have the innate skills to get better in the net? We know that Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney is on the hunt for another goaltender as Curtis Joseph is an Unrestricted Free Agent, but certainly Gerber's availability offers some tough choices ahead.
Earlier, head coach Wayne Gretzky stated that the older free agents cycling through the Coyotes organization is over and that would certainly affect Gerber's likelihood of arriving in the Valley. However, good goaltending can decide important games and it is a decision that the staff of the Coyotes will have to make. Is Tellqvist their guy or is there someone better?
