Thursday, February 21, 2008, 03:00 PM EST
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Pittsburgh Penguins]
The Pittsburgh Penguins have a heck of a problem right now. Their star goaltender, the first overall pick in 2003, Marc-Andre Fleury's return to action after a high ankle sprain is in the near future. However, their current started, Ty Conklin (most famous for a potentially career ending mistake in the Stanley Cup Finals), has been absolutely on fire lately, posting a 16-4-3 record with a 2.18 GAA and a 93.2% save percentage (at the time of this writing) in twenty four games. Fleury, before his injury, was a more human 9-8-1, with a 2.90 GAA and a 90.2 save percentage (over 21 games). However, last season, Fleury was believed to finally be emerging after posting an impressive 40-16-9 record in only his second season with more than 25 games (his goals against was 2.83, with a 90.6 save percentage).
Fleury easily has more upside than the 31-year-old undrafted Conklin. He has improved vastly under the tutelage of former NHL goaltender Gilles Meloche, and his skills are getting noticeably better. However, Conklin has proven himself the better stick handler, and more competent with rebounds for the time being.
So what is a hockey team to do? Two capable starting goaltenders, both will want ice time. Fleury has potential to develop, and get closer to being the all-star he was projected to be, while Conklin has likely reached his potential and probably won't get too much better. As I stated, it's quite a dilemma.
My thoughts? Continue starting Conklin for the time being. He is as hot as it gets right now. If he starts to slip some, give Fleury a start or two, work him back into the speed of the NHL, and try to get him conditioned to start. Last season he looked brilliant in the playoffs, keeping the Penguins in the series as best he could, even stealing game two (in most opinions). Conklin's only NHL playoff game is his infamous Stanley Cup Finals appearance.
So start Conklin, and work Fleury back into the starting position in time for the playoffs. Use what has potential to be one of the best tandems in the league this season. The only real question I have is what happens to Dany Sabourin?
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