THE CALL TO THE SHOW

One of Peter Chiarelli’s chores this year was finding a solution at several goalie spots at the pro level. He did have one strong in-house option in Laurent Brossoit (photo by Mark Williams). With today’s signing of Cam Talbot to a long-term deal, one of the spots is in place for the next several years. The next logical question? When is it time for Laurent Brossoit to push for the NHL backup job?

As fans, we discuss all kinds of things, and the truth is most hockey fans are pretty knowledgeable people. One of the keys is being open to learning new things. I have always tried to keep an open mind, but to be honest, deep goalie evaluation of any sort eludes me. We know that goalies in their 20s are most often trying to work their way up, and that goalies in their 30s are trying to hang on. We know big goalies are pushing the short people from the high reaches of the game, and we know (in the last decade) that save percentage (and even-strength SP) are the best ways to measure these men statistically.

What do we know about Brossoit? The consistency teams look for in goaltenders is in his resume and that probably means he is close to NHL-ready at this time.

This is textbook progress, and at age 23, he is probably ready for the show. If the Oilers keep him in the minors for another season, there will be no real problem (he is ineligible for waivers next season). However, with the signing today of Cam Talbot, value deals like the next one for Brossoit (he is RFA this summer but the contract will be lower than $1M) will be required.

Another way to evaluate progress for fans is via scouting reports (either via the organization or, and I prefer this way, outside and independent reporting) and awards and honors. It may seem like a small thing, getting the nod for the All-Star team, but that is a very difficult thing to earn. The people who see all of the goalies in the AHL feel he is an All-Star—that has value.

We ordinarily associate comparables to rookies or prospects in other leagues, searching history for similar talents in an effort to project them. One way we can compare Brossoit is to post his record alongside the men who are also tending goal for the Condors.

Brossoit was well clear of Scrivens, and the other two goalies haven’t played enough to be true comparables. Interesting gap between the two men, and Scrivens is in the NHL at this time.

Another way to evaluate progress is by comparing numbers month to month during the season. We shouldn’t expect steady improvement. but consistent excellence through the season should be the idea.

That is consistent.

Brossoit appears ready and the Oilers are likely to proceed accordingly. For Peter Chiarelli, who brought in several goalies a year ago, the position looks much brighter today than it did on that April morning he spoke to fans and media in Edmonton.

Much of the change this year has been via the hand of Chiarelli. In the case of Laurent Brossoit, he was the one goalie retained from last year’s pro group and he has earned a recall to the show. The Oilers may choose to sign Anders Nilsson or bring in another goalie to compete, but it would seem there is a good chance Brossoit will see the NHL at some point in 2016.