Hasek considering NHL comeback

[Guest]

Maybe Martin Brodeur's old-age heroics in leading the New Jersey Devils to the Stanley Cup Finals has given Dominik Hasek a new sense of worth.

The 47-year-old Czech goaltender isn't quite ready to say goodbye to the game he loves, telling Denik Sport that he is working hard to make a comback to professional hockey.

Hasek has been in and out of retirement for the last 13 years, winning a pair of Stanley Cups since he first decided to hang up the skates. But now he is 47 years old and hasn't played in the NHL since 2008. Despite playing in the Czech Extraliga and KHL since ending his NHL career, the market for Hasek may not be what he's hoping for. Still, the two-time Hart Trophy winner is testing the waters.

Hasek was recently seen visiting his son at Michigan State University and used the trip to meet with several NHL general managers, according to Denik Sport. The Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning are said to be potential suitors for the unconventional goaltender.

Any team that takes a shot on Hasek would be wise to do so with a backup role in mind. Relying on him to play more than 20 games at his age and with his style of play is a huge gamble. The Dominator's potential return to the NHL will be a compelling storyline, but expectations must be tempered.

http://www.nesn.com/2012/05/dominik-...at-age-47.html

[Ravin]

Ok seirously, every time a goalie is mentioned, Tampa's name does not have to be nailed beside it. Can you just see that board meeting.

"Ok guys, we have a 42 year old goalie in Roloson. You know how we solve that problem? We get older! 47 is the new 25 right?"

[Berowsk]

A bunch of my buddies were talking about Holmgren trying to get Hasek to provide Bryz some guidance but I didn't buy that a 47 year old would wanna come back and play in the NHL. If they're right, expect the Flyers to go after him.

Here's an article to support their argument:

As the New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings get set to begin the Stanley Cup Final this week, the Philadelphia Flyers are preparing for next season.
While the bulk of general manager Paul Holmgren's work will involve decisions related to defensemen and forwards, he may decide to make a goaltending adjustment as well. This offseason, with a number 1 goalie still in place (if not loved), there is the possibility that Ilya Bryzgalov's backup could be switched.
A recent report said that Dominik Hasek wanted to return to the National Hockey League. So, is it possible that a man who first appeared on the North American hockey scene with the Chicago Blackhawks in 1990 (when he was in his mid-20s) could become Bryzgalov's mentor in 2012?
Why do that?
Goaltending, like pitching in baseball, is such a subjective position to consider. For every truly great goaltender, there are are countless good goalies.
Plenty of men have won the Cup who aren't Hall of Fame worthy. Most have been professional puck-stoppers who played for good defensive teams that drove all the way to Lord Stanley's house one spring year.
Then, there are a few men like Martin Brodeur and Hasek who stand above the pack.
Did you know that Hasek, who hasn't played in the National Hockey League in four years, is the all-time save percentage leader? His .922 percentage bests Brodeur's .913 career mark. Hasek also has the League's seventh-best all-time goals against average (2.20). Standing directly behind him is Brodeur with his 2.23 number.
There is another numerical total that must be mentioned in this comparison. Unlike the 'youthful' Brodeur, who turned 40 this month, Hasek was born on January 29, 1965. That chronological calculation makes him more than 47-years-old.
The former Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings player collected six Vezina trophies and two Hart trophies, to go along with two Stanley Cups, before leaving the NHL after the 2007-08 season. He has since played in the Czech Republic and was most recently seen in the Russian Kontinental Hockey League during the 2010-11 season.
If he is still healthy and capable of performing, what a potentially great mentor Hasek would be for Bryzgalov. Everyone can always benefit from the support of a peer. A person of Hasek's stature and similar cultural background would certainly be a beneficial ally.
Reality check
I was impressed by Sergei Bobrovsky since I first saw him at training camp in the fall of 2010. While I knew very little about the young man back then, it was easy to see that he had the physical tools to play goal in the NHL.
Few, including me, expected him to actually open the 2010-11 season as the Flyers starting goalie against the Pittsburgh Penguins. But, he did.
As to whether the 23-year-old can develop into a full-time starter is an answer that will be learned over time. The arrival of Bryzgalov last season obviously indicated that the Flyers brain-trust believed that 'Bryz' was better than 'Bob' at this stage of their careers.
The length of Bryzgalov's contract should keep him between the pipes in Philadelphia for many years to come. The size of his deal also means that there is only so much cap space available for whoever watches him from the bench.
Bobrovsky, who will make $1.75 million in the last year of his own financial arrangement, can become a restricted free agent next summer. So, it's possible that the Flyers could deal him with the intent of refining their overall goaltending situation.
If Holmgren makes a decision concerning his backup goalie, any replacement would seem likely to be offered something in Bobrovsky's pay range. Would that be the best deal that any team would make to Hasek, if he does receive any offers?
Once the team you cover is no longer headed toward a glorious June destination, speculative opinion replaces game-day reaction and so this topic was raised. Let no hardcore hockey fan feel compelled to break their stick through this display of digital dreaming.

I feel so bad for Bob, though. Not only is he a good goalie, he can hardly speak our language so all he has is Bryz to talk to. I'd kill myself if that was the case lol.

[Guest]

Ok seirously, every time a goalie is mentioned, Tampa's name does not have to be nailed beside it. Can you just see that board meeting.

"Ok guys, we have a 42 year old goalie in Roloson. You know how we solve that problem? We get older! 47 is the new 25 right?"

Though a smart move would be signing Vokoun to a one or two year deal. They definitely need to develop one of their own, however.