Joey Mac: A Worthy Backup
Joey Mac is 0-1-1 in his two games with the Wings, but that clearly doesn't tell the whole story.
In both games, he's played well, well enough to win and well enough for a back up. He's made the saves he should and a few he shouldn't. That's all we can ask from a backup.
Hit the jump for more on the back-up position, from a fellow stupid goalie himself:
One of the biggest knocks on Joey Mac is that his foot speed, well the lack of it. His lack of foot speed made it seem that he is small in the net, as he was often too far back in his net. He's also had an issue in the past regarding an over reliance on the paddle down move, a move which inherently is immobile.
In the two games I've seen of him this season, he's looked twice as fast as in the past. He's been much more on his toes and playing out of the net, making himself look big. The save on the one-timer across the net last night was a perfect example of this. He came out, moved quickly across the crease and made himself big for the slapshot.
Now I still wouldn't call him quick. But slow isn't what you'd call him either. Plus, his flexibility and the fact that it seems that his head is screwed on straight make up for a lot of it.
Few teams are going to have a backup that's as good as their starter. In fact, I can only think of two backups like this (Rask and Schneider). Unless we can get Nabokov (or someone in the skill level), I'm pro sticking with Joey Mac.
I have been on Conklin the entire season... he has seemed off and the team does not play the same in front of him. Pucks just seem to be getting through him like one of those plastic goalie things riddled with Chara slap shots at 108.8 MPH. Mac may be far from what Jimmah is but he can at least get a chance to give the wings a better chance to win.
Was Niitty really that bad that we couldn't take him over Conks and Mac Daddy? I mean at least Niitty had some experience playing as a starter in the NHL and could've been an upgrade over Conklin.. Or is Holland really going to pick someone up that is going to use all the spare $ we have for a playoff run - coz you know Illitch will spend to the cap. That is assuming he didn't blow his wad on Prince Fielder lol.
Oh I agree with that I just thought u was saying most teams back up isn't as good as their starter but no they are deff not a rask and thomas. And I hope they get worse over the season, but who doesn't.
I didn't put a ton of thought into it, but I wouldn't put Elliot and Halak in the same level as Rask/Thomas. At the moment, they are playing like they should be in the same convo, but lets see if that stands the test of time.
My sons name is Camden. That's the only reason I'm being nice about him. And the fact that you are a goalie and know waaaay more about this stuff than me
@Jordan_Reis You forgot stupid... But I agree Chris's knowledge on goaltending is pretty tits and for me in the top three reasons of why I like reading this blog. Conklyn can bite it, keep the Mac attack and work on the special teams...
Mac attack will do, but I'm in the same
boat as @Reddy. We have been spoiled with 1a, 1b goalies all the way back to Vernon and Ozzie. We should have beat the yotes, but that wasn't Macs fault. If we had to take him into the playoffs and rely on him to start if Jimmy went down I'd call the season over right there. Mac is a good backup, just not good enough for a spoiled Wings fan like me.
@Jordan_Reis Agree completely, I guess we just have to realise that the backup's job isn't to win playoff series, shame we dont have a 1a 1b right now.
@Reddy@Jordan_Reis I do think it's worth mentioning that we had Hasek/Osgood and Vernon/Osgood, in the pre-salary cap world. I'm not sure we'll see another combo like that unless we bring both of them up as prospects in the same manner we did with Jimmy and Osgood.
I like Maccers, he's solid, calm and better than Conks. But I like my goalie tandems, not a clear 1st and 2nd. I want a Thomas-Rask, an Osgood-Hasek, I don't just want an average backup. Only then will I feel safe. I realise this is a rarety but I still want a decent tandem. I was never happy with resigning Conks, he has a poor looking butterfly and an old man, hybrid style which just doesn't work in the NHL now.
Mac has the same problems to me, though if it comes down to choosing from our current stock I would go with Mac. But I'm not sure he's good enough to carry the team far.
Just rask and schnieder. What about elliot and halak ? Or emery and crawford lmao (that ones an insult).
I know @jordan_reis , must be reeling at the thought of this post. As much as I like Conks as a person and a Redwing, I feel Joey Mac gives us more of a chance at the win, and at the end of the day that's what it's about.
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Tim Cheveldae is only 44. I bet he'd do ok as long as nobody shoots 5-hole or from the blue line @moorecha @thebiglachovsky @Jordan_Reis
@Jordan_Reis@moorecha@thebiglachovsky Heck I'm sure Ozzie would come out of forced retirement.
Sorry guys, but I vote no on Joey. It's not his time yet. I think he will make a good backup someday, but he's not ready. I would be willing to bet that Kenny picks up a backup before the trade deadline, and either trades, or releases Conks.
@moorecha Hey man, some players just never develop. He's been bounced all over the league, but you never know, sometimes guys come out of nowhere to make a comeback. But if this is as good as Joey is going to be, then I'll pass.
I would love to be wrong on this, but I just don't see Joey stepping in for Howard in the playoffs, and giving the wings any sort of chance. They've got to have someone they can be confident in.
I'm happy with Mac as the backup. He gave up the opportinuty to win games, it's not his fault we only scored 1 goal last night. I also look at his progress and improvement and think immediately of Osgood. I wonder how much working wtih Ozzie has helped? Just a thought. Good writeup though. After the game last night emotions ran high and many people were trying to put the loss on Mac, no way no how. A tandem of J and J? Sign me up.
