From The Back Out

After the goal tending display in the Canadian net, at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championships this past New Year, one has to wonder about the future of the NHL. Clearly Mark Visentin is not able to handle the pressure of being a professional goalie, which is unfortunate for the Phoenix Coyotes as they drafted him 27th overall in last year's NHL entry draft.

Could this be the way goal tending is going to be in the future? There is very little value placed on a goaltender now a day that it is leading to the demise of teams. Team Canada was of course the most recent team to learn this valuable lesson. In order to be successful in today's game you need to build from the back out. That means that at the base of a strong team their needs to be a strong goalie, in order to be successful teams need to minimize the oppositions offense. Teams with weak goalies never go very far in the playoffs, provided they can even hang on to playoff position.

Amazingly, the goalies that have been picked late in recent NHL drafts are the ones that seem to be taking on successful careers. For instance,  Jonathan Quick was selected 72nd overall in 2005 and is currently a top contender for this years Vezina Trophy. Even more astonishing is Nashville's tandem of Pekka Rinne and Anders Lindback who were elected 258th and 207th in their respective draft years. Both goalies are experiencing great success, while most of the goalies selected before them have yet to crack an NHL roster.

Teams clearly do not know how to select a franchise goaltender that could take the team to a Stanley Cup title. Stats, such as save percentage, are one thing but one thing that is not considered is the skill of the team in front of them. Anyone can put up a good save percentage with a great team in front of them, but it's the guys who are successful with lower seeded teams that make great NHL goalies.

Robin Lehner, draft pick of the Ottawa Senators

European goaltenders seem to be the wave of the future, with goalies emerging fast out of Sweden and Finland. Goalies such as Joni Ortio and Robin Lehner could very well be the next Vezina trophy contenders if they continue to preform at the level they were at in Buffalo during the World Junior tournament. The decline of Canadian goaltenders is relatively alarming but may in fact be good for the game. With the difference in North American and European play, that being physicality versus finesse, European goaltenders continue to out preform most North American goaltenders. The obvious exception would be United States goaltender Jack Campbell who is the most promising North American prospect for the NHL in the near future.

Goalies are much more important than teams seem to think, which is a real shame as it usually leads to their demise. Although cliche, the best offense is a strong defense which is pivotal to the success of a franchise. Building from the back out insures future success for the team and delivers a promising result that is sure to please fans.

Fight To The Finish

As week 17 is fast approaching there is a lot on the line in Green Bay, Wisconsin as the Packers sit on the brink of elimination. The Packers find themselves up against the NFC North leading Chicago Bears who have far surpassed the expectations of critics. The Bears have clinched a division title and purely play the role of spoiler for the Packers who are sitting at 9 - 6.

The Packers will rely heavily on Offensive Player of the Year candidate Aaron Rodgers if they want to earn a Wild Card spot. Rodgers, who is coming off of a huge game against the New York Giants last week, is expected to be able to match that performance if not exceed it. After throwing for 404 yards last week and putting up a passer rating of 139.9, Rodgers is going to have to be a real game changer if the Packers are to make a Super Bowl run. Amazingly Rodgers was able to return two weeks after suffering his second concussion of the season in week 14 against the Detroit Lions.

The Packers have suffered injury wise this season but have still managed to tough out the season to hang on to a potential playoff spot. Most notably was the loss of Tight End Jermichael Finley who has the perfect combination of height and size to power through the opposition. Finley sustained a season ending knee injury back in week 5 against the Redskins. The Packers also lost starting running back Ryan Grant after he got his legs tangled up back in week 1 against Philadelphia. Grant became a large part of the offense last season after the loss of Ahman Green.

Clay Matthews

Outside Linebacker Clay Matthews will have to bring his game to Lambeau on Sunday if the Packers are to contain the Bears offense. Matthews has more than proven he is Pro Bowler status with 12.5 sacks this season.

The Packers have not been able to live up to preseason expectations but are finding their groove at an ideal time. They should have no problem making the playoffs considering the fact that if they win they are in but a loss and a Giants win will find them at home come playoff time. The Giants find themselves in Washington this week and the Packers could use a late Christmas gift from the Redskins.