Former Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Felix (The Cat) Potvin believes that the team’s current struggles could be attributed to the fact that they don’t have a clear-cut starter between the pipes.
With James Reimer and Jonas Gustavsson both struggling over the last several weeks, the Leafs have bounced back and forth between the two goalies – something Potvin feels could be the reason why neither goaltender has taken a firm grasp of the No. 1 role.
“The thing that’s clear in my mind is I don’t think they have a clear-cut guy that can step in as a No. 1,” the former Leafs goalie told Jeff Blair on Sportsnet 590 The Fan on Friday. “When you go through crunch time like this as a goaltender, one of the two guys needs the opportunity to step in for five, six, seven, eight games and try to build up some confidence.”
The Leafs have lost six games in a row and 10 of their past 11 and are in the familiar position of fighting for a playoff spot late in the season. Potvin, who played in net for the Leafs from 1992 to 1999, knows the pressure netminders face in Toronto when things aren’t going well.
“There’s no doubt they’ve been feeling the pressure. Even though guys like to say they don’t pay attention … we all do at some point,” Potvin said.
The two-time NHL all-star said it’s hard enough getting your team into the playoffs, let alone having to worry about being scrutinized and competing with your peer. “There’s always a competition between the two goalies even though you’re great friends,” Potvin said.
“I’m sure both guys want to play and you’ve got both things in your mind. You want to be the guy that’s going to play and at the same time you want to help the team, so (the goalies are) going after two battles at this time of the year and I don’t think it’s all that good for the team.”
Recently, many fans have suggested that Leafs goalie coach Francois Allaire does not have the right style to help improve Reimer and Gustavsson.
“As a goalie, I liked having a goalie coach,” Potvin said. “Francois has been working a certain way for a long time and he’s been successful with (players like Patrick Roy and J.S. Giguere),” Potvin said.
The 40-year old said that Allaire’s past disciples look similar in the net but also suggests, “Maybe it is a little harder on some of the guys to change completely their style.”
Potvin, who was one of the most popular athletes in the city of Toronto in the 1990s, currently helps coach a midget triple-A team in his native Quebec.
In 636 career NHL games, Potvin — who retired after the 2003-04 season — spent time with the Leafs, New York Islanders, Vancouver Canucks, Los Angeles Kings and Boston Bruins, amassing a record of 266-260-85 with 32 shutouts.
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