Puck-Handling A Problem For Flyers’ Sergei Bobrovsky
When the Flyers signed Sergei Bobrovsky, those who knew of the young Russian goaltender understood he could stop the puck. His numbers – even for a bad Kontinental Hockey League team – were impressive, and he’s continued that this season.
So this is by no means pressing the panic button. Bobrovsky could be a finalist for the Calder Trophy as the Flyers’ first ever rookie of the year thanks to 24 wins, a 2.46 goals-against average and .918 save percentage.
But there’s one area of his game that is cause for concern, as fans and his Flyers teammates alike have pointed out that Bobrovsky isn’t the most adept at handling the puck. It’s become much more obvious of late, as a turnover late in Thursday’s game vs. the Islanders turned into the tying goal. Even before that, several players expressed some worry about that area of his game.
“He tries to stop the puck and go behind and try to stop it,” defenseman Kimmo Timonen said. “Nowadays if you don’t do that it’s gonna make it really hard for defense to get the puck and break out. It’s a bigger thing than most people realize.”
So as much as coach Peter Laviolette protests – “You guys are making your story here. I haven’t commented on it at all,” he said – Bobrovsky’s puck-handling is an issue the Flyers are dealing with right now.
It’s a subject of work for the rookie and goalie coach Jeff Reese each day in practice, but it’s not something that can be perfected on a sheet of ice in Voorhees, N.J., in practices.
“It’s not game speed and no players wanna come in and just forecheck the goaltender,” Brian Boucher said. “It’s one of those situations where you learn on the job.”
It’s a matter of watching video – and making mistakes in games. Boucher said it took him three or four years to get a hang of handling the puck out of his crease.
“Well there you go: three or four years. You guys just set the time,” Laviolette said with a grin. “Perfect. We have time. We got lots of time.”
Something like 20 games, perhaps? That’s all that’s left in the regular season for the Flyers, who sit atop the Eastern Conference.
Timonen spoke for almost three minutes last week about Bobrovsky’s puck-handling – but it wasn’t the first time this season the veteran defenseman has said the rookie goalie needs to work on something. Earlier on it was his English. Now that has taken a back-seat.
“He has to first learn how to stop the puck. Sometimes he has to go there even if he won’t get it – just to try it. If he’s gonna do that, he’s gonna get better. Then when he stops the puck it comes down to talking. But first he has to go out there and try to stop it,” Timonen said.
“It’s gonna make it harder for us to make a good first pass and if you look at the good goalies who can stop the puck behind the net, it’s gonna help the defense a lot – more than you think. There’s so many teams coming with a lot of speed, if the puck goes around, they can create their forechecking and turnovers and everything. But if you’re able to stop the puck behind the net and maybe break out right away. It’s a simple thing but it makes a huge difference.”
The Flyers and every other NHL team try to take advantage of weak puck-handling goalies. Scott Hartnell said it’s not hard to see which guys are good, which guys are OK and which guys are not-so-good.
Right now, Bobrovsky is at the OK or not-so-good level, and his teammates are keenly aware of those shortcomings. Asked if he was nervous each time Bobrovsky left his crease to handle the puck, Matt Carle said:
“I wouldn’t call it nervous. You’re just more aware of it, I guess. There’s gonna me mistakes at times, and I think guys are ready for that.”
But how much does it really matter? Yes, it’s important to Bobrovsky’s all-around game, but the Russian rookie has done what Sean O’Donnell wants.
“I’d rather play with a goalie that can stop the puck and not handle it back there than vice versa,” he said. “If you can do everything, then that’s an added bonus. But we’d like our goalies to stop the puck – make the good first save and if they can handle it … obviously that’s a bonus.”
Bobrovsky is trying to provide that “bonus” for the Flyers. Boucher is already a good puck-handler, something that could make a difference come playoff time as Laviolette chooses whom to ride when the games matter the most.
He’s come a long way.
“From what I heard he hadn’t come out of the net once over in Russia,” O’Donnell said. “At this level, you’re facing guys that are the best in the world – it’s still a new thing for him. And there’s a little bit of a language barrier there, and he’s getting better and better.”
Laviolette disagreed with the notion that Bobrovsky’s puck-handling has “gone south” lately. For his part, Bobrovsky doesn’t think he’s been too bad, either.
“I’m actually feeling more and more comfortable as more time goes on,” he said through an interpreter.
There’s a learning curve, players said. But as Laviolette pointed out, if anyone can fix this problem, it’s Bobrovsky.
“His work ethic is second to none,” Carle said, “and I have all the confidence in the world that he’ll be a very capable puck-handling goalie in the future.”
Just like Bobrovsky’s rapid ascent from prospect to starter, the Flyers hope the future is now.
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