Vesa Toskala
On June 22, 2007 then Toronto Maple Leaf general manager thought he finally acquired a number one goaltender in Vesa Toskala. They also acquired power forward Mark Bell, from San Jose for three draft picks (1st, 2nd & 4th). The only issue is Toskala’s number gradually got worse each and every year; as an example, his first season in Toronto he sported an average g.a.a. of 2.66 and a .907 SP%. By year 3 he had a ballooned g.a.a of 3.66 and a save percentage of .874. His time is widely remembered by a shot let in from the other teams blueline (vs NYI scored by Rob Davidson); likely the softest goal in NHL history.
There has been a fair share of NHL first overall busts. From the likes of Greg Joly and Alexander Daigle; but when one thinks of the enormous gaff made by the New York Islanders in 2000; it still to this day hinders the hockey club. At the 2000 NHL entry draft; Isles general manager Mike Milbury traded Roberto Luongo; and drafted American goalie Rick Dipetro; skipping over Dany Heatley & Marian Gaborik. Dipetro’s first season with the team was his best ever, going 23-18-5 (2.36 g.a.a & a .911 SP) Desipte a 3.02 g.a.a in the 2005-06 season; Milbury gave the goalie a 15 year extension worth 67.5 million. In his first four seasons he started 238 games, in his last four season he’s only played 47 games. Can you say injuries, injuries and more injuries. The sad fact is this, he was a great goaltender at one time, had to be if he was drafted first overall. His problem over the last four years is more mental; but nowadays he’s a goalie with a ballooned g.a.a (3.50) with a .875 save percentage.
Andrew Raycroft
Flash in the pan #1. Andrew Raycroft won the Calder Trophy in 2003-04; in that season he went 29-18-9, 2.05 g.a.a & .926 save percentage. The very next season, he went 8-19-2 with a 3.79 g.a.a & .879 SP. Over the next four seasons he’ had a g.a.a of 2.83 or over 5 times. Four times he’s had a save percentage lower than .900. In his rookie season was it a great defense & good goaltending, or a combination of both. More than fair to say after the first season other teams had a book on his. But again, the common thing is mentally he was never the same goalie. If you have any doubt as a goaltender, you’re destined for failure.
Steve Mason
Flash in the pan #2. Steve Mason like Raycroft won the rookie of the year on 2008-09. He was the only reason why the Columbus Blue Jackets made the playoffs that year. Since that season, the Jackets have been a very lousy team defensively, but again like Raycroft, teams got a book on Mason and he has not found a way to reinvent himself. Three straight seasons with a g.a.a of 3 or higher, almost guarantees Mason to be fighting for a two way contract going forward, the days of a guaranteed one way contract are over, unless he recovers this year and soon. And in his first game of the 2013 season, Mason let in 5 goals on 37 shots.
Marc Denis
From a flash in a pan to being put into an impossible spot. Marc Denis was drafted 25th overall in 1995; was never going to be the “man” in Colorado, as Patrick Roy was the mainstay number one goalie. Then unfortunately for Denis, he got traded to the first year expansion team Columbus Blue Jackets. For the next five season, he performed well but not great, and his numbers reflected it. Having losing seasons all five seasons, and having a goals against over three four times, despite having a save percentage over .900 three times. In 2006 he was traded to Tampa Bay, and things only got worse, his first year he was one game under .500; 3.19 g.a.a; .883 SP%. The next season he went 1-5 with a 4.05 g.a.a and a .859%. By the time he was traded it was to late to save his career.
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