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About Michael Caples

Michael Caples was born just minutes outside of Detroit and the Canadian border, into a family that introduced him to hockey the day he was born.

By the age of three, Michael could recite every NHL club, where they were from, and the primary colors in each jersey. He has worked for the Red Wings’ official website since 2008 and has contributed articles for LAKings.com, Michigan Hockey, and various other sports publications.

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Halak must prove he isn't all hype Print
Central
Written by Michael Caples   
Friday, July 09, 2010 00:00
According to their official website, the St. Louis Blues want fans to believe that Jaroslav Halak will be an elite NHL netminder for the next four years. But is the 25-year-old, who has never been a No. 1 goaltender in the NHL for an entire season, really the answer for the youthful Blues?

Before the citizens of St. Louis start planning a Stanley Cup parade, however, there are questions to consider.

First and foremost, can Halak reasonably expect to continue the hot streak he started last spring?

AROUND THE CENTRAL
His playoff performance was unquestionably phenomenal. A .923 save percentage in the Canadiens' 18 playoff games – when they weren't expected to play more than seven – guaranteed Halak a pay raise during the offseason. He received just that with a new $15 million contract.

So if Halak is so good, why did the Montreal Canadiens trade him? The Habs had one too many goalies, but why keep Carey Price and not Halak? If new general manager Pierre Gauthier shipped out a cult hero in hockey-obsessed Montreal, he must have been convinced that Halak is not the next Patrick Roy.

Halak posted a 26-13-5 record and a .924 save percentage during the regular season, all great numbers. But he only played in 45 games because of the Canadiens’ wealth in goal. How will Halak handle a higher workload? Backup Ty Conklin is a proven No. 2 goalie, but he’s no Carey Price.

Will the Blues’ young defensive corps provide enough help?

St. Louis has dependable veterans in Eric Brewer and Barret Jackman, but the club will try to switch the workload over to future cornerstones Erik Johnson and Alex Pietrangelo during the first years of Halak's contract. Johnson, 22, and Pietrangelo, 20, will make mistakes before they become stars, and Halak will be expected to clean up their messes. Central Division foes Chicago and Detroit (who the Blues play six times a year) have the offensive firepower to jump on mistakes and make life difficult for any goaltender.

As it stands, the Blues don't have enough firepower of their own to compensate. Keith Tkachuk retired and Paul Kariya isn't expected back next season. The only forward the Blues have acquired this summer is Vladimir Sobotka, in a trade from Boston, and he is not a scoring threat (six career goals).

If history is any consolation, the Canadiens had only two players over the age of 30 during their 1985-86 Stanley Cup championship season. The next Roy could be exactly what St. Louis needs.

Notes

The Red Wings are still waiting on an answer from Mike Modano, who would be a significant upgrade on the third line for Detroit. He could give the Wings the flexibility of playing Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk together again. … The Blackhawks will look a lot different next season, but their Stanley Cup-winning core is still intact. The Blackhawks shot up the ESPN rankings for professional sports teams to 16th place. … The Nashville Predators signed Sergei Kostitsyn to a one-year deal. It’s at a good price ($550,000) but management can only hope Kostitsyn doesn’t become a cancer in another locker room. … Bob Boughner will be leaving his star-studded Windsor Spitfires for an assistant coach position with the Blue Jackets.

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Last Updated on Thursday, August 19, 2010 00:06