07/08 Player Profile - #1 Andrew Raycroft
#1
Raycroft, Andrew
6'0" 185 lbs. Belleville, Ontario
5/4/1980
2006/07
GM W L T MIN GA GAA SA SV SV%
72 37 25 9 4112 205 2.99 931 1726 89.4
A year ago, Raycroft was brought into this line-up as the answer to the goaltending deficiencies the Leafs had with an injured Belfour and an unproven Aubin. The only difference between Raycroft and Aubin however was a Calder trophy brought on by 1 solid consistent year. Raycroft was given the ball and ended the season 1 point from the playoffs. More dissapointing then his stats was a poor performance during the final and most crucial game of the season vs. Montreal. It was a Raycroft we seen far too many times that year, shaky.
His overall game has some positives. His down low game was incredible; Raycroft was one of the finest goalies to take away the lower part of the net with some of the quickest goal pads in the entire league. As a result, his angles were strong, that is before he gets moving side to side. When chaos would erupt in the slot, Raycroft easily lost his cool and was unable to match any sustained pressure; this was consistent throughout the season. His puck handling skills were poor; it created a terrible transition game between him and the defence. Raycroft's biggest and most revealing flaw was his inability to guard the top half of the net; his blocker was suspect but not as bad as his catching hand. Countless times throughout the season Raycroft waved goodbye to too many pucks as they flew by his trapper. This is a great area of concern as teams scout weaknesses, and as the season progressed, a goal of this fashion seemed ever more constant. All in all Raycroft had a bad year; his win total is blanketed by a lousy GAA, SVP and those many losses.
What a difference a year makes. The Leafs have since acquired Vesa Toskala, and although it remains to be seen, it looks as though Vesa will acquire the top spot in the same fashion as Raycroft did the year before. Keeping in mind that a healthy competition could bring out great things in both players, and with the luck Maurice and the Leafs had last season in naming a number 1, a competition could be just what the Leafs need.
I am hoping for a rebound season for Raycroft, redemption and a desire to prove himself in this city should be on the forefront. He is a keeper with very little confedence, he should know and except this fact, not be casual about leting in a weak goal, and as a result continue to work hard at improving. Although I am not convinced he has the demeanour to rebound from last , he could, and with Vesa in the line-up I am willing to give him this chance, that is of coarse if he doesn’t get traded first.
Raycroft, Andrew
6'0" 185 lbs. Belleville, Ontario
5/4/1980
2006/07
GM W L T MIN GA GAA SA SV SV%
72 37 25 9 4112 205 2.99 931 1726 89.4
A year ago, Raycroft was brought into this line-up as the answer to the goaltending deficiencies the Leafs had with an injured Belfour and an unproven Aubin. The only difference between Raycroft and Aubin however was a Calder trophy brought on by 1 solid consistent year. Raycroft was given the ball and ended the season 1 point from the playoffs. More dissapointing then his stats was a poor performance during the final and most crucial game of the season vs. Montreal. It was a Raycroft we seen far too many times that year, shaky.
His overall game has some positives. His down low game was incredible; Raycroft was one of the finest goalies to take away the lower part of the net with some of the quickest goal pads in the entire league. As a result, his angles were strong, that is before he gets moving side to side. When chaos would erupt in the slot, Raycroft easily lost his cool and was unable to match any sustained pressure; this was consistent throughout the season. His puck handling skills were poor; it created a terrible transition game between him and the defence. Raycroft's biggest and most revealing flaw was his inability to guard the top half of the net; his blocker was suspect but not as bad as his catching hand. Countless times throughout the season Raycroft waved goodbye to too many pucks as they flew by his trapper. This is a great area of concern as teams scout weaknesses, and as the season progressed, a goal of this fashion seemed ever more constant. All in all Raycroft had a bad year; his win total is blanketed by a lousy GAA, SVP and those many losses.
What a difference a year makes. The Leafs have since acquired Vesa Toskala, and although it remains to be seen, it looks as though Vesa will acquire the top spot in the same fashion as Raycroft did the year before. Keeping in mind that a healthy competition could bring out great things in both players, and with the luck Maurice and the Leafs had last season in naming a number 1, a competition could be just what the Leafs need.
I am hoping for a rebound season for Raycroft, redemption and a desire to prove himself in this city should be on the forefront. He is a keeper with very little confedence, he should know and except this fact, not be casual about leting in a weak goal, and as a result continue to work hard at improving. Although I am not convinced he has the demeanour to rebound from last , he could, and with Vesa in the line-up I am willing to give him this chance, that is of coarse if he doesn’t get traded first.
posted by LEAFER at
12:04 AM
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