The Maple Leafs Have a Goalie Decision That Could Tell Us a Lot About Jim Hiller
There's something a little uncomfortable about watching a great player struggle. Especially when that player has spent years earning the respect of teammates, opponents and fans.
That's where the Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves with Sergei Bobrovsky. He's accomplished just about everything a goaltender can hope to accomplish. He's a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, a Stanley Cup champion and a future Hall of Famer. He's also widely regarded as a classy professional.
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Even Great Players Have Difficult Periods.
But hockey doesn't offer lifetime exemptions. Right now, Bobrovsky hasn't been giving the Maple Leafs the consistency they need in goal. Some Toronto fans have started questioning Jim Hiller's handling of the situation. After the loss to Seattle, one reader wondered why Hiller didn't pull Bobrovsky and give Anthony Stolarz the third period. Others have expressed concern about the soft goals Bobrovsky has allowed.
Those aren't unreasonable questions. Stolarz has done a decent job, and if Bobrovsky is struggling, the coach has to consider his alternatives. But there's another side to this that I find interesting.
How Much Leeway Has Bobrovsky Earned?
How do you manage a player with Bobrovsky's history? He's not an inexperienced goalie who needs a reminder that performance matters. He's earned his place in the NHL through years of exceptional work. He's also earned the respect that comes with being one of the best goaltenders of his generation.
A coach has to recognize that history without allowing it to dictate every decision. That's a delicate balance. Pulling a veteran goalie doesn't necessarily mean you've lost confidence in him. Sometimes it's simply the right decision for the team on that particular night. Equally, giving him another opportunity isn't necessarily showing weakness. It can be an investment in a player who has demonstrated that he knows how to respond to adversity.
What Hiller Does With Bobrovsky Could Be an Important Test.
He needs to show Bobrovsky respect, but he also needs to show the rest of the dressing room that performance matters. Stolarz deserves to know that good play will be rewarded, too. The answer may involve adjusting the workload rather than making a dramatic change. Perhaps Bobrovsky needs a little breathing room, while Stolarz gets more opportunities to carry the load.
Nobody should be writing off Bobrovsky after a difficult stretch. Great careers aren't erased by a few disappointing performances. But the Maple Leafs shouldn’t be afraid to make a difficult decision because of a player's reputation.
The best coaches understand that respect and accountability aren't opposites. Sometimes, showing respect means being honest with a player, even when the conversation isn't easy. How Hiller handles this situation could tell us quite a bit about the kind of coach he's going to be.