Marc Denis, what do you think?

I think he has been terrific. He has made big stops on breakaways and odd-man rushes at key times when not making those saves would have sent games such as the Flyers game and the Panthers victory in another direction.

What do you know, I write about that in tomorrow's paper.

Still, I'm curious what everyone thinks of how he has done. His stats aren't super but they are good and he certainly has been faced with an interesting circumstance in that he stands around for a long time while the opposition is not getting shots. He has faced just 23.7 a game. He has a superb glove and his competitive nature is contagious.

Final analysis: He's tons better than John Grahame and gives Tampa Bay a chance to win. Anyone see problems?

Comments

[goldenbolt]

The only question remaining for me is can he steal a 1 - 0 game. Not sure I've seen that tenacity to date but it is early. Just think Bulin in the cup year! A couple of real steals during the series. Johnny? who burke what!. Night and day difference and Marc is MUCH better.

[DB]

Marc has been steady but not spectacular so far this year. He always seems to have good position on the shooter and mentaly his head seems to be in the game for the full 60 minutes.
He doesn't seem to be flashy but his strong point seems to be his consistency. I'd give him a grade of a B so far.

[Patricia]

I think Denis is a step up from Burke and Grahame. He has not totally sold me just yet. He's good, but he could be better. He is an experienced goalie who has had ice time. I think it's still early, I think so far he has done a good job. I would definately say he is much more consistant, but we also traded a great player. I think we should have gotten a better top of the line goalie for Modin.

[Patricia]

I think Denis is a step up from Burke and Grahame. He has not totally sold me just yet. He's good, but he could be better. He is an experienced goalie who has had ice time. I think it's still early, I think so far he has done a good job. I would definately say he is much more consistant, but we also traded a great player. I think we should have gotten a top of the line goalie for Modin. The other thing is, we dont allow that many shots on goal, so I think his saves should be higher then what they are.

[Erin]

I agree with what Patricia said. For facing the fewest amount of shots in the league, he's only 18th in save percentage. What would be happening if he were still facing 30 shots a game?
I think the more games he plays, hopefully the more he will settle in and really start being a wall back there. I'm pleased so far this season, but still a bit skeptical. Keep up the good work, Denis.

[keith baxter]

So far so good but I agree with Goldenbolt, can he win a 1-0 game? The theory last year was Grahame may not have been the best but the team would score a load of goals to make up for it. Didn't work.Denis has looked a lot sharper than both guys last year, but it is a long road ahead. (I like the look of Holmqvist too.) Good concentration and looks like he sees the puck well right now. We want to believe.

[Scott]

I think Denis has played very well.He is much more focused than what we have seen with past goalies.He seems to come up with the key saves to keep us in games.As far as stats the only one that really matters is the "W" column.With the type of defense the Lightning plays Denis' ability against the odd rush and break aways is a HUGE asset.I look forward to seeing even more improvement through the year.

[Stacey]

I'm very happy with him so far. He seems to be a very calming influence out there. There was always something so uneasy about John Graham and Sean Burke. I think he has the perfect temperament for this club. There have been some lapses in judgement but overall, I think he has been steady enough to allow the team more freedom on the other end of the ice. I think as this season progresses that he will get even better and I look forward to seeing that growth! Very happy w/ Denis.

[Chris C.]

I think Denis has been consistent so far this year, he's been good, not great..but he has been stable and made some of the big saves when he's needed too.I think the guys in front are getting used to him and vise-versa.It would be nice to see him steal a 1-0 game.He's been solid back there and pretty much kept the team in every game, hopefully he will get stronger as the season goes on.He hasnt stood on his head like Khabibulin used to..time will tell..hopefully the goal scoring will pick up, the whole team does not seem as intense sometimes, you watch some of the other teams out there like buffalo..and theres alot more energy and confidence on the ice.

[Jim]

Denis's certainly a step up from the goaltending the Bolts had last year, and he may well be the netminder they need to go deep into the playoffs (and hopefully hoist the Cup once more). I'm anxious to see how well he does in a 1-0 game as well and I worry a bit about his concentration in games where he doesn't face many shots, but it looks like we've got at least a quality number 1 goalie for the first time since Habby took the money and ran.

[Patty]

I think he and Holmqvist are a big improvement over last year's tandem, but what is up with Denis and those few sloooowwwly moving pucks that he has let in? But, for the most part, Denis is solid on breakaways and at other crucial times in the game, so I think the rest of the guys will gradually gain confidence from that and return to the Safe is Death style of play. And THAT will be a good thing.

[Bobby]

I think Denis is a solid goalie with a fast glove. He has let in too many soft goals as in the game in Carolina (Oct. 28). He has been close to getting a shutout allowing 1 goal in 4 of the 10 games. If that game is 1-0, you have to pull through. He should get about 55-65 games. I think Holmqvist's experience is an asset to the team. He did great at the World Championships in the spring where he was the top goaltender. His 3.19 GAA will improve as he gets more time.

[Mike]

Detail of discipline and discipline of detail. The way the Lightning buy into that system will dictate the way the season will end.

[Andrzej]

Before new Season started, I made an analysis of Lightning's abilities. With the aid of my computer, statistics, and psychology I arrived to clear conclusion that TBL will miss the playoffs. (The two primary reasons for such conclusion were unsatisfactory abilities of goalie Mark Denis and shockingly high salary of Brad Richards.) Up to the present (end of October 2006), my analysis looks to be correct.

[Patricia]

I dont have the confidence in Denis. The last two games were pathetic. And I don't think Denis helped at all.I should have just been Grahame in goal. I am sorry but Brad Richards was a waste of money. I think he has earned about 10 bucks. I don't see Tampa Bay pulling off the playoff's because they are lazy this year. It's actually very disappointing to all the fans, who spend there money to watch there games, and then just be disgusted!

[Erin]

While Brad only has one goal, he has seven assists...second on the team. He's never been one to score the most goals, but he consistently leads with assists - that's a matter of being at the right place at the right time, making smart plays, seeing the ice and seeing and making good passes. I don't think Patricia is giving him enough credit. He may not be playing like the second highest-paid player in the NHL right now, but I have confidence he will come through for the Bolts this season. I'm not ready to give up on him yet, and I hope others aren't either.

[Patricia]

In regards to Erin, I do understand where you are coming from, but guys who are getting that paychecks should be the "make things happen guys". I don't think he is a bad player, I just don't feel he has brought that much to the team at this point. That may change, and I hope it does!

Vinny should have that big salary, not Brad. With all that money we could have gotten more. I say pay Perrin and Craig some of that money. Perrin's busted his butt the entire season thus far along with Marty whose heart is three times as big as he is. Denis needs to get focused, the scorers are getting their grove on.