Vernon's role not likely to include a lot of goaltender coaching

Head coach Barry Melrose on Mike Vernon's role with the Lightning: "(Assistant) Cap Raeder is a guy I depend on a lot for goaltenders. He’s the guy, I know what he can do and I think he’ll be great working with (Olaf) Kolzig, (Mike) Smith and (Karri) Ramo. That’s the guy I know and trust as far as goaltenders are concerned. Mike’s role will be looked at as we go."
-- BRANT JAMES

Comments

[Twinebulge]

The only hole left.

[PD]

You are scaring me with the Defence part Twiner.

[Twinebulge]

It is amazing Don & MM. Torts the goalie killer for expecting not perfection or game-stealing but just solid consistency, expecting goalies to step up and make the key save at key times and saying so? OK then what's the excuse for all the others before he came. Of the dozens, without looking up stats I think I can count on one hand the goaltenders on this team who haven't left the general impression of outright suckage - Young, Puppa, Fitzpatrick, Khabibulin. Kolzig hasn't played yet but I expect him to be excellent; jury still out on Ramo & Smith, Homie turned in some good efforts as did Tabaracci & others but no sense of consistency.

Somewhere 1000 years from now they'll all hold a reunion in the Great Crease in the Sky and take turns around the campfire reminiscing about each one's best game in the Black & Blue. Rich Parent and Wade Flaherty will just silently roast marshmallows that remind them of the ones they let in. Even Dieter Kochan will remember the night he stood on his head and made some incredible saves for a UHL goalie.

We can only go up in this department, and I'm thrilled to see Mike Vernon and Cap Raeder on board--and Reese unemployed. Maybe with the team we're assembling, the goalies won't be called on to save the game night after night. Maybe they will. As always in sports, it all comes down to DEFENSE.

[Don in St. Pete]

Good points NtMM. I'm hopeful they'll hire a good coach for Norfolk at that Vernon will oversee the development of the young goaltenders we have in the system.

[Don in St. Pete]

Ntmm, Good points all, and my hopes as well. Makes good sense as we finally have some decent goaltending prospects in the pipeline and part of his duties might include nurturing those young guys up through the system. For so many years I think the minor affiliates were either non-existant or an afterthought. I'm hoping they can get a good coach in Norfolk as things may finally be looking up at the AHL level.

[Not the Marlboro Man]

With The exception of getting lucky trading for Khabibulin, this organization has struck out terribly with goaltenders. I think it was mostly Feaster's fault because he wouldn't have known a goalie if Ken Dryden would've knocked on his door. The Lightning are looking to have Vernon in the organization so he can assess talent without killing the organization everytime they make a goaltending decision. Jeff Reese was a disaster, Tortarella was a goalie destroyer. I hope we have finally turned the corner on the goalie situation and I hope that we can start being known as goaltending Mecca instead of a goaltending joke.

[jim- nj]

There's gotta be more to this. Too many of ok's friends are getting paid now. What's up?

[Don in St. Pete]

His title says " Special Assistant to the V.P. " so I'm assuming he'll probably be helping Lawton evaluate goaltending talent including future potential draft pics, those currently in the system and goalies on other pro teams.

Head coach Barry Melrose on Mike Vernon's role with the Lightning: "(Assistant) Cap Raeder is a guy I depend on a lot for goaltenders. He’s the guy, I know what he can do and I think he’ll be great working with (Olaf) Kolzig, (Mike) Smith and (Karri) Ramo. That’s the guy I know and trust as far as goaltenders are concerned. Mike’s role will be looked at as we go."
-- BRANT JAMES

[McGz]

I don't think the 45 yr old Vernon is going to play much goalie for the bolts. More of a mentor.

It seems like there's some contradiction in this posting. Melrose says Vernon is going to be great working with them but not the coach?

[geo]

Olie amd Mike now we have a great experienced tandum in goal to play.
He was signed to play correct.