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Vokoun plummets down The Hockey News’ goalie rankings

Tomas Vokoun, Jeff Skinner

Washington Capitals’ goalie Tomas Vokoun (29), of the Czech Republic, makes a kick save as Carolina Hurricanes’ Jeff Skinner (53) moves in during third period of their NHL hockey game, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, in Washington. The Capitals defeated the Hurricanes 2-1. (AP Photo/Richard Lipski)

AP

No doubt about it, Tomas Vokoun hasn’t been quite what the Washington Capitals expected, especially before 2012 rolled around. If you want a good idea of how much his stock has dropped, take a look at how far he fell in The Hockey News’ Top 30 Goalie Rankings:

hockey news screen

(click to enlarge; screen shot via Dave Isaac)

If you don’t feel like clicking, Vokoun fell from ninth last season to 25th out of the top 30 in 2011-12. Here are a few other observations from this natural debate generator:


  • Brian Elliott (ninth place) and Mike Smith (12th place) made the biggest jumps as they weren’t even in the top 30 last season.
  • Want a clue that the 2010-11 version happened before the 2011 All-Star Game? Ondrej Pavelec was ranked fourth overall. As you may remember, the Atlanta Thrashers-turned-Winnipeg Jets were strong in the first half of last season before falling apart in the second.
  • The most interesting omission has to be Ilya Bryzgalov, who didn’t make the top 30. He’s certainly having a tough season, but The Hockey News doesn’t even believe he’s the equivalent to an NHL starter right now. Wow.
  • Backups received a lot of love, including Tuukka Rask, who fell just a bit short of the top 10 at No. 11. Martin Biron might be the most surprising choice at No. 27.

Anyway, enough of PHT’s observations, what are some of yours? Is Henrik Lundqvist really the best goalie in the NHL? Who gets too much love or too little? Let us know in the comments.