Goalkeeper Jonathan Quick is having a particularly difficult time with his new team, the New York Rangers.
The 37-year-old goalkeeper has conceded eleven of a total of 57 shots since the start of the training camp. Even if he played all the away games, that is not enough excuse to dispel doubts about him. The signee of a one-year summer contract must do more to reliably support Igor Shesterkin.
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On Wednesday, the veteran, who played 753 games on the Bettman circuit, allowed four goals on the 22 shots fired his way. The Rangers also lost 5-2 to the Devils in New Jersey.
However, the Big Apple team’s head coach, Peter Laviolette, came to Quick’s defense.
“I don’t think we played well in front of him,” he said, according to the New York Post. In my opinion, these numbers do not necessarily reflect reality. “We didn’t play enough defense and missed too many chances.”
“He made five or 10 saves while we were struggling. It could have been worse. […] I see him as a leader who works extremely hard every day in training,” he added.
Soothing presence
Despite Quick’s difficult camp, Laviolette believes the presence of a Stanley Cup champion will be beneficial for his team. Anyone who thought the blue shirts would quickly throw in the towel in their case needs to think again.
“I think when a player has proven that he can be successful in big games, he is an asset to the dressing room,” he stressed. “Any time you can add a player with his experience, who knows what it takes to win, it’s a good thing for a team.”
After completing last season with the Vegas Golden Knights, Quick won three Stanley Cups in his career and the Conn-Smythe Trophy with the Los Angeles Kings in the spring of 2012.