• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Los Angeles Kings
Kings Goaltending

Strong World Cup Can Elevate Quick and Kings

By Mitch Michals September 16th, 2016

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

International sports tournaments are always fun. As ESPN’s John Buccigross noted, they can produce positive emotions from the players, coaches, and supporters of good athletic competition. The World Cup of Hockey is hours away from its lift off, giving puck enthusiasts like myself an opportunity to see competitive hockey infused with national pride. It’s not the beginning of the NHL (that comes next month), but don’t think that there won’t be serious repercussions towards that very season.

Vezina Finalists

(Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports)

Look no further than American netminder Jonathan Quick. The supremely talented goalie has been named the starter for the red white and blue, beating out proven commodities Ben Bishop and Corey Schneider for the top spot in between the pipes. This move surprised very few, considering Quick’s track record internationally and his ability to rise to the moment.

But there has been something missing statistically during long portions of his NHL seasons. Quick’s numbers, though stellar, are not as spectacular as one would expect from a goalie with his talents and reputation. Last season, Quick was fourth in goals-against average, but his .918 save percentage was just middle of the road for full-time starting netminders. Those, however, are just numbers, and don’t get #32 started on judging one’s accord exclusively on numbers. The fact that Bishop and Schneider were both top five in save percentage and numbers one and two respectively in goals against (2.06 and 2.07) does not make them more or less talented than Quick. It simply proves they each had a more successful NHL regular season.

I know that Jonathan Quick and every red-blooded American hockey player wants to take the trophy at the World Cup. But for Quick and his Los Angeles Kings brethren, a successful showing could do more than win one highly competitive tournament. The L.A. goaltender can ready himself and his team for a great 2016-17 season, from the moment the first puck drops in October. And that’s something that’s been sorely missed in recent years.

Primetime International Goalie

Jonathan Quick, Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL, Los Angeles Kings

Jonathan Quick could’ve been the Maple Leafs’ 2nd-round pick in 2005 had they held onto it. (Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)

Barring a catastrophe or Ron Hextall-like meltdown, Quick was always going to be the man in the net for the stars and stripes. He’s at the peak of his powers (30 years old), has won multiple championships, and knows how to make the subtle adjustments necessary at this level. His passion and desire to fight for every save may be what head coach John Tortorella, an equally passionate leader, factored in most seriously to this decision.

Goalies are a distinct kind of breed, wired differently from other hockey players. They are often by themselves while the game is going on, and then suddenly a sniper is trying to bury one right next to their ear. It’s calm one moment, and then a category five hurricane the next. This only intensifies in high-pressure environments, and some netminders are unable to raise their game to handle the surrounding storms.

Quick is not one of “those” goalies. He won’t back down. He doesn’t care how good your shot is, or how big the forward trying to knock him around his crease is. That’s his net, and he plays like he damn well owns every bit of it. This isn’t to say that Bishop and Schneider don’t have similar capabilities; they just haven’t proven it on the biggest of stages like Quickie has yet.

When Canada defeated the U.S. 1-0 in the 2014 Olympic semifinals, Quick was the one who kept the Americans in it with 36 saves. During L.A.’s two treks to a Stanley Cup, Quick was a (perhaps “the”) major difference maker. Using his leg strength, his cat-like reflexes, and the instincts of a puck stopping-octopus, Quick has all the tools to make a serious case for being the best goalie in the world. And he is just that, sometimes.

Sluggish Starts of the Past

Sharks fans still have a nightmare about this one (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)

(Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)

If you wanted to pinpoint weak stretches in Quick’s career, I don’t think a phone call to the Hardy boys would be necessary. Nearly all of his NHL struggles have taken place at the beginning of the regular season. Now, there are often different sets of mitigating circumstances to take into account. There have been injuries, brutal scheduling runs, and instances when his defensive core has been an utter trainwreck undermanned. It’s hockey, and those things happen.

However, anybody that watched Quick shine in the Stanley Cup or excel for Team USA understands what his threshold for excellence is. And in many of those early season setbacks, Quick was not playing at his highest level. His concentration was good yet not great, his agility was fluid but not unmatched, and his efficiency as a goaltender was at times, mediocre. Three years ago, Quick made an unthinkable gaffe against the Rangers:

And just last season, Quick started slow off the blocks against the Coyotes, failing to track the puck on this notable goal:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKhnvPg7em0

You get the idea. W

When Quick and the rest of the Kings show up flat-footed to start the year, it sets them back in the standings. From there, they embark on this crazy game of catch-up all season long. L.A. has the talent, drive, and heart to claw back into the playoff picture, but at what cost? The last two years, in particular, they have been completely gassed come springtime. A rejuvenated, razor-sharp #32 can help eliminate a stagnant start, and alleviate the pressure on the rest of the locker room.

Un-matchable When Locked In

Whether Quick’s slow starts is the result of rust, lapses in focus, or health related, they never last long. That’s because this goalie is the NHL’s equivalent to Wolverine from the X-Men lore. Quick can seemingly regenerate, get back to being upright, and proceed to dominate NHL goalies. Perhaps no goalie alive can match L.A.’s top netminder when he’s at his apex. His movement is almost too precise as if he has telepathic powers and knows where the puck is going before it actually gets there. And should he be out of position, or left helpless against an odd man scoring chance, Quick can make saves like this:

Now imagine if the Kings had this type of performance to begin their season? It’s understandable that goaltenders are not able to sustain a high level of play in every outing (Quick included), but a good start will actually help him gear up for the playoffs. Should the Kings build a sufficient playoff or even Pacific division buffer zone by March, Quick could then take a few nights off while his backup (the newly signed Jeff Zatkoff) gets a few starting nods. The beauty of the World Cup of Hockey is that there is no easing into it, so every participating player will be at a high level much earlier than they are accustomed too. Quick, out of necessity and habit, should be ready to roll on opening night, with virtually no rust to wear off.

The World Cup of Hockey is bigger than any one player, and should be taken in wholehearted by fans of the sport. If there’s one thing that brings out the best in athletes, it’s competition. The better the environment, the higher the level of play will be. Jonathan Quick embodies this philosophy as much as anybody, and will no doubt be amped up to represent his country. Once the tournament concludes, he’s an L.A. King again. And that team would love to have the best goaltending America can produce, from day one.


The Hockey Writers coverage of the World Cup of Hockey 2016 is being brought to you by PrimeSport, the official Fan Travel & Hospitality Package Partner of the World Cup of Hockey 2016.

  • Tags
  • Jonathan Quick
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 19th 7:42 PM
Colorado Avalanche

Wild Acquire Ian Cole From Avalanche for Greg Pateryn

Jan 19th 6:05 PM
Calgary Flames

Flames Need to Be More Disciplined if They Want to Stay Hot

Jan 19th 5:50 PM
Columbus Blue Jackets

9 Blue Jackets’ “Gordie Howe Hat Trick” Fun Facts

Jan 19th 5:40 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Babcock Bombs as Former Leafs Coach Tries to Clarify Marner Drama

Jan 19th 5:25 PM
Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights Are 3-0, But Still Have Plenty of Work To Do

Jan 19th 5:15 PM
New York Rangers

Rangers News & Rumors: Essential Workers Night, DeAngelo, Trouba & More

Jan 19th 5:05 PM
Calgary Flames

Flames Should Add Forward Oliver Okuliar to Prospect Pool

Jan 19th 4:55 PM
Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens: 3 Takeaways from Week 1

Jan 19th 4:45 PM
Hockey History

Top 3 Penguins Trades Under Jim Rutherford

Jan 19th 3:45 PM
St Louis Blues

Blues Weekly: Up and Down Start to the 2020-21 Campaign

Editor’s Picks
World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information