Islanders Waive Goaltender Marcus Hogberg
In a significant move, the New York Islanders have placed goaltender Marcus Hogberg on waivers, clearing the way for David Rittich to begin the season as the backup to Ilya Sorokin. This decision follows Hogberg’s recent one-year contract valued at $1 million, which had seemingly set expectations for the veteran goalie.
Preseason Performance Comparison
During the preseason, Hogberg showcased his potential with decent stats, achieving a 3.56 GAA and a .900 save percentage after just two games, allowing three goals from 27 shots. Rittich, on the other hand, had a slightly worse performance with a 3.58 GAA and an .855 save percentage over three games, conceding eight goals from 47 shots.
A noticeable metric in comparing the two is their Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAA). Hogberg’s GSAA stood at 1.06, indicating he was able to stop more goals than anticipated based on the shot quality, whereas Rittich’s negative GSAA of -0.56 suggested he failed to make expected saves. This discrepancy could raise eyebrows considering Rittich’s poor performance the previous season, where he posted career-low figures of .886 SV% and a 2.84 GAA.
Coaching Confidence and Future Prospects
Despite Rittich’s struggles, Islanders coach Roy expressed confidence in him after a challenging preseason outing against the New York Rangers, where Rittich let in two out of the first three shots on goal. Rittich commented on his performance, acknowledging some unfortunate misreads but remaining optimistic about improving before the regular season begins. Coach Roy showed his support, praising Rittich’s professionalism and competitive nature, reaffirming his trust in the goaltender’s ability to self-evaluate and bounce back.
The decision to waive Hogberg also stems from the Islanders’ need for a reliable goaltender, especially after Semyon Varlamov‘s injury last November. While Hogberg did manage solid performances after being given NHL minutes, he faltered toward the season’s end, recording an unflattering 0-5-3 record with a 5.00 GAA and an .821 SV%. This prompted the Islanders to seek added competition in the goaltending department, anticipating that Varlamov might not return to action promptly.
Looking Ahead
Going forward, should Hogberg clear waivers, he could find himself back in action with the Bridgeport club. However, his future in the NHL largely depends on Rittich’s performance. In the event that Hogberg gets claimed, the Islanders may need to explore trade options for another veteran goalie, such as Michael DiPietro of the Boston Bruins or Buffalo’s Alex Lyon. It remains to be seen how this situation will unfold, but the Islanders are actively navigating their goaltending landscape as the season approaches. Stay tuned for further updates on the situation as it develops!
