Corey Explains Goalies: Calming the Pekka Rinne panic

Ed. Note: We’re delighted to announce that Corey Hirsch has joined the Puck Daddy family for a weekly (or so) mailbag segment centered on, what else, goaltending. He played 108 games in the NHL, primarily for the Vancouver Canucks, before becoming a respected goaltending coach with Hockey Canada, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the St. Louis Blues. If you have goalie questions for Corey for a future segment of COREY EXPLAINS GOALIES, hit us at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com with the Subject: ASK COREY.

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For one night, Pekke Rinne looked like Pekka Rinne again: Making 42 saves and earning the Nashville Predators a charity point against the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night.

He had given up four goals in each of his last two starts. Combined with a .909 save percentage last season, his age (33) and the usual hand-wringing over bloated contracts for franchise goalies ($7 million against the cap for three more seasons), there’s been some concern about whether Rinne can lead the Predators as far as many assume they can go.

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So in the first edition of Corey Explains Goalies, we asked former NHL goalie and current Sirius XM NHL Network Radio host Corey Hirsch to explain whether there should be any level of panic over Pekka.

What do you like about him as a goalie?

HIRSCH: You ever watch him in practice? He’s crazy. He’s got that Dominik Hasek attitude where he doesn’t let anything in. His work ethic … I don’t think there’s anyone in the NHL that’s better than him.

But in thinking about his alleged decline, maybe his work ethic is something we’d have to look into. Maybe due to the injuries it’s changed a little bit, as far as his preparation.

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Are we seeing a Pekka Rinne decline?

HIRSCH: I don’t think he’s in decline. I think we’re seeing a little bit of the effect of Mitch Korn leaving now. That’s part of it. And they’ve changed the dynamic of the team: They used to play a very defensive style, because they didn’t have any offense.

I think he’s still one of the league’s best goalies, but they’ve changed their systems. They’re more of an offensive style team now. So you’re seeing the effects of seeing Barry Trotz leaving and Mitch leaving now.

That’s not a knock on their goalie coach, Ben Vanderklok. Mitch Korn is that good.

And he’s 33. Goalies typically their prime years are supposed to be between the ages of 28 and 33.

When he switches goalie coaches, how much of an impact can that have?

HIRSCH: No one’s as good as Mitch is. I think they tried to keep the style as similar as possible, but there’s always new ideas. If they try and change your style, that can really mess you up. I think they’re trying to change Freddie Andersen’s style in Toronto, and that will not be good if that’s what they’re trying. Because he can not play that aggressive Jimmy Howard style if that’s what they want. They’ve got the wrong guy for that.

As far as Pekka goes, I’d like to see him clam his game down a little bit. He’s so active. For me, that’s the first thing I’d do if I were there.

So can they still win with him?

HIRSCH: He’s my fantasy league goalie, because I knew he was going to play 75 games. They better win with him. [Laughs]

I wouldn’t say I’m worried about him. He’s gone through this before. He might just be a slow starter.

But it’s a different team in front of him. Let’s look at P.K. Subban. He’s a risk taker. All of a sudden, you’re playing with him instead of the consistent, steady Shea Weber. P.K.’s going to take risks and he’s going to make more mistakes than Shea did. That’s a factor too.

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Greg Wyshynski is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter. His book, TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE PUCK, is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.

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