PB Q & A - MARTIN BIRON
“I am a very happy man. I am very fortunate.”
Martin Biron is not traveling from his Buffalo home to Long Island until the day before his new team leaves for training camp in Saskatoon. “But don’t read anything negative into that,” the goaltender said. “We have three small children and my wife is pregnant with our fourth. I also have a charity event to attend and I want to get my kids off to school. Don’t worry, I’ll be ready when we hit the ice.” Biron explained why and discussed a lot more when we spoke earlier today.
I’ve heard you’ve been back on the ice since the beginning of the month.
We have a lot of NHL guys in the Buffalo area that skate and work out together - Jay McKee, Adam Mair, Timmy Connolly, Michael Peca, Patrick Kane. We do drills, practice and scrimmage almost every day. This has been going on for years. It’s a great way to get ready for the season.
Have you met with (NYI goalie consultant) Sudsie Majaraj yet?
That was outstanding. We talked on the phone about getting together for a week of instruction. I was trying to see if I had the block of time to make it to New York. Sudsie said, “No, I’m in Toronto”! I decided to be a commuter and we set a schedule. I left my house around 2 in the afternoon, got to the rink in Toronto by 4, and we spent about an hour on the ice and then more time talking and looking at video. We kept that routine for a week.
When I first signed with the Islanders, although everyone knows I would have liked a long-term deal somewhere, it seemed like fate to me. After I worked with Sudsie that first day, I felt even more like the Islanders were the team I should be with. I can’t tell you how many things I learned from Sudsie. I’ve been in the NHL over a decade and he showed me things to help my game that no one has before. That guy is amazing.
What are your expectations for playing time this season?
No one promised me anything. My only expectations are on myself to go in and battle for every opportunity to start. My play is the only thing that will dictate how many starts I get. I’m confident in my ability and that it will lead to really, really good things for me and our team.
You will be battling for starts with a friend of yours.
Yes, Dwayne (Roloson). I have so much respect for that man. We played together my first year in Buffalo after Dominik Hasek got hurt. He has had a pretty remarkable career. When it was over for him in Buffalo, he made himself a better player. Look at his time in Minnesota. Look at his play the last few years in Edmonton. Played all the time, played great. Led the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final.
I shouldn’t call it a “battle” with Rolo. We’re at different stages of our careers. We are friends and we will support each other. It’s going to be a lot of fun to be his teammate again, and it will be very beneficial for me to learn more from Rolo. He has experienced just about everything in this game.
Do you know Rick DiPietro?
Such a great guy. I know him from Players Association things and some goalie meetings. Such a great attitude, so much fun to be around. I know how much the Islanders mean to him and how badly he wants to come back. He’s another player I’m excited to be working with.
As the contract negotiations between your agent and Garth Snow progressed, did you get involved at all?
When the deal was getting closer, I asked to speak with Garth. Anyone who knows me knows I’m a real hands-on person. I like to get involved in everything. I would probably be an overbearing boss. I want to know what’s going on. The Islanders’ equipment guys are going to learn this!
Garth and I talked for about 20 or 30 minutes. He was very up-front and honest and very positive. I just wanted to get a sense of what the sitaution was. When Garth and I were done, I said, “Let’s do this deal.” I was very excited about the opportunity.
Now uh…I almost called you Mathieu, whom I worked with at the Islanders.
Ah, that’s okay. I’ve been called my brother’s name probably a million times - more by our own mother than anyone else. I’m used to it. I just continue on.
Especially in this economy, Martin, no one is going to weep for someone getting paid $1.4 million to be a hockey goalie. But I have to ask: you must have had greater expectations when you became an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Once you saw you probably were not going to get a long-term deal and every team had their No. 1 goalie, were you able to sleep? Were you ever wondering if you were going to get a job?
It was a challenging time. Like you said, no one should feel sorry for us - not with so many people struggling in this very tough time. But since you asked, yeah, there were a few days when it was hard on my family. We were wondering what would happen, where we would end up. But we had faith and when the opportunity with the Islanders came up, it all made sense.
Did I think it would work out this way? To be honest with you, no. Did I think a few months ago that I would only end up signing a one-year deal? No. But I am a very happy man. I am very fortunate. I have nothing but optimism for this season with the Islanders and whatever comes after that.
If it worked out for you with the Islanders, would you consider a long-term deal down the road?
That hasn’t been discussed, but I’m open to everything. The Islanders gave me this shot. Of course, I’m very thankful to them and determined to show them it was the right decision. I think our team is going to surprise a lot of people.
I guess you’ve seen some of the early predictions of the Islanders fininshing near or at the bottom of the East.
I don’t put any stock in those. When I was in Buffalo, the predictions were never right. In Philadelphia, no one had us going to the conference final. All the talk about us not competing this year, I’ll just use it as a source of motivation. I have my opinions, too. I just prefer to keep them to myself and do what I can on the ice.
Looking forward to playing the Flyers a lot this season?
Some of my favorite games with the Flyers were the chances I had to play against my old team in Buffalo. Now with the Islanders, I’ll have two friendly rivalries with the Sabres and the Flyers. Those games are going to be a lot of fun.
What do you know about Long Island?
Mathieu loved it there, but one of the biggest compliments comes from Mike Peca. Pecs is a veteran. He’s played for a few teams all over. He said to me after one of our workouts last week, “Marty, you’re going to love it on Long Island. One of the best places to play in the league.” That said a lot.
Who are your closest friends in the NHL?
Jay McKee and I are tight. We were drafted together by the Sabres and still are close. Danny Briere is a good pal. Islanders fans might not like to remember the name, but J.P. Dumont is one of my best friends.
What’s on your iPod?
Aw, as you know, you can love music but it all kind of changes when you have little kids. Most of the music I listen to at home and in the car these days is the kids’ stuff. I’m easy in the locker room. Whether it’s hard rock, pop, country, I’m okay with just about everything.
Best movie you’ve seen lately?
Again, I’m not getting out much lately. I saw I Love You, Man on the team bus with the Flyers. That was funny. I really like sports movies. The other day, I was at home watching For the Love of the Game - the baseball movie with Kevin Costner. My five year old came over and sat on my lap and we watched it together. That was nice.
Speaking of nice, Mathieu was a classy young kid when he was here and you have a reputation as one of the most liked people in the game. Where do you think your manners come from?
Mathieu and I grew up in a small town of about 5,000 people. We were good in sports, but we were taught at an early age to keep our feet on the ground. Our mom and dad also enforced that if our grades in school were bad, it didn’t matter how good we were in hockey. Our dad gave up a lot of his time to be our coach. Mom was the team manager, organizing trips and planning everything else. They taught us how important it was to respect people.
Comments.
92 Responses to “PB Q & A - MARTIN BIRON
“I am a very happy man. I am very fortunate.””
Please Wait
Welcome to the party pal!
CB, good job! Yet another good read on IPB! Is there any chance you could do an interview with Rolo?
Nice interview. Would be nice to have a Rolo and a DP interview as well…
Thank the lord someone is putting good vibes out there about playing on the Island like Peca is..
I’ve always heard about what a good interview Biron is…that must’ve been a painless one for you CB
I think Biron is going to be an absolute professional who will be a great influence in the room. It’s a good pickup just based on that. And obviously he and Roloson know how to stop a few pucks as well. Goaltending is the least of my concerns (thankfully…after last year).
And Ajax - nice Diehard reference
i think Biron might beat out ROLO for starting job. He is capable of stealing games. Would love to see him shut out Philly when we play them.
What a class act.
Can’t wait to see him play.
When was the last time we had this type of veteren tandom?????
great interview as always Chris. Marty seems like a great guy and I am looking foward to watching him play this year.
Always liked Biron, and I’ll be rooting for him to win the job. And if he outplays DP, I hope Isles have learned enough that best player wins no matter how much you make or how long you’re signed for. That sends a powerful message right down the end of the bench.
Also another example of why IPB MUST live on!!!
How do you get these interviews? Another great read CB. I didn’t know he was related to Mathieu, but you can’t mistake a Biron with those eyes. Hopefully, things work out for Marty, if not here, then hopefully he gets a starting job elsewhere,maybe he gets a chance to play for a contender at the deadline.
I thought the isles should have tried to trade for him when the Sabres still had Hasek & then used our last 1st Round pick on, well, not a goalie…
Funny to hear Peca sticking up for Long Island, as he was kinda kicked to the curb in favor of Yash, but we hear this kind of thing all of the time from Veteran players, kinda add to my belief that there really is no free agent stigma about playing here. Just an unwillingness to overspend, and that’s not a bad thing.
great interview. we’ll definatly finish last in the division again, even with the upgraded goal situation and the kids furthering their development, but they are going to open a lot of peoples eyes
C.B. gets these interviews because he is a great guy and has a great reputation. It seems that he has gained the trust of the fans, and some of the players. Great Job as always. C.B., I hope you can inform us about the situation with Rick Dipietro because it is like the 500 pound Gorilla in the room the Islanders don’t want to notice.
awesome awesome stuff as always CB. Biron is already growing on me.
Made me forget about the Ricky issue for a minute. Thanks, CB.
WOW, what a great interview!
Its funny how it still surprises me at times that he is going to be in our net this season. When I saw the national TV sched and that the Isles were playing the Flyers a couple of times the normal UGH I feel when I think about playing them was interrupted by an internal reminder that the goalie that kicks the Isles butts more than any other in our division for years is now on our team. Good times- hopefully!
Great pickup by Garth.
Let’s go Martin !!!
“Bonne Chance” with the Isles and I really hope you’re right when saying the Isles will surprise a lot of people. I really think this is true.
Bruno Gervais & Martin Biron on the same team, this will make for a very funny atmosphere in the locker room. A french canadian tandem !!!
Wow Biron sounds great. I take back all the bad thing I said about him when he dominated us in Philly. Seriously CB you should of asked him why he always managed to play so great against us, would of been kind of funny.
That sickness in my stomach just keeps getting worse….If we knew what we do now…we could have rolled the dice a little and waited until round 3 to pick a goalie (I still think the giant fin would have been there). It was real cheap to move up with Detriot into round 1…we could have drafted Depres…..I still think Ferraro will be a player. Lucky Tavares was an easy pick, because I really think we butchered the rest.
I remember how much Matheiu Biron was liked when he was here…..and Martin has the same reputation…..he is a very GOOD goalie….he may not be top 10….but he is certainly capable. Jeez, I would have passed on the Roloson if I new Biron would come so cheap. We have 5 goalies that need regular playing time (not including DP)….When it all sorts itself out I think they need to trade Munro before start of season….Lawson and Kostisisan need to play at the AHL level.
Doesnt Biron have an amazing record against the Isles… I would start him every game at home. Also think he will be the starter soon.
BTW jim (12)- that thing about Peca talking up LI, its nothing new- he has done that many times since he played here. Peca did an interview like a year or so ago where he was talking up LI big time- saying how there was something really special here and talking about how special his time here was to him. He really did love it here on LI, and it makes me retrospectively sad that the Isles bet on the wrong horse back then.
#8 - Osgood and Snow werent they together?
Nice interview.
One thing I will give credit to Snow for is the fact the he puts importance on acquiring classy professionals. Biron and Roloson are well loved and respected by fans and players alike. That’s a good thing when your team is made up of young, impressionable kids.
By the way, it’s good to see you posting more often, CB. The world seems more right this way!
Thanks Botta!
peter d (#8)-LOL, that would have been Ozzie and Garth (it wasn’t really THAT long ago
Having Biron is a no lose signing. He is a capable goalie who can be used as trade bait in Feb/March. Smart move!
Nice article CB. And yes Biron has a very good record against the Isles. At leat we dont have to face him anymore…..lol.
we have good netminders are d is ok all snow has to do was pick up 2 fowards and we would have bin ok thats all we need just give me 1 more guy that can score goals and we would be good wake up snow just 1 more
That was a truly great read. Very glad to have him on board.
Agree with Blizzard: If you can’t beat him, sing him up. I hated the guy when we played against Philly. No more pain in this corner.
Great Job CB!!!
Hopefully he plays well and we get a late 1st rounder for him at the deadline
When I heard about the Biron signing my first thought was mgmt wants to land the guy that always plays well against us. That’s not always a great predicter of how well the player will perform when on your team. I always felt Hilbert was one of those signings. Biron seems aoppreciative of being here which is nice. Let’s hope he’s solid between the pipes.
Keep posting Chris. Seems like old times again. ; )
Sounds like Biron has a great attitude.
I think Garth said the following to Biron:
“Look, nothing promising has been offered to you and nothing long term will be coming any time soon. Sign a 1yr with us, prove to everyone that you still got it and we’ll trade you to a cup contender at the deadline. You want to play for a cup contender and get a long term and we want a draft pick. Win/win.”
Welcome Martin! We are happy to have you! This is the best goaltending situation the Isles have had since the Smith, Hrudey, Melanson era. DiPietro, Roloson, Biron, Kikoson, Nilsson, Poulin, Lawson and maybe Ridderwall and Weslosky.
Now land us some big tough d-men and another heavyweight Snow!
Oh and sign Matt Martin!
As far as I am concerned DP isn’t a member of this team anymore. Of course I wish he was healthy and starting 70 games a year, but he’s not helping us in any way right now. What’s worse is he doesn’t talk. I haven’t read anything from his lips in ages. Ricky, dude, c’mon. At least tell us what’s on your iPod besides “TAPS.”
One of my best friends lives up in Cheektowaga, just outside Buffalo. He knows Briere and Drew Stafford. He said that Islanders fans will absolutely love Biron because he brings that sort of “Nick Swisher-esque” enthusiasm to the ice, locker room and public. Of course, that only works if you’re good at what you do. Biron is, as is Roloson, so like many of you I am not the least bit worried about this team in net and defensively.
To me, it’s all about offense, as has been the case with me since Volek scored in 1993. If our young forwards develop or even make small strides, we’ll be much better than last year. Biron made a good point about the Flyers getting to the conference finals. Stevens coached his arse off that year and Gordon is equally capable of taking a team not expected to do much to greater heights.
We must be better offensively. Our PP should be better. We flip a good percentage of the one-goal losses we had last year and we’re close to a .500 team. Lots of ifs there, but there is certainly reason for optimism.
Great interview! I enjoyed reading every question and response. There is no doubt that Marty is a class act and a good guy. In terms of hockey ability, I personally think hes lousy. Every team hes been apart of has under performed and hes replaced. Not surprised no team in the league wanted to give him a long term contract…
On the positive side of things, DP will have more time to heel properly, and we won’t need to deal with AHL goalies.
Isles will finish 6th…….bet on it!!!!
Chris TMC (#22) Peca, was one of my favorite Non-Isles through the Sabes run in 99. Still would very much like to run into Darcy Tucker
( I mean with my Truck, BTW )
That is a great story CB!! One of the unique stories we can only get here.
Although I’m not kidding myself … I think with the goaltending “trifecta” of Biron, Rolo & DP between the pipes that the Isles are going to not be a team that the opposition will look forward to playing. I see the Isles frustrating a lot of teams and sticking in games.
A huge improvement also could be in the health of the team. If the Isles lose only 300 man games this year that improves the team itself.
The stats guy inside me tells me if the Isles score .25 goals more per game, and give up .25 goals per game … that is a 41 goal differential that turns a lot of last years’ games into wins or OTL … and anything can happen in a shootout.
Still … I myself predict a bottom 5 finish in the conference.
Thanks for the great interview Chris, just what I needed on a hot, hot August day. I am looking forward to seeing Biron in an Islanders jersey. Don’t know where the team will finish but I am looking forward to the season starting.
Great interview by you CB
And Biron is a great interviewer very smart and enthusiastic
Having had the privilege to spend the better part of 2 years covering Marty Biron in Philadelphia, I can honestly say that Marty is one of the nicest, funniest, most pleasant people in the NHL. His presence alone will make the Islanders’ locker room a better place and likely a better team on the ice.
Wow, it must be genes, reminds me lots of interviews they did with little brother Mathieu when he was here… seems just as bubbly and likeable.
Not to go off topic but Marty’s comments especially about how much ex-players loved playing here just show how all the crap about us being an undesirable destination in the league has more to do with the facilities and perception of old management…
Great interview. This guy seems like a real class act. I am happy the Islanders gave him a spot. I am very excited to see him in uniform and hopefully following this year he can land himself a nice long term deal whether it be with us or any other team in the league.
no matter who gets interviewed everyone says” wow that guy sounds great”…
@tond24 Would you prefer the alternative where we read one of these interviews and say “Man, what a jerk. Too bad we can’t get anyone more personable.”?
great interveiw!
cant wait for the season!!!!!!
i’d like to say thanx to Mike Peca. he was one of my favorites and every year i always hold out hope(however slim)that the isles re-sign him for veteran leadership.(its a pipe dream i know…) he was and is a class act. Who knows what could have been if that puke Darcy Tucker didnt do what he did. Anyway thanks for the kind words about the Isles and long Island Pecs … u are missed.
Hey CB how about an interview with Peca … that would be cool.
We R fortunate to have (IMO) 2 very good netminders. Not only are they good athlete’s they seem to be people of character as well. Let’s go Rolie! always a favorite of mine!
The goalie situation is much improved over last year. For those who missed it, here is where the Isle’s goalies rank among all 49 NHL goalies who played at least 60 games over the last 3 seasons (ranked by save %):
10. Martin Biron: 77-51-17, 2.75 GAA, .914 SV%
21. Rick DiPietro: 59-50-16, 2.73 GAA, .910 SV%
25. Dwayne Roloson: 70-75-20, 2.83 GAA, .909 SV%
This alone should move his team from 26 wins to the 32-win area. Still well short of 40 wins and an 8th seed, but the Isles should be much more watchable than last season.
Oh, and SIGN MATT MARTIN!
CB,
Nice piece on Biron. Always heard good things about him. I love this stuff you do on the players, it’s probably some of my favorite stuff that you do. Please figure out how to keep doing this for us!
good interview.now lets get this thing started already!!!
I personally hope that when(if) DP gets healthy, Roloson is the guy that’s moved and Biron signs long-term.
No issues with goaltending this year.
Chris, can you tell us more about Sudsie Majaraj? What makes him qualified to be one of the Islanders goaltending coaches? Has he played professionally? I know he has been in the fold for a few years now. Thanks!
Great post, CB! I always thought Marty is a class act, great to have him on the team. What is even more exciting is daily IPB posts again!!!!We need this!
39 - 6 in the division?
45 - He didn’t say ex players liked playing here. He said Mike Peca liked being there. Difference is Mike Peca was on the team and lived here, so he knows what Long Island can be. Visiting players don’t like playing here because they know of nothing but the marriott and the high school caliber facility we call home.
you know looking at our roster, i think this team can do some damage. they probably won’t make the playoffs but i do think they will be better.
Great read. But as a side note, is anyone else slightly annoyed that the new Islanders beat writer, Katie Strang, blogs/twitters about baseball more than the Islanders? I mean, that just seems wrong. I don’t want to read about baseball. I like her, but if she’s the islanders beat writer I want her just sticking to that. And it just makes me love PB even more.
Good readin CB! Its blogs like this one that just fuels the fire!!! Oct 3 can’t come fast enough!!!
Jonesin for Orange and Blue!!!!!!!!!!!
What I want to know is… What could Sudsie possibly know about goaltending that the rest of the NHL doesn’t already know…???
DOC
Ahhhh, all is well in Islander country as long as I can get my CB reads. Without great interviews like this and the stories, etc, where is the connection. Keep up the great work. I feel like an Islander fan again!
Now that is how I want my summer with no hockey to be. Good interviews and players that want to play for the Isles. Great job CB!! Hope this keeps going through the year and next.
Danielle,
Katie Strang stated in her first blog that she needs to finish up some baseball responsibilities until the end of August, and then she would be full time on the Islanders beat.
Last good combo was Snow and Osgood in 2001 after that it Smith and Hrudey 1986.
Good interview CB. Love the insight.
#57: http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/11/the-goalie-consultant-from-trinidadthe-hockey-life-of-sudarshan-sudsie-maharaj/
Hope he plays well ,so he can bring a nice return at the trade deadline.
very good situation for a young team to have 2 veteran goalies with great attitudes to lean on
I guess I missed the memo stating the blog is staying open ?
Maybe we can trade Biron to the Blues or the Kings if there in the playoff picture. The kings might get desperate and give a 1st Rounder for him. Lets just hope that the Kings are a playoff contender.
Ping Pong,
How about we try and sign him if he plays well, or should we just keep trading for picks forever?
The Islanders are not going to get a first round pick for Martin Biron. The entire league passed on signing him to anything more than a one-year, 1.4 mill deal when they had to chance to get him without giving up anything in return…CB
Philly let Scott Munroe and Marty Biron walk.And they need goaltending. Wonder if they know something that we don’t.
My guess is that Biron will be traded back to Philly by December. They gambled on Emery, and when he falters, they will be looking to get Biron back, especially since they do not have the cap space to land a top ten goalie.
Biron is a class act and I am sure will keep us in many games this season. Great post CB.
Islestry,
I think you are right Emery sucks. When he implodes mid season they will be begging to have Marty back. I can’t wait to see Emery go postal on Bobby Clarke!
Why is it that some people want to fire Sudsie because he didn’t play in the NHL? Biron just said that the guy is “amazing” and yet people think he can’t coach?
Just wondering where the starts will come from. Lets say DP is back in December what happens then? None of these guys can go to Bridgeport, so a trade sounds like the only option. You’re not going to unload DP’s contract and Biron is only signed for a year, so that leaves Roloson as the only viable trade option. Obviously, this is only an issue IF DP comes back which we all know is a huge question mark.
80 - roloson? The very fact that biron is on a one year deal makes him the best trade option. If rick comes back around the end of the year, biron will eventually be moved.
Good luck Marty!
DP is a walking disaster. Get rid of him and keep Marty. Do you guys really think that Marty thinks that DP is ever coming back?
I am very glad to see Marty Biron on the team. I was always scared with him in the net when we played the Flyers. With that being said, I have to question how much he really wants to play on the Island. Everyone always says they love being where they are when they are there, but honestly I would have loved to see him rip on the Coliseum like everyone does. I predict a big year from him, he is a solid goalie with good fundamentals. Nice addition by Snow
Islesin2010:
I apologize, but I’m not sure I follow your point.
You like the signing of Biron… but wished that he would have ripped on the coliseum like “everyone does”. ???
And, you questions how much he really wants to play here on the Island… but you predict a “big” year from him. ???
Aren’t all of those statements sort of contradictory.
Then you say… it’s a good addition by Snow.
Well, if you are questioning his commitment to the Island… what makes you think he will have a “big” year?
Why would you want a newly signed player to “rip” on the coliseum?
And if you really think that he “doesn’t want to be here” why would he have signed here in the first place… and why would that be a good signing by Snow???
I don’t know… maybe it’s just early Sunday morning and my brain isn’t functioning yet.
I personally think Biron answered the questions in his interview.
He said, and I paraphrase… that he did not originally think that he would end up with a one year deal with the Islanders… but he is excited, feels fortunate for the opportunity and once he spoke with Snow he knew that this was the place to be and predicts good things this season for the Islanders.
Sounds good to me. I hope it works out!!!
DOC
Good interview…..it is nice to also see Peca talking good about LI even though he was forced out he has no gripes like many other former Islanders like Healy.
I wonder if fans outside LI would consider this a competitive team with 3 #1 goalies. I think that alone will bode well for the Isles….now will it mean a playoff spot for the Isles this season? Probably not, but at least it gives a few of us a glimmer of hope for the upcoming season, not just some of the typical “OMG, DiPietro is done!!!!!” garbage on here and other places in Islander land.
Doc- You are correct, I guess I did contradict myself a little. I can’t speak for Biron, saying he is not being honest with his comments. He said he is grateful to be here, and I am sure he is. I guess I am just a little fed up with every free agent that signs with the team saying the same thing more or less… “I am very excited to be here this is my home, yada yada.”
On a separate issue away from the interview, I watched Biron, and I really like his game, and think he was a good addition, as I said. He knows more likely than not he will not be returning to the Island the following season unless DP encounters another setback which is certainly more than a possibility. I think that motivation to prove teams he is a franchise goaltender worth big bucks will pay big dividends for the Isles this year.
Hope this cleared up some of the prior confusion.
CB - surprised you didn’t ask him about his success against the Isles and why he faired so well against us. Seemed like a better option than asking what is on his iPod… But a good read none the less.
CB We are all dying for a new subject this morning! I’m sure you have important other considerations for not blogging today so far. We all hope things are progressing for you and thats alot more important than our personal need to gossip!
CB, Thanks for this one! I cannot wait for the season to begin! Marty sounds like he wants to be an Islander, and I, for one, am glad to have him!Sounds like a good man…Lets Go Islanders!!!
Ilsesin2010:
I understand the frustration… it get’s us all…
DOC
It is nice to see someone give the goalie coach some credit for a change. It is probably the least emphasized coaching position in the NHL yet they deal with the only player to play the whole game! The goaltending position has changed so much over the last 10-15 years that you can no longer use a retired player to be the best friend of the goalies, they need to be able to help with the mental and technical part of the game. The top goalie coaches in the NHL are students of the position not former players. I do not understand comments from people like Doc who ask what they can teach because they haven’t been a player in the NHL. When the Leafs recognized that their goaltending needed help they went out and got the best goalie coach in the league, they didn’t worry that he hasn’t played at this level. Marty Biron and Dwayne Roloson will quickly learn what Ricky has known for the last few years, when he needs help he goes to Maharaj not the GM’s old school buddy Dunham to fix the problem. Once Ricky returns the Islanders will look at moving Biron, don’t be surprized if he wants to take Maharaj with him!!