Number23

"Don't EVER play 'Lady of Spain' AGAIN!!!!"

I get that a lot. • United States • 42 Years Old • Male

Why not Boucher?

With several teams interested in backup goalie help, I wonder why no one seems to have interest in the resurgent Brian Boucher of the Philadelphia Phantoms.

Currently on a minor-league contract, Boucher has been one of the reasons for the Phantoms first-place standing in their division.

As of this writing, his numbers are:

Games Played: 26
Record:16-9-0
Shutouts:3
GAA:2.23
SV%:0.922

They compare well with recent call-ups from around the league:
Tuukka Rask
GP:18 Record:14-4-0 SO:0 GAA:2.17 SV%:0.902
Ty Conklin
GP:18 Record:11-7-0 SO:2 GAA:2.21 SV%:0.919
Jaroslav Halak
GP:19 Record:9-7-2 SO:2 GAA:2.26 SV%:0.922
Justin Pogge
GP:21 Record:13-3-4 SO:2 GAA:2.27 SV%:0.908
Karri Ramo
GP:6 Record:2-4-0 SO:0 GAA:3.33 SV%:0.898

and he brings more NHL experience than all these players combined (220 games vs 118), yet is still only 31 years of age.

[EDIT: this isn't to suggest that the teams that are using the above goaltenders should/should've opted for Boucher, but to illustrate that he'd be--at least--a comparable option for other teams in need of goaltending help]

Granted, Philadelphia might not want to let him go, but with teams in need, you'd think they'd explore every avenue, especially once 40-year-old Curtis Joseph picks a squad to join.

Filed Under:   Joseph   Boucher   goalies