When was the last time a team won the Cup without a legitimately good number one goalie?

Question

When was the last time a team won the Cup without a legitimately good number one goalie?

Answer 1

Uh, you can't say that about Osgood this year.  "without a legitimately good number one goalie".  Osgood has been a good starter for pretty much his whole career.  He has never had a losing season, and has a slightly better win percentage than Martin Brodeur.  He has a career GAA of 2.43 and 47 shutouts.  Stop the Ozzie hatin'.  Everyone talks about him playing on good teams, but so does Brodeur... and Brodeur has historically played on better defensive teams too.

The problem is for you Ozzie haters is that you can't dismiss those long goals he gave up in the '98 playoffs (he still won the Cup that year).  That c**p happens all the time.

Nick Lidstrom scored one from center ice this year in Round 1 vs Nashville, also in 2002 against Vancouver.  Yzerman scored one against St. Louis in the '97 playoffs from center ice.  A player this year scored from his own goal line.

Right now Osgood is playing the best I've ever seen, and still he is labelled as overrated.  Say what you want, but I'll gladly take Osgood over almost anyone in the league.  The only guy I would take above Ozzie is Luongo.  But even saying that Ozzie is only making $1.5 million a season, so who's overrated now.  He just won the Cup, the Cup LOSER just got a long term $5 million per year deal, and he gave up some pretty weak goals in that series.  Another steal for the Wings.  Great goalie for a bargain.

Answer 2

apparently to the untrained eye, or inexperienced, a lot are saying to look no further than 1 month ago. (a la, tdr8256). however, as Dewman and LITY point out, many people resent giving Osgood credit. in a way, both sides are correct, but looking from somewhat opposite views. i think tdr is just pointing out that Holland had tried to bring Osgood back because he knew that Osgood was (or would become ... was adaptably "good") the good goalie that the Wings needed. so to those who have followed Osgood's career, they feel that he has been pretty under-rated ... until recently (maybe), when HOF talk and Conn Smythe talk was surfacing. but to the others, they feel that Osgood is over - rated, because they base their opinion on a stat sheet and an occasional game and can't get inside of Holland's (or Osgood's) head.

he exploited the rest of the NHL's inability to recognize Osgood's value. However, you have to keep in mind that Osgood HAS more value to the wings because he had already played their and understands their system. but their is a lot of credence to the thought that a great defense (including forwards) makes an above average goalie look great. it's a toss up to risk on an expensive great goalie, but a mediocre defense.

i tend to agree w/ LITY (and cdr24fan). not because he's #1 Answerer, but because the playoffs DO have a way of solidifying a goalies' performance. it's hard to get lucky for 16 (out of a max of 28 potential) wins.

Answer 3

I can't recall it ever happening.  

Cam Ward has a Stanley Cup ring, has a World Championship gold medal, and is a strong contendor for a position on Canada's 2010 Olympic team (behind Brodeur, Luongo, and Giguere) so I think that gives his goodness some legitimacy (as does his age).

I see people mention this seasons Red Wings teams, both Osgood and Hasek are legitimate good #1's, regardless of what people think.

Answer 4

1990 Bill Ranford - Edmonton Oilers (anyone with half a brain knows it's only because of Messier and Kurri that they won the Cup that year)

Answer 5

2008 red wings.

Don't get me wrong Ozzie is a solid Goalie but was not a #1 untill after this season. As a matter of fact he was set to back up Hasek untill Dom dropped the ball and almost got the wings knocked out early.

Answer 6

Cam Ward didn't even start the playoffs in the nets for Carolina in 2005-2006.

**cdn24-Dryden and Roy are arguably the two best goalies of their generations and Cam Ward is not exactly lighting the hockey world on fire with his play.

Answer 7

Some will say this year- Det.  some will say Carolina.

I will say it never happened, you need a goaltender to win.  Can he be an Osgood who has resurrected his career- yes

Can he be a Ward who comes along as a rookie and takes over, yes- see Roy Patrick and Dryden Ken.

The key is you need a legitimate goalie to win, some become legitimate number ones in the playoffs but you won't win without one.

You could argue that the Oilers teams of the 80's didn't need didn't have one but if you watch those games you see that while the focus was on offence Fuhr still had to be on his game to cover enough of the defensive gaffs.

Edit:  I agree Joe, the point I was making is that the came out of nowhere to lead their team to a cup.  As to Ward  a case of too much success to soon? Probably.  He is average at best but still a number one goalie in my mind.

Edit2: habs-fan   Ranford?  He won the conn Smythe that year- not Messier.  Hard to argue that Ranford was not a legitimate number one.  Had great years as the starter in EDM and boston.

Answer 8

1998 Calgary Flames - Mike Vernon

Answer 9

2006, Cam Ward - Carolina Hurricanes.

Answer 10

How about this year with Detroit and Osgood?  Ken Holland makes it known they have not had a superb star goaltender since Hasek was the starter in either 2000-2001 or 2001-2002 ( I cant remember).

Hollands modus operandi is not to overspend on shoddy goaltending.  If teams start overpaying in the 6-7 million market for goaltenders he is going to spend 1-2 million and spend his money elsewhere, putting a team defense in front of mediocre goaltending.  It works.  Why overpay.