Penguins send G John Curry back to WB/S, Fleury set to return to the lineup

by Hooks Orpik on Jan 23, 2010 1:00 PM EST

The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-assigned goaltender John Curry to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League, it was announced by executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero.

It doesn't take a math major to count only two goalies still in Pittsburgh: Brent Johnson and Marc-Andre Fleury. MAF recently got a special glove to wear inside of his goalie glove to protect his broken ring finger. Fleury skated for 25 minutes on Thursday, fielding shots and reporting no problems.

Curry being sent down clearly paves the way for Fleury to return, at least to the role of dressing as the backup.

The Penguins have games on Sunday afternoon and Monday night, it's unlikely either goalie would start both contests, so, barring another call-up, expect to see Fleury in the crease for one of the games, perhaps as early as tomorrow afternoon on NBC.

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Thank god

by BDON911 on Jan 23, 2010 1:07 PM EST reply actions

Tis good news says I, although I have a feeling he won’t be ready to jump right in tomorrow against the Flyers. Maybe he’s more likely to get the start Monday night against the Rangers. Either way, with his return and back-to-backs, I think we’ll see both goalies over the next two games.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Jan 23, 2010 1:26 PM EST reply actions

Agreed

by Ulf Murphy on Jan 23, 2010 2:24 PM EST up reply actions

Good news. BJ’s a good back up, but that’s all he is, a back up. We really need Fleury in right now.

by SlayerGhaleon on Jan 23, 2010 2:12 PM EST reply actions

In a way, I’m sorry that Curry didn’t have a chance to redeem himself… but at the same time, I want us to have our best goalie whenever we can, so this is good news.

I’m still amazed that Fleury is going to stop pucks with a fractured finger, even with protection. I would be afraid of re-injuring it, and hesitant about grabbing pucks… but I’m sure he wouldn’t play unless he knew he could do his best. Kind of makes me feel like a wuss, since I have a fractured bone in my foot, and will be spending the next 4-6 weeks stranded on my couch… it’s really amazing how quickly professional athletes get back into the game.

by Cari on Jan 23, 2010 3:11 PM EST reply actions

I feel the same about Curry, Cari. I wish he got a chance at redemption, because he clearly is better than he played in Vancouver, but that’s pro sports for you. Don’t always get the deserved second chance every time.

Oh well, hopefully next time (if there is a next time) Curry will have a better showing.

Pensburgh.com

"I'm glad I got drafted first, because no one remembers number two." -- Alexandre Daigle

by Hooks Orpik on Jan 23, 2010 4:01 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

not a lot of detail about the glove

Chief concern is protecting the finger, but in addition, you have to wonder whether the glove will be as comfortable/flexible/usable to work with. Sitting Sunday won’t do much to improve any issues with the extra-padded glove.

Anybody else read Ken Dryden’s book The Game? His comment that toward the end of his career he actively avoided catching the puck because it hurt his hand came to mind when reading about Fleury’s injury. Of course, gloves have changed a lot in 30 years.

by Doc Nagel on Jan 23, 2010 5:29 PM EST reply actions

They say it was some sort of special glove that they ordered in, for the life of me I keep picturing like a batting glove with a little more padding for that finger..I too wonder how much it’ll help on all the high velocity pucks he’ll see in the course of a game.

I haven’t yet read Dryden’s book, embarassingly…But it is on top of my list of leisure reading, I’ve always been meaning to get to it, hopefully soon I’ll find the time. Might be an off-season project for me.

Pensburgh.com

"I'm glad I got drafted first, because no one remembers number two." -- Alexandre Daigle

by Hooks Orpik on Jan 23, 2010 6:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

It’s good. Literate, thoughtful, and you get some inside dope on those astounding late 70s Habs teams (if you remember them; I do). Also a fair bit of bitching.

by Doc Nagel on Jan 24, 2010 4:41 AM EST up reply actions

Alexandre Daigle quotation

Sorry if this is old hat, but I think I just noticed Hooks’ sig line quotation. The #2 draftee that year was Chris Pronger. Hi-larious.

by Doc Nagel on Jan 23, 2010 5:32 PM EST reply actions

I recently changed it, since I got a kick of it too….I believe Paul Kariya went #4 that draft year as well.

Pensburgh.com

"I'm glad I got drafted first, because no one remembers number two." -- Alexandre Daigle

by Hooks Orpik on Jan 23, 2010 6:34 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/nhl1993e.html

Kariya, Rob Niedermeyer, Brendan Witt, Adam Deadmarsh, Saku Koivu, Jason Allison, etc. Looking through at Pittsburgh’s drafts that year – kinda ugh. Arguably the best draftee for the Pens that year was Patrick Lalime (6th round). Almost had a chance to draft Hal Gill in the 8th, and instead picked up – uh, Larry McMorran???

by Doc Nagel on Jan 23, 2010 7:08 PM EST up reply actions