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Arizona Coyotes: An Outlook On Goaltending

By Alex Temes

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February 5, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Arizona Coyotes goalie Anders Lindback (29) defends the goal against Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
February 5, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Arizona Coyotes goalie Anders Lindback (29) defends the goal against Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Don Maloney’s special guest this year in the “Arizona Coyotes’ Center for Goaltender Career Rehabilitation and Innovation” is…Anders Lindback

First off, the confusing character in the bunch, Anders Lindback.

After the rebirth of Devan Dubnyk‘s career during Mike Smith’s injury last season, the Arizona Coyotes called up Louis Domingue and he, for the most part, looked okay. Obviously, any rookie call up at any position needs substantial seasoning and ice time, but he looked alright.

Then came the offseason and Coyotes GM Don Maloney decided it was a good time to continue his career’s work of making Arizona a paradise for rehabilitating goaltenders into NHL life. So he signed the journeyman goaltender Anders Lindback as a rehab project.

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Looking back at the Blackhawks' trades involving Andrew Ladd /

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    • But this time, the project blew up in the mad scientist’s face. Lindback has posted a sub-.900 save percentage, has a below .500 win percentage and allows over 3 goals per appearance on average. That is not a successful rehab project at all, particularly when compared to Dubnyk’s 9-5-2 win/loss/OT loss line and a .916 save percentage.

    Dubnyk also fetched a 3rd round pick last year as the Arizona Coyotes tanked for Connor McDavid and ended up settling for Dylan Strome, who isn’t a bad consolation prize I might add. Lindback, on the other hand, fetched himself a spot on the longterm injured reserve list due to an Achilles injury.

    In all, Lindback was a general disappointment and that’s not super surprising because sitting in my dorm room at the beginning of this school year, I already had scant hope for Lindback’s tenure in Arizona. I imagine the thought was unanimous around Arizona Coyotes’ fandom.

    Even more, as soon as the season started, I really didn’t see his career getting revitalized after Mr. Streaky started off hot. But as the wretched month of December freezes over Arizona goaltender’s ability to stop pucks and not get hurt, it became apparent that Lindback was really not a solution to anything except staying afloat in the Pacific Division, barely.

    So, with all that said, Anders Lindback’s signing ended up being a failed rehab project and in retrospect, a little confusing.

    Next: Mr. Promising, Louis Domingue

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