Look for a improved Hiller

Look for a much more improved Jonas Hiller next season. Hiller was stuck with trying to fight to be the No 1 goalie with former Duck J.S. Giguere the two goalies supported each other through thick and thin, and denied the fact that they were competing against one another for the No 1 spot. Obviously, both of them wanted to be the number one goalie wearing a Ducks sweater and fought for the opportunity to play the position and overall, Hiller won it as the management gave him the go ahead by giving him a $18 million four year contract. Giguere was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Vesa Toskala who was traded at the deadline for Curtis McElhinney.


The goalie situation was a hot topic in Anaheim when it came to hockey. The situation also showed constant goalie switching, both goaltenders had the potential threat of if they weren't in for a win; the next game, they would be riding the bench. Hiller did get some consistent starts but after Randy Carlyle had started the win, you're in. His minutes started to dwindle. This wasn't good for EITHER goalie, the fact that you take out a goaltender because he was in for a loss will damage his play overall. It doesn't allow him to get into a rhythm and this is going off of wins not his performance which clearly for the longest time that was what  Randy  was doing with both Giguere and Hiller at the time. It took him awhile for him to actually figure that fact out.

Carlyle also overplayed his main goaltender after Giguere left. Giguere struggled throughout the season and so did Hiller both goalies as said weren't able to get anything going because of the "If you win, you're in" Carlyle overplayed Hiller refusing to play his back-up, which consisted of young goalies like Justin Pogge, Timo Pielmeier,, yes, the young guys were serving as emergency back-ups to Hiller, but when Toskala was with us, we should of seen him at least one game before he was traded away. Overplaying Hiller both mental and physical stress on him. Overplaying could of been a result on why Hiller eneded up with bad back spasms. When Hiller starting having back spasms, this is where we actually were able to get the best look at McElhinney. A goalie who has proven to be an excellent backup for Hiller and someone, who can answer the call when needed.

Overall, Hiller stayed strong mentally even though he did show lapses of showing mental and physical fatigue throughout the season. Especially after the Olympics, it was mentally hard for him to get back into the game at such a quick pace. The Olympics, of course, didn't only affect Hiller it did with a few other goalies, and skaters in general. The Ducks couldn't get much going from the beginning though, but the second half despite some struggles after the break they were booming.

Again, look for Hiller to improve next season (as well with the rest of the team) Hiller knowing he is the No 1 goalie will definitely help him being the goalie we all know he's capable of being. This will help him being less mentally worn down from the very beginning of the season. Improving his game over the summer will definitely help him, and as what has been read in various articles and else where and from what has been seen; Hiller has a very good work ethic and has excellent dedication to the game of hockey. Look for McElhinney next season as a back up to Hiller and for him to have some consistent minutes.  Lets hope Carlyle actually realizes overplaying a goalie isn't the greatest idea. He should realize this from experience (the overplaying of Hiller in situations such as back to back games, almost every game after the Olympics before he was injured, give or take a game or two.) and from around the league such as the examples of Craig Anderson of the Colorado Avalanche, who showed some mental and physical exhaustion in games. With Hiller being able to completely rest his re-injured back (4/11/10) and a clean physical and mental slate his game will improve and he will play at the level we're all used to seeing.