Player evaluation: Ersberg
ERIK ERSBERG
This season: 28 games, (25 starts), 8-11-5, 2.64 goals-against average, .900 save percentage, 0 shutouts.
The good: During a stretch of 16 starts in November and December, Ersberg went 8-4-2 and allowed two or fewer goals in 10 of those starts. Ersberg's rebound control remains his primary strength and his play in stretches this season, coupled with a strong finish to the 2007-08 season, was enough to earn him a midseason two-year contract extension.
The bad: Ersberg followed up that strong 16-game stretch with a groin injury, then returned and hurt his knee. Ersberg won only one game after Dec. 13 and, allowed four goals in four of his last six starts of the season. Injuries continue to be a problem for Ersberg, which is likely a product of his size. Is Ersberg, who is listed way-too-generously at 182 pounds, durable enough to hold up over long stretches?
Going forward: Ersberg is in a pretty good spot going into next season. He might not be able to beat out Jonathan Quick for the No. 1 spot, but the other goalies in camp, namely Jonathan Bernier and Jeff Zatkoff, have something going against them. Dean Lombardi prefers his goalies to spend two years in the minors before they get a crack at the NHL, although he violated his own rule with Quick this season. Ersberg, by virtue of his experience, is a very strong bet to at least be the Kings' backup goalie next season.
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J.P. Hoornstra writes about NHL and IHL hockey for the Los Angeles Newspaper Group. He welcomes any and all dialogue on the finer points of hockey.
E-mail J.P. at jp.hoornstra@inlandnewspapers.com.
Jill Painter joined the Daily News in 2000 and during the last eight years she's covered the Dodgers, Cal State Northridge, UCLA, Kings, golf and everything in between. Even though she's from Colorado, she still freezes in the Staples Center press box but always manages to thaw her fingers in time to make deadline. E-mail Jill at jill.painter@dailynews
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Vincent Bonsignore is a sports columnist for the Los Angeles Daily News. E-mail Vinny at vincent.bonsignore
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Ersberg's play for the first ten starts he had put the Kings back in a respectable position. Props to him. I hope he sticks around at least (or at most?) as the backup. The role seems to be suiting him well and like you mentioned, his rebound control is amazingly sound.
I'd say he's more of a bridge player.. While Bernier keeps developing in Manchester, Ersberg will hold the fort down with Quickie.
Ersberg is more of a bridge player IMO. While Bernier keeps developing in Manchester, Ersberg will hold the fort down with Quickie.
I have to admit I almost feel bad for the guy. He hasn't exactly proven himself yet, but I can't help wondering if he's capable of being a number 1. He won't get the chance in LA, but maybe at some point in his career he'll get a shot somewhere else. He makes for a great backup though.
I have to admit I almost feel bad for the guy. He hasn't exactly proven himself yet, but I can't help wondering if he's capable of being a number 1. He won't get the chance in LA, but maybe at some point in his career he'll get a shot somewhere else. He makes for a great backup though.
I like his play, but my preference would be to package him in a trade at draft time. Bernier probably is ready to go, and Ersberg's affordable contract makes him highly attractive to other teams who need a steady No. 2 netminder. A goalie, a defenseman or blue-line prospect, and a No. 1 pick (or package of picks) for ...
With several teams likely looking to dump salary, what would this package bring the Kings? Let me know your thoughts ...
I like Iceberg he’ll be a great Number 2 in the lineup next year!
I think we'll see EE as the backup next year.
He's proving that he can't stay healthy and therefore can't be counted on as a #1. Remember Garon?
I think he's holding down the fort until Bernier is ready. Thanks to EE's solid play...DL gets to keep Bernier down in Manchester another year.
The year after, it will be easy to trade Ersberg's contract and move Bernier up.
Interesting thought....Did the play of Quick convince DL that he can trade Bernier?
He would probably bring the most back as far as talent than anyone else we have that might be available.
I wouldn't do it....the thought of having a franchise #1 goalie is something too intoxicating to let go of.
He's great at conrolling rebounds for sure. He got a good shake at the beginning and Quick just outplayed him.
Kings goaltenders this year suffered from a lack of scoring that could have given them a handfull each of more wins.
and while goaltending isn't the issue with this team, if they actually had a steady veteran goaltender that could spell one of these youngsters, they'd be a whole lot better off.
With the Kings extending him last season, he'll be back. Don't think other teams will want to trade for a number-two goalie with little experience.
yeah...i agree with everyone who says he will be back as the number 2...
i like e squared...he even had a pretty good/funny directv commercial...
solid #2...and will give the team/d.l. time to nurture bernier/zatkoff/etc...
very smart...and really the only move...d.l. could have made in resigning ee to a good, affordable 2yr. deal...
NYKingfan..
I don't see Bernier getting dealt. I think DL has put so much effort and time behind him that to him it would somewhat be a waste to just deal him away. Even with Quick emerging, why would we trade Bernier? I would've maybe agreed with you if Ersberg got a long term contract, but he didn't and that's that. I think Ersberg might get dealt next year..
Great spot for both EE and the Kings. Another win for the team, win for the player and win for the fans.
FYI
I heard that Quick has been asked to play for Team USA at the IIHF games in Switzerland later this month with Al Montoya.
I agree, Ersberg will be a great backup. I like the way he plays and if only the Kings had been able to score whenever he played towards the end of the season, maybe he would have had more wins.
I agree Ak47
I wouldn't want him going anywhere either...Just throwing it out there.
Attitude: A
Execution (based on overall potential): C+
after reviewing his final stats C+ might be a bit harsh. possibly closer to B+
I'm going to say 79.5/100
Nykingsfan...Agreed, no surprise. I like EE in the back-up position, almost perfectly suited. He really hasn't proven himself as a No. 1 and size does work against him. I'd give Bernier another year at Manchester then towards the end of the season or possibly at the trading deadline see just where we stand. Possibly trading EE and bringing in Bernier once and for all is a possibility.
Stay tuned for what should be a very interesting summer.
I think Ersberg made a huge improvement from last season. Last season (as I remember him), he was jumpy and over-reactive to every puck that came his way, His style was much smoother this season. However, I think Quick is by far the better goalie, judging by this season alone. Despite his somewhat better-than-average numbers in GAA and save%, he did what a goalie is supposed to do. I can barely remember a game when he didn't give the Kings a chance to win. His post-to-post is FANTASTIC, and he made some incredible breakaway saves. He also pulled some pucks out of some funky screens and deflections. He's got my vote for No. 1, and since he's strong, I'd almost prefer that the Kings try Bernier or Zatkoff as a backup at first...they struck gold with Quick, and those two are great prospects as well.