Brent Johnson has been around hockey all his life. He is the grandson of NHL Hall of Famer Sid Abel and the son of former Penguins’ goaltender Bob Johnson. Brent also spent 12 seasons himself in the NHL, serving as a netminder for the St. Louis Blues, Phoenix Coyotes, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals, and Pittsburgh Penguins.
After retiring from the NHL, Johnson returned to DC and now serves as a in-studio analyst for NBC Sports Washington. Thursday morning, Brent shared his perspective on Braden Holtby’s struggles. Holtby has been pulled in three of the last six games. While the Holtbeast is playing in front of one of the worst defenses in the NHL, he also seems off himself and struggling with confidence. Barry Trotz suggested Philipp Grubauer may get the bulk of starts in the immediate future.
Johnson posted a thread on Twitter.
1- Opinion-
For those concerned…
Braden Holtby is an excellent, top/tiered NHL starting goalie! One thing I’ve been saying for some time now is that in today’s game, with the incredible speed, pace and chaos, starting goalies get more fatigued than ever before.— Brent Johnson (@JohnnyGoalie12) March 8, 2018
2- The constant pressure of having to be fully prepared night-in and night-out, has a wearing effect on ones body and mind.
Since 2013/14 Braden has started 298 games (approx. 17,800 minutes.) That’s a hell of a lot of time! I don’t care who you are.
— Brent Johnson (@JohnnyGoalie12) March 8, 2018
3- What I’m saying is that there are boundaries for what a persons body and mind can endure. Note: it’s also more noticeable when a goalie is off his game in comparison to a forward or defenseman.
— Brent Johnson (@JohnnyGoalie12) March 8, 2018
4- Mid-season fatigue happens to goalies all around the league, not just here in DC. A goalie will rarely tell a reporter that they are exhausted or express this sentiment w/ the coach when asked. They will just keep strumming along, because that is what they are expected to do.
— Brent Johnson (@JohnnyGoalie12) March 8, 2018
5- Some starting goalies get away with playing sub-par games down the stretch because their respective teams get the job done in front of them. Therefore the from the outside, the goalie keeps winning and the people in power keep them playing and playing…
— Brent Johnson (@JohnnyGoalie12) March 8, 2018
6- Getting back to Braden, who in the past few years has changed his game (for the better, might I add) from that of a radical game, to a more efficient and detailed game. But in the past month or so, I have seen him make mistakes that I haven’t seen him make all season…
— Brent Johnson (@JohnnyGoalie12) March 8, 2018
7- His puck handling and depth thru traffic (or lack there-of) have not been as sharp as they were in December. Which leads me to believe that he may very well be low on petrol. Also, this can put stress on his confidence and self reliance.
— Brent Johnson (@JohnnyGoalie12) March 8, 2018
8- If what I’ve read is correct and coach Trotz is looking to go with (the very capable) Grubauer a little more down the stretch, it is all positive. It’s positive for Holtby, for Grubauer and for the Caps heading into the playoff race.
— Brent Johnson (@JohnnyGoalie12) March 8, 2018
9- There are reports out that Andrei Vasilevskiy (55 starts and counting) is tired and I’m not surprised. Many former cohorts of mine have expressed to me the feeling of being totally drained numerous times throughout my career. Sometimes looking totally defeated doing so.
— Brent Johnson (@JohnnyGoalie12) March 8, 2018
10- Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that it’s easy to be a forward or d-man, cause I’m not. It’s just a totally different mentality. A goalie has to be locked in for 60+ minutes, following the puck every square inch on the ice surface.
— Brent Johnson (@JohnnyGoalie12) March 8, 2018
11- Note: a goalie, especially during the peak of his career, doesn’t just forget how to stop a puck. The body is just reacting in unusual ways because the mind is weary. Coaches around the league should take notice when they start to see a pattern of uneven play.
— Brent Johnson (@JohnnyGoalie12) March 8, 2018
12- If the coaching staff can afford to manage their tenders (especially if you have two capable G’s, & most do!) throughout the season, their squad will be better for it in the long run. The season is a marathon, not a sprint. You don’t win anything in December or January.
— Brent Johnson (@JohnnyGoalie12) March 8, 2018
13- In closing, it does take an army to win in this great game of ours. But for the Capitals, a healthy and rested Braden Holtby can only help them in their playoff bid.
— Brent Johnson (@JohnnyGoalie12) March 8, 2018
This is good analysis.
