A Good Year for the Outlaw

A couple of years ago, the St. Louis Blues signed Patrick Lalime, a former all-star goaltender who had been the starting goalie for the Ottawa Senators for five years prior to the infamous “lockout” season. Several NHL goalkeepers had trouble adapting to the new rules when hockey returned, and based on his statistics, Patty Lalime was one of them.

He had a woeful season in St. Louis that included a demotion to Peoria, where the Rivermen were playing their first season in the AHL. Much was made of Lalime’s contract, which paid him more than the rest of the Rivermen team combined.

He could have sulked. He could have demanded a trade. He could have just “taken the money” and put out a half-hearted effort in Peoria. An NHL All-Star, back in the AHL when he should have been in his NHL prime. I suspect that many players in his position would have gone the sulk, pout, not-gonna-try, trade-me route. But not Patrick Lalime.

His attitude during his stay in Peoria was one of “I deserved this demotion, I’ve played terribly for the Blues, I’m going to get back down here and work on my game.” In the meantime, he wasn’t selfish, from what the other players told me. He was helpful in a teaching role, he contributed to the club in more than just his play on the ice from his first day in town. He became “one of the guys”. And most importantly, he worked his tail off. He was also accessable to staff, fans, and the local media.

All of that makes me extremely happy for him in his latest role, and for his latest streak. Pat Lalime is now a backup goaltender for the young and rising Chicago Black Hawks, backing up Nikolai Khabibulin, another former All-Star. With Khabibulin struggling and the young Hawks in an 8-game slide, Coach Denis Savard recently turned to Lalime, and all Patty has done is help the Hawks save their season, winning four straight games while allowing only 5 goals. Two of the wins have been in shootouts, where the goalie is on an island facing an unimpeded breakaway.

Patrick Lalime could have packed it in in 2005, he could have settled for a life in the minors. But he didn’t. He could have been selfish and standoffish with the young Blues prospects. But he wasn’t. He could have treated Peoria fans with disdain. But he didn’t. He has been rewarded for his efforts with a second chance by Denis Savard, and he has rewarded Savard with a season-turning week. Good for Patrick.