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Jonathan Quick faces challenging encore

Los Angeles Kings v Chicago Blackhawks

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 28: Jonathan Quick #32 of the Los Angeles Kings spits out water during a break in the action against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on December 28, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Kings defeated the Blackhawks 2-0. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Jonathan Daniel

Jonathan Quick’s progression from a good goalie to an elite one came on as public a stage as possible.

While the Los Angeles Kings goalie didn’t win the Vezina, few would quibble with Quick’s Conn Smythe + Stanley Cup combo.

To cap things off, the Kings made sure they wouldn’t lose Quick by signing him to a contract extension that’s relatively cheap ($5.8 million cap hit) and risky (10-year deal) at the same time.

Life’s been great for Quick, but it begs the question: can he match or even top last season?

Negatives


  • His career stats are modest (.916 save percentage, 2.30 GAA) compared to his breakthrough run.
  • The two most recent dominant single seasons by Tim Thomas and Ryan Miller were followed by considerable letdowns. (Though Thomas’ issues were largely off the ice.)
  • Long-term contracts are risky to begin with, but they seem especially harsh for goalies.

Positives


  • Quick is in his prime at 26.
  • The same stout Kings lineup will remain more or less intact.
  • Darryl Sutter won’t take kindly to a lack of focus.
  • There’s at least one obvious goal beyond defending the Cup: a Vezina trophy.

Wild card?


  • If Jonathan Bernier isn’t traded, he could either provide Quick with competition or steal some starts. (Or a little of both.)

Related

Kings offseason report

The Stanley Cup hangover

Dustin Brown and NASCAR

Biggest wildcards