While Anders Lindback may or may not be the long-term solution between the pipes for the Tampa Bay Lightning, there is someone that could strike the Bolts’ lineup in the not-too distant future.
Andrey Vasilevskiy is arguably the top 18-year old goaltender in the world and he has the potential to become a franchise netminder that 29 other NHL clubs would love to have. His introduction to the rest of the hockey world began at the 2012 World Junior Championships in Alberta as he posted a 2.01 goals against average and a mind-blowing .953 save percentage. Although he didn’t play in the gold medal game against Sweden, Team Russia might not have been in the tournament’s final game if not for Vasilevskiy. His hard work paid off when the Lightning made him the first goaltender (19th overall) selected in the 2012 NHL Draft. (Photo/Susan Ferlita)
Vasilevskiy, a native of Tyumen, Russia, continues to maintain his high-caliber play between the pipes in his second season with Tolpar Ufa of the Major Hockey League (a minor-league affiliate of the Kontinental Hockey League) by sporting an impressive 1.93 goals against average and a .930 save percentage.
He has been described as a big-frame netminder (he’s listed at 6’3″, 210 lbs) who covers the net exceptionally well. He combines his size and athleticism and uses those attributes to his advantage. His play in goal has been compared to Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens.
It’s not known how long he’ll remain overseas, but the Lightning organization won’t rush him to the NHL. However, they probably wouldn’t mind having Vasilevsky come to North America playing in the junior ranks for a year or two. If so, it would be for the Mississauga Steelheads, who took him in the second round, 69th overall, in the 2012 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft.
The Steelheads front office would be salivating if Vasilevsky and Spencer Martin (who’s eligible for the 2013 NHL Draft) would be the one-two goaltending punch next season. With that said, imagine if and when Vasilevsky arrives in HockeyBay.
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