Mark Francescutti
No one wants Legace
Jul 7, 2006
Check out this Canadian Press on Legace. Looks like no one wants him:
The question to Manny Legace seemed innocent enough. Where will he sign?
"Good question, I have no idea," Legace said Friday. "No calls, nothing at this point."
The unrestricted free-agent goaltender hasn't got a sniff since the free-agent market opened last Saturday. And he's stunned.
"It's just mind-boggling," he said from Detroit. "I thought for sure there'd be interest from somebody after the year I had. But nothing. I don't know what to think. And I don't know what teams are thinking."
Legace's agent, Ed Ratushny, has picked up the phone from his end to get things going.
"We have started preliminary discussions with two teams," he said from Ottawa. "But what I find surprising was the bidding for Martin Gerber as compared to Manny."
Gerber signed an $11.1-million US, three-year deal with the Ottawa Senators, who outbid Legace's old team the Red Wings for the Swiss goalie's services.
As Ratushny points out, Gerber's 2.78 goals-against average and .906 save percentage with Carolina last season trailed Legace's 2.19 GAA (third in the NHL) and .915 save percentage.
It appears Legace is paying the price for a so-so performance in the first round of the playoffs when the top-seeded Red Wings where bounced out by Edmonton in six game.
Still, this is a guy who was fifth among NHL goalies last season with 37 wins and placed fifth in voting for the Vezina Trophy as the league's top netminder _ an award voted on by NHL GMs.
"I thought I had a great year to be honest with you," said the 33-year-old Legace, who earned $1.16 million last season. "I thought I'd get some interest but nothing, no one has called.
"To be honest, I don't know what's going to happen."
He knows all the starters' jobs are gone so he's realistic about his next assignment.
"I'm willing to do anything on any team," he said. "Ideally I'd like to go to a team where at least I'd have a chance to compete for the No. 1 job. That's all I'm probably looking for now, a chance to compete."
The most obvious teams that could use his services are Florida, where young Alex Auld might need a push, and St. Louis, where the same scenario presents itself with sophomore Curtis Sanford.
"I'd be nice to go to St. Louis, it would be very nice," said Legace. "They're making some great moves, there's new ownership. And I know (president) John Davidson very well. He's always spoken well of me. I'd love to go play for him."
Legace still lives in Detroit, where he met his wife, and wishes he'd come back for a seventh season with the Red Wings. But GM Ken Holland phoned him in early June and told him the Wings were going to look for a different starter.
"It was a shocking phone call," recalls Legace. "I thought we could work something out. It was just disappointing. That was tough because I loved playing in Detroit, it was awesome. That was the best owner I've ever played for, a great organization.
"But they were very classy about it, they didn't throw me out like an old newspaper. We talked and they made me understand they wanted to go in another direction."
He's looked on with interest as the Wings continue to look for his replacement.
"I think they were really going after Gerber," Legace said. "(Wings coach) Mike Babcock wanted one of his old goalies there and that's understandable, coaches want their own guys. It's unfortunate they didn't get him.
"I think now they're looking at probably (Ed) Belfour or bring back Dom (Hasek). That's what I foresee for them."
Legace is 114-43-18 in 197 career regular-season games with a 2.21 GAA and .917 save percentage.
He's 4-6-0 with a 2.54 GAA and .888 save percentage in 11 career NHL playoff games.
Comment by MOMO | 07/08/06 at 9:03 AM
C'mon up to da U.P. Manny and play in da beer league in da SOO eh? The "ORIGINAL" Hockeytown!
Comment by Bobby C. | 07/08/06 at 11:03 AM
Be patient Manny. I always thought you were a starter and you proved me right last year with one heck of a season. One of those teams will wake up and I hope it's the Wings!!!
Comment by Brandon | 07/08/06 at 12:25 PM
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C'mon up to da U.P. Manny and play in da beer league in da SOO eh? The "ORIGINAL" Hockeytown!
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What the hell? No wonder no one likes the U.P. Thank you for solidifying all of our past stereotypes, you moron
Comment by Michael | 07/08/06 at 12:45 PM
C'mon, UPer's are great folks, talk funny but hey no one is perfect. Manny, you had a great year, however, your teamates and a few soft goals in the first round were your demise. Get out a D town and make some real money. Gook luck.
Comment by Cori | 07/09/06 at 12:12 AM
Ken Hollend should move back to earth and live with the rest of us. If he thinks Eddie the Eagle or Dom will provide a better stop gap until next season, he is certifiably insane! He should re-approach Manny on bended knees and beg for him to come back. I want to start a "Bring Back Manny!" campaign!!!
Comment by Bob | 07/09/06 at 9:17 AM
Ozzie won a cup. What's Manny done?
Comment by hazelle | 07/09/06 at 1:53 PM
always number one with me good luck in the future
Comment by Todd | 07/09/06 at 7:39 PM
While I've always liked Manny, he shouldn't be acting surprised by Mr. Holland's call. He said himself that his job security was dependent on his performance in the play-offs. Period. While he played 'okay' there is no question he was outdone by Roloson every step of the way. As he and everyone in Detroit knows that it's a play-off team and that "Okay" doesn't earn anyone the starting goaltender job.
I wish this very talented guy a great future with a good team.
Comment by Doug | 07/10/06 at 6:42 AM
Maybe Manny is also hampered by his big mouth. During the lockout, Manny was outspoken as the Red Wings' rep. The NHL players got their lunch handed to them by owners in the end and a lot of aging star players lost a year of their career thanks to career backups like Manny Legace running his mouth.
The cowardly lion act in the playoffs didn't help Manny either. It's time to move forward with Jimmy or Liv.
Comment by Hilary | 07/10/06 at 10:01 AM
I want Manny back!
I think he was a great goalie, and really added to the team we all love. Now that Stevie and Shanny are gone, the team is really changing. I loved Manny while he was here, I'll still be rooting for him wherever he ends up (unless of course he lands in Colorado or Nashville!!), but I do look forward to what our new Wings will accomplish.
Comment by neeley | 07/10/06 at 2:14 PM
Whoever thinks Manny was the sole reason the Wings lost the first round obviously wasn't watching the same games I was watching! The whole team sucked. Coach played both goalies up to the playoffs, then stuck with one even though things were falling apart. All Manny's fault? C'mon! Wake up Detroit! Where was our great Datsuk when this was all going on??
Comment by pleez | 07/10/06 at 2:23 PM
Manny didn't have what he needed most ....confidence. They asked him if he could play at Cup playoff level...and he said "I don't know." What is that all about? He had a great season but he choked in the end (yes the team didn't help much) but he only has himself to blame.
Comment by Jimbo | 07/10/06 at 2:47 PM
If the Wings made it to the second round, we would not even be talking about this. Plus for forget Edmonton did make it to the finals. I take Manny and give Jimmy or Liv another year.
Comment by Gamer | 07/10/06 at 3:10 PM
Players notice when their goalie lies motionless on the ice for 30, 45, or 60 seconds after giving up goals (like Manny did in the playoffs). Would you like to play behind a pitcher who stands behind the mound with his head down for two minutes after giving up a gopher ball, or one who gets the ball from the ump and pitches to the next batter?
Comment by Icer | 07/10/06 at 4:22 PM
Belfour better than Manny, come on... he got the job done all season long, and this what he gets in return?
Comment by gary b | 07/10/06 at 10:48 PM
Manny is a choker! It's as simple as that. Can't play behind someone with such a lack of confidence. Although the team never played well in the playoffs, they sure made Manny look great during the regular season.
gary b
Comment by Chadrock | 07/11/06 at 10:23 AM
Face it, whoever is in goal this season for the Wings is a stop gap until Howard gets dry behind the ears. For the price (only?? a half million), Belfour might be the best choice. The extra cash can be used to pick up that now desperatly needed forward near the trade deadline. Can the wings win with a couple of "B" tenders in goal this season? They will win their share of regular season games, but falter in the middle rounds of the playoffs. We're looking at 07-08 or 08-09 as "THE YEAR" again.
Comment by david | 07/11/06 at 7:08 PM
manny will be the next hot golie to beat our precious red wings in the playoffs. remember ciccarelli? paul coffee? and could we please get mccarty back? ed b. is not a very nice person. tough to get excited about him. is it really possible to get hasek back? let's go red wings!!!!
Comment by rickb | 07/11/06 at 9:58 PM
Holland must be smoking something....Belfour's GAA of 3.29, his age (43), he can't stop a basketball from what I've seen of him. Better than Manny, sounds like post season anger has got the better of the GM to me.
Comment by CARMA | 07/12/06 at 10:40 AM
Comment by Bob | 07/09/06 at 9:17 AM
Ozzie won a cup. What's Manny done?
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When Ozzie was the goalie our defense and scoring were so awesome Ray Charles could have played goalie and won it all!
It is sick that the sub par scoring we had in the playoffs means that Manny is no good - I think we REALLY NEED A NEW GM - BYE BYE KEN HOLLAND!
Comment by detroit hockey | 07/18/06 at 9:33 AM
Ozzie won a cup, but with a very different team and playing style. Plus, he had to work to get to that point, and even the best goalies had to lose before they won.
I don't see EB of Hasek being better than Manny, not by a long shot.
Manny had the best record in the league, that's what he done, and with a little bit of scoring help, and maybe a little more defensive help, he could have gone deep in the playoffs.
Comment by Tan | 07/19/06 at 7:16 PM
Manny is an awesome goalie- Detroit is crazy to give him up- they'll be sorry they did. The whole team didn't play well in the post season- don't blame Manny for their losses. Good luck in the future Manny- we'll be cheering for you no matter what team you play for!!
Comment by Chris | 08/03/06 at 12:37 AM
Thank you!! Evrey other discussion board I have seen is blaming Lagace for the playoff loss, Yes he did have a bad series. So did the WHOLE team, except a couple of players. I don't know why he is having a hard time signing, with his numbers he should be wanted by many. yes he did have a big mouth at times but hell look at Patty Wahhh....(Patrick Roy) There is an a** hole. Biggest ego and mouth ever as far as I am concerned. But because of his numbers, alot of teams wanted him. I just think that Manny got a raw deal and it would be interesting to know the real reason no one wants to sign him. It cannot be ONLY because of the playoffs. Anyone who watched the series knows that the Whole team sucked as well as Manny, it happens, are we to spoiled in Detroit??
CD
Comment by Lissy | 08/06/06 at 1:18 AM
I am thoroughly disappointed with Holland and with Detroit fans. Manny is a superb goalie and deserved his rightful spot as the Wings starting goalie next year. To toss him to the side after the year he had because of an early upset in the playoffs is beyond RIDICULOUS! He has proved time and time again what a steady backup he could be, and when his time came to shine in the starting role he impressed everyone. I might add, was only 3rd to Dom's 2nd in Save % for the year. A damned good goalie.
Holland's insistence of laying blame for playoff losses on the goalie's shoulders shows a manager that does not look at the whole picture. Anyone who watched the playoffs this year can tell you that it was poor defense, dumb penalties, and turnovers that cost us the series. NOT poor goaltending. I will grant that Legace did not have the best stats in that series, but part of what gives goalies those stats is the D in front of them. Which was sorely lacking this playoff season. We lock up Lilja...who made so many of those costly turnovers, and was constantly in the box...and throw away Legace? I'm baffled.
And I'm saddened by Detroit fans who so quickly turn their back on goalies they spent a whole season supporting. They did it with Ozzie, and now with Manny. Fair weather fans...
Legace should have gotten the starting job when Detroit insisted on paying way too much for Cujo. And he should have it today. I hope he finds a team that will give him the honest chance he deserves in a starting role. He is too good of a goalie to spend the rest of his career as a backup. I am first and foremost a Red Wings fan, always...but I will be watching Manny and rooting for him along the way.
Good luck Manny!! We'll miss you!
Comment by Lissy | 08/08/06 at 11:47 PM
Signed with the Blues - good for him!! I hope they treat him better than the Wings did...and I hope he gets the starting role!!
Comment by PAUL MASON | 08/13/06 at 2:16 PM
CAN THE GOALIE CUZ THE DEFENSE SUCKED? MANNY WILL KNOCK US OUT OF THE PLAYOFFS THIS SEASON AND AS MUCH AS I LOVE THE WINGS I'LL HAVE A SMILE ON MY FACE. GOOD LUCK MANNY YOU GOT SHAFTED. HOPE YOUR NEW TEAMS IS BETTER TO YOU THAN WE WERE......
Comment by Legace's Legacy | 09/12/06 at 8:52 AM
I don't know if anybody is still checking on this blog, but I'm glad to see Manny hooked up with somebody. I was always a big Legace fan, and wanted him to start. He finally got his shot last year and played well during the regular season--unfortunately, that doesn't count any more with this organization. You are measured by your performance in the playoffs, and Manny didn't play horribly, but he didn't play very well. Worse, he played, and talked, like a pussy. And when the chips were down, he folded like a house of cards. I wish him well, but he had his chance here in Detroit.
Comment by Dan | 01/10/07 at 12:44 AM
Manny Legace is the reason I took up goaltending. The man was, and still is an inspiration. The game of hockey has enriched my life so much, I have only my fiancee', and Manny Legace to thank. I hope that there is a way to get him back in Detroit. By the way, it's refreshing to see people who support this great goaltender. He didn't want to leave Detroit, he loved it here, and he loved all of us fans. Humble, and giving he started charaties to help the less fortunate. I was lukcy enough to get an autograph last feb, when they had the open practice. I'll never forget that day, and every time I suit up in my pads, I'll be thanking Manny.
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