Some more thoughts on Austin Lotz
Published 8:54 pm Tuesday, October 6, 2015
It was an interesting day Tuesday that first began with unconfirmed reports that goaltender Austin Lotz was released only to learn he is still a member of the team but waiting for the overage deadline at home.
You have to feel for Lotz, who had a solid career as Everett’s goaltender and endeared himself to Silvertips fans. Tips general manager Garry Davidson told me prior to the regular season that the organization believes all four of its 20-year-olds – Lotz, Cole MacDonald, Remi Laurencelle and Carson Stadnyk – had the ability to play in the WHL.
Head coach Kevin Constantine took it one step more, saying “(Lotz) will go down as one of the better Silvertip goalies ever.”
My guess is that the Tips are still trying to trade Lotz to give him the opportunity to finish out his career while getting something in return. But reports I’ve seen indicate that the market isn’t very good for overage goaltenders at this point. As a 20-year-old Lotz could play professionally this season. He’s spent parts of the last two preseasons at NHL camps so he’s not entirely an unknown commodity.
That said it was always a numbers game with the four overagers and unless Lotz was going to start over Carter Hart it doesn’t make much sense to keep a 20-year-old as a backup goalie.
In practice notes, Yan Khomenko, Tristen Pfeifer, MacDonald and Alexander Scherbakov were all riding stationary bikes and/or running stairs at Xfinity Arena today. Scherbakov is out for the year. Pfeifer (shoulder) said he hopes to play this weekend though he’s listed on the WHL injury report as 1-2 weeks out. Khomenko has yet to play in a regular season game since banging his head two weeks ago and is listed as out for another week. I wasn’t told what is ailing MacDonald and he isn’t listed on the injury report.
Meanwhile, Ryan Murray is again called the X-factor for the Columbus Blue Jackets this season, while Ben Betker has begun his pro career with the Norfolk Admirals of the ECHL. Nikita Scherbak had a goal and two assists Sunday as the St. John’s IceCaps beat the Toronto Marlies in a shootout to win the Coleman Cup. Also Constantine likens Scherbak to Jaromir Jagr.
Follow Silvertips writer Jesse Geleynse on Twitter @jessegeleynse.
