In defense of Malcolm Subban
Sep 19, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins goalie Malcolm Subban (70) makes a save during the first period against the Detroit Red Wings at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
I don’t think enough credit has been given to Malcolm Subban. Yes, he got utterly battered by the Detroit Red Wings in an embarrassing 8-2 loss last week. It was likely the biggest impetus to send him down to Providence. Some players (like Tuukka Rask) would have had themselves a minor meltdown. Subban didn’t. He got out of his equipment, put on his workout gear, and proceeded to go up and down the stairs of the TD Garden for half an hour. On his own initiative.
” I don’t think anyone runs stairs after games for a half-hour-[it] wouldn’t be too smart.” said Subban to the Providence Journal on the first day of the Providence Bruins training camp. “I felt I needed it at the time.” He also took the time to sit down with Bruins goalie coach Bob Essensa in order to do a post-mortem on his performance. While an eight goal game is always a rough outing, it has to be said he lacked the defensive support that is needed when facing top players like Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg.
He’s the goalie equivalent of Dougie Hamilton. The kid is only going to get bigger and better at his job. Dougie had some early screw ups but was quickly forgiven. I just think Malcolm Subban deserves the same amount of slack. He’s going to learn from this experience the way other goalies like Tim Thomas, Tuukka Rask and Patrick Roy did after they received an ugly shellacking within the crease. Providence head coach Bruce Cassidy got to see him in the rookie development camp, and is looking forward to having him on the squad.
Coach Cassidy wasn’t sure exactly where the younger Subban (brother of Montreal Canadiens’ PK) will be at the start of the Providence season, less than two weeks away. “It’s hard to say until we get a second goaltender down here. [Boston has] to sort that out. My guess is he’ll compete for the net. Without seeing him much, I can’t tell you where I assume he’ll be good or where he’ll struggle.”
It will come down to the level of professionalism and discipline a player has to determine their future on the ice. Subban has shown the discipline some NHL players lack, it will come down to time and his willingness to absorb information from the coaching staffs of the Bruins to see where he eventually ends up. As long as continues to learn and improve, he’ll be walling up the crease for us in the near future.