Overager Analysis: Drew Owsley

Technically, next on the list is Clinton Atkinson--defenseman who was called up for a couple games.  He did alright, but I'm fairly certain he's not in the running for one of the OA spots.  Which brings us to the last of the potential 20-year-olds, Drew Owsley.

It's been several years since I've been really emotional about the 20-year-old cutdown, but this year I know I will be.  Look at all these guys, they're all quality players, and quality individuals.  I don't want to lose any of them.  But it's a business, and Bob's gotta do what he's gotta do.  Which breaks my dark cold heart.

Drew's stats from the WHL:

Regular Season

                       Season GP GA Mins Saves GAA SV%  W  L OTL SOL T SO

2010-11 Regular Season 55 142 3072 1467 2.77 0.912 36 17 1 1 0 4

2009-10 Regular Season 50 116 2776 1295 2.51 0.918 33 11 1 1 0 4

2008-09 Regular Season 17   37  755   273 2.94 0.881 7 5 0 0 0 1

Total:                        122 295 6603 3035 2.68 0.911 76 33 2 2 0 9

Playoffs

                 Season  GP GA Mins Saves GAA SV% W L OTL SOL T SO

2011 WHL Playoffs    10 27 641 304 2.53 0.918 6 2 2 0 0 1

2010 WHL Playoffs    19 43 1043 503 2.47 0.921 12 5 2 0 0 2

Total:                      29 70 1684 807 2.49 0.920 18 7 4 0 0 3

Drew went from being a bench-warmer in a 3-goalie system with Chet Pickard and Brett Martyniuk to a premier goalie in the WHL.  In the past two seasons he's made quite a name for himself and proved doubters wrong.

WHY HE'LL BE KEPT:

Solid, reliable, workhorse.  Ows can play a lot of games, he actually plays better the more games he plays.  He's not the biggest goalie by any stretch of the imagination, but he's technically sound and is able to make himself appear bigger in net.  He's quick, that glove hand is ridiculous. He is a calming presence, the guys play better with him back there because they trust in his ability. Not the strongest puck-handler, he should stay in net more, but I suppose it could be worse. He has worked his ass off to get where he is.

WHY HE WON'T BE KEPT:
He's a 20-year-old goalie.  It's not often (but not unheard of) for teams to use a 20-spot for a goalie.  Bigger than that is the young, talented goalies waiting in the wings.  Teams want to get their goalies ready for a bigger workload so the Ams will be wanting Driedger and/or Comrie to get a fair amount of playing time so it's not really nice or fair (for lack of better terms) to have an overager backup goalie.  I highly doubt Drew would be happy being backup, he didn't work this hard to be back on the bench.  Is Driedger ready to take the reigns?  I have no idea, he showed a whole lot of promise last season.  Will it be a Driedger/Comrie tandem?  Possibly.

Again, I don't make predictions, but when looking at future development, I don't see Drew fitting into that picture.  Could I be wrong?  Sure.  It's no secret he's one of my favorites ever so I'd love him to be here another year.  I said not many teams keep a 20-year-old goalie, but there's a possibility some other WHL team will have a need, I just gotta hope it's not another US Division team.

SPOKANT SAYS:

Pros:  Co-MmfVP for a reason.  Easily one of the best goalies in the league.  Ego still in check.  Fan favorite.

Cons:  He's an overage goalie.  Last season let in a number of shots from the blue line.  Seemed a little shaky until the uncertainty surrounding Pechurskiy was resolved.  Will a highly touted goalie coming in as his backup affect his game the same way? 

My guess:  Eric Comrie's performance will have the biggest impact on whether Drew stays or goes.  Unfortunately, I see him being traded. :(