Random Thoughts On Hasek’s Career

In the day’s most obvious news, Dominik Hasek retired.

According to Joe Pelletier.

This time I think we can all rest assured there will be no comeback. Playing an unorthodox flopping style that looked out of place in the era of the butterfly goaltender but due to his amazing flexibility, concentration and vision Dominik Hasek may have been the greatest goalie ever.

James Mirtle also includes Hasek in the “one of the greatest” category.

I’ve never been a big Dom Hasek booster, but The Dominator’s not a figure you can ignore on the day of his retirement. For all of the antics and theatrics, he is, quite simply, one of a kind — and one of the best goaltenders hockey has ever seen.

Waiting For Stanley has a nice write-up including his personal opinions of Hasek’s style!

Let’s be honest, Hasek was a diver. A master at it. A dent in his armour in my opinion. It made him much-maligned. But his greatness overshadowed the bad, in my opinion.
I’ll miss his crazy, fish-flopping style.

Even Martin Brodeur had some great quotes about Hasek’s international play.

[1998 Nagano Olympics]…“In that tournament, he was just unbelievable,”

“I remember the shootout, guys had no clue what to do against him,” recalled Brodeur. “Guys had a mental block. He was the type of goalie that got into peoples’ heads a lot.”

Brodeur even managed to toot his own horn while complimenting Hasek’s unorthodox style.

“I appreciate a goalie like him,” said Brodeur. “In a way it’s similar to me, we’re not just one style of goalie. A lot of goalies come in now and they do the butterfly. It’s pretty obvious what they do on every save.

“But you know what, Dominik created saves, he made it happen out there for himself.”

Does this article still apply Mitch?

Here is a summary of Dominik Hasek talking to himself after last season…I wonder if it still applies?

This is Dominik Hasek’s groin: “Are you nuts?”

This is Dominik Hasek’s wallet: “We could use some fattening.”

This is Dominik Hasek’s groin: “I’m feeling a twinge. I’m not kidding.”

This is Dominik Hasek’s ego: “I did pretty darn good this year. We made the Western Conference finals. I was probably our best player.”

This is Dominik Hasek’s groin: “I’ll snap, I swear, you keep this up, I’ll snap right now.”

This is Dominik Hasek’s sense of history: “I’m 42. I’m amazing. If I keep this up, I can be the oldest goalie to ever play in the NHL.”

This is Dominik Hasek’s groin: “OK, that does it. You want old? I’ll show you old …”

What is your opinion on Dominik Hasek’s career?  Is he one of the greatest goalies ever to play in the NHL?