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Chat Reel: Mike Dunham
Predators goalie expects a battle for a playoff spot
Posted: Wednesday September 19, 2001 6:42 PM
Updated: Wednesday September 19, 2001 6:42 PM
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Mike Dunham believes the Predators are still improving and might be in line for a playoff spot this season. Robert Laberge/Allsport |
CNNSI Host: Welcome to NHL chat with Nashville Predators goalie Mike Dunham. Thanks for joining us Mike.
Mike Dunham: Thanks for having me. It's great to be here
From Dave in Nashville, Tenn.: Mike, Do you think pre-season games have any forecast of how the team will perform in the regular season or is a pre-season game just strictly to get back into game shape?
Mike Dunham: The pre-season games are used to get back in game shape. There is no bearing on how it will effect the regular season. Using young guys and not using full squads is not a fair assessment of how team will do in the regular season.
From Dave Black in York, Pa.: What is the toughest shot to stop in hockey: Al McGinnis' slap shot, Eric Lindros' wrister, or Jagr on a breakaway?
Mike Dunham: That is easy. Jagr on a break-away because is so skilled, either with a shot or he can go around you with his long reach.
From Diablo20: Mike, what brand of goalie equipment are you wearing this year? As a Canadian, who do you think should get the nod for starting goaltender for the Olympics?
Mike Dunham: Brian's gloves and CCM pads. As far as starting, I think who is playing well at the time. You can't go wrong with one of the four guys. It is whoever is playing well in January and February.
From Karl Messenger in Dallas, Texas: Mike, when you played in the New Jersey organization from 1993-94 'til the 1997-98 seasons, would you credit Marty Brodeur and of course, Jaques Caron for much of your current success and talent?
Mike Dunham: I would have to say I learned a lot from watching Marty and Jaques Caron thought me a lot.
From JMac: What can we as Bruins fans expect from your college teammate, Scott Pellerin? And how good are Heatley and Kovolchuk?
Mike Dunham: Scott Pellerin is hard working physical player who shows up every night to play the game. Heatley and Kovolchuk will be two great players down the road. They have a lot of skill and a lot of size.
From Bill in Nashville, Tenn.: How was it to play with Paul Kariya at Maine?
Mike Dunham: Paul Kariya was a great player even when he was a 17-year-old in college. He dominated college hockey. It was enjoyable to see him play.
From adshckyfan: How do the Preds shape up for the season based on what you have seen so far in camp?
Mike Dunham: Camp... it's tough to really know what to expect until the last games of the preseason and the regular season starts. I think we are taking steps in the right direction and we are still improving.
From Traci in Nashville, Tenn.: Is it realistic to expect the Predators to make the playoffs this season?
Mike Dunham: I think we are going to be battling for the 7th or 8th playoff spot with a number of teams. It depends on what kind of breaks we get throughout the season.
From Jamie: Mike, I'm from Binghamton, NY, do you miss the southern tier? How, if at all, has your relationship changed with Garth Snow since U of M?
Mike Dunham: I do miss the summers in Binghamton and the people I got to know there, because that is where I was born and it is home in my mind. Garth Snow and I are great friends. He was the best man at my wedding.
From superbepro: Do you prefer playing for a small-market team rather than what you had with the Devils?
Mike Dunham: I don't think it matters as long as you are happy where you are. I enjoyed my time in New Jersey and I'm certainly enjoying my time here in Nashville.
From Diablo20: Do you like to play a hybrid style of goaltending as opposed to butterfly or stand-up? Who were your goaltending heroes growing up? Do you fashion your game after any of them?
Mike Dunham: I think I have changed my game to a hybrid style where I use standup and butterfly. The game has changed so much that you have to cover as much net as possible. Growing up I just enjoyed all goaltenders, no one specific.
From PredFanATL: Are you excited about representing your country in the 2002 Olympics? Do you expect to start for Team USA in the Olympics?
Mike Dunham: It's an honor to be selected to the team and I'm excited about it. I think the goalie that will play is whoever is playing well in January.
From Speedy: Has USA Hockey discussed behavior with team members to avoid an embarrassing incident like what happened in the dorms in Nagano?
Mike Dunham: I'm sure the team will be respectful and well-behaved. I think people learned their lesson the last time.
From osubluejacket: Mike, I was at the Blue Jackets/Predators game last night. What do you think of the Blue Jackets' Brett Harkins (who scored twice on you)?
Mike Dunham: I played against him in the minors years ago. He was always a player that worked hard. Last night he was in the right spot at the right time to score two good goals.
From adshckyfan: Who is the toughest player and goaltender you have played against?
Mike Dunham: Hmmm. That's tough one. Probably I would say Mike Modano in Dallas and the toughest goalie I would say is Patrick Roy.
From JonDon: Does David Legwand compare favorably to Paul Kariya and how good can Legwand be?
Mike Dunham: It's too tough to compare Legwand to Kariya. It's not fair to David right now -- Kariya has been in the league a long time and has proven himself over the years. David can be a great player, as long as he keeps working hard like he has over the summer and training camp.
From Carlos Holcomb in Nashville, Tenn.: Also, will you do anything different in order to not get injured during the next few months prior to the Olympics?
Mike Dunham: There is nothing that will be done differently because hockey is a physical game. And if you go out there and try not to get hurt that's when you get hurt -- injuries happen all the time in the game.
From Rich Mathew: Nashville, Tenn.: Do you think we have a shot at sneaking into the playoffs even after all that Detroit and St. Louis did in the offseason?
Mike Dunham: I still think we do. We will be fighting with Edmonton, Calgary and Los Angeles for the 7th and 8th spot. Looking at the Western Conference I think the top four teams are the best in the league.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Mike Dunham. Thanks for joining us and good luck this season.
Mike Dunham: Thanks for having me. It was good.
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