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I have to take issue with some of Paul's "bad medicine" article. His criticism of Kelly Hrudey was unfounded. As silly as Hrudey may have looked to Paul, Kelly's last two seasons were statistically among the best of his career. By simplifying his game, reducing unneeded moves, and sticking with what works (no matter how it looks), Kelly was a better goalie for it. I mean, Roy butterflies on every shot (no matter where it's going), why NOT paddle down?
Depending on whose stats you use 60 to 70% of all goals are scored on the ice. Paddle down covers all of the bottom, with butterfly unless you are very large, or very flexible, it doesn't cover as much. You can move laterally in the paddle down position WITHOUT giving up coverage. Butterfly means opening then closing a gap everytime you need to move. Getting up in control is much easier and quicker out of the paddle down position. The only drawback is you need to work on a new skill that you likely never practiced before, going from paddle down to a high blocker save in one motion. It seems like a very vulnerable area at first, but it doesn't take very much practice to learn how to cover it.
I don't use the paddle down as much as I believe I should. I have to remind myself to do it instead of the butterfly or other choices.
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