{coyotes} Goalie Thomas Greiss has chance to prove No. 1 mettle

Thursday, 27 March 2014

{coyotes} Goalie Thomas Greiss has chance to prove No. 1 mettle

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PHOENIX - Even with a limited body of work for goalie Thomas Greiss this season, the Coyotes had enough confidence in him as a backup that general manager Don Maloney approached Greiss' agent during the Olympic break to discuss a contract extension.

Obviously, a deal wasn't accomplished, and one of the sticking points in the negotiations was Greiss' disappointment with his lack of playing time. To that point, he'd started only 10 games.

"He'd like to play a little more," Maloney said. "I certainly understood."

And now with No. 1 goalie Mike Smith sidelined for an undetermined amount of time with an apparent right-leg injury, Greiss' chance has arrived.

"Here's a player that's been desperate to try to get in the net and show people he's a Number 1 goalie," Maloney said. "Now is his opportunity to do so."

Greiss will be back between the pipes Thursday when the Coyotes close out a three-game road trip in New Jersey against the Devils. His 23-save effort Tuesday in Pittsburgh during a 3-2 win was his eighth victory of the season.

Overall, Greiss has been steady with a .924 save percentage and 2.35 goals-against average. Maloney said the Coyotes attempted to sign him three years ago, and talks on a new contract will resume once the season ends.

"He's done a terrific job up to date, and we have nine games left to see if he can get the job done," Maloney said.

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