Hes their Osgood. Put him on a team that isn't as dominate, I think hes a middle tier goalie, but, with their team in front of him he doesn't really have to steal games, just make a few big saves, and then be solid and they do the rest.
His defensive blunders involved themselves in Etem's goal in game seven and in Chicago's second goal today.
I think the problem isn't Cleary, per se, its how hes used. If he were a 4th line energy/depth player, he would be one of the best in the league. But he is currently expected to match up against some of the best young talent in the NHL, and he doesn't have the physical ability to compete at that level anymore. This isn't a knock on him, his job is to be on the ice when is number is called.
I never believe this kind of banter until it becomes a contract with dry ink. This was a comment to a rival city's reporter, at the beginning of what is looking to be a hard fought series, hes not going to say 'well the waters aren't clear, the details aren't set in stone'. His job as a representative of the Wings is to talk from a place of complete confidence. Its like if they asked him if it were game four and the Wings were down 0-3 if he thought the team was done. One would expect his answer to be "There is 0 chance the team loses, this team will take it one game at a time and try to force it to a game 7, where anything can happen'.
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