Blue Jacket Goalie Prospect Nolan Lalonde Wins Memorial Cup. What's Next For The Young Goaltender?

Columbus Blue Jackets goalie prospect Nolan Lalonde is a Memorial Cup Champion. His Saginaw Spirit beat the London Knights by scoring the game-winner with just 21 seconds left on the clock. You can't have a better ending to a game like that. 

But what happens to Lalonde now?

Nolan Lalonde has played three seasons in the OHL and turned 20 years old this past February, so he is eligible for the AHL if he'd like, but should he?

Lalonde had a good season in 23-24. After going 0-2-1 with the Erie Otters, he was traded to the Saginaw Spirit where his play turned around. He was traded to the Sarnia Sting, who then flipped him to Saginaw. 

He started slow in Saginaw going 1-3-0-1, but would soon get hot. Starting on November 3rd, he would rattle off 16 straight wins, and win 19 of 20. A streak that lasted until February 21st. He would finish the regular season with a 21-8-1-1 record, with a SV % of .869, and a GAA of 3.31.

In the playoffs, Lalonde would finish with a record of 5-7 with a SV% of .893 and a GAA of 2.79. In the final game of the Memorial Cup, Lalonde wasn't the starter, however. Saginaw chose to go with Andrew Oke instead. 

The Blue Jackets need goalies in the system but Lalonde could still return to Saginaw. He doesn't turn 21 until February, which is well into the season. The rule states, "Players can play until they are 20 years old. As long as they do not turn 21 prior to the start of the season." 

Will Nolan Lalonde turn pro, or return to junior? The Jackets could convince him to go pro, as they have another prospect, Sergei Ivanov still in Russia. They are light on goalies and need someone else for Cleveland. If Jet Greaves makes the Blue Jackets, that will free up a spot for Lalonde. Even if Greaves is in Cleveland, might the Monsters run with a young pair of Greaves and Lalonde? 

With the new GM Don Waddell coming in, no one knows what's going to happen. Just about everyone is hoping that he chooses to play some youngsters and get them valuable time on the ice. But keep this in mind, Waddell says he's in favor of younger guys playing lots of games in the AHL to get themselves ready for the NHL. 

What do you think? Please share your thoughts on our forum.

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