Ducks Goalie Depth: Jason LaBarbera and Igor Bobkov

Igor Bobkov

Apr 19, 2013; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Anaheim Ducks goalie Igor Bobkov (72) during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Igor Bobkov is a young Russian goaltender, drafted 76th overall by the Ducks in the 2009, the 3rd highest taken at his position that draft year (hockeydb). His most notable accomplishment thus far in his career is leading the Russians to a World Junior Championship in 2011 in a 5-3 come from behind win against Canada.

Since being drafted, Bobkov has been caught up in the bottleneck of excellent goaltenders that have been either drafted or signed into the Ducks system from Europe. This isn’t all bad as this 23-year old will have ample time to develop his game, as he has moved through juniors, ECHL and now in the AHL with the Norfolk Admirals, where he is a  20-21-2 at the AHL level (per hockeydb).

His size, standing at 6’6, allows him to play a little bit more passive in the blue paint without giving up much net to shoot at when the action is in tight. He has jumped up two spots in the Ducks depth chart, with the deadline deal of Viktor Fasth to Edmonton and Jonas Hiller signing in Calgary.

I don’t see Igor making the jump to the big club this season, which isn’t a discredit to his game, considering 20-game winner in Fredrik Andersen and 21-year old phenom John Gibson are looking to take the reigns this season. He can take more time in the minors to improve his game, and nail down the consistency needed to become a starting goaltender in the future.