The Aebischer report: we break down the game of new Avalanche No. 1 David Aebischer to see if the replacement for the greatest goaltender of the modern era has the goods.(NHL)

Anybody who professes to know if goaltender David Aebischer is good enough to help the Avalanche win a Stanley Cup has soothsaying ability that should be used on matters more important than hockey. Sure, we can break down Aebischer's game and use his history to predict the future. We can look at the lineup in front of him. We can ask those who've watched him what they think. We can say, and we will, whether he'll have a successful regular season.

But the playoffs are a whole different story. Aebischer, like every goaltender before him, must prove himself when he gets there or carry the reputation tagged on Blues goalie Brent Johnson, among others--big in the regular season but not big enough when it matters.

However, Aebischer, 25, has to play well enough during the season so the Avalanche doesn't rush out to find someone else to fill his job. Why won't the Avs need to pull the trigger on that trade for a No. 1? Take a look.

Mental game If you think it is difficult replacing Patrick Roy, try being his backup. Aebischer already has been through mental-toughness testing. "A lot of times he was ready to play, then Patrick came in and said he felt good," says former Avalanche defenseman Greg de Vries, now with the Rangers.

But what's more difficult: knowing you have to prepare yourself to play every night or working hard every day and not knowing when you'll get in net?

Aebischer has a team that can give him a mind-set similar to Grant Fuhr's in the Oilers' heyday. Sure, no one likes to be scored against, but Fuhr knew if he gave up a goal, chances were a teammate would get it back. That means much less pressure than for a goalie who must be the difference every night.

So, does Aebischer have the mental game it takes to be a No. 1? "I think he showed flashes of it when he played," de Vries says.