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Cechmanek is the Flyers' MVP. Is the Vezina next?

Player Profile: Roman Cechmanek

Right from the start of Philadelphia's training camp Roman Cechmanek was turning heads.

"We were thinking 'Who is this guy?'" said Flyers captain Eric Desjardins.

Cechmanek might have been the unknown goalie back in September. Now, he is quite well-known -- as a goalie in the running for the Vezina Trophy.

Verdict: Cechmanek is 'the real deal'

--Darren Pang, ESPN.com

It has taken me the entire year to be convinced that this big fella (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) from the Czech Republic is the real deal. I asked players, coaches, GMs and many goalies about Roman and opinions were pretty consistent as the season went along. He was not fading. His unorthodox style was not only still fooling the grinders in the game, but also the snipers. The best players in the game shake their heads in disbelief after he challenges them by cutting down the angle and giving them nothing to shoot at. Let's be realistic about the amazing Flyers: This team has heart and pride. They have dealt with more adversity and bad luck than most teams and yet they still win. You have to have a goalie to be able to withstand the losses of key players like John LeClair, Simon Gagne, Daymond Langkow, and more recently, Keith Primeau, plus the absence of Eric Lindros. He is in the top three in the league in save percentage and GAA.

Cechmanek shows net worth

--Erik Brady, USATODAY.com:

Roman Cechmanek was an anonymous backup when all-world goalie Dominik Hasek willed the Czech Republic to a stunning gold medal at the 1998 Nagano Olympics. This season, though, the masked understudy has kick-saved his way to center stage.

Cechmanek, 30 and in his first season in the NHL, is a leading candidate for the Vezina Trophy that Hasek has practically made his own. Hasek, 36 and a five-time winner of the best-goalie award, is once again in the running as well.

But what's more, the rookie is 3-0 in head-to-head matchups with the master. And they'll probably meet again Sunday when Cechmanek's Philadelphia Flyers visit Buffalo in a season-ending game that could decide which has home ice if the two should meet in the first round of the playoffs, as is likely.

All of which begs the question:

Is the Roman-ator really as good as the Dominator these days?

"I don't know," Cechmanek says, grinning broadly. "Maybe."

Cechmanek remains a very special gift

--Dan Dunkin, PhillyBurbs.com:

Roman Cechmanek hits the big 3-0 today.

What besides team MVP can the Flyers give to the man who's given everything?

Or, more accurately, the goalie who's given up almost nothing?

Cechmanek would be a solid choice for Hart, Vezina

--Wayne Fish, PhillyBurbs.com:

Roman Cechmanek probably won't win the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player.

But he should.

Likewise, the Vezina Trophy for the league's best goaltender.

When voting takes place this week, Joe Sakic or Jaromir Jagr are likely to get most of the attention on MVP ballots.

And, in the verdict to decide hockey's top netminder, Cechmanek is no stranger playing second fiddle to a guy up in Buffalo named Hasek.

It's too bad, really, because no one - we repeat, no one - has meant more to his team than Cechmanek has to the Flyers this season. Isn't that the true definition of "most valuable?"

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