*This archive was initially revealed earlier than the 2023 NHL Draft
Traditionally, 12,474 gamers have been drafted within the NHL Novice (1963-1978) and Entry Drafts (1979-present), with 1,421 (11 p.c) being first-round picks. Statistically, there have solely been 68 goalies to listen to their identify referred to as within the first spherical, which accounts for simply 4.8 p.c of the picks.
Associated: The 5 Finest Goaltenders Ever In NHL Historical past
Though sorting the names on that checklist was straightforward, stacking them in an inventory to find out who the highest ten finest first-round goalies have been was arduous. Whether or not factoring in wins, trophies, or Stanley Cup titles, exterior of the highest three, the checklist didn’t have any slam-dunk selections.
10. Olaf Kölzig
nineteenth general 1989 – Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals superior to their first Stanley Cup Remaining in 1998 and would have by no means gotten that far if it wasn’t for Olaf Kölzig. Though they misplaced that 12 months, he had his finest statistical season a 12 months later, incomes the Vezina Trophy for his efforts.
In the end, Kölzig makes this checklist as a result of he performed within the sixth-most video games of any netminder drafted within the first spherical (719) and picked up the Tenth-most wins (303). In fact, some might argue one other participant deserves this spot, however it’s protected to say with out this South African goalie in between the pipes, the Capitals would have by no means discovered success within the late Nineties.
9. Cam Ward
twenty fifth general 2002 – Carolina Hurricanes
Cam Ward was a rookie in the course of the 2006 Playoffs when he got here in to save lots of the Carolina Hurricanes’ season and lead the group to their one and solely Stanley Cup title. Though successful the Conn Smythe that 12 months was his crowning achievement, he turned considered one of 29 goalies to gather 330 wins in NHL historical past.
Moreover, he’s considered one of simply 30 goalies to seem in 700 video games, which speaks to his sturdiness over 14 years. Though he by no means gained common season awards, Ward was a long-tenured member of the Hurricanes, the place he owns many of the group information.
8. Tuukka Rask
twenty first general 2005 – Toronto Maple Leafs
Though Tuukka Rask was initially a decide of the Toronto Maple Leafs, he by no means performed for the membership; as a substitute, he went to the Boston Bruins in a commerce. Furthermore, he made Toronto remorse their choice by successful a Stanley Cup, a Vezina, and a Jennings Trophy whereas breaking many of the Bruins’ goalie information.
Moreover, there may be an argument that Rask is Finland’s biggest netminder in league historical past. In fact, there are another candidates, however the latest success in Bruins’ historical past couldn’t have occurred with out him between the pipes. Though it has but to occur, his No. 40 may/ought to go to the rafters.
7. Carey Worth
fifth general 2005 – Montreal Canadiens
Carey Worth will enter the Hockey Corridor of Fame as a first-ballot candidate. Because the Montreal Canadiens’ winningest netminder (361), he stays the final goalie to win the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award.
Sadly, Worth has by no means gained the Stanley Cup and solely appeared within the Remaining on one event. Regardless of the gaping gap in his resume, there’s no denying that he’s considered one of his era’s finest netminders, who dominated the sport on the worldwide stage.
6. Andrei Vasilevskiy
nineteenth general 2012 – Tampa Bay Lightning
Andrei Vasilevskiy is the checklist’s youngest netminder (29), incomes his spot after simply 9 seasons. To this point, he’s gained two Stanley Cup titles, a Conn Smythe and a Vezina Trophy, whereas successful 267 video games.
Moreover, Vasilevskiy has already performed in 4 Stanley Cup Finals, a feat matched by solely a handful of netminders on this checklist. In fact, the Tampa Bay Lightning will not be aggressive for the size of his profession, but when he continues to remain the course, there’s an opportunity he’ll strategy 500 wins.
5. Roberto Luongo
4th general 1997 – New York Islanders
Though Roberto Luongo is a Corridor of Fame netminder, who owns franchise win information with two groups, some might argue he deserves a a lot larger spot on this checklist. Nevertheless, putting him forward of multi-time winners with none Stanley Cup championships on his resume is tough.
Nevertheless, Luongo cracks the highest 5 because the fourth-winningest goalie in league historical past and is a two-time Olympic gold medalist. Regardless that he discovered extra particular person success in Vancouver, he’s fondly remembered in Florida for returning there to complete his profession, the place he turned a family identify.
4. Tom Barrasso
fifth general 1983 – Buffalo Sabres
It might have taken Tom Barrasso 17 years to get elected to the Hockey Corridor of Fame, however they got here calling in 2023. Though it took a very long time, he’s greater than deserving with a resume that features two Stanley Cup titles, a Jennings, a Vezina, and a Calder Trophy, the latter two he achieved as an 18-year-old proper out of highschool.
Realistically, Barrasso is on the brief checklist of gamers who completed their diplomas and immediately discovered success within the NHL. Contemplating nobody makes that dramatic soar anymore, he’ll at all times have a particular place in hockey historical past. In the end, his enshrinement was lengthy overdue however a lot deserved.
3. Grant Fuhr
eighth general 1981 – Edmonton Oilers
Grant Fuhr is a legend within the Edmonton neighborhood, not for being an area boy however for guiding the Edmonton Oilers to 5 Stanley Cup titles within the Nineteen Eighties. Though he had subpar profession numbers in save share and goals-against common, he’s twelfth all-time in wins and a first-ballot Corridor of Famer.
Surprisingly, Fuhr’s trophy case is fairly empty, with simply two trophies, a Vezina and a Jennings. Nevertheless, he owns the document for video games performed in a single season (79), a mark that can go unmatched without end.
2. Marc-Andre Fleury
1st general 2003 – Pittsburgh Penguins
Marc-Andre Fleury continues to be taking part in at a excessive degree for the Minnesota Wild at age 39, and his current performances improve his probabilities of being a first-ballot Corridor of Famer upon retirement. Contemplating he stays the final netminder chosen first general and simply considered one of three in historical past, it’s protected to say that he’ll constantly rank at or towards the highest of any goalie checklist.
Moreover, if he stays wholesome and profitable, Fleury ought to add to his resume, which incorporates three Stanley Cups. In the end, he turned solely the fourth goalie to swimsuit up in 1,000 video games and will develop into solely the second to gather 600 wins. Though the win mark might not occur, he’s a current Vezina Trophy winner and nonetheless enjoys taking part in, so there’s likelihood he’ll end his profession as one of many prime statistical goalies ever.
1. Martin Brodeur
twentieth general 1990 – New Jersey Devils
Among the best debates in hockey is whether or not Martin Brodeur is the sport’s biggest goalie of all time. Though the Quebec native is the winningest netminder to play skilled hockey, many argue he was profitable due to the New Jersey Devils’ entice system.
Irrespective of which facet of the controversy you might be on, there’s no denying that Brodeur is the most effective goalie chosen within the first spherical of the NHL Entry Draft. Regardless that he didn’t spend his total profession in New Jersey, he retired as the one netminder in league historical past to play over 1,200 video games and win over 600. Regardless of what others might obtain, there isn’t a denying his legacy will without end be unmatched.
Historic Perspective
As talked about, there have been solely 68 goalies eligible for this checklist. A handful of them have but to make their NHL debuts, so they’re included amongst the eight who by no means skated within the league. Moreover, 53 goalies collected no less than one win, with 4 extra incomes losses (no wins) throughout their transient stints.
| Draft Slot | Video games Performed | Wins | |||
| 1st general | 3 | 800 – 1266 | 4 | 500 – 691 | 2 |
| 2nd – Tenth | 20 | 500 – 799 | 11 | 200 – 499 | 14 |
| eleventh – twentieth | 22 | 101 – 499 | 22 | 101 – 199 | 12 |
| twenty first – thirtieth | 23 | 1 – 100 | 23 | 1 – 100 | 25 |
| Totals | 68 | 60 | 53 |
In accordance with numbers obtained from NHL.com, there have been 866 goalies in league historical past, which implies solely six p.c of these names have come from the primary spherical of an Entry Draft. Though making the NHL isn’t any straightforward feat, carrying out that aim as a highly-ranked netminder prospect is among the highest honors a participant can obtain.
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