Rating NHL Groups By Goaltenders – The Hockey Writers –

*this archive was initially written by Eugene Helfrick

It’s unattainable to win within the NHL with out nice goaltending. The place can really feel random at occasions and even world-class goaltenders can have horrible nights within the web. Nonetheless, the nice groups on the finish of the day have stability between the pipes, with some goaltenders proving they will single-handedly steal a sport when taking part in at their greatest.

With the 2024-25 NHL season across the nook, we take a look at the groups with one of the best goaltending within the league. It’s vital to notice that this evaluates the crew, not people, as some groups have Vezina Trophy caliber starters however backups that weigh them down. There additionally was quite a lot of motion within the offseason, with notable goaltenders altering groups, and consequently, some groups will are available in as surprises.

How These Rankings Got here Collectively

The stats from the 2023-24 season play a giant function within the rankings. Some goaltenders have established themselves as one of the best within the league however a tough earlier season has them ranked decrease than anticipated. The large stats are video games performed, objectives in opposition to, save proportion numbers, objectives in opposition to common, objectives saved above common, and shutouts.

Whereas some might look to wins and losses to guage goaltenders, the secret’s separating the participant from the crew. A whole lot of goaltenders can have a foul win-loss document regardless of nice numbers and conversely, a median goaltender on an important crew can have an important document (take into consideration the pitcher’s win in baseball).

Associated: 3 Stanley Cup Profitable Goalies Not within the Hockey Corridor of Fame

Salaries additionally performed a giant function within the rankings. Some groups are investing closely within the place however not receiving the identical outcomes as different groups whereas others are getting extra bang for his or her buck. Together with outcomes, this can be a rating of probably the most precious teams within the league.

Word: Any netminders with a * subsequent to their identify embody statistics from one other membership in 2023-24

32 – Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets had been a multitude throughout the board final season and goaltending was a part of that blend as properly. The offseason didn’t change a lot for this crew as they nonetheless don’t have a solution within the web. Jet Greeves is the youthful choice the followers can lean on for the long run whereas Elvis Merzikins is the veteran of the workers who has been overworked in latest seasons. The Blue Jackets are primarily beginning over with a brand new basic supervisor (GM) in Don Waddell and a head coach in Dean Evason and it makes this season for all 4 goaltenders primarily an audition to see who the crew will begin constructing round.

31 – Anaheim Geese

There have been many seasons the place John Gibson carried the Anaheim Geese and made a struggling crew look higher than it was. Final season was not considered one of them as he appeared terrible. Lucas Dostal didn’t take over the beginning job however he stepped as much as cut up begins with the veteran. The duo is a weak hyperlink for the Geese and the one signal of optimism is that the youthful Dostal develops into the starter. If he does, it permits the crew to entertain a commerce involving Gibson that may kick-start their rebuild.

30 – Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens have top-of-the-line rebuilds going within the NHL. The one query is the goaltending and it’s been a problem since Carey Worth left the group. Samuel Montembeault struggled final season as he took on the starter’s burden whereas Cayden Primeau appeared promising in a small pattern measurement. Each goaltenders may be a part of the long-term plans however neither has proven they will cleared the path as a starter (Montembeault at greatest can cut up begins). So, till the prospects are able to make their mark on the NHL roster, the Canadiens will probably be left with points within the web that may preserve them simply wanting competition.

29 – Chicago Blackhawks

Petr Mrazek has been a pleasing shock with the Chicago Blackhawks, taking part in properly within the web for a rebuilding crew. Pair him with Laurent Brossoit, who’s coming off a powerful season as a backup, and the still-developing Arvid Soderblom and the Blackhawks may need a adequate goaltending unit to get them to the playoffs. It’s nonetheless not an important unit however this trio will probably be one to regulate all through the upcoming season.

28 – San Jose Sharks

The excellent news is that the San Jose Sharks are beginning to flip a nook with their rebuild and higher but, they’ll have a revamped goaltending unit with the Yaroslav Askarov addition. The highest goaltending prospect within the league brings with him a excessive upside and he can singlehandedly flip this unit right into a power. The hope is that occurs as a result of Mackenzie Blackwood performed poorly and the opposite choice is Vitek Vanecek, who the Sharks introduced on this offseason with the hope he bounces again from a tough season of his personal. They nonetheless have query marks but when Askarov is prepared for the NHL and turns into one of many elite younger goaltenders, all the things for this crew adjustments.

27 – Buffalo Sabres

The brilliant spot final season was Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who was nice all season. In any other case, goaltending plagued the Buffalo Sabres and it seems to be to stay a weak hyperlink this season as properly. To be truthful, Devon Levi is just 22 and has loads of time to show right into a dependable starter. Equally, James Reimer is usually a competent backup, one thing he’s confirmed to be in quite a few stops over the previous few seasons. That mentioned, there are quite a lot of what-ifs for a crew that wants solutions at a place that may be the explanation they miss the playoffs which is one thing all too acquainted with this franchise.

26 – Minnesota Wild

Primarily based on status, the Minnesota Wild ought to have top-of-the-line goaltending models within the NHL. Filip Gustavsson was nice in 2022-23 and Marc-Andre Fleury is without doubt one of the best to ever play the place, successful three Stanley Cup titles and the 2020-21 Vezina Trophy. Primarily based on latest manufacturing, the Wild have one of many worst goaltending models within the sport.

Except Gustavsson and Fleury bounce again from a forgettable 2023-24, the Wild will as soon as once more have one of many worst models within the NHL. The X-Issue is Jesper Wallstedt as he’s solely 22 and because the prime goaltending prospect on the Wild, he could possibly be one of many league’s subsequent nice goaltenders. Wallstedt can singlehandedly change the dynamic of the place for this crew however in any other case, they’ve quite a lot of points within the head head into this season.

25 – Tampa Bay Lightning

Was final season an outlier or an indication of issues to return for Andrei Vasilevskiy? He’s a world-class goaltender however hasn’t appeared like one previously two seasons as he’s battled accidents. He’s not somebody to write down off or rely out and he can simply enter the Vezina dialog however contemplating how he’s appeared currently, the Tampa Bay Lightning could be greatest off if they’d a backup plan. They don’t. Ideally, Jonas Johansson takes on that function however final season confirmed he can’t. The underside line is that until the Lightning discover a competent backup, they may as soon as once more have points within the web and a unit that was as soon as their power will probably be their downfall.

24 – Calgary Flames

The teardown is all however full with the Calgary Flames because the final large piece to maneuver was Jacob Markstrom. With that, a brand new period of goaltending has begun. Final season, each Dan Vladar and Dustin Wolf struggled however they’re younger and have quite a lot of upside in them (particularly Wolf who remains to be creating). The expectation this season is for the Flames to cope with the rising pains however in the long term, this duo could possibly be the explanation the Flames turn out to be one of many prime groups within the Western Convention in a couple of seasons.

23 – Ottawa Senators

The large commerce to start out the offseason was the Linus Ullmark deal. The blockbuster transfer makes the Ottawa Senators one of many wild playing cards in these rankings. This season will present whether or not Ullmark is a Vezina-level goaltender or if he was propped up as elite by an important crew and a lightweight workload (He’s solely performed in 89 common season video games over the previous two seasons).

Ullmark simply would possibly flip this unit round by himself. Sadly, he’s the one vivid spot on this unit. The Senators noticed Anton Forberg disintegrate final season and Mads Sogaard nonetheless has but to show he is usually a backup on the NHL stage. So, their goaltending goes hand-in-hand with Ullmark’s manufacturing and whereas it may not be an important unit now, it could possibly be by season’s finish.

22 – Detroit Pink Wings

Goaltending has derailed an in any other case nice rebuild that the Detroit Pink Wings have going for them. The place has haunted Steve Yzerman since he took over because the crew’s GM and it may be his undoing when it’s all mentioned and finished. Cam Talbot appeared nice final season and may lead this crew to the playoffs. Ville Husso struggled final season however in a backup function, he can spherical out the unit. The identical may be mentioned about Alex Lyon, a pleasing shock from final season. Collectively this trio can find yourself being an important one however all three veterans have their query marks. Issues can notably disintegrate quick if the 37-year-old Talbot begins declining with age.

21 – Colorado Avalanche

Final season was a wake-up name for the Colorado Avalanche. Common or below-average goaltending isn’t sufficient to maintain this crew close to the highest of the Western Convention. Alexandar Georgiev had a horrible season and has but to fill the sneakers (or skates) that Darcy Kuemper left after successful the Cup in 2022. Georgiev has proven flashes of brilliance all through his profession and he’ll look to bounce again. As well as, Justus Annunen impressed as a backup and would possibly tackle a larger function this season. In any other case, the place is a priority for the Avalanche heading into this season.

20 – Philadelphia Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers have quite a lot of threat and reward with their goaltending unit this season. Samuel Errson at occasions appeared like a reliable starter. Then there have been occasions when followers questioned why he was on the ice. Ivan Fedotov made a couple of begins final season and he’s a wild card as somebody who can step up because the backup for a lot of the season.

Then there’s Calvin Peterson who at this level in his profession, is a backup at greatest however will probably spend the vast majority of the season within the American Hockey League (AHL). So, this trio can go both approach, particularly if Ersson and Fedotov come into their very own, and rating the Flyers twentieth doesn’t do them justice.

19 – New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils overhauled their goaltending after seeing how final season unfolded. Gone are Vanecek and Akira Schmid and in come two 34-year-old veterans to avoid wasting the day. Markstrom was a Vezina Trophy-caliber goaltender a couple of seasons again and put collectively a decent 2023-24. Jake Allen appeared spectacular after he was acquired on the 2024 commerce deadline and on the very least, he will probably be a backup they will lean on.

The Devils are opening the thriller field with their goaltending and any end result is on the desk. The duo can flop however conversely, they will take this crew to the following stage. The Devils have a roster constructed to compete for the Stanley Cup and all they want is stability within the web. Final season they’d something however stability so fingers are crossed that this mixture can present it.

18 – Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs as soon as once more appear like they may have goaltending points that may come again to hang-out them. Joseph Woll appeared nice in a small pattern measurement however this season, he’ll need to impress in additional than 25 video games. Anthony Stolarz had an important season because the Florida Panthers backup however he obtained quite a lot of assist from top-of-the-line defensive models within the league and now, he should do extra with much less. The Woll and Stolarz combo received’t doom the Maple Leafs but it surely received’t put them excessive and the playoffs are when issues will inevitably disintegrate (as they have an inclination to do) for this crew until they discover a dependable starter.

17 – Los Angeles Kings

Talbot offered quite a lot of stability to a unit that wanted it final season. He’s gone so all eyes are on Kuemper who hopes to rebound from a forgettable tenure with the Washington Capitals. Pheonix Copley and David Rittich in the meantime spherical out the unit as viable backups. It is a trio that received’t present quite a lot of optimism however they might find yourself shocking if all three stay well-rested and sharp all through the season.

16 – Carolina Hurricanes

Goaltending is a reoccurring drawback for the Carolina Hurricanes. Final season, it appeared like a weak point that might singlehandedly derail their Cup-caliber season (a 17-13-4 begin with goaltending letting them down had all of the sirens going off). The Hurricanes put all of it collectively after their sluggish begin to end with the second-best document within the Metropolitan Division and heading into this season, they appear like they’ve a trio that might maintain down the fort.

All of it begins with Pyotr Kotchetkov. He performed in 42 video games final season and by now, he ought to be the first starter. At 25, he’s rounded out his sport and turn out to be a goaltender the Hurricanes can depend on for almost all of standard season video games. If he takes on the beginning function, the Hurricanes ought to be in fine condition.

It additionally helps that Frederik Andersen is again on the ice after lacking most of final season and he can even fill in as a high-level backup. Moreover, Spencer Martin is sweet to have round for a handful of video games. It’s this group that gives the Hurricanes with optimism within the web and the ultimate piece within the puzzle to make a run on the Cup.

15 – Seattle Kraken

Final season was a passing of the torch one for the Seattle Kraken because the veteran Philipp Grubauer handed over the beginning reigns to the youthful Joey Daccord. The transfer ended up being for one of the best as Daccord appeared nice all season whereas Grubauer struggled. Heading into this season, this duo seems to be to separate begins and turn out to be one of many crew’s strengths. The Kraken don’t have a dominant unit however this duo is healthier than most followers and consultants give them credit score for.

14 – St. Louis Blues

The St. Louis Blues are at a crossroads as a franchise (will they begin a rebuild or make a push to contend?) however the goaltending stays a vivid spot. Jordan Binnington’s profession is a rollercoaster however final season, he was top-of-the-line goaltenders within the league. Joel Hofer in the meantime emerged as a younger backup who can take a number of the stress off of Binnington. Collectively, this duo would possibly preserve an in any other case declining Blues crew aggressive.

13 – Washington Capitals

This is without doubt one of the extra undervalued goaltending teams within the NHL. Charlie Lindgren was nice final season and after prepared the Washington Capitals to the playoffs, he confirmed the entrance workplace that they might flip to him because the starter shifting ahead. The Capitals additionally acquired Logan Thompson to be the backup, one other robust transfer contemplating how he appeared with the Vegas Golden Knights. Then, if want be, Hunter Shepard is offered as a backup for a couple of video games. This crew isn’t anticipated to blow anybody away subsequent season however the goaltending would possibly.

12 – Vegas Golden Knights

Keep in mind when Adin Hill, who performed in solely 27 video games in 2022-23, got here out of nowhere to steer the Golden Knights on a playoff run for the ages and assist them win the 2023 Cup Closing? Properly, he’s the first starter now. It’s not like that run was a fluke, quite the opposite, Hill has since proved to be a viable choice. The query for the Golden Knights is that if Ilya Samsonov and Schmid are succesful backups. Samsonov is the safer wager as a longtime veteran, albeit, one who has struggled in his earlier stops. Schmid in the meantime is the massive swing as a youthful choice however with a excessive upside. Total, this mixture offers the crew a great unit heading into the season.

11 – Pittsburgh Penguins

For many of final season, this duo was the explanation the Pittsburgh Penguins had a shot at making the playoffs. Tristan Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic each tailed off within the second half of the season to complete with underwhelming numbers. Nonetheless, this duo proved it may well get the Penguins again to the playoffs assuming they cut up begins for the complete 82-game season.

10 – Edmonton Oilers

After a tough begin to the season, the Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard duo discovered a rhythm. Whereas they weren’t distinctive and the brand new system with an improved protection helped, they did sufficient to permit the Edmonton Oilers to compete for the Stanley Cup. Then the playoffs arrived and with everybody anticipating a dropoff, Skinner performed a number of the greatest video games of his profession. The ultimate 15 video games of that run noticed him submit a .914 SV% and permit solely 31 objectives to assist the Oilers come one win away from successful the Cup.

This duo isn’t an important one and a few would possibly scoff at it cracking the highest 10. It’s a dependable one and for the Oilers, that’s all they want. The Skinner-Pickard combo will forestall the unit from trying like a weak point and in a league the place quite a lot of groups have liabilities within the web, they don’t have one. The bonus is that the Oilers, who’re pressed in opposition to the wage cap, get quite a lot of bang for his or her buck with this dup as properly.

9 – Utah Hockey Membership

Final season had a disastrous ending for the then-Arizona Coyotes, one which noticed the crew relocate to Utah with just some video games left within the common season. It’s arduous to disclaim the off-the-ice drama weighed on the crew and goaltending was no exception. The excellent news is that this crew heads to Utah with one of many higher tandems within the league.

Connor Ingram was unimaginable for a lot of the earlier season and confirmed he can cleared the path because the starter. Karel Vejmelka struggled final season however all through his first few seasons within the league, he’s proven he is usually a starter if wanted and a return to kind is anticipated out of him. Utah already seems to be like a extra respectable crew that may make a push for a playoff spot this season and regular goaltending will play a giant function in them getting there.

8 – Nashville Predators

Juuse Saros is without doubt one of the greatest goaltenders within the NHL but GM Barry Trotz doesn’t need him overworked which is one thing the Nashville Predators did final season. Whereas they received’t have Askarov, as he requested for a commerce and was moved to the Shark, Trotz signed Scott Wedgewood as a veteran backup and added Magnus Chrona to play that third-string function. Certain the Predators needed to reduce their losses with the Askarov commerce but it surely’s arduous to disclaim this goaltending unit stays top-of-the-line within the league. Paired with a revamped ahead unit and a new-look protection, this crew is poised to make some noise subsequent season.

7 – New York Islanders

By their requirements, the New York Islanders goaltenders had a tough season. That mentioned, quite a lot of thier struggles have to be taken with a grain of salt. The unit appeared loads worse beneath Lane Lambert and his system and it improved beneath Patrick Roy to the purpose the place they had been taking part in nice by the tip of the season.

Ilya Sorokin is without doubt one of the elite goaltenders within the NHL and a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2023 able to taking up video games with dominant performances within the web. That mentioned, final season proved that he can’t be overworked. That’s the place Semyon Varlamov comes into play. Even at 36, Varlamov can nonetheless be an important backup and begin for a handful of groups across the league. Collectively, this duo and be top-of-the-line subsequent season however quite a lot of their success hinges on how Roy deploys to duo.

6 – Florida Panthers

If there was any doubt about Sergei Bobrovsky being an elite goaltender, final season eliminated it. The 2-time Vezina Trophy winner led the Panthers to the Stanley Cup title and placed on a present in opposition to the Oilers and their dominant offense, notably stopping 23 of the 24 pictures confronted in Sport 7 to safe the collection. It’s not simply the playoffs, Bobrovsky was outstanding all through the season, ending third within the Vezina Trophy voting.

So, why aren’t the Panthers greater on the rankings? Properly, they have to hope that their backup, Spencer Knight, can step up and preserve the unit from falling off for a minimum of 25 or 30 video games. Knight’s been within the AHL for the previous few seasons and the Panthers will ask him to be a giant contributor subsequent season. Being an unknown, he knocks the Panthers down a couple of spots.

5 – Boston Bruins

The Jeremy Swayman and Ullmark duo was unimaginable, if not one of the best within the NHL however alas, the Boston Bruins couldn’t afford to maintain each on the roster. Whereas the Bruins nonetheless need to signal Swayman to a long-term deal, the expectation is that he’ll carry the burden within the web as one of many league’s greatest goaltenders. The query mark is Joonas Korpisalo. He’s bounced round in latest seasons as a borderline starter and he’ll be tasked with being the crew’s backup. He’s no Ullmark however he’ll nonetheless preserve this unit a top-five one with a minimum of 30 begins or extra this season.

4 – Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars at 4th is a wager on Jake Oettinger in the long term and never on his face-value stats from final season. He struggled early on however when he discovered his rhythm, he reminded everybody that he’s top-of-the-line goaltenders within the sport, placing collectively an important season half and serving to the crew attain the Western Convention Closing for the second 12 months in a row. Oettinger ought to appear like a Vezina-caliber starter and the one query mark is whether or not journeyman Casey DeSmith can fill in as a backup. Final season was a pink flag for DeSmith as he struggled however his profession suggests he can step in as a backup on the Stars.

3 – Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks being this excessive on the checklist might sound odd. In spite of everything, Arturs Silovs solely impressed for a couple of playoff video games and now should show he is usually a backup for a complete season. Silovs is an unknown however Thatcher Demko is just not. Final season, Demko confirmed out and established himself as top-of-the-line goaltenders within the NHL.

There’s a great argument to make that if Demko was wholesome for the playoffs, the Canucks, not the Oilers, would have introduced the Western Convention within the Stanley Cup Closing and probably win all of it. This duo is younger and able to being one of the best within the NHL subsequent season.

2 – New York Rangers

The New York Rangers received the lottery, a minimum of final season, with the Jonathan Fast signing. The veteran nonetheless has some nice play left in him and may be one of the best backup within the NHL. He backs up top-of-the-line within the league with Igor Shesterkin main the way in which, giving the Rangers a dominant one-two punch. For a number of seasons, this crew was carried by Shesterkin however not that they’ve an important backup as properly, they will preserve their star goaltender rested and have a bonus within the web on a nightly foundation.

1 – Winnipeg Jets

Connor Hellebuyck is the reigning Vezina Trophy winner. He’s one of the best goaltender within the NHL today and there’s a niche between him and the remainder of the league. The GSAA stat doesn’t say all of it but it surely says loads as he led the league with 31.8 GSAA, and Demko was second with 21.2 GSAA. The Winnipeg Jets have one of the best goaltender within the prime of his profession, that ought to be sufficient to place them at one.

The excellent news is that the Jets aren’t solely counting on Hellebuyck. They introduced in two backups to assist him out with Kaapo Kahkonen and Eric Combie certain to start out a couple of video games. Each goaltenders struggled final season however in a decreased workload, one the place they’ll solely be requested to start out 10 video games every, they need to be effective behind the world-class Hellebuyck. It offers the Jets one of the best goaltending unit within the league.

What Do You Assume?

Finally, there isn’t any option to please everybody concerning rankings. Whether or not individuals assume their crew is undervalued or their last place gives them with bragging rights, there’s hardly ever any center floor among the many totally different fanbases. These rankings don’t have definitive information with all of the offseason motion. A goaltender can look nice on one crew however in a brand new setting with a brand new system, they could look terrible.

Associated: Rating the NHL’s 32 Beginning Goalies – Midseason Replace

It’s why these rankings, whereas time-consuming, are certain to have flaws. If you happen to really feel the rankings are inaccurate and there are a couple of groups which are too low or excessive on the checklist, be at liberty to tell us within the feedback part beneath.

Statistics had been obtained from Hockey Reference and contract particulars from PuckPedia.