At the beginning of the 2024-25 season, The Hockey Writers put lists together on the top 10 players for each position, as well as coaches. It goes without saying that it is a very tough list to do given how subjective it is, but nevertheless, we are going to take another shot at it, this time at the midway mark.
As you will see, there are names on this list that have changed, as several goalies have had outstanding 2024-25 seasons to date, while some of the top names have struggled. With that said, here are the top 10 goaltenders in the NHL through the first half of the 2024-25 campaign.
10. Jacob Markstrom
After some up and down years with the Calgary Flames, Jacob Markstrom was traded to the New Jersey Devils this past offseason. The move was one that many believed could put the Devils into the category of a Stanley Cup contender, and so far it has gone accordingly.
Though he’s currently out with an injury, Markstrom has been superb for the Devils this season. He has a pristine 2.20 goals-against average (GAA) and a .912 save percentage (SV%) through 36 appearances. Most important of all, he sits at an impressive 21-9-5 record thus far.
9. Linus Ullmark
After a long period of struggles, Ottawa Senators fans hoped that the offseason acquisition of Linus Ullmark would be the final piece needed to get back into the playoffs. The former Boston Bruins goaltender started out slow, but got back to his usual dominant level of play a short time later.
Ullmark, like Markstrom, is currently out of the lineup due to injury, but is expected to return in the near future. That’s great news for the Sens, as he owns a 2.38 GAA along with a .915 SV% through his 23 appearances. Assuming he is back up and running soon, the Sens could very well make the playoffs for the first time since the 2016-17 season.
8. Jake Oettinger
Jake Oettinger has been one of the NHL’s most impressive young goalies for several seasons now, and that hasn’t changed in 2024-25. Both he and the Dallas Stars started off slow, but have turned things around to the point that they currently sit second in the Central Division.
Other Positional Rankings
Oettinger has had a heavy workload for the Stars this season, appearing in 38 of their 51 games. He’s been outstanding for the vast majority of those appearances, posting a 2.32 GAA along with a .912 SV%. His goals saved above expected (GSAx) of 14.51 ranks ninth amongst all NHL netminders.
7. Filip Gustavsson
Minnesota Wild fans were hopeful that Filip Gustavsson could turn things around after an off 2023-24 season, and he’s done just that. While not playing at the same elite level he did in 2022-23, he’s been a steady presence between the pipes for a team that has had a lot of success this season.
Gustavsson has taken over as the true number-one goalie in Minnesota, appearing in 35 games this season. He has a 2.66 GAA along with a .913 SV% over that span. Though he did hit a bit of a rough patch earlier this month, he seems to have turned things around and gotten back on track.
6. Darcy Kuemper
For whatever reason, Darcy Kuemper’s play fell off a cliff the past two seasons with the Washington Capitals. Because of the slide in play, nobody seemed to think much of the LA Kings picking him up this offseason, but he’s quickly proving that he still has plenty left to offer.
Kuemper has been limited to 28 appearances because of injury, but has been incredible when available. Through those 28 games, he owns a stellar 2.16 GAA along with a .920 SV%. Those numbers are made even more impressive considering his counterpart, David Rittich, has a .887 SV% in his 23 games.
5. Joey Daccord
Joey Daccord had a massive breakout season in 2023-24, and is quickly proving that it was no fluke. The 28-year-old was a diamond-in-the-rough find by the Seattle Kraken, as he’s beginning to establish himself as one of the better starting goalies in the NHL.
Daccord has made 35 appearances this season and sits sixth amongst all NHL netminder with a 19.42 GSAx. Despite the Kraken’s struggles as a whole, he owns an 18-13-2 record, and may be able to get them back into the playoff picture, as he will receive even more work moving forward following Philipp Grubauer’s assignment to the American Hockey League (AHL).
4. Andrei Vasilevskiy
Anyone who thought Andrei Vasilevskiy may be on the verge of being washed up after a disappointing 2023-24 season has quickly been proven wrong. The 2018-19 Vezina Trophy winner is right back in the hunt for the prestigious award once again, proving to everybody why he’s been regarded as one of the NHL’s elite for several years.
Through 39 appearances this season, Vasilevskiy owns a 2.30 GAA paired with a .918 SV%. He’s also third amongst all NHL goalies with a 15.87 goals saved above average (GSAA). The Tampa Bay Lightning are just narrowly holding on to a playoff spot, and aside from Nikita Kucherov, he’s the biggest reason why.
3. Dustin Wolf
Dustin Wolf has been considered an elite goaltending prospect for several years, though few expected he would transition to the NHL this flawlessly. After starting the season in a split tandem with Dan Vladar, he’s taken over number-one duties, and is the main reason as to why the Calgary Flames are currently in a playoff position.
Wolf, who moves post-to-post as good as any goalie in the NHL, has a 2.50 GAA and a .917 SV% through 30 appearances. He’s also accounted for 19 of the Flames’ 26 wins. Most impressive is that he is fifth amongst all NHL goalies with a 19.78 GSAx. There’s a real shot he earns a Vezina Trophy nomination in his rookie season.
2. Logan Thompson
Many were surprised to see the Vegas Golden Knights move on from Logan Thompson this offseason, though it was confirmed a short time later that he asked for a trade in order to get a starting role elsewhere. His decision to do so is working out brilliantly.
Thompson, who was somehow kept off of Canada’s roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off, has a 2.15 GAA and a .924 SV% this season. He’s been the MVP of a Capitals team that sits second in NHL standings. As if that weren’t enough, he also has a second-best 27.87 GSAx.
1. Connor Hellebuyck
Though he has struggled at times in the playoffs throughout his career, Connor Hellebuyck is widely considered to be the best goalie in the NHL, and that’s been no different this season. He’s the reason why the Winnipeg Jets sit first in NHL standings, and should he continue this domination, he will win the Vezina Trophy for the second-straight season and the third of his career.
Hellebucyk has a dazzling 2.04 GAA along with a .925 SV% through 42 appearances, while also sporting a 37.3 GSAx. He’s worth the price of admission, and should be for several years moving forward. Jets fans should be overjoyed at the fact that he’s locked up long-term.
