It’s impossible to win in the NHL without great goaltending. The position can feel random at times, and even world-class goaltenders can have terrible nights in the net. However, the great teams have stability between the pipes, with some goaltenders proving they can single-handedly steal a game when playing at their best.
Related: 3 Stanley Cup Winning Goalies Not in the Hockey Hall of Fame
In a league where great goaltending is a rarity, having great, or even reliable, play in the net is vital to success. Conversely, terrible play in the net can single-handedly ruin an otherwise promising season. With this in mind, we take a look at the teams with the best goaltending in the NHL. While some teams have a reliable starter, the backups can weigh them down, so keep in mind, this is a team ranking and not an individual one. It’s important to keep in mind that emergency backup goaltenders (EBUGs) and goaltenders who had short stints with their teams won’t be part of the rankings.
How These Rankings Came Together
The stats from the past season came into play. The classics of save percentage (SV%) and goals-against average (GAA) are listed by every goaltender with enough data but shutouts are also noted, as well as goals-saved above average (GSAA). These rankings also involved contributions from multiple writers here at The Hockey Writers. They provided input on the eye test but also on which goaltending groups can be counted on. It’s why, along with the stats, the reputation of the goaltender and their playoff performances also came into play.
While some may look to wins and losses to evaluate goaltenders, the key is separating the player from the team. A lot of goaltenders will have a bad win-loss record despite great numbers, and conversely, an average goaltender on a great team will have a great record (think about the pitcher’s win in baseball). With all this in mind, let’s dive into the rankings.
32 – Philadelphia Flyers
Projected Primary Starter: Samuel Ersson (.883 SV%, 3.14 GAA, 2 shutouts & -19.6 GSAA)
Backups: Dan Vladar (.898 SV%, 2.80 GAA, 2 shutouts & -1.9 GSAA) and Ivan Fedotov (.880 SV%, 3.15 GAA & -12.5 GSAA)
The Philadelphia Flyers have a young up-and-coming team that can possibly get them to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. The biggest problem is the goaltending, which has let them down for years and was awful last season. Samuel Ersson is their starter by default as he’s the best of the worst (he wouldn’t be a starter on most, if not all, teams around the NHL). Then the Flyers are piecing it together in the net.
The hope is that offseason addition Dan Vladar provides stability in the net. At this point in his career, he’s an average backup, so by splitting starts with Ersson, he can add stability. Ersson will be 26 when the season starts, so he’ll be more developed. Then there’s Ivan Fedotov, who is the third stringer, moving up and down from the NHL and American Hockey League (AHL), can also step in as a backup (it’s wishful thinking). Otherwise, goaltending can once again be their downfall. It’s why the Flyers must find a long-term answer in the net at some point if they hope to contend with none of the above-mentioned goaltenders looking like the answer.
31 – Buffalo Sabres
Primary Starter: Ukko-Pekka Luukonen (.887 SV%, 3.20 GAA, 2 shutouts & -19.9 GSAA)
Backups: Alex Lyon (.896 SV%, 2.81 GAA, 1 shutout & -2.5 GSAA) and Devon Levi (.872 SV%, 4.12 GAA & -7.2 GSAA)
Goaltending isn’t the reason the Buffalo Sabres missed the playoffs last season, and it’s not the reason they have the longest drought in the NHL either. It hasn’t helped, and it’s been a weak link. Ukko Pekka-Luukkonen and Devon Levi are developing goaltenders who have the upside to become great starters. However, they’ve both failed to take that step forward. The Sabres brought in Alex Lyon as a backup and veteran presence but he doesn’t move the needle, and the position remains a weak link. Rebuilds take time, and oftentimes, patience is key. This team might have to remain patient with their goaltending, particularly Levi, before it’s ready to stop opposing offenses.
30 – Pittsburgh Penguins
Primary Starter: Tristan Jarry (.892 SV%, 3.12 GAA, 2 shutouts & -7.9 GSAA)
Backups: Arturs Silovs (.861 SV%, 3.65 GAA & -9.2 GSAA) and Joel Blomqvist (.885 SV%, 3.81 GAA & -6.4 GSAA)
The Pittsburgh Penguins are shaping up to be one of the league’s worst teams next season, and goaltending, which was the primary weakness last season, will be one of the many weaknesses next season. The hope is that Arturs Silovs, who struggled in the NHL but was remarkable in the AHL, is a big add and pleasant surprise. Otherwise, the big story with this unit is whether Tristan Jarry is traded to help the rebuild (and if he’s good enough to bring back a return in a deal to begin with).
29 – Columbus Blue Jackets
Primary Starter: Elvis Merzlikins (.892 SV%, 3.18 GAA, 1 shutout & -12.1 GSAA)
Backup: Jet Greaves (.938 SV%, 1.91 GAA, 2 shutouts & 12.9 GSAA)
The Columbus Blue Jackets were a borderline playoff team but it’s in spite of their awful goaltending. The unit was awful last season, and Elvis Merzlikins has shown he’s not good enough to be a primary starter. The hope is that Jet Greaves, who was great in the AHL and showed promise in 11 games at the NHL level last season, can step up and split starts with him. Otherwise, this team might once again be out of the playoffs despite having a great roster overwise.
28 – Boston Bruins
Primary Starter: Jeremy Swayman ( .892 SV%, 3.11 GAA, 4 shutouts & -12.6 GSAA)
Backups: Joonas Korpisalo (.893 SV%, 2.90 GAA, 3 shutouts & -4.6 GSAA) and Michael DiPietro (Not Enough Data)
Last offseason, the Boston Bruins and Jeremy Swayman couldn’t come to terms on a contract extension until days before the season’s start. Without question, it hurt Swayman’s play as he had his worst season of his career (it also didn’t help that Linus Ullmark wasn’t around to split starts). The hope is that he bounces back for the Bruins, who are at a crossroads, might find a way to move on from him and his contract in the long run.
The Bruins also must provide Swayman with a reliable backup. Joonas Korpisalo is not one. The wild card in all of this is Michael DiPietro, who is coming off a great season with the Providence Bruins in the AHL and at 29 is ready for the NHL just has to prove it. If he steps up, the conversation around the unit changes. Until then, it’s a questionable group for a team that needs stability in the net.
27 – San Jose Sharks
Goaltending Duo: Yaroslav Askarov (.896 SV%, 3.10 GAA & -1.2 GSAA) and Alex Nedeljkovic (.894 SV%, 3.12 GAA, 1 shutout & -6.4 GSAA)
The expectation is that Yaroslav Askarov takes over as the primary starter and gives the San Jose Sharks a young goaltender to build around for years to come. Next season is shaping up to be the one where he splits starts with Alex Nedeljkovic. So, this unit is still below average but with Askarov working his way into a regular role with the Sharks, it can be a good one by the end of the 2025-26 season.
26 – Seattle Kraken
Primary Starter: Joey Daccord (.906 SV%, 2.75 GAA, 2 shutouts & 9.1 GSAA)
Backup: Philipp Grubauer (.875 SV%, 3.49 GAA & -16.8 GSAA)
By now, it’s obvious that Joey Daccord is the primary starter and has done a good job in that role. Philipp Grubauer, who is the backup at this point, might be one of the worst signings in recent years, certainly one of the worst deals the Seattle Kraken have made as a franchise. They signed him to a six-year deal in 2021, their inaugural offseason as a franchise, hoping he’d be the primary starter in the net. Grubauer’s been anything but that, and he’s under contract until the 2027 offseason (unless there’s a buyout at some point). The only bright side is that Daccord has picked up the slack, and while he doesn’t make the unit great, he prevents it from being a liability.
25 – Chicago Blackhawks
Goaltending Duo: Arvid Soderblom (.898 SV%, 3.18 GAA & -2.1 GSAA) and Spencer Knight (.893 SV%, 3.18 GAA & -2.9 GSAA)
Spencer Knight provided a glimmer of hope after the trade deadline. He was the young goaltender the Chicago Blackhawks got back in the Seth Jones trade, and he showed flashes down the stretch. It’s why the duo of him and Arvid Soderblom could become one to watch for a team that’s in the middle of a rebuild.
24 – Nashville Predators
Primary Starter: Juuse Saros (.895 SV%, 2.98 GAA, 4 shutouts & -7.6 GSAA)
Backup: Justus Annunen (.888 SV%, 3.17 GAA & -7.3 GSAA)
The Nashville Predators struggled across the board last season, and it’s easy to write off the season as a mess where everything that could go wrong did. It’s why Juuse Saros gets the benefit of the doubt as he’s elite but had a rough season on a team that did him no favors. The bigger problem is that this unit as a whole isn’t great, as they lack a backup for Saros (although Justus Annunen has plenty of time to change that).
23 – Edmonton Oilers
Goaltending Duo: Stuart Skinner (.896 SV%, 2.81 GAA, 3 shutouts & -5.3 GSAA) and Calvin Pickard (900 SV% & 2.71 GAA)
The Edmonton Oilers have a polarizing goaltending unit. Some will note how it’s a liability and they must make a trade to get this team over the hump (it’s why there were plenty of rumors this offseason). Others will note how it’s a better tandem than most in the league, and aside from the Stanley Cup Final, it was great in the playoffs.
Stuart Skinner was awful in the first two games of the playoffs, but when he took over the starting net in the Second Round, he was remarkable. Calvin Pickard, meanwhile, filled in for a few games and was great, allowing the Oilers to make a deep playoff run. The bottom line is that both can ride a hot hand for only so long, and it’s why the Oilers are in a tough spot, especially since the only type of goaltender who moves the needle is an elite one, and those aren’t available for a trade.
22 – Carolina Hurricanes
Primary Starter: Frederik Andersen (.899 SV%, 2.50 GAA, 1 shutout & 0.3 GSAA)
Backup: Pyotr Kotchetkov (.897 SV%, 2.60 GAA, 2 shutouts & -3.6 GSAA)
For a team that’s always in the Cup conversation, the Carolina Hurricanes still have the same recurring issues in the net. Frederik Andersen doesn’t stay healthy, and when he is, he’s a good, not great, goaltender. Pyotr Kotchetkov is a good goaltender, only getting better but still not an elite one they can lean on for a deep playoff run. The Hurricanes are keeping this duo together, and it’s left them with a unit that isn’t great but doesn’t let them down, and the question is if that’s enough in the big picture.
21 – Vancouver Canucks
Goaltending Duo: Thatcher Demko (.889 SV%, 2.90 GAA, 1 shutout & -6.0 GSAA) and Kevin Lankinen (.902 SV%, 2.62 GAA, 4 shutouts & 2.7 GSAA)
The big question is whether Thatcher Demko stays healthy or not. When he’s at full strength, he looks like a Vezina Trophy caliber goaltender (see 2023-24). When he’s not, he’s a goaltender that teams can easily pick apart. The Vancouver Canucks signed him for the long term, so the bet is that he will be back to playing at a high level. With him rebounding and Kevin Lankinen building off a strong season, the goaltending should be fine next season and a top-of-the-league group.
20 – St. Louis Blues
Primary Starter: Jordan Binnington (.900 SV%, 2.69 GAA, 3 shutouts & 0.9 GSAA)
Backup: Joel Hofer (.904 SV%, 2.64 GAA, 1 shutout & 2.8 GSAA)
Jordan Binnington, like other veterans who have experienced success at the highest level, plays at one level during the regular season and another during the playoffs or big games. The St. Louis Blues saw it in the 2019 playoffs, and Canada saw it in the Four-Nations Faceoff. When needed, Binnington can put together a strong performance. Additionally, Joel Hofer emerged as a great backup who can split starts during the regular season. It gives the Blues a great tandem to lean on to make significant strides this season and become one of the best teams in the Central Division.
19 – Utah Mammoth
Primary Starter: Karel Vejmelka (.904 SV%, 2.58 GAA, 1 shutout & 5.9 GSAA)
Backup: Vitek Vanecek (.884 SV%, 3.62 GAA, 1 shutout & -11.5 GSAA)
Karel Vejmelka was great last season and became the workhorse for this team. The problem is that Connor Ingram struggled and eventually took an indefinite leave of absence, forcing the team to overwork Vejmelka. The hope is that Vitek Vanecek is the answer as a backup. The problem is that Vanecek hasn’t been a great goaltender for a while and is at best a backup who can give a primary starter a few nights off. So, this team will hope for the best.
18 – New Jersey Devils
Goaltending Duo: Jacob Markstrom (.900 SV%, 2.50 GAA, 4 shutouts & 0.5 GSAA) and Jake Allen (.906 SV%, 2.66 GAA, 4 shutouts & 5.0 GSAA)
The New Jersey Devils overhauled their goaltending last offseason, and it paid off. With Jake Allen and Jacob Markstrom splitting starts, the unit went from a weakness to a strength. Better yet, Markstrom proved he can deliver in the playoffs, stepping up in a losing effort against the Hurricanes in the First Round. The only question is the long-term future with the duo, as both are in their mid-30s and have only so many great years left in them.
17 – Montreal Canadiens
Goaltending Duo: Samuel Mountembeault (.901 SV%, 2.82 GAA, 4 shutouts & 2.1 GSAA) and Jakub Dobes (.909 SV%, 2.74 GAA, 1 shutout & 4.1 GSAA)
This duo stepped up big time in the second half of last season to help the Montreal Canadiens make the playoffs. With the team on the rise, the pressure is on Samuel Mountembeault and Jakub Dobes to deliver again to allow the team to look like one of the best in the Eastern Conference. They can keep the position from becoming a weakness, and Dobes, in particular, has the upside to take this unit to the next level.
16 – New York Rangers
Primary Starter: Igor Shesterkin (.905 SV%, 2.86 GAA, 6 shutouts & 8.4 GSAA)
Backup: Jonathan Quick (.893 SV%, 3.17 GAA, 3 shutouts & 4.2 GSAA)
Last season proved that Igor Shesterkin, who is a perennial Vezina Trophy-caliber goaltender, can only do so much. The team fell apart around him, and he wasn’t his usual dominant self in the second half because of it. He’s still one of the best in the game and, by default, raises the team’s floor. The question is whether Jonathan Quick is still a good enough backup. He struggled last season, and at 40 years old, is unlikely to remain a backup for the full season. So, Shesterkin will be tasked with carrying the team to the playoffs and beyond (or at least keeping them competitive).
15 – Washington Capitals
Primary Starter: Logan Thompson (.910 SV%, 2.49 GAA, 2 shutouts & 12.4 GSAA)
Backups: Charlie Lindgren (.894 SV%, 2.73 GAA, 1 shutout & -5.4 GSAA) and Clay Stevenson (Not Enough Data)
The Washington Capitals were the surprise in the NHL last season, going from a borderline playoff team to securing the best record in the Eastern Conference. The surge can be credited in part to their goaltending. Yes, Charlie Lindgren struggled, yet he proved he can split starts. Logan Thompson, meanwhile, took off in the starting net and looked like one of the best in the NHL. The question is if they’ll replicate their success this season as well (if not, Clay Stevenson is with the Hershey Bears but eager to prove he belongs as a backup in the NHL).
14 – Anaheim Ducks
Primary Starter: Lukas Dostal (.903 SV%, 3.10 GAA, 1 shutout & 4.7 GSAA)
Backups: Ville Husso (.925 SV%, 2.99 GAA, & 3.4 GSAA) and Petr Mrazek (.891 SV%, 3.35 GAA, 1 shutout & -9.2 GSAA)
The Anaheim Ducks have a promising rebuild in the works, with goaltending playing a major role in it. Lukas Dostal emerged as the starter and is one of the best young goaltenders in the NHL, making him a key part of their core moving forward. His great play went unnoticed in previous years, and with the team improving, fans will start noticing Dostal as an elite goaltender. The question marks are the backups, as Ville Husso and Petr Mrazek are well past their best year, yet they are still good enough to round out the unit. It’s why the Ducks are one of the more intriguing teams in the NHL heading into the new season.
13 – New York Islanders
Primary Starter: Ilya Sorokin (.907 SV%, 2.71 GAA, 4 shutouts & 11.7 GSAA)
Backups: David Rittich (.886 SV%, 2.84 GAA & -10.8 GSAA) and Semyon Varlamov (.889 SV%, 2.89 GAA & -2.8 GSAA)
Ilya Sorokin proved in recent seasons that he’s an elite goaltender. At the same time, he’s proven he can’t be overworked, something that’s happened in each of the past two seasons. So, the New York Islanders need a backup. With Semyon Varlamov’s status up in the air ahead of the season, new GM Mathieu Darche signed David Rittich, who is past his prime and coming off an awful season with the Los Angeles Kings, with the hopes that he turns back the clock and fills the backup void.
12 – Detroit Red Wings
Goaltending Duo: John Gibson (.911 SV %, 2.77 GAA & 9.2 GSAA) and Cam Talbot (.900 SV%, 2.93 GAA, 2 shutouts & 0.9 GSAA)
Goaltending has been a thorn in the side of the “Yzerplan” since Steve Yzerman took over as GM in 2019. At this point, the Detroit Red Wings have a receipt listing the goaltenders who have come and gone longer than a family of six trip to Costco. The hope is that John Gibson can save the day this time around. His best is in the past, but he’s still an elite goaltender and can lead a good team to the playoffs. Cam Talbot, even at 38, is also playing well. However, considering the Red Wings have two veterans trying to hold down the fort, they’ll need another goaltender to come in at some point to add stability. The hope is that Sebastian Cossa is the young goaltender who can, as he’s looked great in the AHL and had a cup of coffee in the NHL.
11 – Vegas Golden Knights
Primary Starter: Adin Hill (.906 SV%, 2.47 GAA, 4 shutouts & 8.5 GSAA)
Backup: Akira Schmid (Not Enough Data)
It was surprising to see Adin Hill struggle in the Second Round against the Oilers. It’s not only because he was the goaltender who led the Vegas Golden Knights to the Cup, but because he’s been good since then. He’s carried the Golden Knights and been their primary starter in the past two seasons. The question is whether Akira Schmid, who has bounced around early on in his career, can fill in as the backup. If not, there’s a chance this unit prevents this team from remaining a juggernaut in the Western Conference.
10 – Florida Panthers
Primary Starter: Sergei Bobrovsky (.905 SV%, 2.44 GAA, 5 shutouts & 7.7 GSAA)
Backup: Daniil Tarasov (.881 SV%, 3.54 GAA, 1 shutout & -10.5 GSAA)
At this point, it’s hard to do evaluations of the goaltending for the Florida Panthers because there are two versions of this unit, specifically, Sergei Bobrovsky. There’s the regular season, where he’s barely league average. Then there’s the playoffs, where in recent years, Bobrovsky’s proven that if there’s any goaltender you want in the net for a big game, it’s him. It’s why the Panthers are higher on the list. When they need a shutdown performance, they can get it.
The question is whether Daniil Tarasov can be counted on as a backup. After trading away Knight, they need a backup, and without one, there’s a chance they fall in the standings and barely make it as a playoff team (although that doesn’t matter for this team, as long as they make the playoffs). Tarasov’s tenure with the Blue Jackets suggests he’ll be a liability in the net and something for the Panthers to monitor as a result.
9 – Ottawa Senators
Primary Starter: Linus Ullmark (.909 SV%, 2.72 GAA, 4 shutouts & 11.1 GSAA)
Backups: Leevi Merilainen (.925 SV%, 1.99 GAA, 3 shutouts & 7.5 GSAA) and Mads Sogaard (Not Enough Data)
The Ottawa Senators made the big move last offseason when they acquired Linus Ullmark, and for a team always struggling in the net, it paid off. Ullmark was the star who got them to the playoffs and one of the elite goaltenders in the league, who gives the Senators a high upside (they don’t head into this season with Stanley Cup aspirations without him).
The problem is that if Ullmark isn’t in the net, the goaltending falls apart for this team. The Senators have struggled in his absence, notably with Mads Sogaard underwhelming at the NHL level. That’s why the hope is that Leevi Merilainen steps up and becomes the backup next season and the starter down the road. If he does, this goaltending unit can be a great one, one of the best in the Eastern Conference.
8 – Calgary Flames
Primary Starter: Dustin Wolf ( .910 SV%, 2.64 GAA, 3 shutouts & 15.1 GSAA)
Backups: Ivan Prosvetov (Not Enough Data) and Devin Cooley (Not Enough Data)
Dustin Wolf was a Calder Trophy finalist last season and might already be a top-five goaltender. He takes over games with dominant play in the net and almost willed the Calgary Flames to the playoffs. The one risk the Flames are running is leaning on him as the primary starter and workhorse, as they lack a backup at the moment. They have an incredible goaltender, but it’s a risky move to rely only on him. They’re rolling the dice with two unproven backups in Ivan Prosvetov and Devin Cooley, hoping one works out and gives them enough strong starts.
7 – Los Angeles Kings
Primary Starter: Darcy Kuemper (.921 SV%, 2.02 GAA, 5 shutouts & a 26.8 GSAA)
Backup: Anton Forsberg (.901 SV%, 2.72 GAA, 3 shutouts & 0.9 GSAA)
Darcy Kuemper is a starter the Los Angeles Kings can lean on. He quietly put together one of the best seasons in the NHL and was in the Vezina conversation for a brief time last season. The Anton Forsberg signing, meanwhile, is questionable, considering he’s a backup at best but could become a weak link. But what’s the point of Ken Holland being the GM if he’s not going to bring in veterans in the back half of their careers?
6 – Colorado Avalanche
Primary Starter: Mackenzie Blackwood (.913 SV%, 2.33 GAA, 3 shutouts & 12.7 GSAA)
Backup: Scott Wedgewood (.917 SV%, 1.99 GAA, 2 shutouts & 7.8 GSAA)
Teams don’t trade goaltenders in the middle of the season! Well, it turns out they can and they do, as the Colorado Avalanche showed last season. They overhauled the position with the MacKenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood additions. The duo was incredible and turned a weakness into a strength. It’s why the Avalanche look poised to finish this season near the top of the Western Conference
5 – Minnesota Wild
Primary Starter: Filip Gustavsson (.914 SV%, 2.56 GAA, 5 shutouts & 23.4 GSAA)
Backups: Cal Peterson (Not Enough Data) and Jesper Wallstedt (Not Enough Data)
Filip Gustavsson emerged as one of the best goaltenders in the NHL last season, and it’s not out of the realm to see him end up as a Vezina Trophy finalist this season. He’s now the starter for the Minnesota Wild while Marc-Andre Fleury retired and is preparing for his introduction into the Hall of Fame.
The question now is what the backup situation looks like. With Fluery retired, the Wild are turning to Jesper Wallstedt, a 23-year-old who will see a lot more time in the NHL after a brief stint. If he doesn’t work out, the Wild will turn to Cal Peterson, although considering he struggled in the AHL, that’s not ideal. Taking a step back and looking at this unit, Gustavsson alone puts it in the top half.
4 – Dallas Stars
Primary Starter: Jake Oettinger (.909 SV%, 2.59 GAA, 2 shutouts & 14.3 GSAA)
Backup: Casey DeSmith (.915 SV%, 2.59 GAA, 2 shutouts & 11.2 GSAA)
Don’t let Game 5 of the Western Conference Final fool you! The Dallas Stars have a great tandem led by one of the best goaltenders in the NHL. Jake Oettinger is making a strong case to be in the starting net for the USA Olympic team, which is saying a lot considering who the starter is. He’s one of the few elite goaltenders who can get a coach fired for benching him (so maybe don’t do that in the middle of an elimination game). The Stars not only have one of the game’s best starters, but they also have a great backup in Casey DeSmith, who rounds out the unit.
3 – Tampa Bay Lightning
Primary Starter: Andrei Vasilevskiy (.921 SV%, 2.18 GAA, 6 shutouts & 35.8 GSAA)
Backup: Jonas Johansson (.895 SV%, 3.13 GAA, 1 shutout & 2.5 GSAA)
Andrei Vasilevskiy was healthy last season, and it showed. He looked like an elite goaltender who could carry the Tampa Bay Lightning, and he did, helping them secure the second-best record in the Atlantic Division. Jonas Johansson, meanwhile, looked like a good enough backup, which is all the Lightning need. The only knock is that Vasilevskiy wasn’t dominant in the playoffs last year and hasn’t been in a while. Otherwise, this team has one of the best duos in the NHL.
2 – Toronto Maple Leafs
Primary Starter: Anthony Stolarz (.926 SV%, 2.14 GAA, 4 shutouts & 24.6 GSAA)
Backup: Joseph Woll (.909 SV%, 2.73 GAA, 1 shutout & 10.8 GSAA)
There’s a good chance (and a great argument) that if Anthony Stolarz is healthy in the Second Round, the Toronto Maple Leafs would have won that series against the Florida Panthers. He was a big signing last summer and turned into one of the league’s best. When healthy, it’s hard to see Stolarz lose. The Maple Leafs also have Joseph Woll as the backup, and while he isn’t great, he’s progressing into a potential starter in the future, and for now, he’s a great backup. This team heads into next season with high hopes, and the great goaltending duo only helps their cause.
1- Winnipeg Jets
Primary Starter: Connor Hellebuyck (.925 SV%, 2.00 GAA, 8 shutouts & 41.6 GSAA)
Backup: Eric Comrie (.914 SV%, 2.39 GAA, 2 shutouts & 7.8 GSAA)
At this point, the Winnipeg Jets might as well be in their own tier when it comes to goaltending. Connor Hellebuyck established himself as a generational goaltender, winning the Vezina last season for the second year in a row and third time in his career while also taking the Hart Trophy. On top of that, Eric Comrie is great as a backup, allowing the Jets to win low-scoring games even without Hellebuyck in the net.
The only question is in the playoffs. Hellebuyck, for all his accolades, struggled in the playoffs last season and has only made it to the conference final once in his career. It’s the one thing that is held against him, especially when comparing him to greats from other eras. It’s also why the Jets might start Comrie more in the regular season to have their elite goaltender ready for the playoffs. That said, Hellebuyck is still the best goaltender in the NHL and is leading the best unit in the league.
What Do You Think?
Ultimately, there’s no exact science to evaluating goaltending. It’s why some teams will stand out one way or another. These rankings don’t have definitive data with all the offseason movement. A goaltender can look great on one team, but in a new setting with a new system, they might look awful.
Related: Ranking the NHL’s 32 Starting Goalies – Midseason Update
It’s why these rankings, while time-consuming, are sure to have flaws. If you feel the rankings are inaccurate and there are a few teams that are too low or high on the list, feel free to let us know in the comments section below.
Statistics were obtained from Hockey Reference and contract details from PuckPedia.
