*This article was most recently updated in July 2024
Great starters can generally transform into great backups as their careers wind down in the NHL. The reverse isn’t necessarily as true, though. This list of the best backups currently in the league proves the former, while sticking its neck out for some of its more-established No. 2s, seemingly eyeing increased responsibility.
There are obvious exceptions. Washington Capitals goalie Charlie Lindgren effectively graduated from backup status (and eligibility for this list) with a breakout 2023-24 season, which forced their hand, in trading for forward Pierre-Luc Dubois’ unattractive contract, just to rid themselves of Darcy Kuemper’s in net.
Of course, one season doesn’t make a career. The Capitals’ subsequent acquisition of Logan Thompson from the Vegas Golden Knights goes to show they’re not entirely sold on Lindgren sustaining such a high level of play (25-16-7, 2.67 goals-against average, .911 save percentage), especially going on 31, with one year left under contract.
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Lindgren has nonetheless proven himself as a backup at least, taking into account the level of success he’s enjoyed up to now in his career, his overall potential, career stats and cost-effectiveness. Based on the same four factors, looking across the board, here are the top five backups in the NHL right now:
5. Jonathan Quick (New York Rangers)
A decade removed from his second of two Stanley Cups with the Los Angeles Kings Jonathan Quick has found new life as a backup with the New York Rangers.
After a few more seasons at the relative statistical top of the league after his last Cup, Quick’s play began to drop off some. It got so bad, with Quick sporting an .876 SV% in 2022-23 with the Kings, that they felt the need to trade him at the deadline to the Columbus Blue Jackets, without an heir apparent to take the reins.
True, the Kings got fellow unrestricted free agent Joonas Korpisalo back in exchange. However, he himself was hard to see as a legitimate starter (which, his next team, the Ottawa Senators, found out the hard way), having never played more than 37 games in a season.
The hole in net forced the Kings to sign journeyman Cam Talbot, which worked out for the best. Meanwhile Quick landed with the Rangers, to back up 2022 Vezina-winner Igor Shesterkin, where the former turned back the clock some. Quick went 18-6-2 with a 2.62 GAA and .911 SV%. At 38 years old, Quick’s best seasons are obviously behind him, but it is encouraging to see he has something left in the tank, having accepted a different role than the one to which he had grown accustomed.
4. Joel Hofer (St. Louis Blues)
Some say Jordan Binnington should have been a finalist for the 2024 Vezina Trophy. The St. Louis Blues starter earned an impressive stat line in a bounce-back season. He went 28-21-5 with a 2.84 goals-against average and .913 save percentage. Seeing as backup Joel Hofer had arguably better stats (15-12-1, 2.62 GAA, .914 SV%), it’s hard to dismiss him despite his 24 years of age and 38 games of NHL experience.
The differentiating factor is obviously goals saved above expected (and games played). In 30, Hofer ranked in the Top 20 (10.3 in all situations, according to MoneyPuck.com). Binnington, in 57, was among the league leaders (16.5).
Now in his 30s and having had more mediocre seasons than good, Binnington isn’t exactly a lock to keep it going. This may be a one-off for him, in other words. Hofer may have the edge there too, as an up-and-coming goalie who can conceivably steal starts from him on top of games from the opposition.
3. Laurent Brossoit (Chicago Blackhawks)
It used to be you didn’t really know what you would get out of backup Laurent Brossoit. His tendency was to follow up a great statistical season with a bad one. It’s safe to say he bucked that trend in 2023-24 upon returning to the Winnipeg Jets, with whom he had earlier spent three seasons, fresh off his 2023 Stanley Cup victory with the Golden Knights. He didn’t disappoint, replicating his .927 SV% from 2022-23, going 15-5-2 with a 2.00 GAA.
Amid speculation the Jets would trade eventual 2024 Vezina-winner Connor Hellebuyck, Brossoit could have conceivably ended up their No.1. The money’s out on how he would have played as such, as the Jets obviously did extend Hellebuyck after all. However, just having signed with the Chicago Blackhawks (for the most money he’s ever made, $3.3 million per season), Brossoit faces a new challenge yet. He’s now on a team that gave up goals and shots at some of the worst rates in the league (3.52, 32.7 per game). Fingers crossed he keeps this new trend going.
2. Anthony Stolarz (Toronto Maple Leafs)
Anthony Stolarz had appeared on this list before, but fell off it following an unimpressive 2022-23 with the Anaheim Ducks. As a UFA, he signed with the Florida Panthers, with whom he made an excellent case that bad season was the exception and not the rule.
It was at least a good enough case for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who committed to him as a UFA anew up until 2026. Granted, his new Stanley Cup-winning pedigree would tend to blind some teams to his inadequacies. However, leading the league (25 or more games played) in GAA (2.03) and SV% (.925) during the 2023-24 regular season, Stolarz picked his ascent up the ranks where he had left it off a few seasons ago.
His exact role with the Leafs remains to be clarified. While it may seem as though Joseph Woll is now the guy, he only made 25 appearances (12-11-1) to the 27 Stolarz got in (16-7-2). Clearly, the Leafs are taking a chance here. As long as Stolarz isn’t relied on to play the Lion’s share of starts, he and they should be okay.
1. Semyon Varlamov (New York Islanders)
New York Islanders goalie Semyon Varlamov had been a top backup in this league, even when he counted $5 million against the cap. There’s little reason he wouldn’t remain in the running, now that he’s re-signed for $2.75 million per season, albeit through 2027 (when he’ll be 39).
Varlamov had signed his $5 million-per-season deal ahead of 2019-20. That was before starter Ilya Sorokin’s early 2021 debut, though. Over the following few seasons the two goalies reversed roles to the point Sorokin had become an elite starter, with exception to how he played in 2023-24.
As a result, Varlamov’s ice time has understandably decreased overall. However, he still contributed, with a 14-8-4 record, 2.60 GAA and .918 SV% last season, outperforming Sorokin for all intents and purposes… even starting four of five playoff games in the first round before the Islanders got eliminated. While you shouldn’t necessarily count on that continuing, it’s a safe bet Varlamov will remain a great backup for a long while, arguably the best in the league.
