Overview of NHL Goaltending Landscape
As the hockey community focuses on Mitch Marner and the struggles of the Florida Panthers, one critical area that has yet to receive sufficient attention is the landscape of goaltending across the NHL. Despite the absence of marquee names in this year’s free agency, the potential for significant player movement in the net remains high. It appears that at least two teams may be on the hunt for a new starting goalie, while six others are in need of a reliable backup.
Current Goaltending Situation
Currently, there are eight notable goalies who could be traded or face buyouts, alongside ten unrestricted free agents (UFAs) and nine restricted free agents (RFAs) set to hit the market on July 1. This situation sets the stage for a considerable reshuffling of netminders in the league.
This analysis accurately depicts the current scenario based on feedback from industry insiders.
Team Assessments
Interestingly, out of the 32 teams in the NHL, only half—16—seem stable in their goaltending situation, with many facing little pressure to make drastic changes. Teams like Detroit could consider moves, though their focus seems to lie elsewhere at this time.
Some teams have high-profile players who are on the trading block, yet their management doesn’t appear compelled to make a deal. Take John Gibson of Anaheim; though his status as a top goalie has faded and trade discussions have loomed for years, he has two years remaining on his contract and might not need to be dealt as the general manager weighs his options.
Veteran Goalie Market
The Pittsburgh Penguins, Seattle Kraken, and Vancouver Canucks each have veteran goalies with hefty contracts who have underperformed. These include Tristan Jarry, Philipp Grubauer, and Thatcher Demko. Despite their predicaments, the urgency for their respective GMs to act is relatively low.
On the other hand, teams like Buffalo, Montreal, New Jersey, Ottawa, and Vegas are deliberating whether their younger backups can hold the fort or if it’s time to seek out veteran assistance from free agency. Both the Panthers and Kings are in need of a UFA to complement their aging starters, while Calgary is looking for a seasoned goalie to support rising talent Dustin Wolf.
Challenges for Key Teams
The Edmonton Oilers are at a crossroads after two consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances marred by defeats. With Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard signed affordably and limited cap space due to the need to retain Evan Bouchard, the organization must carefully navigate the trade landscape, possibly moving one of their goalies to acquire a much-needed upgrade. Potential targets could include Jake Allen, although his age and contract demands present a challenge.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Flyers have an unusual predicament; they possess three signed goalies but may not want to rely on any of them after a disappointing season. Samuel Ersson‘s disappointing save percentage of .883 raises concerns, while Ivan Fedotov and Aleksei Kolosov are likely bound for the AHL or KHL. With ample cap space, the Flyers could pursue Allen or explore major trades to pursue Gibson, Demko, or netminders from Edmonton.
The Future of Goaltending
In San Jose, it appears the future lies with Yaroslav Askarov, their 23-year-old goalie who was drafted 11th in 2020. Askarov showed promise in the AHL and during his stint in the NHL, but whether he is prepared for a starting role with a rebuilding team remains questionable. They might opt for a veteran UFA like Dan Vladar, Anton Forsberg, or David Rittich to guide Askarov in the coming season.
Elvis Merzlikins faces mounting pressure after a less-than-stellar year and the rise of Jet Greaves. The Columbus Blue Jackets narrowly missed the playoffs last season, but with Merzlikins recording a .892 save percentage and Tarasov struggling as well, it’s uncertain whether the team can rely on Greaves as he becomes waiver eligible. The future of both Merzlikins and Tarasov hinges on whether the organization can orchestrate a trade.
Conclusion
Overall, the upcoming weeks promise to be crucial for NHL teams as they navigate the goaltending landscape, paving the way for intriguing developments ahead.
