Free agent goalies were scarce this offseason and predictably, expectations had to be lowered.
The annual summer of paying and overpaying players often has its share of winners and losers. Almost two months in, we take a look at those who have been studs and those who have been duds.
Let’s examine some goalies from the 2018 NHL free agent class.
Studs From The Goaltenders
Jaroslav Halak — Boston Bruins
Halak carried potential to pull off a hot start and so far he has been white hot. Consider his 2.06 goals against average and .936 save percentage. Those present great numbers in of themselves. Add in the eight wins in 13 decisions and the goals saved above average of 12.39 then that becomes almost elite.
Overall, the goalie even supplanted Tuukka Rask as the “1A’ in Boston. That is the debate from a few, anyway. Also, Halak provides above average goaltending for a fraction of what Rask makes ($2.75 million AAV). The Boston goalie enjoys a career high in quality start percentage at .714 and an even strength save percentage of .948. Halak never has seen a start like this and frankly few saw it coming. He lived up to a stud free agent pickup and then some!
Carter Hutton — Buffalo Sabres
Hutton started off poorly but Buffalo’s recent ten-game winning streak has buoyed his record. His save percentage rose to just above his career average (.919 this year). While Hutton’s numbers do not hit his career highs from last year in St. Louis, they still are quite respectable. His 5.34 goals saved above average would be close to 15 if he starts around 55 contests.
His metrics are slightly above league average. Hutton stopped 144 of his last 154 shots to boot as well along with a .900+ penalty kill save percentage in that span. Hutton getting hot at the right time makes his $2.75 million AAV a bargain.
The goalie signed a three-year deal to start on a team that could surprise. So far, mission accomplished there! The goaltender proving himself in the early going is just the beginning, however. How Buffalo negotiates the final two-thirds of the season will go a long way in determining how this signing is viewed.
2018 Free Agent Studs And Duds — Left Wing
Duds From The Goaltenders
Jonathan Bernier — Detroit Red Wings
Bernier knew it would not be easy going to Detroit. Many pundits and fans expected the worst. The goalie coming in below league average at a .892 save percentage shouldn’t surprise anyone. Detroit rebuilding was expected but Bernier has won just three of his eight starts and has looked nothing like his previous runs in Anaheim and Colorado. His goals saved above average rates at a -4.69, which is on pace for negative double digits.
Will Bernier continue to be picked on by other teams? The answer is undoubtedly yes. The pace of play often spikes in the other direction when he is on the ice. He was signed to a three-year deal for $3 million AAV. Honestly, if you are Detroit, he kind of has lived up to value if a fan wants a better draft pick. However, from a performance standpoint, Bernier looking downright awful at times has been a near disaster.
Petr Mrazek — Carolina Hurricanes
Mrazek facing a shot load with Carolina could have had some potential. However, the early returns forced Carolina to go out and pick Curtis McElhinney of waivers from the Maple Leafs. The Hurricanes’ netminder is just 3-3-2 in eight starts with a 2.75 goals-against average and .880 save percentage. It is that .880 that stuck with a lot of pundits. In the last five starts, Mrazek performed above average once against Detroit (stopping 20 of 21 shots).
The result comes down to a player who now is the third man in net in Carolina. His $1.5 million AAV is not hard to get rid of. Unfortunately, Carolina is still not certain of its goaltending situation. Mrazek still could turn it around but time is of the essence. He fights hard enough and it may just be possible.
2018 Free Agent Studs And Duds — Center