Thomas Greiss – New York Islanders – two years, $1.5 million cap hit
Over the last little while Thomas Greiss has bounced around like a pinball, playing for four teams in as many years.
Despite consistently posting very good numbers he’s never really stuck with a team, let alone been given a chance to try and prove he is a capable starter at the NHL level.
The Islanders showed some faith in Greiss this past off-season by bringing him in on a two-year deal to back up Jaroslav Halak, and that’s proven to be an excellent move.
As a result of some inconsistencies and injuries to Halak, the Isles have given Greiss 30 starts this season and he’s certainly made the most of them.
Greiss owns an excellent .927 save percentage on the year and ranks 3rd in the NHL with a .938 save percentage at 5 v 5. The only goaltenders who have been better at full-strength this season are Henrik Lundqvist (shocking) and James Reimer.
Due to Greiss’ strong play the Islanders sit comfortably in a playoff spot when, with even average goaltending from their backup, they’d otherwise be duking it out for one of the final wild card spots.
Signing Greiss may not have seemed like a big move at the time, but it’s proven to be just that.