There isn’t a big premium on goaltending anymore in that 20-25 goaltenders are legitimate starters and the difference between the top-tier and bottom-tier of the 20-25 is about one save per 100 shots (or .10SV%).
That said, bad goaltending completely hinders a team’s ability to accomplish anything. For GMs hoping to address their goaltending over the summer, this year’s free agent class doesn’t offer a lot in terms of established starters.
5. Michal Neuvirth – Buffalo Sabres – 26 years old
Prior contract: two years, $5 million ($2.5M cap hit)
In Neuvirth’s only season as an NHL starter (48GP in 2010-11) he posted a .914SV%, which is about league average.
For most of his career he’s hovered around that range, and while there is room for improvement, it’s unlikely he’ll ever drastically improve his SV%.
Neuvirth could be a good guy to bring in and split starts, but I don’t think he’ll ever become a true No. 1 goaltender.
4. Devan Dubnyk – Arizona Coyotes – 28 years old
Prior contract: one year, $800K
There was a time not that long ago where Dubnyk was a better than average goaltender, posting a .916SV%, 914SV%, and .921SV% over three seasons before falling off the map in 2013-14.
It’s probably not a safe bet to rely on him to be a No. 1 guy, but he seems to have regained his old form (he has a .918SV% in 18GP this year) and, like most of the top goaltenders in this free agent class, is probably a good guy to have in a platoon setup.
3. Jhonas Enroth – Buffalo Sabres – 26 years old
Prior contract: two years, $2.5 million ($1.25M cap hit)
Enroth has generally hovered around league average in save percentage since he entered the league.
He’s not a world beater and probably isn’t anything more than a platoon guy who can give you 30-35 starts, but he has proven to be a reliable option and is very good in shootouts (if that adds anything) so at a cheap price he’d be a nice addition to any team looking to shore up their goaltending.
2. Thomas Greiss – Pittsburgh Penguins – 28 years old
Prior contract: one year, $1 million
Greiss hasn’t started more than 25 games in a season since joining the NHL, but he’s still young and his save percentage has consistently been well above league average.
From 2012-14 (minimum 30GP) Greiss is 4th in the NHL with a .935SV% at even-strength. It’s another small sample size this year, but to this point he has a .950SV% at full-strength in seven starts with the Penguins.
Can he post numbers like this while carrying the workload of a No. 1 goaltender? Probably not. But if he can come even close he’s well worth whatever amount of money it’d cost to bring him in.
1. Antti Niemi – San Jose Sharks – 31 years old
Prior contract: four years, $15.2 million ($3.8M cap hit)
Niemi is the only proven starter in this year’s free agent class, and he should be compensated well – whether he stays in San Jose or tests the market – knowing there aren’t many options out there.
From 2012-14 Niemi posted a respectable .924SV% during 5 vs 5 play, which ranks 17th among 27 goaltenders that played more than 3,000 minutes in that span.
He consistently posts save percentages at league average or better, and at 31 he still has some good years left in the tank.