Credit: War-On-Ice
NHL Goalie Power Rankings: The Fine
Jaroslav Halak has been a decent NHL goalie. He’s proven that while he usually can’t be relied on to win you games that you don’t deserve to win, he’ll more often than not keep you from losing games you ought to win. Over the past three seasons, he ranks 23rd in even-strength save percentage (92.18%) and 21st in even-strength adjusted save percentage (92.90%). It’s worth noting that he is 30 years old.
Brian Elliot of the St. Louis Blues has been, if nothing else, consistent. Every season since 2010-2011, he has had an even strength save percentage of at least 92%. His even-strength save percentages by season since the beginning of the lockout season have been within .25% of each other. That’s impressive. He’s not great, but he’s consistent. Over the past three seasons, his even-strength save percentage ranks 15th (92.50%) and his even-strength adjusted save percentage ranks 25th (92.73%). He’s 30 years old, so that’s a red flag.
Kari Lehtonen will be a part of Dallas’s rather expensive “ride whichever goalie is hot” strategy in 2015-16. He had a down year in 2014-15, which is concerning considering that he’ll be turning 32 in November. Over the past three seasons, he ranks 24th in even-strength save percentage (92.15%) and 16th in even-strength adjusted save percentage (93.04%). If I had to bet, I’d say he gets the most starts of the Stars tandem (or at least he ought to). However, I most likely see them splitting starts.
Antti Niemi is a goalie who has been fine over the past three seasons, but it’s worth noting that he is now 32 years old. He will likely split starts with Lehtonen for the Stars in 2015-16. Over the past three seasons, he has the 21st highest even-strength save percentage (92.29%) and the fourth lowest even-strength adjusted save percentage (92.71%). Which one of Lehtonen and Niemi will get the most starts? Flip a coin, that’ll give you roughly the same chances of being right as I do.
Eddie Lack has done well with the Vancouver Canucks (especially in 2014-15), but this season he’ll be looking to prove himself as a starting goaltender with the Carolina Hurricanes. He’s certainly an upgrade over Cam Ward. Over the past three seasons, he ranks 22nd in even-strength save percentage (92.24%) and 17th in even-strength adjusted save percentage (93.01%). He gets bonus points because he’s just 27 years old.
Next: Tier 4: The Average To Above Average