CREDIT: War-On-Ice
NHL Goalie Power Rankings: Tier 3
Pekka Rinne deserves to be in the third tier of NHL goalies. While he had an outstanding season in 2014-15, it’s important to realize that he’s 32. That’s the magic number for goalies, as historically, that’s when their decline tends to gradually start. He should still be quite good in 2015-16, especially if the Predators continue to suppress shot attempts against. Rinne has faced the ninth fewest shots against per game at even strength over the past three seasons. In 137 NHL games over the past three seasons, he ranks 14th in even-strength save percentage (92.61%). I’d usually be worried about him having the third worst even-strength adjusted save percentage (92.67%), but the Predators do a fantastic job of limiting high-danger scoring chances against. They did that even when they were bad, so Rinne’s primary weakness is masked by his team.
Roberto Luongo is turning 36 this season. His decline will occur at some point. However, that has yet to happen. As a casual Canucks fan, I’ll keep believing in the power of Robby Lu until he gives me a reason to not do so. Over the past three NHL seasons, he ranks 11th in even-strength save percentage (92.75%) and 18th in even-strength adjusted save percentage (92.96%).
Corey Crawford, for somewhat obvious reasons (two Cups), tends to be overrated among NHL goalies. However, that doesn’t mean he isn’t very good. Just not elite. Simply put, I’d consider Duncan Keith, Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Brandon Saad and Patrick Sharp to be larger reasons for the two Stanley Cups than Crawford. Over the past three NHL seasons, Crawford has played in 208 games (that includes playoffs). He ranks ninth in even-strength save percentage (92.81%) and 11th in even-strength adjusted save percentage (93.34%).
Jonathan Bernier of the Toronto Maple Leafs is better than most people think. That’s what playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs will do to you. He has faced the second most even strength shots per 60 minutes over the past three years of all the starting goalies (31.59). Despite that, he has flourished. Over the past three NHL seasons, he ranks 12th in even-strength save percentage (92.72%) and eighth in even-strength adjusted save percentage (93.45%).
Ben Bishop of the Tampa Bay Lightning is a very tall and athletic goalie. He’s not elite, but thanks to the team around him (sixth fewest shots against per 60 minutes at even strength at 27.76), that doesn’t really matter. Over the past three NHL seasons, Bishop ranks 13th in even-strength save percentage (92.70%) and ninth in even-strength adjusted save percentage (93.41%).
Next: Tier 2: The Quasi-Elite