Credit: War-On-Ice
NHL Goalie Power Rankings: Tier 2 – The Quasi-Elite
Here come the big guns. You could make a pretty solid argument that each of these goalies should be considered to be elite, but they fall just outside of the elite tier. Keep in mind that elite, by my definition, means that you’re among the five best in the NHL.
Jonas Hiller of the Calgary Flames, despite turning 33 years old in February and already beginning a gradual decline, is borderline elite. Over the past three NHL seasons, he has the 10th best even-strength save percentage (92.78%) and the seventh best even-strength adjusted save percentage (93.45%). Why is he quasi-elite and not elite? Well, first off, his numbers just aren’t quite good enough. Are they impressive? You bet. But they aren’t impressive enough. Also, he has faced the ninth lowest even strength shots on goal per 60 minutes among the starting goalies. I’m also slightly concerned about his age.
Steve Mason of the Philadelphia Flyers is a darn good goalie. When he’s healthy, he can consistently steal games. He’s probably the best goalie the Flyers have had over the past 15 years or so. Over the past three NHL seasons, he ranks seventh in even-strength save percentage (93.01%) and 10th in even-strength adjusted save percentage (93.06%). He’s done that despite facing the fourth most even strength shots per sixty minutes (31.03). So why isn’t he elite? He can’t stay healthy.
Sergei Bobrovsky is probably the closest thing that you’re going to get to elite without actually being elite. Since being traded from the Flyers to the Blue Jackets, Bobrovsky has won a Vezina Trophy and the hearts of millions. He turns 27 later in September, so he’s in the prime of his career. Over the past three NHL seasons, he ranks fifth in even-strength save percentage (93.14%) and sixth in even-strength save percentage (93.45%). Why is he only quasi-elite? He has a bit of trouble staying healthy.
Craig Anderson is an impressive goalie when he’s healthy. I’ll give you one guess why he’s not elite. The correct answer? He can’t stay healthy. He has played in just 126 NHL games (including playoffs) over the past three seasons. For a guy who just turned 34 years old, that’s a bit concerning. Still, when he’s healthy, I’d put him as elite. But elite goalies don’t get injured all the time. Over the past three seasons, he ranks fourth in even-strength percentage (93.33%) and fifth in even-strength adjusted save percentage (93.60%).
Next: Tier One: The Elite