The NHL Network has released the last group of #NHLTopPlayers – the goaltenders. Unlike the previous top players categories — defensemen, wingers, and centers — that released a top-20 list, the goaltenders were narrowed down to the top 10. Probably fair considering there are much fewer goalies than any other position in the NHL.
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Of course, the NHL Network first asks the fans who they think the best players are at each position. Based on the incoming and often varied opinions, they then release the Fans list based on the most consensus votes. As you would expect, there are certainly some differences in the fan list than the NHL Networks’ list and there could be multiple reasons for that.
Every top ‘anything’ list is subjective, and a person could argue the validity of the fans list, but there are also a couple of notable omissions. For example, any Top 10 goaltender list of mine must include Jacob Markström. At age 30, Markström checks a lot of boxes (size, skill, intangibles, experience) and could be entering his prime over the next several seasons. He was the prized goaltender of NHL free agency this offseason and multiple teams were keying in on him as their starter for years to come.
Further, one could also argue Robin Lehner is a top 10 NHL goaltender. At 29, Lehner has reinvented himself personally and is now considered one of the more formidable goaltenders in the game. His past few seasons and resulting contract with the Vegas Golden Knights is proof of his value within the NHL. In Vegas, the organization already had committed $7 million to a starter. They gave $5 million per season to Lehner anyway. That’s how much they didn’t want to lose him.
Readers will have to take my word on this, but the comments on Markström and Lehner were both written before the NHL Network’s brain trust released their Top 10 goaltender list:
The Next Generation
Jordan Binnington is the youngest player on both lists at age 27. Before 2019, many fans had likely never heard of him. Just two years later, the 2019 Stanley Cup Champion has solidified himself as a legitimate top 10 goaltender in the league. Interestingly, the Richmond Hill native becomes an unrestricted free agent after the next regular season.
Binnington is clearly leading the NHL youth movement in the crease, but there are several other young netminders to add to the conversation. One such player, Carter Hart, made the fans Top 10 list at spot #4! Realistically, it likely will not take long before Hart is a fixture in every NHL goaltending list. At just 22, next season will be his 3rd in the NHL. Many expect the young Albertan to continually improve upon a solid sophomore season in 2019-20.
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Another notable player creeping his way into a top 10 conversation is Pittsburgh Penguin starting goaltender, Tristan Jarry. Last season, the 25-year-old made up one half of a really solid tandem with two-time Stanley Cup winner, Matt Murray. However, Murray has since moved addresses and is now in Ottawa as the Senators starting goaltender.
Jarry’s 2019-20 season was enough to convince the Penguin brass that he was the starter of the future. In 33 games, the former Memorial Cup winner posted 20 wins with a .921 save percentage along with a 2.43 goals against average. Penguin staff and fans are hoping Jarry can replicate those numbers as the definitive starter next season.
A solid mixture of veteran experience and youth talent within creases across the NHL. Who is in your top 10?
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