The annual goalie shuffle this offseason has ostensibly settled with most rosters set as to who will be between the pipes. Many goalies will wear different crests this upcoming season, and remembering who went where is a lot easier if you consult PHR’s list below:
- Frederik Andersen: Anaheim to Toronto
- Reto Berra: Colorado to Florida
- Jonathan Bernier: Toronto to Anaheim
- Brian Elliott: St. Louis to Calgary
- Jhonas Enroth: Los Angeles to Toronto
- Jonas Gustavsson: Boston to Edmonton
- Jonas Hiller: Calgary to EHC Biel (Swiss)
- Carter Hutton: Nashville to St. Louis
- Chad Johnson: Buffalo to Calgary
- Anton Khudobin: Anaheim to Boston
- Anders Lindback: Arizona to Unsigned
- Al Montoya: Florida to Montreal
- Joni Ortio: Calgary to Unsigned
- Justin Peters: Washington to Arizona
- Karri Ramo: Calgary to Unsigned
- James Reimer: San Jose to Florida
- Ben Scrivens: Montreal to HC Dinamo Minsk (KHL)
- Jeff Zatkoff: Pittsburgh to Los Angeles
The biggest story here is that Calgary completely traded in its goaltending by declining to re-sign Ortio and Ramo, and instead acquiring starters Brian Elliott and Chad Johnson. Elliott will be the clear starter but Johnson performed well enough in Buffalo to warrant competition if Elliott falters. The second biggest name changing teams was Frederik Andersen. The Anaheim Ducks traded the RFA to Toronto for a 1st and 2nd round pick, and then Toronto immediately signed him to a five-year deal. The Leafs sent Bernier back the other way—but delayed that move so that Anaheim would not be on the hook for Bernier’s signing bonus.
Most of these moves involve backup goaltending for two reasons. GMs consider the backup position easily replaceable, and goalies like to move to other teams for better odds of becoming a starter. Injuries may thrust some of these names into the limelight, and teams will hope that their transactions pan out.